State legislators, Hindu prayer leaders and NIC have all had a spate of religiosity that has affected our community. Currently, NIC has been involved in a campus-wide effort to read the book "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich. Chosen by a small committee of NIC faculty, the book does a good job of offering some insights into the plight of the working poor in America. However, in an effort to bring greater awareness and balance, I address certain religious themes of this book.

Ehrenreich's book basically chronicles her experiment of living in three cities in America, making minimum wage over a short period in each. In its favor, the book offers insights in regards to the plight of the poor. Conversely, the book also has been criticized concerning its vulgarity, condescension to the poor, Marxist views and even the author's own use of marijuana while being drug tested before working at Walmart. One area of insight though that has not been fully vetted, is the author's attitude toward Christianity.

Lacking entertainment dollars, Ehrenreich recounts how she attends a church tent revival where she describes most in attendance as "tragic looking hillbilly" types. As the preacher winds his message down, she likens heaven to a nursing home filled with Alzheimer's patients. She laments that the preacher does not see Jesus as a "wine guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist." Portraying Jesus as a wine guzzler is so extreme that it does not warrant a response. It is possible that vagrancy could be questioned. It is true that Jesus traveled around without an "earthly" means of support. However, he was not idle, his mission was laser focused and directed, and his means of support was clearly evident. Jesus was never a beggar but the ultimate giver wherever he went. From feeding a few thousand from a few loaves of bread, to healing everyone that was sick and oppressed. Interaction with Jesus at all times resulted in increase. Thus, upon examination, Jesus was no vagrant.

In labeling Jesus a socialist, Ehrenreich is not the first. The idea of a follower giving away all their possessions inspires this. However, like others, Ehrenreich seems to fail to understand the differences between socialism and communism. In brief, socialism gives the means of production to the government. In Matthew 22, Jesus is specifically asked if it is lawful to give poll taxes. He responds by saying "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." Obviously, giving all your money to government is not what Jesus had in mind. Jesus did not say give all your money to the government and let them redistribute it.

Historically, communism is more typically used in a comparison to Christianity. Communism is where property is held by all. Scriptures such as Acts 2, inspire this misinterpretation. "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need." Though this seems like communism, there is an important difference. Shortly after the breakup of the USSR, a Bulgarian pastor I heard described the difference between Christianity and communism. Basically, the pastor noted that Christians give of their free will and are never forced to give to others. Communism on the other hand, is forced giving. II Corinthians 9:7 expounds on this. "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." One reason the church in Acts was so powerful was because they commonly did share with those that had need and Christians should be generous with their wealth. Again though, freely sharing is different than forced giving. Given that Ehrenreich is an honorary chair of the Democratic Socialist Party her idea of socialism within Christianity is far from biblical.

In another part of her book, Ehrenreich suggests that Christians are the worst to waitress for, as they are demanding and poor tippers. While one can't argue with her experience, a research paper from Lynn and Katz (2013) shows that while Christians are not the best tippers, the "vast majority of Christians tipped at or above the normative 15 percent of bill size." Christians also donate far more to nonprofits than do atheists and agnostics (Barma group, 2008). Admittedly, much of this giving goes to churches, but the same could be said for all givers who likely donate to organizations where they have the most self-interest.

It is understandable when non-Christians do not understand Jesus or misinterpret parts of the gospel message. Misconceptions of economic systems and derogatory comments toward Christianity such as Ehrenreich uses are worth exposing. To my knowledge it was a small committee of faculty that chose this book, and they had every right to do so. NIC should be open to differences in thought and issues such as inequality and topics like Marxism should be discussed; particularly in a way that all viewpoints are presented. For disclosure, though I am a faculty member of NIC, I offer these views as a private citizen and appreciate the Coeur d'Alene Press for providing the opportunity to do so.

Dr. Richard Tanksley is a political science instructor at North Idaho College.