[MD] Theocracy, Secularism, and Democracy

[Krimel]

[John]
In my opinion, the basis of the law stems from liberal individualism which
over-emphasized the value of the individual to the point where ironically,
the state supports life for nothing.  The bible isn't really all that
welfare-oriented, imo.

"Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and
travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:    Not
because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to
follow us.
 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would
not work, neither should he eat."

2nd Thesselonians 3:8-10

[Krimel]
You are citing a passage in which Paul is explaining his choices for his own
personal relationship to his flock. He is kind of a self righteous bastard
most of the time and this is just one example of that.

Evidence for the New Testament's socialistic, welfare oriented, flat out
communistic approach are plentiful. There is of course the Good Samaritan;
Jesus' condemnation of the scribes for tithing their herbs while widows
starve; advice not to lay up stores on earth for your treasure is in heaven;
letting the day be sufficient unto itself; the lilies of the field who sow
not neither do they reap but are decked out better than Solomon in all his
glory; rich people jamming through the eye of a needle; Jesus' advising the
young rich man to sell all he owns and give it to the poor etc. 

But the clearest evidence is in Acts which describes the 1st church and the
relations of its members. It should be noted that Acts is an account about
the actual people who knew Jesus personally and heard exactly what he had to
say. It is relatively, though not entirely, free of the influences of the
later Greek infested Pauline church. 

"44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, 
     as every man had need. 
 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and 
    breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with 
    gladness and singleness of heart, 
 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people."
- Acts: 2

"32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and 
    of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things 
    which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
  33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection 
     of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
  34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as 
     were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the
     prices of the things that were sold, 
  35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made 
     unto every man according as he had need. 
 36  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, 
     being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the 
     country of Cyprus, 
 37  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the 
     apostles' feet.
- Acts 4

And just to drive the point home that they were serious about their
socialist leanings there is this from Acts 5:

 "1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, 
   sold a possession, 
 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy 
   to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' 
   feet. 
 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to 
   lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the 
   land? 
 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was 
   sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived 
   this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but 
   unto God. 
 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the 
   ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 
 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and 
   buried him. 
 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, 
   not knowing what was done, came in. 
 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land 
   for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 
 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together 
   to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which 
   have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the 
   ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying 
   her forth, buried her by her husband. 
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard 
   these things."

You seriously have to wonder sometimes about conservatives, tea baggers,
fundamentalist and other bullshit artists. It's like they have never read
their own scriptures. Uh, present company excluded, of course.