Yet another HRC campaign move - faith based/values messaging - Hallelujah!

[Divernan]

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/11/3700620/hillary-clinton-pulpit/
What Hillary Clinton’s Faith Means For Her Campaign

by Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons - Guest Contributor Sep 11, 2015 11:29am

Hillary in the pulpit may seem as likely a sight to see as Mike Huckabee officiating a same-sex wedding. Democrats understand religion and politics at around the same level as Republicans get climate science.

But this Sunday, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton will share the pulpit at the D.C. church they actively attended during their time in the White House. The rare occurrence presents some opportunities for Hillary Clinton campaign to allow voters to see a genuine side of herself — as well as a chance for a Democratic candidate to meaningfully connect with people of faith.

There are good reasons for the Clinton campaign to do more religious outreach. Hillary has smart policy wonks who are mapping the “what” and seasoned political operatives who can map the “how” — but only through faith-based and values messaging can she communicate the “why” that’s been sorely lacking from her campaign.

These comments following the article at the OP link speak for me:

1. Patrick Fiegenbaum · Portland, Oregon

I disagree with this: "Democrats understand religion and politics at around the same level as Republicans get climate science." Democratic people of faith don't look to politics to validate their religious beliefs. I don't need my Representative, my Senator, my Governor or my President to pander to me to understand that I want a society that values all its members, that prioritized feeding the hungry and housing the homeless above blasting people to bits halfway around the globe. I want government to spend more educating our citizens than it does arming them and sending them off to battle. I want a federal budget that preserves more wilderness areas and spends less propping up oil companies.

These policies are all rooted in my faith, but I don't need government officials and candidates framing policy proposals in faith terms for me to feel validated in my positions. Religion and politics certainly blend, but when one leans on the other for justification, it leads to theocratic pronouncements and a feeling of "Almighty God is on our side," which turns discussions and disagreements into holy wars. It's not a good way to conduct the nation's affairs, as can be seen in instances too numerous to recount here.

and 2.

Erin Kathleen Grant · Newark Valley, New York
I don't understand how this can be seen as a good thing. Aren't we (liberals) for the separation of church and state? How many times have we trashed Republican candidates for using the pulpit to garner support from the religious population? Why do we complain when churches lend their support to candidtates (if they're Republican) and say that if they want to preach politics they should lose their tax exempt status? Why is it ok all of a sudden just because its Hillary? Hypocrisy is one of my hot buttons and this reeks of it.

[Divernan]

1. Author of this piece is employed by center-right, "Bibles, Badges, Business" group

HRC & business-friendly immigration solutions - perfect together. Hey Big Business Interests - let us help you get visas/quotas to fill all those high tech job slots for which there are no American workers available - or at least no Americans who will work nearly as cheap as will grateful foreign graduates.

http://immigrationforum.org/programs/bibles-badges-business/

Unlikely Allies for
Immigration Reform

In the last two years, a network of conservative faith, law enforcement and business leadership has come together to establish a new consensus on immigrants and America.

These unlikely allies have seen the changing face of America in their congregations, businesses and communities. Their response has been to advocate for policy solutions that will help new Americans attain the opportunities, skills and status to reach their fullest potential.

Through strategy sessions, roundtables and visits to Capitol Hill, they’ve advocated for comprehensive immigration solutions that are compassionate, respect the rule of law and help grow our economy.

Learn more about the Bibles, Badges and Business for Immigration Reform network and get involved.

And another program by his employer: The New American Workforce

New American Workforce works with businesses to assist their eligible immigrant employees with the citizenship process so they become full participants in the workplace, community and economy. Statistics show a direct correlation between immigrant integration and happier, more effective workers, which directly impacts business profitability.

New American Workforce facilitates accessible citizenship assistance through a two-step process that targets legal permanent residents at their workplace.

The project is now operational in 8 cities with high concentrations of legal permanent residents:
Los Angeles, CA
New York City area, NY
San Jose area, CA
Miami, FL
Washington, D.C. area
Houston, TX
San Diego, CA
Detroit, MI

https://sojo.net/biography/guthrie-graves-fitzsimmons

[jfern]

2. Hillary really doesn't want us to look too closely at her religious ties

Makes Jeremiah Wright look like nothing.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-ehrenreich/hillarys-nasty-pastorate_b_92361.html

[Divernan]

3. A fascinating yet alarming account of HRC's religious commitments.

Very good and detailed article.

[wyldwolf]

15. Even the author of the book 'progressives' cite says that charge is bullshit. Wanna look closer?

[Gloria]

100. NOT UNIQUE TO HRC!!! Also in 2008, Courted by DNC/Obama...See if these names pop up in the future...

NOT UNIQUE TO HRC!!! Also in 2008, Courted by DNC...See if these names pop up in the future...

I did a lot of research on how he was going after support form big evangelical media types as well as a group called Matthew 25 which started plugging for Obama. I wrote about it, too....In Part 2, Rev. Luis Cortes, a big Hispanic guy was prominent with the Democratic side.....considered part of core Democratic values....also in cahoots with Bush and then Mccain....at the time of my posts, Obama was not yet on the radar, but Dems were courting Cortes...

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/so-whats-obama-going-to-give-away-to-conservative-religious-leaders/

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/part-1-obamas-conservative-meeting-guests-non-pastors/

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/06/28/part-2-obamas-conservative-meeting-guests-the-pastors/

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/matthew-25-network-pac-hits-christian-radio-with-pro-obama-ad/

So, don't be shocked by this play to the religious stuff. Sadly, it's what we're stuck with in this country

AND...so Sanders goes to Liberty Univ...guts...or part of the usual in light of this information???>?>?

[Warren DeMontague]

104. She doesn't get a pass just because other people were wrong on it, too.

Sanders was always on the right side of marriage equality, even when the polls were in the other direction.

That's called leadership.

[Gloria]

105. I didn't ask for "a pass"

I was showing how the religious stuff is deeply connected to Democrats.

Why can't you guys EVER read a post for what it is, without extrapolating??

[Warren DeMontague]

106. Yeah, and 10 years ago the beltway waterheads were demanding our party court "values voters"

That's how you get the craptastic litany of shame, on things like the question of marriage equality.

Unfortunately, that conventional wisdom was bad then--- but it is ATROCIOUS, now. Know who our party should be courting?



MILLENNIALS.

Who , by and large, have "talks endlessly about jesus" pretty far down their list of priorities for a politician.

[Warren DeMontague]

4. More proof that the "conventional wisdom" her advisors are giving her is at least 10 years out of

step. Yes, court the "all powerful values voter" of the 2004 election.

One irony being, despite being accepted as "gospel truth" (so to speak) it wasn't even really correct then. It certainly isn't now.

[aidbo]

32. Contrary to the desired effect,

it just looks cynical.

And glaringly bald-faced. (IMO, natch)

[beam me up scottie]

5. Wtf?

Stepping into the pulpit at Foundry United Methodist Church, just blocks from the White House, affords her the rare opportunity to tell us why “human rights are women’s rights,” yes, but also that human rights protections stem from the fact that every person on Earth is made in the image of God. Her appearance affords her the chance to tell us why our country must combat climate change, yes, but also that God’s creation groans. Hillary could help her cause to accomplish what President Obama couldn’t — pass immigration reform — not by making fun of Donald Trump, but by aligning herself and her campaign to the Christian message of welcoming the Stranger.

No, human rights do not stem from her God. In fact religious bigotry is responsible for the continued oppression of women and lgbt people in this country.

Hillary was opposed to marriage equality until 2013 because of her beliefs.

[tecelote]

8. Right - "Hillary was opposed to marriage equality until 2013 because of her beliefs."

But then the polls showed...

Hillary is saying what she thinks we want to hear to get elected and then, once elected, she will work for her corporate overlords and we will not matter.

[Betty Karlson]

10. That concern is shared by many

Although for me it was the belated opposition to TPP that drew me to your conclusion.

[beam me up scottie]

50. She always does.

The real progressive in the race is making her sing a different tune but no one's buying it.

We still remember 2008.

[Gloria]

101. See above post NOT UNIQUE...

It is the entire Democratic thing....including Obama....See detailed research I did!~

[malokvale77]

6. and 2...

enough said.

[Ino]

7. She even has Gawd's endorsement!

Voters need to believe in Hillary Clinton for her to win. They need to believe she didn’t intend harm with her email practices. They need to believe she shares their values. Voters know she has the intellectual ability and experience. But they need to believe. And for that, Hillary must take us to church.

Hillary Clinton... pandering to voters wherever she can find them.

[salib]

9. THose are excelent responses.

They need to come over here and post on DU.

[AzDar]

11. Didn't want her in '08, don't want her now. Hillary...don't go away mad, just go away!

[RKP5637]

80. K&R! n/t

[A Simple Game]

12. I'm a Bernie supporter so I really don't want her to stop what she is doing, but...

Hillary, here's a bit of advice. Stop pandering to the Republicans and religious voters, they will not vote for you. They will never vote for you. You couldn't buy their votes with all the donor money you are collecting.

But, keep up the good work, everything you do helps Bernie.

[SonderWoman]

20. LOL. MLK was pretty religious too.

[A Simple Game]

25. Correct me if I'm wrong but MLK isn't running for, hasn't run for, or ever will run for President.

Nor is he relevant to this conversation.

But if he had run for President, I doubt many Republicans would have voted for him.

[noiretextatique]

109. MLK was also focused on economic inequality

unlike many of the big cathedral religious types.

[Hydra]

111. MLK walked the walk

He talked about the things in his religion that would help everyone. In contrast, Obama and Clinton use theirs to exclude the LBGT community and others until they "evolve."

Are you trying to say that those are equal ways of expressing one's faith?

[dsc]

13. yeah those bastard Reverends

who brought us the Civil Rights and nuclear freeze movements, not to mention abolition, and the progressive movement. How dare those people try to make the world a better place. Better that religious people never bring their values to the table.

[jwirr]

61. Have you missed it? Those preachers are long gone.

The traditional church that was then is no more. Most churches play the conservative role now. Not all of them of course - I am lucky to belong to a very liberal church - but the rw churches hate her. She is wasting her time if she thinks they will vote for her.

[dsc]

92. apparently you haven't been outside of a lily white bubble

in the meantime the black church has been now, just like then, providing footsoldiers to the Moral Monday movement (run by and designed by the head of the NAACP of NC who is a Reverend (oh and he is alive)).

[jwirr]

94. I was not referring to the black church. I was referring

to the churches who should be coming out for these things and a pretty silent now.

Was she at a black church? The DC church that a lot of presidents have attended is not as far as I know. She did go to a black church near Ferguson MO some time ago.

[dsc]

95. black churches are churches too

last I checked.

[jwirr]

97. Yeah well maybe you are missing the point. On racial

issues many white churches are either very silent or are the ones casting stones - like the ones the OP is talking about. In the case of the DC church I do not think they are one of the ones casting stones.

You know we are arguing about some thing I did not say, aren't we?

I said that she would not be getting a lot of votes doing this. And yes, I said that a lot of the preachers (meaning white) who supported the civil rights movement are not around and I still think that is true. They either are part of the problem or do not want to be involved.

The black churches has always been the civil center in the black community and that will never change. And many of the leaders come from that fact.

[dsc]

98. really Hillary's DC methodist congregation causes racial problems

care to back that up.

[mhatrw]

14. Whatever it takes to get that bully pulpit. n/t

[bigdarryl]

16. The progressives have to realize any nominee Wither it's Hillary or Sanders

Is not going to win the WH with just progressives in.a general election

[wyldwolf]

18. that's just it. They DON'T realize that.

They believe there is a secret silent progressive majority waiting to rise up when the progressive savior rides in on his white horse.

[Avalux]

36. Such sarcasm!

You know, the 'experts' are not considering the possible impact of young voters and it will be at their folly. It's true that historically they aren't influential and usually don't bother to vote. I am encouraged it will be different this time. As my daughter said about her generation - they don't see much of a future ahead of them and know the only way to change it is to act and do it for themselves.

[wyldwolf]

37. On the contrary young voters are always considered

Perhaps you just haven't been paying attention?

[Avalux]

38. Ok you're right. I am a stupid idiot. n/t

[eridani]

86. But there is a secret, silent 63% that Sanders is appealing to and Clinton is not n/t

[LondonReign2]

22. No, we'll need independents, too

And Hillary has net negatives with independents, who not only do not rate her favorably, they actually attach words like "untrustworthy" and "liar" to her. Hillary is going to need more than right of center Third Wayers, and unfortunately that is the only group she has any appeal with.

[Doctor_J]

42. Actually it's Hillary that needs to realize that

[wyldwolf]

17. Guess how many in the African-American and Hispanic communities are religious?

Yep! A shit load.

But being that Sanders folk aren't real politically savvy, I'd expect OPs like this.

“He screams and hollers, but he is all alone.”
- Rep. Joe Moakley (D-Mass.)

“Bernie alienates his natural allies. His holier-than-thou attitude—saying in a very loud voice he is smarter than everyone else and purer than everyone else—really undercuts his effectiveness.”
- Rep. Barney Frank

[SonderWoman]

21. Bernie would rather speak at Liberty University.

[davidpdx]

90. At least Sanders has the guts to

He won't play panda bear either.

[azmom]

27. We latinos may be religious but we also

Know pandering when we see it.

We don't care if you are a latino, are married to a Latino, have a Latino endorse you, or even if you speak Spanish. We care about issues. We will vote for the candidate that is best on the issues that effect the Latino community. To me, and many other latinos that is Bernie Sanders.

[wyldwolf]

28. Since Hillary has a very healthy lead with latinos...

I'd suggest you're only speaking for yourself.

[azmom]

29. LOL. She has a lead now, but it won't be

Long before you see her numbers go down.

I take it you know what that looks like.

[wyldwolf]

34. So Latinos aren't as quick as white progressives?

You're saying it takes them longer to catch on? How silly!

[azmom]

40. WTF I would never think such a

Thing let alone say it. The fact that you would even think of something like that, " latinos aren't as quick as white progressives, says a lot about you.

[wyldwolf]

41. Explain her popularity with them

How about African American voters. They haven't caught on yet either, huh? White progressives have a lot of work to do.

[azmom]

46. You really don't get it, do you?

It's not just white progressives that are supporting Bernie.

[wyldwolf]

47. Yet he lags way behind with Latinos and African-Americans

And he can't win without them. So again explain why that is happening?

[azmom]

56. It's because as a whole, we are more conservative. N/T

[Doctor_J]

43. And the hillarians are always claiming they don't insult bernistas

So Latinos aren't as quick as white progressives?

You're no more princpled than your candidate

[wyldwolf]

44. Yet you offer no explanation. Tell us

The poster said Bernie has no core support would Latinos but that's going to change. How does he know what's going to change? And why hasn't It changed yet? And why is it not on par with white progressives?

All you can do is complain about the position I'm taking.

[Action_Patrol]

60. As a heads up, this was alerted on. Verdict: leave 4-3

[wyldwolf]

63. Thanks

I'd love to see how many of my posts survive juries every day.

[davidpdx]

89. As it should be

The same with women. I have seen bashing of women who refuse to vote for Hillary Clinton. The mistake is to think that a gender or race is monolithic in their voting preference.

[Divernan]

30. Barney Frank sells out to Big Banking; bucks for Clinton cabinet appointment.

Barney Frank joined one of the nation's largest bank's board of directors June 17, 2015.

Signature is a $29 billion bank that primarily works with privately-owned businesses. The 14-year old bank has been growing rapidly and performing well at a time when other banks have struggled. Last quarter it posted its 22nd consecutive quarter of record earnings.

http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2015/06/17/barney-frank-yes-that-barney-frank-joins-a-bank-board/
The following month (July 22, 2015) he published an article denying Hillary's ties to Wall Street, touting her as a progressive, and attacking Sanders for daring to challenge HRC in the primary. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/why-progressives-shouldnt-support-bernie-120484#.VbhB0NLD-RR

As a new member of the Board of Signature Bank New York, Frank received a signing bonus, so to speak, of 1,913 shares of common stock, currently worth $262,406. But the best is yet to come! As per documents filed as required by law with the SEC, and incorporated by reference to SBNY's 2015 shareholders' meeting report, in 2014 every member of the bank's board received $319,900 in stock options and additional annual compensation for attending board meetings and sub-committee meetings ranging from $46,750 to $63,416.67.
https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/82669G/20150224/NPS_236192/#/1/

$350,000 a year sure beats a one-time payment of 30 pieces of silver. If you're going to sell out progressives, Go Big! Pretty sweet deal, Barney! But a lot of Frank's future financial security hinges on HRC winning the primary & the general, & him nailing that cabinet position, so we expect him to keep attacking Bernie Sanders.

[wyldwolf]

35. And certainly nails it when he described Sanders

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

55. How about the Buddhist, Islamic, and Wiccan communities?

Some of them are religious. Is she scheduling gigs at the temples and shrines of the above?

[yeoman6987]

59. She is going back to her church she went to in Washington

What is wrong with that? She is not going to some random church. This smells bad. There is no story here but a family going back to the church they attended in the past. Guess what? She's more norm then not. How many families go home to visit mom and on Sunday morning mom is going around the house waking everyone up to go to the childhood church. Happens numerous times!!!!

[Warren DeMontague]

70. You said upthread this whole thing is bs

You cant have it both ways.

[wyldwolf]

71. No I didn't

[Warren DeMontague]

72. conventional wisdom beltway brahmins agree, no one will win the election

Without the support of the all-powerful "values voter"

The 2004 election, that is.

[wyldwolf]

74. where did I say that?

[Warren DeMontague]

75. I'm saying it, and it was fucking bullshit 11 years ago, it's even more so now.

It's plain as fucking day that the overpriced goobers Hillary has managing her campaign don't know the actual electorate from a cloud of foggy bottom swamp gas.

Know what issue a majority of the American voters support this year, that would be critical in getting motivated voters to the polls in swing states and other highly populated areas- like, say, Ohio, Colorado, Florida, California?

That's right- not Jesus, but POT LEGALIZATION.

And Hillary's conventional widsom geek squad won't touch that one with a 10 foot pole, will they?

No, they won't.

[wyldwolf]

76. you just said I said something upthread. Then posted something I didn't say

That's right- not Jesus, but POT LEGALIZATION.

oh, that explains it.

[Warren DeMontague]

77. Care to address my point?

She wants to court the so-called "values voters", you think it's a stellar political move, no?

Here's your post in question. Not backed up, of course, by any actual quote.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=586849




Also, go ahead, keep acting like legalization is a giant fucking joke. 4 states and counting, pal.

[wyldwolf]

78. What I said was BS upthread was...

her association with 'The Family.' Her faith is real to her, as it is to a big percentage of Democratic voters. Context matters.

Now I guess you need to go on a cheetos run.

[Warren DeMontague]

81. Yep. I have no idea what I'm talking about, unlike the "experts" running her campaign.

The people who think she's gonna come off as "hep" to the Millennials via emoticon hashtags on twitter and dancing the nae nae on Ellen.

The tone-deaf folks who told her the snapchat joke was a laff-riot.

It would simply be cringe-inducing, except my fear is that she MAY still end up being our nominee, in which case she's gonna need to do a far better job with this shit.

[wyldwolf]

82. no, you don't. Glad we agree on that.

[Warren DeMontague]

85. You got a gig writin' her jokes, yet? You should.

And lemme know how that 'authenticity' rollout goes, eh?

[wyldwolf]

91. Amazing how many times you can reply without even approaching the subject

[Warren DeMontague]

103. the 'subject'... in your posts? There's you trying to make lame insults and stoner jokes, Jack.

You're saying I don't know what I'm talking about, particularly on the subject of whether or not Hillary's campaign is operating on some shitty, Bob-Shrum-esque strain of craptastically outdated Beltway conventional wisdom.

That is the relevant subject, here, Mr. wyld.

You think I don't know what I'm talking about, I think I do.

I also think that even Hillary supporters, if they're capable of being honest with themselves and looking at the situation objectively, would recognize that there is some truth to what I'm saying.

[Armstead]

83. Oh great play....I'm sure you're also in favor of the injection of religion into politics by the GOP

[JRLeft]

113. Most of us don't attend religious services.

[Android3.14]

19. Still staggering around for an image

She needs to make sure the image update is complete and she performs a reboot before heading to the pulpit.

[Doctor_J]

23. I was actually quite impressed when, at a campaign stop, she happened upon a man

reading his bible and was able to quote a specific verse that he was reading. I think she's faith filled. But it doesn't square with her support for TPP and continued war and other neo-liberal pieces of her campaign

[Avalux]

33. Bible quoting by politicians makes me crazy.

I don't give a crap if Hillary can quote the bible from memory - has nothing to do with being president. As you pointed out - a display of faith doesn't support her hawkish views. Much like the GOP.

[jwirr]

62. Quoting verses and supporting TPP and war do square

with rw churches. The Methodist Church has both sides in their church. Extreme rw and liberals. An interesting church.

[LondonReign2]

24. Perhaps she can try faking a preacher's cadence, like she tried faking a southern accent.

Hillary 7.0 -- It's Authentic This Time (tm)

[qazplm]

26. yeah

I mean it's not like she spent a ton of time living in the South or anything.

[MoveIt]

45. Accidentally talking like where you live is one thing

turning it off and on with a switch, is well, cool with you apparently.

[Avalux]

31. Is she really so desperate she's borrowing from the GOP?

Novel idea here - how about she just be herself and deliver the same message to EVERYONE?

The words "faith-based and value messaging" makes me cringe.

[Motown_Johnny]

39. Talk About A Hail Mary!!!

I know it is football season, but this is taking it to far.

[Hatchling]

48. Not my faith, not my values. nt

[beam me up scottie]

49. ^^^ THIS ^^^

[Hatchling]

51. Hi!

[beam me up scottie]

52. Hey you!

Enjoying the silly season?

[Hatchling]

54. Yup.

As much as can be expected. I just moved into a senior living apartment and these people live their lives on fox news.

As soon as I can I am moving out into a complex with as many millenials as residents as I can find!

[beam me up scottie]

57. Argh. My sympathies.

I'm glad I live out in the boonies, there's a lot of room between me and the red state Fox News watchers.

[Hatchling]

58. Thanks. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

53. Will she be attending Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Wiccan services as well?

Man is the only animal to have discovered the ONE True God....several of them. Mark Twain

[Warren DeMontague]

64. If you read between the lines of her 10 Billion dollar sop to the drug war, it includes

massive giveaways to "faith based groups"

[Divernan]

68. Golly, perfect vehicle for Clinton Family Foundation to be a middle man & skim off the top.

[Warren DeMontague]

69. we're supposed to ignore her ties to "The Family" like we're supposed to ignore the private prison

Lobbyist money.

http://www.samhsa.gov/faith-based-initiatives/about

[David__77]

65. I just realized that the use of "faith" as equivalent to "religion" is kind of exclusive.

There are churches and other religious bodies for which faith isn't really a critical thing; rather, having truth through experiencing it is.

I get that people can have the truth of their communication with and experience with god. I also get that people can have have knowledge that they are a spiritual being. I don't think that faith need by any key part of that knowledge and experience; at the same time, I get that it can be.

[Recursion]

66. Non-Catholic white Democrats don't "get" religion and politics

A whole lot of the party does, though. Obama talked about it pretty movingly at the Charleston eulogy.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

79. I 'get' Dominionism. And I don't want any politician who has claimed David Coe as a spiritual

mentor anywhere near the White House.

[Divernan]

87. As opposed to the Catholic white Republicans in Opus Dei?

Your post carves out a category of Catholic Democrats who "get" religion and poiltics. That's a very glib, throw-away line, which begs discussion. I am a "non-Catholic white Democrat" who does "get" religion and politics - and to me that means being very comfortable with and receptive to progressive Democratic policies and values which match nicely with basic Christian teachings.

I'm one of the 25 million Americans who describe themselves as former Catholics. I'm a product of Catholic grade school, high school and (Jesuit) University undergrad and law school. My Dad and brothers are Notre Dame/Boston College grads. All of us are former Catholics. All of us are political progressives. Of my 14 cousins, 1 is still a practicing Catholic and he is a very conservative Republican. The rest are Democrats - PROGRESSIVE Democrats. When we left the Church, we took with us the Christian values we were taught - and those values are a very good match with a progressive political agenda, as propounded by Bernie Sanders.

Matthew 5-9:
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Do you "get" that shilling for the private prison industry as both Clintons have done for years, does not match up with Matthew? Letting loose the dogs of war as per HRC's pro-Iraq war vote and subsequent militaristic actions as Secretary of State and her militaristic threats in a recent speech? That's not Christian either. My god, she's still pushing American exceptionalism like it's the Holy War concept of the middle ages.

What IS Christian is making peace through diplomatic negotiations - not drone assassinations and endless wars for the glory and profit of the Military Industrial Complex - or her despicable joke, "We came, we saw, he's dead." And I must say, as a lawyer, that with that comment she revealed her complete contempt for the rule of law.

What IS Christian is taking in the refugees from the lethal political quagmire created by U.S. foreign policy.

What IS Christian is health care for all, i.e, Public Option.

What IS Christian is using our national wealth to end homelessness and starving children.

All of those are policy positions of Bernie Sanders, NOT Hillary Clinton.

Despite Pope Francis' best efforts (and I do admire him greatly and think he is the most decent, Christ-like Pope the Catholic Church has ever had), the Catholic Church is on life support in the U.S. and the prognosis over the next 5 years is desperate. For those who remain Catholics - if they listen to the teachings of their Pope, they will vote for a progressive candidate, i.e., Sanders, not Clinton.

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-visit-nears-u-catholic-church-faces-financial-054152777.html;_ylt=A0LEV71nOvVVFGQAwQsnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTE0NjZzdWk0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDRkZYVUk0MV8xBHNlYwNzYw--
The financial burden of meeting its pension obligations could take a toll on a U.S. Church already showing signs of retrenchment, forcing it to sell off more assets. A Pew Research Center study in May showed the number of self-declared U.S. Catholics at about 52 million, down from 55 million in 2007.

The number of adults who label themselves "former Catholics", meanwhile, has more than doubled to about 25 million since 2000, and Church attendance has plateaued over the same period, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

More than half of the roughly 17,000 active diocesan priests are expected to retire by 2019, Ruhl said. The pensions are generally fairly meager at around $20,000 per year. A report issued by non-profit group Laity in Support of Retired Priests (LSRP) last year showed that an average priest's pension and social security benefits are projected to be lower than the cost of living.

According to LSRP, there are about two active diocesan priests for every retired one, a ratio that is expected to narrow in the next few years as more priests retire with fewer to replace them.

The Archdiocese of New York, meanwhile, is in the midst of the biggest reorganization in its history, closing dozens of parishes and selling iconic churches due to sliding attendance and a shortage of priests.

[Recursion]

88. Nope (nt)

[azmom]

93. Could not agree more. I still identify as catholic, but barely.

My husband was very involved in the church growing up, but he has also turned away from the church and My daughter is an atheist.

[Divernan]

96. On a good day, I identify myself as an agnostic!

[L0oniX]

67. Well then ...I guess Hillary will get the Kim Davis voters.

[JI7]

73. for many minority communities the church is more cultural than about specific beliefs

And that'sBecause it was one place they came together and organized for things.

Even atheist minorities will have connections to some of these things because it was more able family and friends .

One had to understand that minorities did not have access and freedom to just go and organize anywhere.

While things are better now the culture and relationships built up are not just going to go away.

But if you look at 2008 Obama's earlier and greatest support came from black students rather than church.

[MisterP]

84. in north Honduras the Army has sent spies to Bible-study meetings and police interrogate people

about homilies; 1980-95 colonels even reviewed the national songbook and flagged two hymns as subversive, though the bishops' conference refused to remove them as requested; clergy that are too pro-peasant are still labeled Reds, though it's Caracas rather than Moscow supposed to be pulling the strings

it's also tried "religious engineering" to create officer-run plantations with the most RW Evangelicals as the only religion, like in Guatemala

plus, y'know, there's plenty of hinky theology among the fighters we deployed in Libya and Syria, especially that beardy guy from Baghdad, whatever his name is

[Gloria]

99. NOT UNIQUE TO HRC!!! Also in 2008, Courted by DNC...See if these names pop up in the future...

I did a lot of research on how he was going after support form big evangelical media types as well as a group called Matthew 25 which started plugging for Obama. I wrote about it, too....In Part 2, Rev. Luis Cortes, a big Hispanic guy was prominent with the Democratic side.....considered part of core Democratic values....also in cahoots with Bush and then Mccain....at the time of my posts, Obama was not yet on the radar, but Dems were courting Cortes...

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/so-whats-obama-going-to-give-away-to-conservative-religious-leaders/

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/part-1-obamas-conservative-meeting-guests-non-pastors/

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/06/28/part-2-obamas-conservative-meeting-guests-the-pastors/

https://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/matthew-25-network-pac-hits-christian-radio-with-pro-obama-ad/


So, don't be shocked by this play to the religious stuff. Sadly, it's what we're stuck with in this country

In light of this info...Bernie going to Liberty University...it is really "guts" or just part of the normal routine????>

[Faux pas]

102. Kickin' to read later.

[SoapBox]

107. Ugh...

It just gets worse with her by the minute.

Ugh.

[magical thyme]

108. Hillary 6.0?

[Doctor_J]

110. The closer Sanders gets in the polls, the more Republican talking points Clinton rolls out

Earlier this week she promised a more forceful foreign policy than Obama. What's the big plan here?

[Divernan]

112. In HRC's bubble world(100s of advisors/consultants) "Big Plan" changes daily.

I've read she's sending out Big Dog to start actively campaigning next week - that proved disastrous in 2008. It will generate lots of coverage and headlines - particularly when he starts speaking off-the-cuff.

And speaking of Bill, it doesn't seem he & Hillary desire/need/enjoy each other's company much these days.
Headline: Bill Clinton rocks out in the Hamptons while Hillary baby-sits

Bill Clinton partied with rock stars including Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters in the Hamptons Friday night while wife Hillary Clinton sat home baby-sitting their granddaughter.

Spies told Page Six that Clinton was the first guest at an afterparty hosted by Jimmy Buffett at the Blue Parrot in East Hampton for the Bill Murray–Bruce Willis movie “Rock the Kasbah.”

“Clinton . . . held court at the bar,” said a spy. “He said he’d had to pick up Hillary coming back from a three-day campaign trip, but that she went home to baby-sit their granddaughter.”

http://pagesix.com/2015/08/30/bill-clinton-parties-with-rock-stars-while-hillary-baby-sits/

Wow! What a guy! Your spouse gets home from an exhausting 3 day campaign swing. You make the PR appearance to pick her up, but then take off to party hearty in the Hamptons.

Here's the spin Chelsea puts on her parents' separate activities:

Most recently, taking the reins on Charlotte’s care came after a three-day campaign trip. “My husband Marc [Mezvinsky] and I were at a dinner for a friend who recently got a new job, and my dad was out with friends, so my mom babysat which was really nice,” Chelsea, 35, tells PEOPLE in an interview for the new issue on newsstands Friday.

http://celebritybabies.people.com/2015/09/09/chelsea-clinton-describes-hillary-clinton-grandma-charlotte/?xid=rss-topheadlines
Dad is "out with some friends" - not exactly the same as rockin' out with Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, etc. and it's not like he & his wife are even staying together - Bill's out in the Hamptons; HRC is in Manhattan. And it's also not like there isn't a full-time Nanny and poor Chelsea & Marc couldn't have gone to their posh evening at The Palm unless HRC was able to babysit.

Yup, just your average American family - not!

[reformist2]

114. Too funny. A classic case of too many cooks.