Sean Davis:
After the presidential election last November, New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet gave an interview to NPR in which he admitted that his journalists simply don’t understand religion.
“We don’t get religion,” Baquet said. “We don’t get the role of religion in people’s lives.”
Baquet was correct: Acela corridor political reporters don’t understand religion, especially Christianity. Though he was specifically speaking about New York Times reporters, Baquet’s comments clearly also apply to the Washington Post, which on Friday morning accused a Republican congressman from Texas of claiming that the Bible forbids the unemployed from having food to eat.
The headline from the Washington Post couldn’t have been more clear: “GOP Lawmaker: The Bible says the unemployed ‘shall not eat.” Shocking, right? Judging by the Washington Post’s reporting, either this lawmaker is a real jerk, God is a real jerk for hating people without jobs, or maybe even they’re both jerks.
Here’s what the newspaper wrote about Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Tex.):
One lawmaker is citing a godly reference to justify changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Tex.) recently quoted the New Testament to question the strength of current work requirements.
The biblical passage, 2 Thessalonians 3-10, was a rebuttal to one of the hearing’s expert witnesses, a representative of the Jewish anti-hunger group MAZON. (He referenced Leviticus.) It is also a familiar refrain to anyone who has watched past debates about SNAP.
House Republicans have historically cited the verse — “if a man will not work, he shall not eat” — as justification for cutting some adults’ SNAP benefits. Arrington referenced the verse in a discussion about increasing the work requirements for unemployed adults on the food stamp program. But critics say that advances a pernicious myth about the unemployed who receive SNAP.
There are a few problems, however, with that story from Washington Post reporter Caitlin Dewey: the lawmaker never said that, the Bible never says that, and the Washington Post article never even quotes the Texas Republican as saying that. In fact, the article doesn’t quote Arrington a single time. Not one word. Because democracy dies in darkness, or something.
Not only did Arrington not disagree with the witness who quoted passages from Leviticus requiring the Israelites to leave harvest gleanings in the field for sojourners and the poor, Arrington actually affirmed him and noted that the passage in question is “a great reflection on the character of God and the compassion of God’s heart.” Here’s what Arrington really said:
I did hear, Mr. Protas, your opening remarks where you quoted Leviticus, I believe, and I think that’s a great reflection on the character of God and the compassion of God’s heart and how we ought to reflect that compassion in our lives.
But, there’s also, the scripture tells us in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “For even when we were with you we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” And then he goes on to say, “We hear that some among you are idle.”
I think that every American, Republican or Democrat, wants to help the neediest among us. And I think it’s a reasonable expectation that we have work requirements. I think that gives more credibility quite frankly, to SNAP. Tell me what is a reasonable and responsible work requirement as part of the SNAP program?
At no point did Arrington ever declare that the Bible requires that the unemployed shall not eat. Not once. At no point did Arrington ever say, “The Bible says the unemployed shall not eat.”
Rather, the Texas congressman noted to the witness at his hearing that in addition to commanding God’s people to leave a share of their harvest for the needy to pick up and eat as they moved through the fields, the Bible tells Christ’s disciples not to allow idleness to make them a burden on their fellow Christians. Paul’s letter to the church in Thessaloniki, after all, was not a directive to government officials in Rome, but an exhortation to his fellow followers of Christ in Greece.
You wouldn’t know any of that if you read the Washington Post’s dishonest mischaracterization of what Arrington said, because the Washington Post refused to tell you what Arrington actually said. Arrington didn’t declare that those without jobs are commanded by God to starve. He affirmed the requirement that God’s people provide for the poor and then noted an additional passage in which Paul tells his own brethren that they should work so as not to provide a poor example of idleness to those whom they were trying to bring to Christ.
It is very important to the liberal media that they keep at their job of trying to make the opposition appear a worse option than the failed liberalism which they represent ad promote. Thus, lying plays an important part.
If the Democrats really wanted to teach Trump and the Republicans a good, well deserved lesson, they would step aside, as the Republicans did Obama, and allow his agenda to destroy him; allow him to hang himself with his own actions. It doesn’t appear, however, that they are all that convinced his agenda will hurt him or the nation that much, so they try to obstruct and misrepresent everything he does or tries to do.
If anyone remembers, I recommended the same thing regarding Obama’s economic policies. It would be painful, but as long as the Republicans tried to insert some fiscal responsibility into the budget, the full effects of liberal economic policies would not be felt. Despite the media and Democrats (pardon the redundancy) proclaiming that a lethargic, foundering economy was, in fact, booming and benefiting one and all (except for the evil wealthy), reality leaked out and Democrats were swept from offices across the nation.
But Democrats don’t have that kind of confidence in their message, agenda, capabilities or ideology. They know it does not stand up well against freedom, capitalism and personal responsibility, so they lie. Lie, lie, lie.
The Washington Compost just like the New York and L.A. Slimes Boston Glob, and Atlanta Urinal/Constipation like the horns of a steer a point here a point there and a lot of bull in between
Sean Davis:
“To him who calls for the tax, [pay] the tax,” said Jesus.
Rome of Jesus’ day, represents all man-made governments of today. IF our gov’t demands tax money so they can feed the hungry, so be it.
Sad that the media is so invested in making religion (only Christianity) look bad.
So, to get food assistance, you are required to work
@PhillipMarlowe: Thats the type of post I have been hoping to see from you! No personal attacks on others.
Christian attacks have multiplied in the last few years because the media and leaders do not understand faith its not religion. Those of faith must band together and reject the concept of what they define it as. They only quote the bible as a club to beat us with. Protecting ourselves and our beliefs is never allowed, show us how many cheeks you have.
Even attacking a man for being courteous to his wifes feelings(VP Pence)and not allowing them to begin rumors by reporting he is dining alone with other women. Cruz and Romney didnt stand a chance because of their faith, they dint want to force their beliefs on others just gave no quarter to let others force their beliefs on them
@kitt: What do you mean, Christian attacks?
As a Roman Catholic, we haven’t been attacking anyone.