Actually, yes, I have, probably more times than you have, as it is my major and almost all of my classes require it.
I'm guessing you're the kind of person who will sit there and yell about abortion and gay marriage being kept illegal forever... But when the issue is social welfare and helping the sick, you're oddly silent and even against it... Hmm...
Actually I was asking a sincere question. It is even more disappointing that you read the bible often yet seem to be unable to comprehend scripture.
I went to a Christian University, and had my share of bible classes, but my reading and UNDERSTANDING didn't stop there. Also, never have I ever made such an elementary statement of "I have probably read the bible more than you have." What is that? Looks to me you are here to argue the worldly side over the Godly. That's your choice I guess
As far as homosexuality and abortion I do not believe that is what this thread is about. If you are here to argue just for the sake of arguing then you can make all the abortion and gay threads you want. I sure there are many here that would love to debate those issues with you even if I don't attend that thread.
You are also assuming my views without even knowing at all what I do believe. It has never been the governments responsibility to steal from hard working people and give to those who are lazy. Needy is one thing, lazy is another. I know what you are apparently a college student, and I remember 10+ years back where...like you I knew all the worlds answers and I was far smarter than anyone in the planet, but as I got older I had hardships, and did a little humbling and suffering myself I saw how the world really is. I saw that handouts aren't a decent way of living. Personal responsibility is the best way to make an honest living. Working multiple jobs to feed your child is better than sitting on the couch texting from my obama phone to see if my food stamps came in.
The bible mentions many times that we are to care for others. We are to help the NEEDY. Not the lazy. It also never mentions that is it up to the governments to provide for others to the point they are totally dependent. As Christians we are to do it because it is our nature. Not because the government mandates it.
2 Thess 3:6-12
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ..
Clothing the poor does not mean paying taxes. Feeding the hungry does not mean getting a food stamp card.
Jesus even tells tax collectors to be content with their wages, and not collect more than they should.
Also, if you don't work you don't eat.
When you give out handouts you weaken the people. They learn to not be satisfied, and in turn want more. There is a saying the the Liberal world have obviously never heard... "instead of giving them a fish, give them a fishing pole."
There is absolutely nothing wrong with welfare to help someone get on their feet, but never was it to be a way of life. You paying taxes and that little percentage out of a paycheck for welfare benefits will not give you a free ticket to Heaven. The government doesn't determine ones righteousness so stop pretending it does.