Religion and Poilitics

Religion and politics, two things one should never discuss in most social settings. (@ least according to Miss Manners in her book, Miss Manners' Basic Training: The Right Thing to Say)

Ahhh, but if /when you decide to break this etiquette rule; be prepared - in the most polite way possible, of course.
Maybe it would help to remember some history that all Christians share.

The Jewish tradition in which Jesus lived and taught demanded that just rulers make a minimal provision for the poor, including

• no-interest loans and
  
• the distribution of agricultural commodities. (Look it up: Exodus 22:25-27 and Deuteronomy 24:19-21)

The apostle Paul held a high view of government's role in

• promoting justice and
  
• urged the willing payment of taxes (of course, when taxes go, in part, towards funding morally reprehensible actions - THAT is addressed under "promoting justice")
  

And Jesus's followers, fanning out along Roman roads, eventually expressed strong views on

• slavery
• infanticide
  
• the debasement of women
  

All of these political views following naturally from their belief in a radical equality before God. What views to we hold (vote for and express) that follow naturally from our belief in a radical equality before God?

"What is morally right can never be politically wrong, and what is morally wrong can never be politically right." Lord Shaftesbury