It certainly is interesting times that we live in.  Sometimes, when I talk with my Dad, he mentions that what is occurring right now seems similar to the late 1960’s to early 1970’s.  Given that I have noticed so many landmark historical local and global events and protests, I decided that I should write down my thoughts about them, namely, Occupy Wall Street (OWS).  I believe that the philosophies, ideologies, and sentiments that are occurring right now in our own country and around the world are fixing to radically change the world.  I don’t know how, or in what direction, if it all, but I think I should write down my thoughts, so that when my kids look back in history about the social unrest that is occurring in our day, I can give them my thoughts as it was occurring.

A brief history leading up to the start of the OWS protests on Sept 17, 2011, which has now spread across the country and the globe includes revolution sentiment stemming from the middle east in the recent overthrows of Egypt, Libya and other countries.  Add that middle east sentiment of anger at corrupt governments, to the collapse and sustained depression of the US economy with a corrupt government that no one trusts…and we arrive at a perfect storm.  A perfect storm and a perfect opportunity for a large scale protest, largely organized by people in positions of power and influence in our country that idolize the recent overthrows in the middle east.  Oh and even as I say “largely organized” I understand that some will still contend this is grass-roots sentiment.  The jury is still out on that one based on your political ideological position.  So what is the big deal about this protest?  Why would I take time to comment on it? What is it all about?  Many different answers are out there but here’s what I see and hear.

First of all, there seems to be a sentiment of hatred towards corporations and the profits they make.  The argument is maintained by signs that explain the top 1% of America is neglecting the other 99% of Americans.  Essentially, this appears to me to be a “collective” argument.  That the wealthy are not paying their fair share into the system for everyone to benefit and because they are wealthy they are obligated to prop up others.  Now understandably, in recent American economic history, I can understand the disgust towards some of these financial corporations, because many of them were crooks and did take advantage of the disenfranchised.  But this argument does not excuse hatred towards the top 1%.  Also, the “collectivism” argument has led many in recent days to discuss the question “would Jesus approve of the protest?” citing individual scripture that lend support to social justice.  There are also other reasons that people are protesting like proposed cuts of government pension plans, etc.

So what do I think?  I think these protests are interesting and I think if they continue and gain momentum, they could potentially change our country and the globe forever.  But, I have to say, I don’t necessarily agree with or support the protestors.  Many of you will shut down right now and say “He’s just a heartless conservative who doesn’t care about people!” But let me explain my thoughts.  First of all, if you live in America, you are already in the top 2-3% of the world’s wealth.  In fact, in an article recently published in the Washington Post, the poorest American is still in the 62 percentile globally.  In other words the poorest American is till better off than nearly 2/3 of the world.  So I don’t think the “99%” are suffering.  Are their disparities? Sure.  Has the history of man ever been fair? No.  Do I believe that we should help those in need and take care of the poor?  Absolutely.  Especially as a follower of Christ. We’ll get to that in a minute.  Another problem I have with this is that fact that the people essentially want the government to “fix” the disparity through taxation.  When you look at the tax brackets in the IRS tax booklets the wealthy are already paying a higher percentage.  But the answer, if social justice is the goal, should still not be to have the government steal your money and decide how to use it.  I don’t trust politicians or government agencies to actually take care of the “99%” effectively.  It can’t do it.  That is not the role of government from a biblical perspective.  We’ve all been complaining about government waste, so is the answer give more money to wasteful people?  Would you continue to give toilet paper to child who just kept flushing it for no reason?  Also, I think that government is currently in support of these protest because they know that if it is successful they will have much much more power to wield.  And they will have the consent of the people to wield it.  The final disagreement I have with this protest dovetails on the taxation issue.  My wife and I, because we are follower’s of Christ, already impose a “self tax” to support the homeless/needy in our community, country, and globe.  So we are doing our part actively.  I hope those protesting are doing the same things.  It is one thing to support and chant for social justice and collectivism, it is quite another to actually do it and help.  I’d rather be a champion of actuality versus a champion of rhetoric.  PS if you’re rich and want to pay more taxes…you can!  You can donate money to the IRS/US treasury.

Now, I’ve also seen the epic battle arise trying to answer the question “Would Jesus support the protesters?”  And of course there is an answer for both sides of the ideological coin.  Stated simply, the question becomes “Is Jesus a liberal or conservative?”  What a heinous, self absorbed question.  Do we actually think that we can align the Almighty God with our political ideology.  If you are a Christian and have used this argument for political affirmation, then shame on you.  You know what this shows us?  We have an idol…called ideology and we want to fit God into our way.  The answer to this question is simple.  No!  Jesus is neither a conservative or a liberal.  He is the Son of God made man to provide redemption for a fallen, undeserving people out of God’s infinite mercy.  Period.  So I don’t know if Jesus would support this protest or not.  Clearly, God has a heart for the poor (Ps 113:7, 140:12) and clearly Jesus taught to take care of the poor around you (Mt 19:21, Lk 14:13) especially for a true follower of Christ.  But scripture also teaches against slothfulness and laziness (Prov 10:4).  It even goes so far as to say that if you do not work, you shall not eat (2 Thess 3:10, 1 Thess 4:11).  Scripture teaches we are to respect the officials over us because they have been placed by God (1 Peter 1:13-17).  Is the rhetoric of the protesters in which they actively attack and berate police officers character of respect?  Is the language they are using respectful (Eph 4:29)?  That is why Jesus can’t fit into this box.  He transcends the box and in doing so points to our selfish depravity (Sorry Maslow, we are not inherently good beings).  Jesus and the Gospel is the great balance.

It comes down to this.  I think the crux of this protest is greed.  Greed all the way around.  Greed from the top 1% and greed from the 99% that don’t have what the top 1% has.  Greed and pride are the motivators.  We are seeing right now the effect of a people who exchange the truth of God for a lie, and think the State is god, but we don’t know the outcome yet.  All I know is that every “successful social revolution” has ended in mass murder and tyranny.  Just look at the French, Russian, Chinese revolutions or the rise of the Nazi party coming out of the Weimar republic in Germany.  Even the recent revolutions in the middle east!  There is no free republic that has emerged yet and I doubt we will.  We will wait and see what the world looks like when all of this is said and done.  In the meantime I will continue to love Jesus and obey his commands.