I had a friend who waited in line 2 hours yesterday to vote. He's in a union and stopped by to say hello and we discussed who his union brothers were voting for.
He found it amazing, but not surprising, that the owner and other managers in his company, who make a lot of money were voting Republican. His owner used to be in a union, but had told him that "he voted his Religion."
This is actually hilarious when you think about it. I'm no Christian, and definitely no bible scholar, but I always thought the Jesus helped out the less fortunate people. Wouldn't that be akin to giving those who make less than $250K a tax break? What about health care? Wouldn't Jesus want everyone to have access to health care?
What my friend also pointed out was that some of his union members were angry about the increase in their healthcare premiums. People were saying things like, "Why should I have to pay for someone who breaks their leg?" He's had to stand up time and time again at union meetings and explain the foundation of unity, of brotherhood, and what it means to be in a union. It's about standing together. Which, if I'm not mistaken, is something that Jesus wanted all human beings to do. Help a brother out, if you will.
"It's like these people don't read the contract." Yeah. I see that a lot of places. Sometimes I wonder if the people who go to church every Sunday actually read the bible. Maybe they follow along when the sermon discusses the scripture as they're holding the bible. But are they actually reading and studying the book? How many of these people actually read anything?
Religion has always been generally, a subject that people avoid talking about. I find, like all subjects, however, if you discuss it with a cool head, you can actually get people to think, or maybe have a decent conversation with different viewpoints.
So the next time someone says they're voting their religion, remind them that it was the Old Testament where God drowned everyone, and the New Testament where Jesus came along and tried to convince everyone to help each other.
If they bring up the quote, "God helps those who help themselves," remind them that this is not from the Bible, but from Poor Richards Almanac, by Ben Franklin.Poor Richards Almanac.
Then, if they bring up the tax issue, let them know that Franklin also said, "But in this world nothing can said to be certain except death and taxes."