Ok. I recognize this is for conservative christians, which is arguably the opposite of what I currently am. But I have a few issues which you could answer for me, naturally I can understand your faith and your views on euthanasia and abortion, which arguably shouldn't necessarily be restricted to the conservative camp (I'm not saying I agree with the view on abortion, but I certainly do on euthanasia).
However, it is rather the conservative Christian view that Christian right = Libertarianism. Now, as a way of thinking, I see Libertarianism as those who are the best connected, most charismatic or most mathematically proficient profiting the most from the economy, which I suppose as an atheistic materialistic view (which again, I don't agree with) is fine. However, Christianity has its roots in the idea of loving your neighbor (or so most would argue, I guess Muslims fighting the crusaders or people in the Spanish inquisition would say otherwise, but I think today those would be the exception rather than the rule).
Therefore, my question is simple; why is the Christian right so staunchly anti-socialist? If the bible spoke of Jesus feeding the five thousand and then charging them for their food, that would be libertarian, rather than socialist. However, as their leader, he supported them and fed them, he healed the sick and helped the needy, all without desire for personal gain.
So my idea is simple, why are Christian Right Wingers so against building up support through the government for those less fortunate? Sure, there is the 'get a job' ethic which is something I completely agree with, as a student, I'm working through virtually 70% of my free time to try and pay off the massive debts I would otherwise have at university and I definitely think others in the same situation as me should be doing the same. However, I recognize there are a number of people who simply can't work, and finding a job without connections in the current economic climate is hard. Surely things like healthcare should be a fundamental human right.
Now before you start shouting 'socialist!' I am not supporting pan-nationalization of industry as defined by the communist manifesto or any number of communist movements (which I think the USSR proved could have awful consequences). But as a resident of the UK, I find the idea of a National Health Service (without which, as someone from a fairly poor background, I would have died at the age of 8) fundamentally right. The idea of equal opportunity in health, education and freedom of information through a government framework sets the standard. Now in the UK we have a nationalized media company which is arguably the most respected worldwide (the BBC), which is also seen as one of the most free sources of information, alongside that, naturally, we have some just as large television and news corporations which are private owned, which provide competition needed for stimulation.
We have the NHS, and we have private health companies like BUPA. My question therefore, could be summarized as follows: Do you, as a member of the Christian conservative movement, see the creation of a welfare framework as a good idea, whilst also maintaining the values of healthy competition alongside that framework? Do you see the merit in the government setting a minimum standard in vital fields like healthcare, and the private sector building on that?
