Bernie, Like Jesus, Brings Good News to the Poor

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ian-mevorach/bernie-like-jesus-brings-_b_9445546.html

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reads from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19, NRSV). “Today these words are fulfilled in your hearing,” he boldly proclaims (Luke 4:21). The year of the Lord’s favor which Jesus announces is the Jubilee Year described in the Book of Leviticus. God commands Israel to observe a Jubilee Year, a “sabbath of Sabbaths,” every 49th year: this is a year in which slaves are freed, debts are forgiven, farm land and animals are allowed to rest, and, most importantly, land is redistributed. This is a year of social, economic, and environmental justice. Jesus’ message is radical in the true sense, in that it expresses the root values of liberation and equality at the heart of Judaism, values which resonate with the Israelites’ core identity as a community of slaves liberated by God from the tyranny of Pharaoh.

In an age that has seen the rich grow absurdly, unprecedentedly rich and the poor decline into abject, debilitating poverty, Sanders is the only major presidential candidate willing to sufficiently problematize the ever-widening wealth gap in our nation and world, and to offer revolutionary solutions to restore a level of economic equality consistent with a free society. As president, he would lead efforts to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor, rebalancing our society and restoring our middle class.

[Renew Deal]

1. We must worship St. Bernie

He is so Christ-like

[JackRiddler]

18. Now there is an example of response from privilege.

The poor? Screw them, do they vote?

[NuclearDem]

19. "Bernie isn't Jesus" = "I hate the poor"

[JackRiddler]

23. The article is about the poor, and the only candidate who talks about them...

It's your sneering that reads it as Bernie=Jesus, ha ha ha. A reaction that's only possible from relative privilege.

[NuclearDem]

24. Actually, it's this part that reads it as Bernie=Jesus:

"Bernie, Like Jesus, Brings Good News to the Poor"

[JackRiddler]

25. Still the article is about the poor...

and since Jesus isn't god and possibly not even a historical figure, but a story that conveys a set of teachings (in which the poor figure prominently), there's nothing absurd about wanting to apply those teachings. Instant sneering at the thought, in this case, is going to come from people who don't particularly care about the poor. And in this particular context of DU, it's going to be from those who see themselves as having a mission of attacking everything that isn't helping the team they've chosen. This shouldn't be a team sport. Do you have anything to say about the poor, who have suffered so much at the hands of bipartisan Republican - New Democrat policy?

[Ferd Berfel]

124. Bernie & Jesus

[quickesst]

28. "Bernie, Like Jesus, Brings Good News to the Poor"

That's the title of the OP. Guess you kinda missed that. It's not anyone sneering. That's exactly what it says.


Please tell us again who is equating.

[JackRiddler]

29. The question is what is being equated.

Something tells me you probably don't think Jesus is God. I certainly don't. The New Testament story may not even refer to a real historical figure.

So we're talking about a set of teachings as they relate to the poor. Do you think no one should even try to take those teachings seriously? Even if they, too, are also not God? Not perfect? An instantaneous sneer at it will proabably come from those who don't think or care too much about the poor.

[quickesst]

46. Heh-heh...

Despite the spin, there was no question. It was a statement. The OP equated Bernie with Jesus in the title. Fictional, God, or just a man, Bernie is no Jesus. He's just a politician doing whatever is necessary to get elected, and I don't think an internet warrior has the credentials to judge who does, and does not care for the poor. End of story.

[JDPriestly]

78. The article quotes Luke.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reads from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19, NRSV). “Today these words are fulfilled in your hearing,” he boldly proclaims (Luke 4:21). The year of the Lord’s favor which Jesus announces is the Jubilee Year described in the Book of Leviticus. God commands Israel to observe a Jubilee Year, a “sabbath of Sabbaths,” every 49th year: this is a year in which slaves are freed, debts are forgiven, farm land and animals are allowed to rest, and, most importantly, land is redistributed. This is a year of social, economic, and environmental justice. Jesus’ message is radical in the true sense, in that it expresses the root values of liberation and equality at the heart of Judaism, values which resonate with the Israelites’ core identity as a community of slaves liberated by God from the tyranny of Pharaoh.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ian-mevorach/bernie-like-jesus-brings-_b_9445546.html

Politician he may be, but Bernie Sanders (along with Pope Francis, may I add) is preaching the age-old and wise lessons of compassion, sharing and healing. If you are religious and you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that means something. If you are not religious but you believe that human social values require us to respect and value all human lives including those of the poor, then that means something too.

And what it means is that, although Bernie may be a politician intent on winning the presidency, he is unique as a politician in our time and country in terms of his awareness of the unfulfilled need in our society to care for the poor, for the suffering, for the sick, and to strive toward equality and respect for each person in our society.

Interestingly, Jesus drew large crowds but was followed by hypocrites and others who believed that he was a phony who believed that he did not follow or understand the Jewish law, who thought he was a troublemaker, an usurper of the legitimately powerful.

We are told that it was these doubters, these opponents of Jesus' wonderful human compassion who conspired to try him, to hand him over to the Romans who ended his life, his teaching and his good works.

Now if we continue our analogy between Bernie and Jesus (and I am not claiming that Bernie is equal to Jesus but rather that his values and his teaching are similar to those of Jesus -- I'm unaware of Bernie healing any sick people although his universal healthcare plan would heal a lot of people who can't afford medical care now), who would it be who would betray him?

Perhaps among the betrayers would be those who like to ridicule his sincere and humble compassion for those who suffer. It is in that compassion that Bernie is like Jesus. He is not the only person who shares that compassion, but he appears to be one of them.

And I think that he deserves a great deal of respect for that compassion.

I do not perceive that degree of compassion in any other candidate for the presidency in this election, not even in those who claim to have deep Christian faith. Of course, faith is a very personal matter and I can't claim the capacity to judge the faith of any person. But I can say that Bernie's Christian (or Jewish) compassion (although he does not profess to be religious and certainly not to be Christian) as it is revealed in his stances on the issues appears to me to be much clearer and more greater than the compassion of any other candidate.

[quickesst]

106. Ok

In other words.... To some people, Bernie = Jesus.

[JDPriestly]

126. No. Bernie is not Jesus. Bernie is Bernie. But of all of our candidates, Bernie most closely

agrees with and follows Jesus' teachings.

No other candidate is even in the competition on this.

Jesus did not say, "Follow me" as long as it is possible to fit me in after you bomb Ghaddafi and invade Iraq and set things straight in Afghanistan." He said, "Leave everything you have, everything you think you need or want to do and follow me."

Today he would say, "First give to the poor and needy, heal the sick and care for the elderly and the very young, and then you can do what you want."

With the exception of Bernie, all the candidates are making excuses as to why we can't heal the sick -- that is, have universal healthcare and health insurance; feed the poor -- that is, fully fund food stamps; end the wars -- that is work with others to make peace; have a fair tax system that requires the rich to pay a fair share of the costs of our society, the society in which they thrive financially -- read Jesus' message to the tax collectors in the corrupt society in which taxation was especially corrupt at his time. On issue after issue, Bernie's message of hope, and as Obama put it, "Yes we can," is more like Jesus' message than the message of any other candidate.

Sign me,

Raised on the Bible.

[Bohunk68]

107. You have it. I have been saying over and over that the only

Christian candidate is Bernie. How soon, many forget that Jesus, if he existed, was a practicing Jew, and that the sect was regarded then as being a sect of Judaism. What if G-d is not a punitive god, but a G-d of infinite undeserved love for each and everyone of us? From stardust we came, and to stardust we shall surely return. Bernie is the best damn Christian out there.

[tokenlib]

137. Yeah, I pissed off a Sunday School teacher frind of mine telling him that the other day...

Bernie does show the most Christian values of any candidate running. Bernie is truly a good and decent man. And that is why sometimes even though DU is just a discussion board, I get really upset about some of the stuff people say about Bernie. He isn't doing this to get rich or famous...not at his age.

Note: my friend probably got hung up on me saying that a Jew could be a better Christian than a Christian...somehow I can grasp that idea.

[rusty fender]

122. Great response

I think you hit the nail on the head in explaining what the OP was trying to convey regarding the poor, and Bernie as their bringer of hope.

[riversedge]

39. "Bernie, Like Jesus,"--about as linked anyone can claim..

[JackRiddler]

42. You are not responding to my comments or to the OP text

and I don't particularly care, since it's a Pavlovian response anyway.

[riversedge]

49. I am responding to the link between Bernie and Jesus made in the OP. Your name-calling my

response is rude and not needed.

[CTyankee]

91. well, I'm cool with you...I totally get the meanings here. Of cocurse, I am a Bernie

supporter but Bernie, in one of his ads, asks "what does it mean to be moral?" and he approaches it as a question of integrity and doing the right thing to make us better people. I am moved to tears by the simplicity of his message.

[PeaceNikki]

93. No, he's not the only candidate working for the poor, he's the only one you like who does.

He's the only one you listen to who addresses poverty.

Comparing him to the mythical Jesus is so hyperbolic that it is laughable.

[Renew Deal]

20. Did I say his name in vain?

[COLGATE4]

44. You just earned 10,000 years in Purgatory

for doing that.

[Renew Deal]

45. Just add it on

[JoePhilly]

98. The funny thing is ...

... most of these folks thought Warren was the next Messiah heading into 2015.

Bernie was their alternate choice back then.

[JaneyVee]

2. Bonkers.

[msongs]

3. if I don't vote for bernie will I go to hell when I die? nt

[wildeyed]

5. A little bird told me....

YES

[sheshe2]

8. ...

[riversedge]

40. tweet tweet

[dchill]

52. Not a "special place in hell" anyway...

Just a regular, democratic one.

[lunamagica]

4. What about Hillary supporters? Do you think that perhaps they are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome?

[zappaman]

6. !!!

[sheshe2]

11. ...

Good post!

[Sheepshank]

34. Ooooo snap.

[treestar]

75. Hehe

Yeah!

[mcar]

94. ..

[BainsBane]

140. Well. We did just have the season finale

Of The Walking Dead.

[Sheepshank]

7. Yah, we've been fed this Bernie=Jesus tripe before

Thanks for bringing up the absolute ridiculousness of it.

Bernie the saviour....don't forget he dabbled as a carpenter too, that's like the maraschino cherry on the top

You may feel better if you delete the op and let this thread drop like a lead balloon.

[wildeyed]

12. Not before I kick it one more time with this oldie but goodie.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[riversedge]

41. PERFECTO!!

[sheshe2]

121. ;)

[okasha]

14. Sometimes you just don't know whether to laugh or puke.

[Maru Kitteh]

47. Or facepalm, or

or



or

[wildeyed]

90. I can't decide either....

or or

[sheshe2]

9. Jesus Mary and Joseph.

[ucrdem]

10. I don't remember Jesus hitting up his disciples and then bragging about the take. nt

[JackRiddler]

22. Actually, he did the equivalent for the time.

Drop everything and give it all to the cause. (Assuming there was even such a man fitting the story. But if there was, that is what he was: a man, nothing more or less.)

Not that Sanders has asked for very much. I've been glad to give my $200 so far secure in the conviction that a record number of others are doing the same. Don't you wish Clinton could ever match that enthusiasm? Nah, who cares - banksters taking care of it!

Sanders is speaking to the time and the issues of the time. That is reality. If there was a fair playing field, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[ucrdem]

35. The difference is that Sanders collects from the poor and spends it on his own campaign.

To my knowledge Jesus never called for anyone to give him money. What he said a few times was to give to the poor. Of course he didn't have a foundation either, but the difference between Bernie and the Clintons is that they use their foundation to soak the rich and redistribute to the poor, imperfectly perhaps but that's what Foundations are chartered to do. Bernie won't even share with other Dems let alone the poor.

p.s. the part about selling all and redistributing to the poor (not to the disciples incidentally) comes up in Acts, but it isn't Jesus speaking.

[JackRiddler]

37. You're right, he should just run for president without collecting money.

Basically, no one should run for president who isn't for the status quo as is and gets most of their money from corporations and the rich, and mostly through indirect means.

After all, it really IS a corrupt system, so running in it at all is sheer hypocrisy! Just let the rich run it in peace.

[JDPriestly]

79. Who do you think fed Jesus as he traveled around?

Who do you think provided places for Jesus to sleep?

Bernie is not rich. He does not charge $250,000 and up for a speech.

Bernie is about compassion for the poor, for students who find themselves swimming in debt, for those who cannot afford health insurance or healthcare, for those who earn subsistence wages, for those who find themselves in prison for minor offenses, for women and men who need to be with their newborn babies, and on and on.

Bernie's entire campaign is about compassion for the poor in our society.

Hillary -- not the worst, but not the best either in this regard.

Bernie's emphasis is very much like that of Jesus.

And Jesus did not practice his profession of carpenter once he began preaching. He was fed by his followers and people who were around him. How else did he find a way to eat and take care of himself? All kinds of people gave him money, that's how.

Read the New Testament. He encouraged people to give and praised the widow for giving her mite to the temple.

Yet another analogy: Bernie wants to break up the big banks into smaller, less risky units. Jesus threw the money lenders out of the temple.

The similarities are numerous.

[Laser102]

117. Neither do I. I do remember the meek shall inherit the earth. That excludes all politicians.

[NuclearDem]

13. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[ucrdem]

16. Didn't Jesus say render unto Caesar what is Caesar's?

Jesus would have released his tax returns early and they'd be be complete.

[NuclearDem]

17. ....

[greatauntoftriplets]

21. I heard he always overpaid the Roman Revenue Service to help the less fortunate.

[Haveadream]

43. Best. Post. Ever.

Didn't Jesus say render unto Caesar what is Caesar's?

Jesus would have released his tax returns early and they'd be be complete.

[Maru Kitteh]

48. Ha! You win :)

[mcar]

95. +10000

[sheshe2]

26. ROFLMAO~

[Bobbie Jo]

77. LOL!

[senz]

15. Thanks, GeorgiaPeanuts.

It will be justice long overdue if Bernie can get the moneyed interests out of government and bring this country back to its democratic, egalitarian roots.

Some may think the people don't deserve basic security, peace, and freedom. Hopefully, they are in the minority.

[rbrnmw]

27. He may turn some water into wine

For the fellas at the pub

[Rosa Luxemburg]

62. That sounds good

[George II]

118. From what I've seen of some of his campaign heads (Weaver and Devine), it's more like whine.

[rbrnmw]

119. LOL

[Bleacher Creature]

30. This is why we can't have nice things anymore.

Or even just a rational discussion on DU.

[okasha]

31. Jesus turned down the temtation to be the most powerful man in the world.

Bernie's grabbing for it with both hands, by any means necessary.

[senz]

33. Bullshit. There is only one power-mad person in the Democratic race

and it is your candidate, and you know it. You know it.

[okasha]

53. Is anyone here saying Hillary is just like Jesus?

Or Mary? (Any of the Marys?)

You're a True Believer. Fine. Bless you.

No rational person, though, would deny that ANYONE who runs for President has to have a pretty big ego. That includes Hillary.

And it includes Bernie Sanders, too. Deal.

[senz]

57. A theologian finds a correspondence between Bernie's goals

and some of Jesus' teachings. Why is that such a big deal? Read the OP or the HP article from which it is excerpted. It's really not the least bit extreme.

No one is claiming that Bernie is Jesus or is like Jesus. No one is claiming that Bernie shares many of Jesus' qualities. No one is suggesting that Bernie is in any way divine.

Just that some of his aims and goals overlap with some of Jesus' aims and goals (and more accurately with passages from the Book of Isaiah).

It's you and your scoffing, laughing crowd that can't understand a very straightforward OP.

[okasha]

73. Again, I call your attention to the esday title.

Betnie, Like Jesus...

Thete you have it.

[senz]

74. Okay, try this on: okasha, like Jesus, eats bread.

Titles don't mean that much. It's the content that gives a written piece its meaning.

[okasha]

133. Titles mean a great deal.

They're meant to draw you in and get you reading. A clunky one will kill your piece.

Yep, I eat bread. But only an idiot would take that to mean that I am a Messianic figure. The essay goes on to embellish and elaborate on the notion that Bernie is such a figure.

And that's plain silly.

[senz]

138. Are you aware that newspapers use headline writers who are not the authors?

It's always wise to look beyond the headline of an article because the person who wrote the headline may not have understood the author's intent -- or they may just be playing for excitement and clicks.

Nah, no one's going to place Bernie Sanders on the same level as saints and messiahs.

But he's just what the country needs at this time.

[CTyankee]

99. No, he wants to lead us into the light. I believe he is a deeply moral man...

[okasha]

136. "Lead us into the light?"

Sorry, I tend to reject that kind of conflation of religion and politics. It's dangerous.

The President who arguably did the most for the poor and oppressed in the 20th. century was the deeply immoral LBJ.

[CTyankee]

141. I meant light as in "enlightenment," like the movement of the 18th century which was

philosophical from the point of view of rationalism.

But I know it can be used in the religious context as well. John Locke, Voltaire and rousseu are some Age of Reason thinkers...

[senz]

32. What happened to your thread is happening all over GD-P.

You write an OP that is sensitive, sincere, and hopeful, and then bullies descend on your thread and trash it with jeering ridicule and cynicism, showing themselves to be pathetically hollow and soulless.

They, dishonest to the core, call Bernie supporters "Bro" and accuse us of bullying, but they are the bullies. They are everything they accuse us of.

Earlier, when things were going well for their candidate and poorly for ours, they couldn't even find it within themselves to be gracious; all they could find was the bully's coarse urge to boast and rub our noses in it.

They could not be that ugly if they weren't on some level utterly miserable. I wish I could feel sorry for them, but I can't.

[Sheepshank]

36. What a nice thing you are doing for the op

I wonder where the rest of your group is?

[grasswire]

66. It sucks to be on the wrong side of history.

There's a remedy, though.

[wildeyed]

85. Awww... did you get a sad?

Hillz supporters SO mean and hurted you feelings

But now seriously, if you equate a politician with Jesus, particularly on a liberal board, you are going to get laughed at. It is a rule of nature. So either grow some skin or choose another line of argument.

BTW, things are STILL going well for our candidate because math

[senz]

120. Nah, just disgust.

Like many liberals, I like to consider all people as equal, but exposure to miserable sickos is driving home the correct stance, which is: all people deserve equal rights and opportunities. Period.

The article does not attempt to compare Bernie to Jesus; it merely points out similar intent in one area of life, but for some reason, Hill supporters are experiencing an attack frenzy all over GD-P, which makes it appear that they're feeling insecure about their chances of forcing this disastrous thing through to the nomination (and then watching it fail and flail in the GE, giving us a Republican president unless some 3rd party opportunist leaps into the mix).

Your taunting response surprised me, so I glanced through your journal. It looks like you're habitually sarcastic -- so, being liberal and all, I think I'll just hope you get over whatever painful experiences made you so angry and aggressive. Not sure yet whether to put you on ignore; guess it depends on how annoying you are.

[wildeyed]

125. No, the title starts with "Bernie, like Jesus"

So it ABSOLUTELY DOES compare the two. It says so in the title. This is basic reading comprehension

As I said before, when you compare a political candidate to Jesus, or defend someone who does, you are probably setting yourself up for some serious ridicule.

Imma ignore your ad hominem attack, because boring

[senz]

127. Oh come on, make me respect you. Try, baby.

I already addressed that astonishing bit of ignorance here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511640743#post74

Jesus.

[wildeyed]

132. No, the last paragraph also goes on and on

about the similarities between Jesus and Bernie Sanders. I can read. Baby.

Me, personally, I get REALLY suspicious when religion and politics are conflated. It always goes badly wrong. The framers of the constitution agreed. All that separation of church and state..... And it is even weirder to see it here, on a liberal board, where people usually have a healthy suspicion of that kind of thing. That is the truly astonishing bit.

[KingFlorez]

38. This is a step too far

Just creepy.

[Avalon Sparks]

50. Even creepier...

The paybacks the Clintons owe for accepting 150 million dollars in bribe money (speaking fees) .
Some investors have waited years for the payoff.

Once they are both back in power, the ROI will pay off in spades.

Stuff like that makes my skin crawl.

[senz]

58. Same here.

[NanceGreggs]

51. I just KNOW I'm gonna be sorry ...

... when all of the Bernie Supporters are Raptured into heaven, and I'm left behind.

[okasha]

54. Me, too.

Somehow I don't think I'm going to ride that Great Hoover To The Sky, either.

[NanceGreggs]

55. Well, hopefully ...

... they'll leave behind some good shit for us to enjoy when they're gone.

[wildeyed]

86. Sure hope so!

[DemonGoddess]

76. Great Hoover to the Sky!

[riversedge]

59. LOL. yes, but just think what a grand time all of us Left Behinds can say and do.

[NanceGreggs]

60. Ah, there is THAT!

[JoePhilly]

96. + 1

[grasswire]

56. Bernie and the Pope -- we're doing well at creating a new era. nt

[revmclaren]

61. Is that sort of like Pinky and the Brain?

They always failed in the end. By the way, which one is Pinky?

Sorry, but when you bring religion into politics, you have become a bat-shit zealot.

[grasswire]

63. who mentioned religion??? nt

[revmclaren]

64. I sort of put the POPE into the RELIGION category!

And putting Sanders teamed up with him is a disturbing image for all of us Pagans, GLBT, etc who think the Pope and his beliefs are anti progressive!

Just saying!

[grasswire]

65. I don't.

The pope has focused on issues that I don't think say anything about religion. Bernie, too.

But I respect your opinion.

[revmclaren]

67. This Pope has, but still looks at us as sinners.

I left Organized religion 45 years ago. Too many hypocrites and people willing to TOLERATE people like me,but not accept us.

I wont settle for less than total acceptance!

[grasswire]

68. I understand.

I left organized religion, too, after working for a famous conservative who began a non-profit that was meant to help people who have no voice but turned out to be simply a power play.

[revmclaren]

69. Thank you for understanding.

[zappaman]

72. He's just like Jesus!

Ask anyone at the pub!

[wildeyed]

89. Wait, does that make them

Publicans?

[Sancho]

81. I heard that Bernie had a rally and fed 10,000 people with one can of tuna!!

Not sure how much that can of tuna cost, but I hope there's a video on Youtube!

[riversedge]

82. If it was the Univ of WI-Madison rally only 4,400showed up. Guess many got an extra

nibble.

[Sancho]

84. I think he feeds the college students with Ramen noodles!

Everyone gets 4 years tuition and 4 boxes of noodles!

[polly7]

83. I like this article.

There are very many beautiful and inspirational messages in the bible. For those who believe, or even those who don't - caring for those with the least among us is the greatest thing we can do as human beings. There is no other way to accomplish this than to demand fairness from those who have most - so much of it gotten at the expense of others who are just fighting to survive. I struggle with religion, but this is just basic human decency, three words those who control the lives of so many millions of others have wiped from their vocabulary.

[PeaceNikki]

87. lol

[betsuni]

88. LOL !! I Overheard This At The Tavern Today !! ...

It must be true !!

[synergie]

92. But That biblical god man was not anti charity, Bernie is.

And seriously, can you stop with the shoving of your religion down everyone's throat. We are all a bit tired of this hear our "good news" that you must accept and convert, else we shall abuse and rape you and your culture. Keep your religious beliefs to yourself, proselytaztion of thus nature is deeply offensive.

[FreakinDJ]

97. So sad Hilbots just don't get it

I guess those Goldman Sacks speeches clouds their views

[Renew Deal]

108. Would that make Hillary supporters heretics or blasphemers?

Is Bernie infallible?

[FreakinDJ]

109. Money Changers Worship

[Renew Deal]

112. Does that make them the devil?

I'm just trying to understand the level of animosity.

[okasha]

134. If I recall correctly,

you're the member who thought millions of Christians would --er, flock--to Bernie because they would take a finch alighting on his podium to be a Sign from God.

The truth is that the little fella seemed interested in the water bottle. He was athirst, and Bernie gave him not to drink.

[MineralMan]

101. Such comparisons are not really appropriate.

For those who are Christians, Jesus is not a politician in any way. The comparison fails on theological ground. For those who are not Christian, the comparison fails because most of those don't acknowledge any supernatural nature in whoever the historical Jesus might have been.

Many people champion the end of poverty as a goal. That doesn't not call for comparisons with a supposed deity.

The comparison is a weak one, really, akin con comparing candidates one doesn't like to some horrible historical figure.

The comparison is also a transparent one, in that people know that it is not in any way a valid comparison.

The comparison does not help the candidate being compared to Jesus, either.

The comparison is a failure, all around, and should simply not be made.

[CTyankee]

102. well, Christians are exhorted to imitate Christ and Jews are exhorted to love justice

and walk humbly with their God. And I believe seeking peace is in their somewhere. I find that deeply spiritual impulse in Bernie, too. Isn't he setting a good example for people of all faiths?

[MineralMan]

103. Bernie is not the one comparing himself to Jesus,

now, is he? I doubt he would ever do such a thing. People should follow his lead.

[CTyankee]

104. I am. I just find it a deeply spiritual impulse. That's all. We all have our different

interpretations. Since I am not religious, I take what he is saying deeply moral and inspiring. Bernie himself asks what it means to be moral in one of his ads. His appeal is that we can be better...nothing wrong there...

[senz]

123. For knowledgable Hillary backers, any appeal to morality or ethics

could be regarded as implicitly critical and therefore offensive, which might explain the ridicule.

I love your reasonable response to the OP.

[Hortensis]

105. Exactly. This is POLITICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS, tho,

for a politician trying to draw Far Right voters away from Cruz. Which must be why a Bernie-Jesus comparison is being made in far more places than this.

For a true believer in his own crusade like Sanders, this race is still his to snatch from defeat, and I feel quite sure Sanders is far from objecting to any tactic that might advance him.

[stopbush]

110. You've got to admit that like Jesus, Bernie is getting crucified

in the primaries.

The question is, will he come back from the politically dead three days after Hillary wins the nomination?

"He is not here. He has risen and returned to his back bench in the Senate where his political life is sustained by glomming onto the Ds and introducing legislation to rename post offices."

[DesertRat]

111. ...

[wildeyed]

115. You are SO bad!

But in such a good way

[okasha]

135. And one has to admit that Hillary

has vigorously and successfully resisted being crucified by the Republicans for the last 25 years.

[NastyRiffraff]

113. THANK YOU! I love this thread!

I badly needed a good laugh and you gave it to me. In the words of Jesus, or maybe Bernie: Bless you.

BTW, is "problematize" a word?

[Walk away]

114. So Bernie can walk on water but he can't show us his taxes????

[Amimnoch]

116. Well, some of his speeches does sound like a Joel Osteen sermon.

First he was the Holy Prophet - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280142491

and now he's compared to the fictional character of Jesus?

I'd like to think this isn't the mind set of the (hopefully) vast majority of Bernie supporters. Really though, some of these things are getting awfully close to cultlike worship more than just supporting a great candidate.

[Fairgo]

128. As the sycophants and the money changers jeer from their booths...

Like Ghandi, I am impressed by the christ, but not by the christians.
The post was about the values, not the miracles.
Sad how those with eyes are so blind

[Fairgo]

129. by the way

for the semantically impaired...I am not Ghandi

[wendylaroux]

130. Yes Bernie does dare mention the poor,

unlike the money hungry,power hungry Clinton.

So laugh it up assholes,we see what your made off.

[rbrnmw]

131. ....

"Oh Lord won'tcha buy me a night on the town"

[zappaman]

139. Awesome OP!

I read it aloud to the guys in the pub and they all thought it was quite excellent!