If we are our brother's keeper, should Christians support universal health care?

Question

When I was young it was Christians running charity hospitals, soup kitchens, clothing collections, medical charities. But it seems today that Ebeneezer Scrooge has replaced Jesus as the philosophical leader of some conservative Christians. This seems in direct conflict with the unequivocal teachings of Christ about charity to the poor, the sick, the imprisoned. From time to time I see glowing exceptions, like the Church of God Pentecostals who volunteer at the same prison I volunteer at, and not just to preach, but they also help parolees find work, purchase tools. That they have read Jesus and try to do what he taught is obvious, and very attractive. But there remains a large streak of meanness among some evangelicals that seem content to let the old folks die eating cat food as long as it keeps their taxes low. It's more Libertarian than Christian if by Christian we mean someone who heeds what Jesus taught.

As a Christian, do you support a kinder, gentler nation where we are each others' responsibility, or not, and how do you see the teaching of your faith underpinning your stance?

Answer 1

Health care is up to each of us. It's paid for but what kind of care do you really get? Doctors  and other health care professionals would be paid a set amount (nothing like what they make now). Every ones giving all kinds of examples of what should or should not be. The one that I find used in a wrong way (sort of) is the one where Jesus gives the parable of the good samaritan to illustrate "good people" can always find an excuse to leave a man lying in the ditch". No Christian would leave anyone in a ditch! At least, one who is a Christian! Plus I think that can be better used to say "h**l is full of good people. Being good is a part of getting into Heaven, but the main thing is believing in and believing Jesus.

All the Christians I know want affordable health care for those in need and do give money and time to those in need. We run soup kitchens, thrift stores with the proceeds going to all kind of charities. So to end where I began. Health care is up to each of us! I guess you could call that universal health care.  

P.S. There's not enough space or time to address all of your question. I just lightly hit on the health care issue, so please no feed back of he didn't answer the question. I sensitive!

Answer 2

Jesus' kingdom was not of this world.  He didn't expect Caesar to tend the sick, but rather he expected Christians to volunteer their time, efforts, and resources for this purpose.  For example, he showed that the exemplary definition of "neighbor" is a Samaritan picking up a robbery victim, carrying him to an inn, and providing for his care out of his own resources.

The problem with "universal health care" is that it replaces voluntary generosity with coerced seizure of resources.  This has the effect of creating shortages of doctors and procedures as people demand what is their "entitlement" rather than paying for free market services or applying humbly for charity.  In effect, most people become LESS healthy by trying to make government do a job for which it is ill-suited.

Cheers,

Bruce

Answer 3

I don't think that's religion; it's just people being people to me.

Answer 4

I do not mind helping others with medical problems and such, but I do object to $360 million dollars of tax money going to abortion providers each year, after they bring in over $100 million dollars doing abortions. On top of that the abortion providers are counted as a non-profit group, so they do not pay taxes.

Answer 5

My in laws live in Belguim, where they have universal health care.

My mother in law had colon cancer, they sent her home to die.

She died in Jan of 2000.

My step father in law now has stomach cancer. They sent him home to die!

He is slowing dying and all they will do is give him pain killers!

He and my mother in law paied taxes for this *ahem* universal health care and this is what they got from it.

The right to die with dignity!  

Universal health care? Where's the CARE?

Answer 6

If indeed those who proclaim to be Christ like & there are many, If we fed the hungry,visit the prisoners,took care of the widows & orphans, I believe we would have no hunger amongst our neighbors.If we truly loved one another as Christ loves us.However the Word says the poor will always be with us.It also says he that does not work, does not eat(I am talking about healthy people) It is our responsibility to love our neighbor & enemy as ourselves. But that is the churches job, not the governments, Many try so hard to separate each other & keep apart & OUT of government. I do support a kinder, gentler nation, but not on the backs of the hard working class.Candidate's& Lawmakers are quick to give out taxpayers money, but what about giving it out of their own pockets? A few calls to millionaire cronies & pay cuts in their own salaries & retirement packages,&stop giving countries military warfare & I believe we could wipe out the national debt and feed the hungry. Which I believe not to be the Governments job- but the churches.