Many people who used to wear the WWJD bracelets or pendants, now oppose healthcare reform. I’ve heard people say the poor need to get their lives together and people should take care of their own health. But it is obvious that many people in the Bible Belt do not act on these two proposals, having poor or no health insurance and not living a healthy lifestyle. That is both good and bad, since these two ideas are opposed by the example of Jesus, and yet, they do not take care of the temple of God.

Jesus said that the poor are always with us, but went on to say, “and whomsoever ye will ye may do them good;…” It is inconsistent with the whole of His teaching to say that this means we should ignore the problems and needs of the poor. Jesus told the rich young man to sell all he had and give it to the poor (Matt 19:21). He also said we should care for those who have not in many ways in the judgment scene in Matthew 25. Jesus told Zacchaeus that his house had gained salvation after Zacchaeus said he would give away half of all he had to the poor.

Jesus is known as the divine healer, because during his short life, we have many instances of His healing the sick of various ailments. But He did not focus only on His own people, the Jews, but He healed people in Tyre and Sidon and the Centurion’s servant. He did not consider anyone alien when it came to his care.

I think that people who have reacted to healthcare reform because they have heard it attacked by politicians or people on TV, radio or the internet should look more broadly for information. Most of the accusations against healthcare reform have been debunked by many sources, including some Republican politicians. It is also important for Christians to gauge everything that you hear against what the Bible says throughout (not proof texts which are frequently quoted out of context) and what Jesus did and taught. In Matthew 20:16 He said, “So the last shall be first, and the first last, for many be called, but few chosen.”

Roger A. Meyer, PhD

* * *

Dr. Meyer wonders what Jesus would do about healthcare reform. He frames his comments on the "do this for the least of these" tenets of the Christian faith rather than on current facts. Truth is, no one is denied healthcare for inability to pay, whether through free clinics, emergency rooms, or free care that's commonly rendered in doctors' offices. This means that the medical community is fulfilling its obligations to the poor already.

Predictably, Dr. Meyer doesn't make a strong argument that people are being denied care due to lack of funds. He can't make a compelling case because the evidence doesn't exist.

It's funny how there's always something in the Bible to support or refute whatever point you want to make. Remember when Jesus said "to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's?" He was saying that spiritual things are separate from the governmental. Extrapolating, Jesus would probably say that government run healthcare is not a spiritual or even moral issue. Oddly, this is a position that liberal organizations like the ACLU and Moveon.org also espouse.

The point is that the current system provides for the poor already without regard to ability of an individual to pay. The moral and ethical obligations of society are met. The question of whether to turn health care over to the government to run is not a religious but a financial and regulatory argument, and Dr. Meyer ought not to mix and confuse religious teachings with government's political aspirations to seize even more control over our personal lives.

Jim Nichols

* * *

Dr. Meyer,
My personal opposition to the current healthcare reform bill comes from my opposition to the philosophy behind it. Jesus did not fuss and demand that Rome get over to Jerusalem pronto and take care of these people. He did not wait for government or assume that if Pilate would just provide more money, people wouldn't need to beg. There are already people working to help those in need of healthcare, such as Volunteers In Medicine here in Chattanooga.

My concern is that too many people in need and those who claim to represent them spend more time complaining than researching options.

You reference Jesus's response to Judas about the expensive perfume destroyed to wash the feet of Jesus. According to the Bible, Jesus came to earth to be the means for us to enter into His kingdom not help us set up the perfect kingdom on earth. That said we are not exempt from helping others. You and I can be body of Christ by stepping in to others' lives and helping individuals, not government programs. My personal financial resources can go farther if they aren't invested in extra bureaucracy.

Perhaps if we spent more time washing one another's feet instead of demanding the government step in with a new program, then fewer people would be in need. We need to spend more time helping our individual neighbors and less time fussing about fuzzy statistics.

Danielle Wilkie
Chattanooga
wilkienursery@yahoo.com

* * *

"Jesus said that the poor are always with us," but went on to say, “and whomsoever ye will ye may do them good;"

And then Jesus went on to say "and if your brother will not do them good, then ye shall take up the sword against your brother and cut out his substance and do them good on his behalf."

Alright, I can't actually find that in the Bible, but this is certainly a necessary clause to support Dr Meyer's claim. How about this one? "Thou shalt not steal, unless it is for a cause widely supported by social doctrine theologians." Surely that one is in there?

Or this: "If your brother asks for your shirt, give him your neighbor's coat, and if your neighbor is loathe to part with his coat, set upon him the IRS."

No?

So how, exactly, do we get from peace and love to violence and theft? Taking care of the poor is a good thing. So, with manly firmness do it yourself, instead of demanding that the care to be rendered first be stolen from another.

Christian Wilson