In a public reply on X dated December 22, 2025, Steve Tanner rejected arguments that Christian teachings support government involvement in caring for the poor or expanding healthcare access.
Responding to comments about Biblical themes including debt relief, care for the poor, and healing the sick, Tanner wrote:
“I don’t remember Jesus ever saying it’s the responsibility of the state to feed everyone within our border and give them healthcare. This is total gaslighting and unbiblical.”
The statement was made in response to a discussion about the relationship between Christianity, poverty, and public policy.
Critics argue that the comment dismisses concerns about poverty, healthcare access, and social welfare while framing opposing moral or religious viewpoints as “gaslighting.” Opponents further argue that elected officials should engage debates about vulnerable populations with seriousness, accuracy, and respect, particularly when discussing issues that directly affect low-income families, children, seniors, and people without access to healthcare.
Supporters may interpret Tanner’s remarks as a defense of limited government and a belief that charitable or religious obligations should not automatically become state responsibilities.