[belcherboy]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/03/05/D8NM9S8O2.html

Edwards: Jesus Would Be 'Appalled'

By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Writer

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards says Jesus would be appalled at how the United States has ignored the plight of the suffering, and that he believes children should have private time to pray at school.

Edwards, in an interview with the Web site Beliefnet.com, said Jesus would be most upset with the selfishness of Americans and the country's willingness to go to war "when it's not necessary."

"I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us who are suffering and our focus on our own selfish short-term needs," Edwards told the site. "I think he would be appalled, actually."

Edwards also said he was against teacher-led prayers in public schools, but he added that "allowing time for children to pray for themselves, to themselves, I think is not only OK, I think it's a good thing."

In the interview, the former North Carolina senator discussed how he lost touch with his day-to-day faith during college, but that it "came roaring back" after the death of his 16-year-old son, Wade, in 1996.

Edwards has often cited religion as a part of his politics, frequently linking his efforts to fight poverty as a matter of morality.

Edwards was interviewed by David Kuo, a conservative Christian who served as deputy director of President Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives until 2003. Kuo wrote a book, "Tempting Faith, An Inside Story of Political Seduction," that said Bush aides privately called conservative Christians "nuts," "ridiculous" and "goofy."

Edwards told Kuo he stood by a decision to keep two bloggers on his staff despite their provocative writings criticizing the Catholic Church. Edwards said he also found the writing offensive, but "decided to forgive them and stand by them, knowing there would be potential political consequences for that."

The bloggers later quit, saying they didn't want to be a liability to the campaign.

[LUconn]

is he calling Jesus a communist? Maybe Johnny should stick to suing doctors.

[PAmedic]

is he calling Jesus a communist? Maybe Johnny should stick to suing doctors.

no, but you may be able to make the case that He would have supported socialism- in its purest form, anyway

(THAT oughta start some smack on here... )

[LUconn]

A system that would only work in a perfect world void of corruption? I think he was well aware of the current situation on planet earth.

[TallyW]

I think he said "You will always have the poor among you."

I don't think we could pull socialism from Jesus' teaching... social justice yes... wealth redistribution... that's a stretch...

[NJLibertyboy]

We need to help the poor, something George Bush's faith based iniative had no desire of doing. It was more about getting the christian conservative vote than doing any good.

I worked for the Edwards campaign in High school in 2004, because I'm a Democrat and well, he was better than Kerry.

Great stump speaker, phenominal orator, but he got rich of a stupid lawsuit, which I'm not too cool with.

Howvever, he was the only candidate that truly had a plan for insuring every child in america, which was awesome.

[LUconn]

Does that include taking my money from me and redistributing it to the children or their parents? Shouldn't that be my decision?

[bigsmooth]

i used to live in NC and edwards is a moron. please go back to chasing ambulances.

[4everfsu]

Let see, if Edwards is pro death, then he can say Jesus would be appalled. Also President Bush didnt have to start the faith base initiative for christian votes, he already had them before.

[NJLibertyboy]

No, the parents wouldn't get anything. Their kids should though. Every kid should have the opportunity to live a healthy life. Their parents, that's their problem, but you can't punish kids for their parents not having health insurance.

But agreed... Edwards is a moron.

[LUconn]

No, the parents wouldn't get anything. Their kids should though. Every kid should have the opportunity to live a healthy life. Their parents, that's their problem, but you can't punish kids for their parents not having health insurance.

But agreed... Edwards is a moron.

I'm not punishing them, their parents are. The whole point is I agree that they need help because their parents are irresponsible, but that's not the governments job. It's mine and yours and the church's.

[4everfsu]

That line of thinking is no different then the communist setup where the kids are ward of the state. Parent have no say so in their upbringing.

[Libertine]

Surprisingly (or not so much), James Taranto at the WSJ had something to say about Mr. Edwards rant on selfishness.

"What Would Jesus Sue?
Ask a silly question, get a silly answer. This is from a Beliefnet.org interview with Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards:

What parts of American life do you think would most outrage Jesus?

Our selfishness. Our resort to war when it's not necessary. I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us who are suffering and our focus on our own selfish short-term needs. I think he would be appalled, actually.

Why is it that the secular left sees a threat to the separation of church and state when conservative politicians cite religious bases for their views about abortion, same-sex marriage and the like, but not when liberal politicians speak on Jesus' behalf like Edwards does? We suppose it's either because the secular left is more left than secular, or because no one thinks guys like Edwards are sincere in their professions of religious faith.

In any case, Edwards, a filthy-rich trial lawyer, has a beam in his own eye when he complains about selfishness. As Carolina Journal reported in January:

Presidential candidate John Edwards and his family recently moved into what county tax officials say is the most valuable home in Orange County [N.C.]. The house, which includes a recreational building attached to the main living quarters, also is probably the largest in the county. . . .

The main house is all on one level except for a 600-square-foot bedroom and bath area above the guest garage.

We hope he's at least made the "guest garage" available for use by the local homeless!"

[NJLibertyboy]

First off, what does that have anything to do with a parent unbringing their child? They can choose not to enroll their kid in the program, but, why wouldn't you want your kid to be covered? I think comparing it to communism is a load of bullcrap.

And, if you haven't noticed, jobs that provide health insurance in this country are disappearing. Parents who once had jobs with great coverage are losing benefits left and right, leaving families uninsured.

Once you turn 18, or your parents finds a job that provides coverage you are off the list.

It is impossible for the church to insure the millions of children in America that don't have health insurance, until we can, something needs to be done.

Also, I've been in the hospital for surgeries, life threatening surgeries. if my parents didn't have insurance, they would have still gotten the surgery for me, but they would have been over $300,000 in debt because of it. So, we're making poor families even poorer. I had a kid dying of cancer in the bed next to me... MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TREATMENT!!!

I just think it's crazy that you people think that if a kid has cancer... he/she should be stuck because his parents don't have insurance. And yes, you are punishing the children and partly holding them accountable for their parents.

and Libertine, could not agree more.

[LUconn]

yes, that's life and it's the reult of the original sin. Don't even get me started on how we'd all be better off if our jobs paid us more money instead of giving us health insurance, in which case we could get our own health care. That's another argument all together. But seriously the goverment couldn't be designed any worse for this type of welfare. Or any type for that matter.

[belcherboy]

First off, what does that have anything to do with a parent unbringing their child? They can choose not to enroll their kid in the program, but, why wouldn't you want your kid to be covered? I think comparing it to communism is a load of bullcrap.

And, if you haven't noticed, jobs that provide health insurance in this country are disappearing. Parents who once had jobs with great coverage are losing benefits left and right, leaving families uninsured.

Once you turn 18, or your parents finds a job that provides coverage you are off the list.

It is impossible for the church to insure the millions of children in America that don't have health insurance, until we can, something needs to be done.

Also, I've been in the hospital for surgeries, life threatening surgeries. if my parents didn't have insurance, they would have still gotten the surgery for me, but they would have been over $300,000 in debt because of it. So, we're making poor families even poorer. I had a kid dying of cancer in the bed next to me... MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TREATMENT!!!

I just think it's crazy that you people think that if a kid has cancer... he/she should be stuck because his parents don't have insurance. And yes, you are punishing the children and partly holding them accountable for their parents.

and Libertine, could not agree more.

I don't think I agree with you. There are billions of children in the world. Of those 95% are not just without health insurance, they can't get ANY health care. They get sick and many times die. We live in a nation where regardless of the child's financial status, they still receive care. It is the GREATEST system in the history of man. Why is it my responsibility to pay their medical bills? All tax payers pay for their treatment anyway with taxes because those children/people are still serviced. If a family cannot pay the "$300,000" than they file bankruptcy, and again we still pay for much of it. Regardless, bad things happen to people and it isn't fair. Trying to create a system that makes things fair, usually causes more inequality. If we really want cheaper health care, than they got to fix the problem of insurance. Universal health care will just cause more problems IMO (universal meaning all children are covered). Just because we live in the greatest nation in the world doesn't entitle us to best free service. Also, living in the United States doesn't entitle us to be free from financial ruin. Whether it is cancer or Katrina. Even if we just stick with health, no one is denied any procedure regardless if the bill is in the millions of dollars. Just my opinion, I know many do not share it.

[belcherboy]

yes, that's life and it's the reult of the original sin. Don't even get me started on how we'd all be better off if our jobs paid us more money instead of giving us health insurance, in which case we could get our own health care. That's another argument all together. But seriously the goverment couldn't be designed any worse for this type of welfare. Or any type for that matter.

I was a social worker for homeless families up here in Detroit for 3 years. There are a TON of services out there for the adults and the children get even more services. I am always amazed at how politicians like Edwards claim that we don't take care of our own needy citizens. They all had access to housing, health care, food, clothing, etc. It wasn't always the best service, but it was adequate and free to them. Some were families that were just "down on their luck" (most of rest were habitual abusers of the system). Some would have mom and dad losing their job, along with other circumstances beyond their control. I even had some that had HUGE medical bills. It was heartbreaking, but that is life. Most of them had their health, and that was much more important than their financial future. Their children had enough food, were in warm places, had appropriate clothing, etc. We take care of our needy in the country and anyone who says otherwise is just not being completely honest.

[4everfsu]

Look at it this way the Govt taking my money and using it for someone elses family. Including illegal children that crosses our border. So yes it is a form of communism in my eyes to promote socialist equality.