Steven Anderson made quite a stir a few weeks ago, even if few people remember his name.What many people do remember, however, is his enraged sermon in which he railed angrily against President Obama.  “I hate Barack Obama.  You say, ‘well no, you just mean you don’t like what he stands for.’ No, I hate him! ‘No, hey, you just don’t like his policies.’ No, I hate HIM,” said Anderson, pastor of Faithful Words Baptist Church in Phoenix, Ariz.More famously, Anderson implored “Break his teeth, O God!”Anderson’s words are so vehemently antagonistic, unabashedly violent and obviously theologically unsound that it’s not worth mentioning in a column. Anderson’s hate is certainly not representative of mainstream Christian beliefs. Most of us can agree, whatever our views on his policies, the president is still worthy of at least a little respect (and his teeth).That said, the health care debate has polarized our nation to the very extremes. Tensions and tempers run high on both sides of the issue. To some, it’s a moral imperative that everyone in the country receive medical care.  For some, it’s the opposite – it’s a moral imperative that the government not use the money of some to pay for the health care of others.Like most moral issues, the health care debate has slowly but surely found its way into religious context. People of faith are now finding themselves grappling with additional religious implications on top of the already complex and bewildering array of factors that make the debate so difficult. Unfortunately, there’s no passage in any scripture that says “Thou shalt have a public option.”That’s not to say that religious texts can’t speak powerfully about this cause. Christians, for example, cannot ignore biblical commands to provide for the sick and the needy. These commands are a constant throughout the entirety of scripture and, indeed, of Christian existence. To some, this fact means God desires or even demands health care be provided for every American.Yet it’s hardly fair to argue the Bible calls us to support Obama’s health care plan. Ignoring practical problems with any solution no matter its desired goal is hardly un-Christian or heretical.Striking a balance between religious imperatives toward social justice and the harsh realities of money, bureaucracy and     skyrocketing deficits can be difficult.  The ideal solution for religious folk, of course, is a charitable organization funded and staffed by people of faith. Such an operation could be from any number of the many faiths that practice public responsibility and charity. It could provide for universal health care without the “socialism” of a government plan. And, as piously-minded non-profit organizations, they wouldn’t be subject to the corruption and profiteering that has caused so much health care waste.
Such programs have existed for a long time on a smaller scale, with individual hospitals run by religious organizations.But unfortunately, there simply isn’t enough financial drive from congregations to take on the huge burden everyone agrees is sapping resources – and is what causes the need for reform in the first place.Whatever we think of what our religion says — or doesn’t say — about the actual policies and procedures of health care reform, there are a few things with which any religious person should agree. We should pray for our leaders and our nation as a whole to make the right decision on this important issue. We should pray that, whatever decision is eventually made, we as a country will not destroy ourselves.One thing I think we can all agree on — nobody should be asking God to break the president’s teeth.Matthew Albright is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_malbright.
 
 
 
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