The Church at the Crossroads

[IndianaGreen]

The Church at the Crossroads
By Tim Yeager

Bush uses a pseudo-Christian ideology for two purposes: (1) to provide an ideological cloak for his unpopular agenda, and (2) to divide and confuse the working class. He and the ultra-right ideologues that surround him are basically creating and imposing something akin to an official state religion. It is a theology of war and imperialism. It justifies the breaching of international law, it justifies torture and it purports to put imperialist leaders beyond reproach of law on the theory that they are carrying out "God’s will." It’s a cynical policy and bad theology, but they are seeking to manipulate millions of people, mostly in this country, with it.

But there are millions of religious people who are not a part of the religious right, who are not led by the religious right spokespersons. And there is an increasingly organized and growing left-center coalition of religious people and institutions who oppose the religious right and the policies of the ultra right in government. These are people who stand for separation of church and state. They resent the use of religion to advance the agenda of the ultra right. Most support a woman’s right to choose whether or not to carry her pregnancy to term. They reject bigotry and discrimination, militarism and the arrogance of imperialism. Their faith leads them to think of morality more in terms of social and economic justice than with whom you sleep. This left-center coalition is not yet as well funded or organized as the right, but it’s growing. It was a significant factor in the last election, and I believe it will be more significant in the future. And a part of this left-center religious coalition is an articulate and self-conscious religious left, which is also growing.

Indeed, the widely published remarks of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson were publicly rebuked in an ad entitled "God is Not a Republican. Or a Democrat." which appeared in several newspapers before the election, and signed by 118,463 people clergy and laity. In part this ad read:

We believe that claims for divine appointment of the President, uncritical affirmation of his policies and assertions that all Christians must vote for his re-election constitute bad theology and dangerous religion… We believe all candidates should be examined by whether they enhance human life, human dignity, and human rights; whether they strengthen family life and protect children; whether they promote racial reconciliation and support gender equality; whether they serve peace and social justice; and whether they advance the common good rather than only individual, national and special interests….

http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/1153/1/98/

[BattyDem]

1. Great article!

Thanks for the link! :toast:

I love this line:

"For many religious people, their faith leads them to think of morality more in terms of social and economic justice than with whom you sleep."

That's the "liberal agenda" in a nutshell - yet it doesn't make us sound like nuts. :-)

[jmcon007]

2. Amen, brother....

I should be a wild-eyed conservative to some. I'm 55, white, straight, Christian, reside in middle America, and a combat veteran as a Marine in Viet Nam coming home with two Purple Hearts.
But, I consider my fellow DUers as brothers and sisters. George Bush is hurting us all: straight, gay, African-American, Muslim, Christian, Atheists.....it doesn't matter.
If there are those reading this who are Christian, but know in your heart that Bush's brand of Christianity is nothing like your's, I suggest the following link.

www.liberalslikechrist.org

It will help to arm you when the neocons begin telling you what a sinner you are for being a Democrat.

[scarletlib]

3. Thanks for your post

[deacon2]

5. Thank you, jmcon007

It is heartwarming to know you're out there. My folks were like you, but they are long gone from this world now. And it gives me hope to know that you, and organizations like The Sojourners, are out there to counteract this "false Christ" that seems to be overtaking our country. I went by a church here in Brea the other day (I live in neo-con Orange County, CA) and their sign read: "Hunger and Poverty Are Moral Issues Too." Well, well... another crack in the facade of the Imperial Religion.

Amen, indeed.

[Darranar]

4. Excellent article. Thanks for posting...

I read Jim Wallis's God's Politics, which is mentioned in the article; too Christian-oriented for me, but a very interesting book despite that.

All of the Religious Right needs to read chapter one of Isaiah, in which the prophet makes very clear the distinction between real religion and immoral, hypocritical "religion":

10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the LORD; I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.

12 When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to trample My courts?

13 Bring no more vain oblations; it is an offering of abomination unto Me; new moon and sabbath, the holding of convocations--I cannot endure iniquity along with the solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed seasons My soul hateth; they are a burden unto Me; I am weary to bear them.

15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes, cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.