In 1972, Kris Kristofferson released his fourth studio album titled Jesus Was a Capricorn. Within this album was a song by the same name, and this song, even over 50 years later, still packs a strong punch with its satirical commentary on the hypocrisy found within our society.
At first glance, “Jesus Was a Capricorn” might seem like a light-hearted jab at some high horse-riding Christians or maybe just a hippie slogan from the ’70s. However, a deeper listen reveals a powerful critique of how many people, particularly those in power, often hide behind the cloak of religion while doing exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught.
The song itself talks about how our holier-than-thou society is so quick to judge and condemn others for their lifestyle choices and appearance, when in reality, Jesus himself had a nomadic lifestyle, ate only organic food, and believed in loving your neighbor and in acceptance. And even today, over 50 years later, this song seems to be just as relevant.
Just like Kristofferson didn’t hold back in the ’70s, neither will I today, and that’s how we’ll introduce you to the elephant in the room—the American conservative right.
For years and years, the Republican Party has wrapped itself in the banner of Christianity, promoting family values, morality, and above all, God.
They’ve gone above and beyond to paint themselves as the defenders of faith, as the last bastion of Christian virtue in a world that’s going to hell in a handbasket.
But the truth of the matter is this—these people wouldn’t have lasted five minutes in a room with Jesus.
Let’s take Donald Trump, for instance.
Donald Trump has somehow become a messianic figure to millions of so-called Christians, which is surprising since he is the antithesis of everything Jesus stood for.
Jesus preached love, compassion, and humility. Trump, on the other hand, preaches hate, division, and self-glorification.
Jesus embraced the outcasts and the downtrodden.
Trump mocks the disabled, shuns the poor, and panders to the rich.
And yet, we somehow find ourselves in a country where millions of Christians have been duped into thinking Trump represents their faith.
Christians cheer as he calls for walls to be built, for refugees to be turned away, and for the rich to get richer. Then, on Sunday, these same people sit in church pews nodding along to sermons about loving thy neighbor, only to turn around and support policies that do the exact opposite.
The conservative right has twisted the teachings of Jesus into something unrecognizable, using his name to justify their own narrow, hateful agenda.
And let’s not pretend it’s anything new—it’s been happening for years within American politics.
It’s time that we a society to understand that just because someone wraps themselves in a flag and waves a Bible around, that doesn’t mean they’re following the teachings of Christ.
Jesus preached love, and acceptance, and the conservative right’s toxic, hate-filled agenda goes against everything he stood for.
At the end of the day, Jesus was much more than just a Capricorn—he was a revolutionary, a man who stood up for the disenfranchised, demanded justice for the poor, and fought for the oppressed.
He wasn’t about power or wealth—he was about love.
And it’s about time we start remembering this, instead of letting his name be dragged through the mud by those who use it for their political gain.
Following Christ isn’t about politics, power, or pride—it’s about love, compassion, and humility–It’s with reason that Jesus wasn’t a politician.
So, the next time you turn on your TV and see Trump imploring Christians to vote for him, remember what Jesus was truly about, and ask yourself—what would Jesus really do?
Leo O'Neill • Sep 12, 2024 at 8:03 am
Oh, I see what’s happening here. We’ve got politicians waving Bibles around like they’re props in a school play, all the while preaching policies that would make Jesus do a double-take. It’s almost like they’ve forgotten who they’re claiming to follow—or they’ve just decided to swap out the “love thy neighbor” bit for “build a wall and blame them for everything.”
Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for faith and values. But I’ve got to call it like I see it. You can’t sit in a church pew on Sunday, nodding along to verses about compassion, then spend Monday cheering on policies that push away the very people Jesus would’ve embraced. It’s like signing up for a marathon, then driving to the finish line and pretending you ran the whole thing.
Let’s be real—if Jesus were around today, he’d be more likely to share a meal with the homeless than to cozy up with billionaires in gold-plated towers. And yet here we are, with people thinking that following someone who flipped tables in temples is somehow aligned with tax cuts for the rich. Make it make sense!
Jesus wasn’t about political power, wealth, or status. He was about love, justice, and lifting the downtrodden. He wasn’t a politician because, let’s face it, he probably wouldn’t have done well in a system where humility and honesty aren’t exactly resume-builders.
So, next time you hear a politician invoking Jesus’ name like he’s endorsing them, just remember—Jesus wasn’t out here trying to win votes. He was trying to win hearts. And that’s a whole different ballgame.