Truespeak

Continuing in my series, I give you this letter from James, the brother of Jesus. The letters of James are addressed to Christians in general and not to any particular church. The letters are mainly concerned with the practical side of the Christian faith, consisting of the principles for every day conduct. They discuss true religion, faith and wisdom.

James 2:1-13:

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. ²Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. ³If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," ⁴have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
⁵Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? ⁶But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
⁸If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. ⁹But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ¹¹For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
¹²Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives you freedom, ¹³because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!

Which of our two major political parties chooses mercy over judgement? It's certainly not the conservatives. So when the religious right shoves their faith in your face, remember that we are the party that Jesus would have chosen. It is our values that are most closely aligned with his teachings.