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How Should People of Faith - Or Atheists Who Want to Talk With Them - Think of Bank Crime?
Anthony Freda/Daniel Zollinger
What Would Jesus – Or the Rabbis of Old – Do?
Preface: If you are an atheist and believe that religion is crazy, please remember that some 85% of the American population identifies itself as Christian and millions more identify themselves as Jewish. Very few Americans are atheists. (And the majority don't trust atheists.) Therefore, knowing a few bible verses may be essential for atheists to be able to speak to people of faith.
The head of Goldman Sachs said he’s doing “God’s work” with his banking activities. The head of Barclays also 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 or traditional Jewish 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.
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.”
Indeed:
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)
But shouldn’t we be deferential to the rich and powerful bankers?
No. Colossians 3:25 explains:
For the wrongdoer will have punishment for the wrong he has done, without respect for any man’s position.
So if the powerful players in the giant banks broke the laws, they must be held to account.
Fraud and Manipulation of Money
The big banks have engaged in systemic, continuous ongoing criminal fraud.
Allowing the banks to commit crime with impunity is not what Jesus would do. What would Jesus do? Turn over the tables of the money-changers. (economists agree.)
Moreover, the giant banks are manipulating every market in the world.
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.
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.
Shouldn’t We Wait Until the Economy Recovers?
Apologists for Wall Street criminals argue that we should wait until the economy recovers before we prosecute the criminals.
But Ecclesiastes 8:11 notes:
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.
Nobel prize winning economists agree.
Important Postscript: Not all bankers are bad people. For example, many bankers at smaller banks and credit unions are good people who are trying to help their communities. Each must be judged by his own acts.
Moreover, corrupt government officials are half the problem. Indeed, the big banks wouldn’t have grown so large, or gotten away with so many bad acts, had corrupt officials in Washington not condoned their actions.
The Wall Street criminals themselves are not the real problem. The deeper problem is the malignant, symbiotic relationship between corrupt government officials and corrupt bankers.
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Huh. My edit (to insert a missing "is") created a dup. Sorry, y'all!
That irony escapes most, PG. The Bible is first and foremost an instrument of control, imho. Further, it I is not the divine word of the Creator. But, that's just my opinion. The old testament speaks of God's wrath that will surely rain down on the non-compliant. That can only work for so long though, 'cos after a generation or two, the fear wears off. You know, people see obviously deceitful fucks prosper, and the propaganda just don't work anymore. IOW, the message has to morph into something new, or die.
Along comes the "new testament" (apparently the all-knowing Creator fucked up on the old one) and proclaims that all can share in the splendor of the Creators' presence simply by being baptised in the faith of the only-begotten-son (who was actually despised by TPTB of his time, and summarily crucified) with only one little catch; You have to die to see it. Does anyone actually know anyone else who has returned to tell (verify) of this amazing loophole in the circle of life (outside of hallucinogenic drug users)? No. You have to die to find out. I can't wait!
As far as the miracles and such of the new testament- This where Goebbels et-al: got the idea of the "big lie". I mean shiaat! If you can believe that Moses got the ten commandments from an incendiary shrub he met while alone in the mountains- you'll believe most anything!
You brought up an interesting point, the influence of altered states on religion. Many religions have mood altering substances as part of their rituals. Christianity itself is a desert born religion. Try wandering the desert for years and you too shall truly understand. BTW I believe in the Dao.
It's fascinating, actually. The "true believers" will attack any logic. I have wandered about in a desert of rational thought for at least 40 years. In that way, I know how Moses felt.
acetinker says - "If you can believe that Moses got the ten commandments from an incendiary shrub he met while alone in the mountains- you'll believe most anything!"
You'd think if you are going to go on public forum and attack something, you'd at least get the story straight.
You have simply shown your ignorance of that which you are so ready to attack.
I might suggest if this is a passion for you, maybe read the Bible through first?
It will save you a lot of embarrassment.
Hint: Moses never got the 10 commandments at the burning bush.
Ok wise man, where was he? How did he happen to have stone tablets and carving tools at his ready disposal, wherever he was? The name DeoVindice fits you well, btw!
make sure to get dr. hudson to fill in the details for ya...
This could fix many problems of today, either in word or spirit:
http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/hammurabi.htm
2. If any one bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river prove that the accused is not guilty, and he escape unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser.
Works for me! (and anyone else who can swim, I expect)
"85% of the American population identifies itself as Christian" "Very few Americans are atheists."
Makes sense, seeing as though until recently a local personal god defined ingroup-outgroup status and also the religious folk really liked to kill off the non-religious.
As long as the "Meek shall inherit the Earth" I'll be ok.
If that gives out, I'm sunk.
This is one of the stupidest things I have heard anywhere outside of the racist white nationalists who worship Hitler, Neitszche and their shared bigotry toward Christians.
Once 100% of the American population had never heard of a christian. That same 100% did not identify with one.
The word Americans was used to describe Europeans who were living in the American colonies, not the Indians.
Uh, yeah. But the Pawnee don't do a lot of child sacrifice any more. Besides, it's hard to kill off all the Arikara when the Lakota are massacreing the hell out of you.
Personally, when I see the Sioux coming, I find me a big fat Mandan to hide behind. You know, noble savage and all that.
but the current theory is all indians (natives) were good, honest people... pointing out the truth is just unacceptable IC.... we can't have people realize the truth behind the word savage.... or the fact custer had indians fighting with him against those that had tormented and terrorized them.... funny how history always ends up at the foot of the sinful nature of man.
Proud, brave, not always good, just like us. The Nez Perce came close to killing anyone who ventured their way. Other tribes were always cordial and welcoming. Similar to people today.
Whoa, now. I never said that Native Americans weren't good, honest people. They would kill, steal, rape, torture, and so forth, but they did it all honestly. "I'm going to take the skin and hair off the top of your head, but it's nothing personal. It just enhances my status in the tribe and gives me a better chance of getting Doe In Heat away from Big Buffalo Phallus. It's not like I hate palefaces or anything. I mean, who do you think gave me this bottle of fire water? So, this'll go quicker if you hold still."
Some of the funniest things I've ever heard said about Apaches were told me by a young Pueblo guy at Taos. But that's another story.
Hard to hold on to divine right if your god's validity is in question. That is why the infidels die.
Devine right belongs to 'divinity.' That sure ain't us.
Wait - what?
Yes, when justice is not swift and fair, I want to violate my civility and kick the ever living shit out of all those responsible.
Fucking cunts and shitbags will fuck up the whole system for a few unearned bucks.
Boris is not pretend know well of Jesus, but is read some of Bible and know Jesus displeasure of hypocrisy more than most other sin, like lady catch adult, he is not cast stone, but he is whip money changer (aka bankster).
you seem to know more than most pew sitters