Christianomics: A blog on economics, politics, and law

  The President in 2050: and so to curb the pandemic of obesity I will be signing these executive orders that will require OSHA to require all businesses to require their employees to take this new anti-obesity vaccine that is guaranteed to drop your BMI. Press: Mr. President what is the threshold for obesity? President: The threshold is a BMI above 30. Press: Will there be any medical or religious exceptions provided? President: Sadly no. Press: What about people who are obese but able to drop their BMIs by other methods? President: They will still be required. I’ve been patient with them but now my patience has worn thin. Press: Lastly, what about people who are already under the BMI for obesity or even those who are considered underweight. If they aren’t part of the problem will they be required to take this vaccine as well? President: Yes of course they will. I’ve already said we each have to do our part. Think of our kids.

John Doe: I think I'm okay with the idea of a government vaccine mandate. If you're teetering on the edge of the cliff then you obviously should make every effort to get away from the cliff [and take the vaccine]. Me: But I've already survived covid, so from my view I'm not on the edge of the cliff and therefore don’t need to take the shot. John: Well you should still want to take it just in case. Me: But I don't. John: But you should. Me: Okay, make me. John: What? Me: Make me want to take it. Offer me a bribe. Give me $10,000 and I’ll get the shot. John: No! Me: Okay so what, $1,000? $500? John: No and no. Me: ...You aren't doing a very good job of offering me any incentive. Come on, you've been telling me this is really important. So how important is this? What would you be willing to give me? John: 50 cents. That's as high as I would go. Me: Really? 50 cents...Not even enough to buy something off the McDonald's dollar menu. Our country is suppose...

There are those on the political left (both non-Christians and professing Christians) who claim Jesus was a socialist (1). They point to verses like Acts 20:35 as evidence the church’s mission to care for the poor should also be the government’s mission. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” -Acts 20:35 While this sounds good on its face, this comparison misses a fundamental difference between the church and the government: freedom of association. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, [NOT] reluctantly or under [COMPULSION], for God loves a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthian 9:7 When you join a church, you do so because you want to. When you tithe or support missionaries, you do so because you want to. Yes, we are told to, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse,” (Malachi 3:10) , but no one gets fined or whipped or punished for refusing to tithe. Even if a bad church were to do such things, that church would not la...

  "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”- Acts 20:35 I see Christians on the liberal side of the political spectrum pointing to verses like Acts 20:25, Luke 3:11, Galatians 6:2, 1 John 3:17, and Leviticus 25:35-38 as evidence that Christians should be voting for socialist politicians and policies. When I ask why they think socialism is the answer I’m told they believe we should be generous and that society is better when we take care of the needs of our neighbors. This results in less crime, homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health problems. Those are perfectly fair and reasonable things to want. In fact they are so reasonable that I, a firm believer in the superiority of free markets, agree across the board. So what’s the problem? The problem is these are merely goals. Goals with no clarification on the means of achi...