It is with sadness and some anger to learn that Tony Beam is using his position and influence within our South Carolina Baptist Convention to push his political agenda ahead of spiritual and moral healthcare reform. Mr. Beam’s claim that President Obama’s healthcare reform is not a moral obligation reveals his true values.
During Jesus’ ministry, two priorities were revealed so clearly. The first was healing – physically, mentally and spiritually. The second was teaching believers how to worship and serve in his name. Nowhere in my Bible can I find Mr. Beam’s stand that caring for dying and hurting people isn’t a moral issue. My Bible leaves no loopholes on moral obligation. It says very clearly that we are to put God first, others second, self last. Leadership in the South Carolina Baptist Convention should be a mirror image to what God expects from believers.
By stating that he favors a $5,000 tax credit for uninsured people to buy health insurance, Mr. Beam reveals who he puts ahead of poor, hurting people. Most of these uninsured people don’t even make enough income to pay federal tax.
Mr. Beam also states that the solution to our healthcare reform should be put in the hands of the free market. It is so sad that he has forgotten that his free market friends got us into this mess and now are determined to keep us in this mess. As long as greed and distrust rule, Mr. Beam’s free market will make it worse.
As South Carolina Baptists, we need to thank our editor for giving us this sad news so we can get on our knees.
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