Is it possible to support the Conservative party while at the same time be a Christian?

So - any Christians still in any doubt?

If so, what source of authority for Christ's teachings do you use, apart from the Gospels?

Blacksunday ... so all those quotes were from Jesus, huh?

I do wonder what the vicar thinks about Cameron in his/her church on their knees every weekend, then cheerfully doing The Poor up the arse for the rest of the week

(I'm sure I read once that the Camerons, Osbornes and Goves all regularly attended the same church. Just IMAGINE!)

I don't think Jesus was anti-riches.

He was, actually.

Rich People

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 114 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Luke 18:25 ESV / 92 helpful votes

For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 12:33 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:9 ESV / 29 helpful votes

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Luke 6:24 ESV / 27 helpful votes

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

Luke 6:20 ESV / 25 helpful votes

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

James 5:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

And more:

www.openbible.info/topics/rich_people

George Osborne apparently borrowed more money in 3 years than Labour did in 13.

The Conservatives passed Labour an economy in 1997 that had £400 bil of National Debt and was budgeted to BALANCE our tax receipts/expenditure by 2001, which it did.

When Labour passed a £1 trillion of National Debt and £153 billion annual government deficit/overspend to Osborne, that was 13-years of unreformed fat government/state plus the borrowing due to the worst recession in 80-years - and the economy and bank lending to get us out of that debt/recession and pay our annual bills, was in a mess.

Conservatives could take it on the chin that the annual budget deficit is only down to around £70 bil after trying to reflate the economy, if, Labour had not opposed every spending cut (that would reduce the deficit) for 5-years.

And in case escaped your notice, this thread alludes to spending cuts (that would reduce the annual budget deficit that accumulates onto the National debt) from the benefits/welfare/tax credit bill that grew so massively during the 'boom' - it was never going to be sustainable through any 'bust', never mind the worse for 80-years.

'Didn't Jesus say borrow as much money as you can and the next generation can sort out the mess.

Or was that someone else?'

I thought that was Gordon Brown.

You're an idiot

I don't think Jesus was anti-riches.

Agreed, it was not ‘beware false profits’, it was ‘beware false prophets’ especially those bearing gifts, in other words those that preach one thing and do another.

So on that basis (and their record) I would argue with the OP that it is more difficult to be a Christian and vote Labour, the party of costly and overbearing government as Christ was generally anti overbearing government and there is evidence;

• The fact the government tried to kill him at birth.

• When he said “beware the leaven of Herod”, it meant don’t believe the government.

So how can any Christian be a Labour voter and justify the fact that they wasted the once in a century windfall taxes from ‘the money changers’, to significantly improve the life chances of the poor, by gorging themselves on hundreds of £billions of taxes, to enlarge themselves?

I’m sure god still loved the newly formed numerous and highly remunerated government quangocrats, the new army of managers and the ‘creation’ of another small army with the ‘non jobs’ so prevalent in local government – but it was those people really receiving the governments gifts e.g. a career - not the poorest in society, where even those that could rise, were being kept down on the false promises of generous welfare increases for life.

So when prophets SAY they are ‘caring’ and ‘decent’, one has to ask that even if they mean well, will they ever have the ABILITY to deliver to those that truly need it, as if they could not deliver it with a once-in-a-century-money-windfall, then when in heavens sake COULD they – even by borrowing continuously from those same ‘money changers’. IMO

George Osborne apparently borrowed more money in 3 years than Labour did in 13. They don't mind borrowing - they just don't like helping people who are less fortunate through no fault of their own.

Didn't Jesus say borrow as much money as you can and the next generation can sort out the mess.

Or was that someone else?

The number of Consevatives who consider themselves to be Christian always makes me laugh I include my own family in that statement.

If Jesus came back, what would he make of all the Gold Plate in places of
Worship? The expensive robes, worn by the higher church representatives, the luxury houses they live in and the rich food they put in their mouths.

I don't think Jesus was anti-riches.

No, he just thought they should be given to the poor. You really think that is in doubt??

Absolutely not.

The bible says wealth and riches shall be in your houses.

Also the Lord rewards a diligent worker.

Whatever you touch shall be fruitful

The Lord will bless the works of your hands.

I don't think Jesus was anti-riches.

black why am I an idiot? At what point did Jesus say you should take money from people by compulsion for the poor - he said give to them directly and the rich will not get into heaven.

We aren't discussing other parties. We are discussing the Tories.

I agree with Hully, he expected everyone to give their money to the poor. He did not say, take money from rich people and give it to a central group of shysters who will waste most of it and give some to the poor.

You're an idiot.

Conservatives are not necessarily more selfish then members of other parties. Most Labour voters are after improving their own position at the expense of others.
Many Conservatives believe a small government is better for all, and many studies support this, although others disagree.
There have certainly been more people fucked over by socialist countries than capitalist.

I don't think it is unless the person is very naive. Selfish individualism is not a Christian ideology.

'In summary, very few, if any, MPs act in a Christian manner.'

Very few people would disagree with that. Puppets!

It is not about reducing spending- it is the way they have gone about it. Food banks??? In 2015, in the worlds 5th richest nation? Come on- how is that 'christian'? And the Tory party don't take any accountability for their part in this. Suicides as a result of the job centres claimant commitment and sanctioning regime?? 'The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing' springs to mind. I know many 'Christians', and very few of them have any clue of what conservative policies actually mean on the ground.

I agree with Hully, he expected everyone to give their money to the poor. He did not say, take money from rich people and give it to a central group of shysters who will waste most of it and give some to the poor.
Reducing government spending is not unchristian. Keeping money you have and not giving it to the poor is.
In summary, very few, if any, MPs act in a Christian manner.

It is actually really awful, and exactly why some Christians get a bad name (thinking of the middle class and very small minded Christians) that I grew up around in Northern Ireland. Forever sending people on missions to Africa but ignoring the poverty five miles up the road in north Belfast.

He did expect exactly that.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26200157