Yes, Christians Can Oppose Obamacare

on August 20, 2013

Are you a Christian? Do you oppose Obamacare? Well, according to MSNBC’s Ed Schultz, those two are mutually exclusive. Schultz claimed on the “The Ed Show” this Saturday that only “phony Christians” oppose the Affordable Care Act. “They’re phony Christians.” Schultz claimed, “Phony Christians when they say that they are Christian but then they want to take away from their next door neighbor. They don’t want to be their brother’s keeper.” Obamacare, Schultz believes, was “the most moral thing this country has ever done… If ObamaCare is repealed, Americans will die. Children of God will die.”

Christians on the left and right constantly disagree on the merits of certain pieces of legislation. It’s one thing to say that your opponents have an incorrect view about how this or that law aligns with biblical principles. But it’s another thing entirely to go beyond these criticisms and question the sincerity of their beliefs. In doing so, Schultz has clearly crossed a line.

The claim that Christians who oppose Obamacare do so because they don’t want to be “their brother’s keeper” is nonsense. Most Christians who oppose Obamacare do so because they believe God’s command to care for the sick and needy are personal commands that should not be supplanted by government mandates. There’s no Christian charity in giving when that giving comes at the threat of fines and legal action. All Christians agree that that communities should do more to care for the least among them; the only squabble is over the methods.

Schultz’ claim is particularly frustrating, because the clips he uses of religious Republicans specifically show their concern that the law will harm the neediest in America. “Vulnerable children, vulnerable women, vulnerable senior citizens, now get to pay more and get less” Representative Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) says in one clip. Later in the segment, Schultz interviews Focus on the Family’s Ken Klukowski, who reiterates that he believes Obamacare will lead to “denial of care, delay of care” (Over Schultz’s yell of “Those are lies!”). Conservative Christians clearly don’t disagree with helping the poor, they question whether the law will do so.

The notion that an often confusing and mostly unimplemented 2,700 page bill ought to be litmus test for one’s Christianity is patently ridiculous. With so many provisions and rules, it was almost inevitable that many of them would give Christians pause. Just last week, the Obama administration announced that at least $655,000 in Obamacare funds will be going to state Planned Parenthood affiliates. Before that, liberal and conservative churches alike complained that Obamacare as currently written would negatively impact the healthcare of their employees. Not to mention the dozens of religiously-backed lawsuits over HHS rules requiring employers provide contraception coverage.

Of course, when it comes to labeling someone a “phony Christian,” Schultz is throwing stones in a glass house given his years of unchristian-like conduct. In 2011, he called conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham a “right-wing slut.” Angry at a story that characterized MSNBC’s move of his show from weekdays to weekends as a demotion, Schultz once labeled POLITICO “a bunch of freaking whores”. The NY Post once reported that in an angry phone call to MSNBC staffers, he declared “I’m going to torch this ****ing place,” before hanging up with a scream of “****ers!” That earned Schultz a mandatory meeting with MSNBC president Phil Griffin, who promised he’d be fired if he ever did it again.

All things considered, Schultz is guilty of doing exactly what he claims his opponents are doing; using Christianity as a rhetorical tool in a political battle. Anyone with even an elementary knowledge of rhetoric will recognize his argument as a “No True Scotsman” fallacy. That well-meaning Christians can disagree on the best way to care for the poor and sick isn’t exactly that much of a stretch. But understanding and nuance doesn’t sell on cable television. On “The Ed Show” in particular, hateful attacks and ignorant posturing reigns supreme.

  1. Comment by cleareyedtruthmeister on August 20, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    It’s a sad sign of the times that people like Schultz even have a microphone. This man is clearly disturbed and fits the true definition of what people on his side the political spectrum call “hatemongers.”

  2. Comment by Gloria Miller on August 23, 2013 at 11:52 am

    I couldn’t agree with this comment more!
    Why in the world does Schultz have any kind of platform to speak from. He is so full of hate and venom. Can’t stand him and refuse to ever watch MSNBC! I happened to catch this on the internet.

  3. Comment by gary on August 20, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    let’s see – according to liberal types I am homophobic, racist, sexist, bigoted, intolerant, white privileged, and now a phony Christian. Yep, that about sums it up.

  4. Comment by Donnie on August 20, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    Sadly, the majority of leaders in mainline denominations echo Schultz’s insanity.

  5. Comment by Kay Glines on August 20, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    I’ve noticed that everyone on the secular left is an expert at defining what “Christian” is. Did it occur to them that people who read the Bible regularly, go to church, and read Christian books might be more authoritative than people who never darken a church door and probably don’t own a Bible? My husband likes football, I don’t, so I never discuss the subject because I’m in no position to comment on it, but that kind of ignorance doesn’t silence the left on matters of faith. What’s more disturbing is that the religious left takes its cues from the secular left, not from Christians. The clergy in liberal churches nod in agreement ever time some ranter in the secular media launches into a tirade against Christians.

  6. Comment by Mark M on August 22, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    The article is the same political fencing. Neither political party represents Jesus Christ, for sure. Neither’s mission constitutes the great commission, i.e., to make disciples in all the nations. Yes, obviously the democrats are egregious in their obvious dismissal of theological principles; however, the republican’s are no closer to heaven.
    People will be debating until the tribulation period begins.
    Neither political doctrine will provide a way to salvation. As the article stated:

    “Most Christians who oppose Obamacare do so because they believe God’s command to care for the sick and needy are personal commands that should not be supplanted by government mandates.”

    Really? Well, seeing the US spiritually implode with impunity, as churches blatantly compromise their missions; I don’t see the basis for that statement.
    Even the church is still severely divided between White and Black, after hundreds of years. To see all white churches, and all black churches is a theological joke; and contains a lot of unsaved people.

  7. Comment by cleareyedtruthmeister on August 26, 2013 at 3:59 pm

    In addition to the above reason many Christians oppose Obamacare for the most important reason: without fundamental changes it’s not going to help the poor. Unaffordable health care coverage or health care coverage in-name-only is not coverage!

  8. Comment by Gloria Miller on August 23, 2013 at 11:56 am

    I think the current administration must own MSNBC. They speak for B.O. with all the venom they can possibly muster! I don’t watch it anymore and never intend to again. Disgraceful the way they try and identify themselves as a news agency.

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