Thom Hartmann: You Can't Be Catholic and a Republican

December 8th, 2013 8:21 AM

Caleb Howe at The Right Scoop posted video of leftist talker Thom Hartmann on his Russia Today TV program "The Big Picture" arguing with two conservatives that you can't love Jesus and be a Republican. As his authority, he cites the latest writings of Pope Francis.

"The Pope has repeatedly spoken out against the greed and tyranny of capitalism, and urged his followers to care more for the most vulnerable of human beings, and work for a more equal and just society. Catholicism has always preached love your neighbor, help those who are less fortunate. Pope Francis just following this tradition," he said. Then he asked, "Based on the teachings of Catholicism, how can someone be a Catholic and a Republican?"

There's a strong counterpoint from the two conservatives, but Hartmann really grew desperate by suggesting Jesus in saying "Render unto Caesar" in the Gospels was speaking like an early Ted Kennedy: "An individual came to Jesus with a coin and he said, should I pay my taxes?...and Jesus said yes, whose picture’s on it? Caesar. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. The Roman Empire at that time actually had welfare programs. So Jesus was saying ‘Pay your taxes for the welfare programs.’”

Here's an online counterpoint.  "Render Unto Caesar" is also the title of a book by Charles Chaput, the Catholic Archbishop of Denver.