The Parable of the Talents...and Politics

I don't usually blog about the Bible and religion unless it is to point out hypocrisy, which I eagerly and gleefully love to rip into.

See, I believe that one's faith or absence thereof is a personal issue, unless somebody trots it out first and cloaks themselves in the mantle of sanctimony.  Then it's fair game.

Anyway, I think I've figured it out: the real reason why conservatives (like those who are vying for the Republican presidential nomination) are so very staunchly in favor of tax cuts for the wealthiest of the wealthy.

For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Matthew 25:29, Revised Standard Version)

See, it's Biblical.  Thus unerring, infallible, etc.  Not only do the rich get more as their just due, this verse also addresses the flip side of screwing the poor as well, in one neat little package.  Oh, and lest you think this verse is taken out of context, it's the capstone summary sentence to the famous parable of the talents, which is all about...creating and protecting wealth.

But Gary, you may say, what about helping the poor?  See, Jesus also said these things: 

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Matthew 19:21)

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."  (Luke 12:33)

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Luke 18:22)

But not to worry.  Since the Bible says both things, you can practice situational ethics and select the verse(s) that you wish to adhere to.   Invoking the first verse gives plausible deniability against those liberals who would point to the last three verses about helping the needy and downtrodden.

Actually, conservatives don't overtly invoke the first verse--that'd be a bit too crass, to speak of it aloud.  They just act on it like it's the Prime Directive in Star Trek.