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Big Bankers Say They're Doing God's Work ... Are They Right?
Preface: If you are a Christian or If you are an atheist and believe that religion is crazy, please remember that some 85% of the American population identifies itself as Christian
Jew, the importance of the Bible is probably obvious. If you are not,
please consider passing this essay on to people of those faiths who you
know.
and millions more identify themselves as Jewish, and that most people
make decisions and process information based on their beliefs and
emotions.
The head of Barclays also recently told his congregation that banking as practiced by his company was not antithetical to Christian principles.
Are they right? Is big banking as practiced by the giant banks in harmony with Christian principles?
Do Justice
Initially, the Bible does not counsel us to ignore the breaking of laws by the the powerful.
In fact, the Bible mentions justice over 200 times -- more than just about any other topic.
The Bible asks us to do justice and to stand up to ANYONE -- including
the rich or powerful -- who do injustice or oppress the people.
There have been widespread, credible allegations that Goldman Sachs and other giant banks have broken the law (see this, for example).
Indeed, one of the first things God asks of us is to do justice:
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
While
many churches and synagogues have become obsessed with other issues,
many have arguably ignored this most important of God's demands of us.
As pointed out by a leading Christian ministry, which rescues underage girls trapped as sex slaves in third world countries:
In
Scripture there is a constant call to seek justice. Jesus got upset at
the Pharisees because they neglected the weightier matters of the law,
which He defined as justice and the love of God . . . Isaiah 58
complains about the fact that while the people of God are praying and
praying and praying, they are not doing anything about the injustice.
Should Christians just pray for justice and leave the rest to God?
That's not what the Bible asks us to do. Instead, Hebrews 11:33 tells us that we are God's hands for dispensing justice, and God uses us to "administer justice."
We have to "walk our talk" and put our prayers into action.
God demands that we do everything in our power
to act as "God's hands" in bringing justice. And as Saint Augustine
reminds us, "Charity is no substitute for justice withheld."
Please reflect on the following Scripture:
The
Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that
there was no one, He was appalled that there was no one to intervene.
(Isaiah 59:15-16)
This is the only place in the Bible where the word "appalled" is used for the way God feels -- in other words, the only thing which we know God is appalled by is if people are not doing justice.
There are hundreds of other references to justice in the Bible, including:
- Blessed are they who maintain justice . . . . (Psalm 106:3)
- This is what the LORD says: Maintain justice and do what is right . . . . (Isiah 56:1)
- This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. (Jeremiah 22:3,13-17)
- Follow justice and justice alone. (Deuteronomy 16:19, 20)
- For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice . . . . (Job 11:5,7)
- Learn to do right! Seek justice . . . . (Isaiah 1:17)
So if the powerful players in the giant banks broke the laws, they must be held to account.
Manipulating Money
Moreover, there have been credible allegations that Goldman Sachs and other giant banks manipulate the currency and other markets.
As Ron Paul notes, the Bible forbids altering the quality of money (which, at the time and place, was entirely in the form of coins):
Even
the Bible is clear that altering the quality of money is an immoral
act. We are instructed to follow the rules of "just weights and
measures." "You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of
length, weight, or volume. You shall have just balances, just weights,
a just ephah, and a just hin" (Leviticus 19:35-36). "Diverse weights
are an abomination to the LORD, and a false balance is not good"
(Proverbs 20:23). The general principle can be summed as "You shall not
steal."
Proverbs 11:1 also provides:
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.
So
to the extent that the giant banks have engaged in any dishonest acts
or the manipulation of currencies, they are violating scripture.
Of
course, any bankers who charge usurious interest rates should remember
the little story about Jesus turning over the money changers' tables.
Oppression of the Poor
Finally, the Bible condemns oppression of the poor for the benefit of the affluent:
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want. (Proverbs 22:16)
To the extent that the giant banks have oppressed the poor to increase their riches, they are violating scripture.
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Methinks Blankfein may be reading from Aristotle's playbook:
"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious."
Then Jesus went into the temple, threw out everyone who was selling and buying in the temple, and overturned the moneychangers' tables and the chairs of those who sold doves.
Matthew 21:12
Consider that some radical conservatives have painted Obama as an anti-Christ, "the One", pseudo-God for liberals, etc.
In that sense, the "Doing God's Work" quote from the Goldman CEO appears to me to be nothing more than a finger point by Goldman's board at the White House. I see it as a tongue-in-cheek dog-call to conservatives that Goldman is being "forced" to do this "work" of HFT, etc. to prop up the economy. Yes, it's bullshit for anyone at GS to imply this, as they are getting handsomely wealthy "saving" the economy by HFT, etc. But I see this as more of a finger point and blame-shift than anything else.
Remember the Far Side comic where a bear is in the gunsights and is pointing at the bear right next to him? That's how I'd read this. Goldman is pointing at the White House and cynically calling it "God."
Nobody in their "right" mind could have meant that statement literally. It had to be a reference to something else, and I think my explanation makes some sense.
Picking and choosing the Testaments, Books and passages you follow? The Bible is not a restaurant menu - MrHonkyTonk
Deceit and manipulation for ever-bigger bonuses, is more a work of Satan than God. Likening their deeds as of God, just shows how much intoxicated, nay mad, GS and its ilk have become with their 'success'. They scant realize that whom God wants to destroy, He first drives mad.
To the extent that the Old Testament dictates how slaves and concubines are to be treated, I am totally on board.
dud
Daniel Ch.11
Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
Oh, that silly, misguided Jesus; throwing the money changers out of the temple when they were actually "doing God's work."
Jesus must have been a socialist. He healed people for free.
Thanks George for the read, now back to my Aquinas, Camus, and Elliot while waiting for the top to unload my P.M's.
T.S. Elliot or Ralph Nelson Elliot?
I read an interesting book some time ago, though must conclude with self-loathing I do not remember the title or the authors name. The book was authored by a practicing psychologist with 25+ years of experience. It was meant as a warning to the rest of us. Her claim is that about ~3%-4% of general population is sociopathic. Sociopathic personality is innately unable to feel empathy towards others, and gets a kick from manipulating others. It is not even the material gains, but the satisfaction derived from persons ability to manipulate others. She was describing how to spot a sociopath, and thus avoid becoming a victim. 3%-4% multiplied by 300 million gives some large numbers. Wall Street seems to me like a major magnet for a sociopathic personality. So, what percentage would we find on wall street? Closer to 50%, most likely. Gods work, indeed.
Methinks you should probably not rankly speculate on things about which you have little to no knowledge.
actual reference:
Martha Stout, "The Sociopath Next Door". $10.95 on Amazon, I actually got it from library on tape. Easy read, read it, see what you think. cheers (not trying to be mean or anything, a friendly reply).
you may think what you like. Wall Street as a magnet for sociopathic personality explains an awful lot, fed and regulations notwithstanding.
All I'm saying is that your comment has more holes in it that Swiss cheese; it reeks of ignorance and non sequitur. Just like the WWII saying, just because some Wall Streeters are complete d0uchebags doesn't mean all of us are. I don't disagree that there are some seriously f'd in the head individuals on the Street, but its maybe 5-10%, not 50%.
"How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver" Proverbs 16:16 King Solomon
Speaking as personified wisdom, Solomon wrote: "Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her."
Proverbs 8:10-11
Lloyd Blankfein is doing the work of God. The God of mammon. The God of rebellion. The God of perdition. The God of the flesh. The God of the Beast of Babylon's snare.
Bankers should speak carefully. Anyone here remember a slime ball named Scrushy? No sooner than SEC / FEDs darken his door at Healthsouth, than he drives the bus over his former officers on the way to buy a church for himself & turn into a preacher.
the meek shall inherit the earth. Says nothing about Goldman partners.
(as i write this, a very large church in central Dallas announced plans for $100 million+ building. am not kidding)
If money brought powerful people closer to god or heaven, then Jim Bakker and Tammy Fae would have reached pretty high. But it's typically the opposite effect.
"the meek shall inherit the earth. "
That's what they'll get alright... DIRT !
Because Mr. Washington and most others appear to have missed the subtext completely, let me translate:
"Doing God's work" = separating fools from their money.
You're welcome.
GS will probably try a hostile takeover of Heaven and make God CEO-emeritus.
When the people love money more than God, He will take it from them with heavy interest. In His own time.
It's the $God!
Didnt Jesus drive the traders out from the temples? Maybe its time we did the same?
I am actually quite happy that he bought the subject of GOD up....it means they are finally running out of ideas...:-))
Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:
Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them. When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left....
– Matthew 21:12-17
God's work sure, but which god? My guess it would be the one referred to as the "god of this world" aka not the good guy.
These guys are simply taking a page out of the book that has been used by many an agenda-focused person or group before them: manipulate and appeal to the belief system of the masses. George Bush did it when he quoted the "good vs evil", "us vs them" approach to the Muslim world.
These men have a complete disdain (and in many cases, rightfully so) for the intelligence of the American people, and continue to believe that the masses can be manipulated (also in most cases, rightfully so) to believe that which they spout.
It has been done countless times throughout history, and will continue to be done until the people wise up and start to punish those that wish to manipulate them.
They can stick their religion where it fits.
Actually if you don't compare them to what's written in the bible, but rather to how christianity was used to influence and fund politics and conquests, and add a little bit of the spanish inquisition into the mix, I'd agree they are on that path of "doing god's work"
Espousing "God's Work", and invoking "God's Name", on all this chicanery will only serve to magnify the dire consequences they will reap.
TPTB have been misbehaving for centuries. Instead of changing themselves for the better, they rationalize, and then eventually blame it all on God.
For shame. For shame.
Rest assured, though, that Justice will be served. Be patient. Be prepared.
They are idiotsssss
It took God 7 days to make the earth
It took bankers and central bankers 10years to bankrupt the world economy
they are no match!
It is a 'Baker's Dozen', coined in England during a time when the King legislated the cutting off of an arm, or somesuch, if the amount of flour in the bread was less than suchandsuch a percent. So the bakers', gor'bless'em, added an extra loaf to be on the safe side.
As for God's work! They are crafting legislation, in that sense they are doing God's work. Although arguably not as well.
Now is the time to make up your mind. "Do I want to play in this GS game"
We all know that when CEO's have time to think about building a new head office that it often coincites with a high in the stockprice. He has other things on his mind than the operational business. I learned that the former CEO of the dutch DSB (now bankrupt) bank offered himself, 6 months ago as, finance minister to solve the credit crisis.
Now the CEO of Goldman says that they are doing God's work on earth. Since the CEO states this, all the personal can do what ever it wants since there is only one entity that can hold them accountable i.e. God. Also Crusaders saw themselves as God's tools on earth and that gave them the legitimacy for doing everything that normal people would consider "not normal". The fact that the CEO has time to think about such a statement is not only outrageous, but it also the superlative of disrespect to the normal workforce who helped them in the first place.
So on the one hand we have the GS bankers who got a letter from the representative of God, not to spend their bonus too open in public i.e. do not buy a red ferrari but maybe choose a different colour and on the other hand we have people bailing out Goldman/banks who line up at Walmart:
A quote from a conference this weekend, from the NY Times:
In a few years time we will look back and conclude that this statement was the perfect exit point from the market. I have made up my mind. This GS mentality is so wrong.
My conclusion is that the credit crisis lasted too short for (GS) bankers and it will take an other leg down (lower than March) to change this behaviour.
The 1929 Parallel
Senator Couzens: Did Goldman, Sachs and Company organize the Goldman Sachs Trading Corportation?
Mr. Sachs: Yes, sir.
Senator Couzens: And it sold its stock to the public?
Mr. Sachs: A portion of it. The firms invested originally in ten per cent of the entire issue for the sum of ten million dollars.
Senator Couzens: And the other ninety per cent was sold to the public?
Mr. Sachs: Yes, sir.
Senator Couzens: And what is the price of the stock now?
Mr. Sachs: Approximately one and three quarters.
—from the Senate Hearings of Stock Exchange Practices, 1932
Blankfein has no time for such soft talk. Bankers are not miners. "I’ve got news for you," he shoots back, eyes narrowing. "If the financial system goes down, our business is going down and, trust me, yours and everyone else’s is going down, too."
He's correct... miners actually work to produce something real, tangible, and necessary... bankers?... not so much.
The man's god is money... make no mistake.
Seriously:
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
Thomas Paine
True for national political institutions and all things connected to them.
busy, busy, busy
Maybe GS meant G.O.D., as in Gold, oil, drugs.