I am considering a donation to a Christian outfit.

[TWiley]

I got the letter from Walter Cronkite. His message sounds right on the money to me; it is time to let our leaders, and the world know, that the current brand of evangelicals is neither Christian or in possession of a mandate. But will they really do it?

I am nervous though, I still feel that any donation to any American Christian outfit will only buy assault weapons for the Ku-Klux-Klan.

Is anyone else considering a donation to Cronkite's outfit?

[classof56]

1. I haven't received his letter.

Can you tell us a bit more about the organization? I'd certainly be in favor of any effort out there to turn back the so-called Christian rightwingnuts.

[Love Bug]

2. Cronkite is a big-time liberal Democrat

I can't imagine he would be involved with an organization that isn't compatible with his beliefs. Not all Christian orgs are wacko, you know!

If it makes you feel better, check out the organization before donating. There must be ways to do this online.

[Politicub]

3. No

But I'm using this ocassion to announce that I have have sucessfully begun my infiltration of a very henious RW christian group in the Southeast.

Now I have to build trust with them and listen to some pretty henious viewpoints. Hope I can hold my tongue for the time it will take to make it happen.

:bounce:

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. Donate.

There are TONS of 'legit', non-RW Christian charities. Our favorite is the Christian Children's Fund.

[southlandshari]

5. Is it the Interfaith Alliance?

If so, I say go for it!

More info:

http://www.interfaithalliance.org/About/AboutList.cfm?c=101

On edit:

Excerpt from Cronkite's letter at the website:

Dear Friend,

When I anchored the evening news, I kept my opinions to myself. But now, more than ever, I feel I must speak out. That’s because I am deeply disturbed by the dangerous and growing influence of people like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell on our nation’s political leaders.

Especially after Robertson and Falwell both shamefully blamed America’s courts and the highest levels of our government for the horrific September 11 attacks on our nation. They said it happened because we “insulted God.” Falwell went on to blame feminists, pro-choice Americans and other groups he despises.

Like you, I understand that freedom of speech is a founding principle of our nation, and I respect people with the courage to speak their minds. As a concerned person of faith, however, I have watched with increasing alarm as the Christian Coalition and other Religious Right groups manipulate religion to further their intolerant, political agendas. Over the years, Robertson and Falwell have gained considerable influence on local school boards, in the administration, and in Congress. They have shrewdly twisted the traditional healing role of religion into an intolerant, political platform.

Using religion as a tool to push their personal political beliefs – especially, in a time of national tragedy – not only insults people of faith and good will, it also diminishes the positive healing role religion can and should play in public life. This is why I am speaking out today, and why I urge you to speak out, too. It is time we challenge those who equate religious beliefs with partisan politics, and if you agree, there is something you can do about it today

[TWiley]

8. Yes, it is the interfaith alliance

can you promise me no assult weapons for the KKK?

[southlandshari]

10. I think I can make that promise!

Check out the website - I've been involved with local Interfaith Alliance activities in Missouri and Mississippi, and this group is the real deal. This group is doing exactly what we all are saying needs to be done - working to offset the balance of power that has swung dangerously in the direction of the religious right in this country.

[Bridget Burke]

11. Is this a joke?

Right--we're all anti-religious here at DU.

[JerseygirlCT]

17. The Interfaith Alliance

is just what is needed right now -- a big heaping dose of religious tolerance, not the bigoted rw crap passing as Christianity these days.

This is the board of directors -- if you're really nervous, you could google them and see what turns up:
Dr. Azizah Y. al-Hibri
Dr. Diana Eck
Dr. Robert Bellah
Mr. Ben Cohen
Ms. Denise T. Davidoff, President
Rev. Dr. Herbert Valentine, Secretary/Treasurer
Rev. Dr. James Forbes
Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg
Rev. Dr. Douglass T. Lind
Dr. William McKinney
Rabbi David Saperstein

I agree with those above-- I doubt Cronkite would be involved in anything remotely rw.

[wicket]

6. I like Sojourners

Check 'em out, a liberal christian group:

http://www.sojo.net/

[Warpy]

7. What organization?

People for the American Way is the granddaddy organization for fighting the (un)Christian Coalition and others, but I know there are a couple of mainstream Christian organizations out there that are smaller and doing the same thing.

The right wing Paulist lunatics have got us all a little paranoid about anything with the name "Christian" attached to it, but most Christians are decent people. The problem is the wimpy mainstream churches have been dropping the ball on this stuff for decades, not preaching the words of Christ in fear of annoying well heeled Repuglican parishoners.

If there's an organization of mainstream churches who are looking for money to start mass mailings and other means to turn this around, I'd have little problem donating. It's long overdue.

[Bridget Burke]

9. Do you mean The Interfaith Alliance?

When I anchored the evening news, I kept my opinions to myself. But now, more than ever, I feel I must speak out. That’s because I am deeply disturbed by the dangerous and growing influence of people like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell on our nation’s political leaders.....

Using religion as a tool to push their personal political beliefs – especially, in a time of national tragedy – not only insults people of faith and good will, it also diminishes the positive healing role religion can and should play in public life. This is why I am speaking out today, and why I urge you to speak out, too. It is time we challenge those who equate religious beliefs with partisan politics, and if you agree, there is something you can do about it today.

www.interfaithalliance.org/About/AboutList.cfm?c=101

Sounds pretty straightforward to me. What's your problem?

Edited: I added this before seeing the previous link.

[pelagius]

12. Interfaith Alliance is a good group...

...as is Sojourners. I've given money to both. People for the American Way is a great group, too.

[genieroze]

13. Good site for info

http://www.liberalslikechrist.org/index.htm

[JNelson6563]

14. I've gotten this letter several times

and I always hope that Real Christians will support this effort to counter the Faux Christians.

I am heathen so count me out but I hope many join this effort.

Julie

[TWiley]

19. Hi there fellow heathen

I now plan to donate, just to put another burr under the ass of the fundamentalists.

thanks Julie

[JNelson6563]

20. Rock on Tim!

And Hi to K for me, eh? Have a good Thanksgiving!

:toast:

Julie

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. Clarification

"Inter-faith" means "includes a lot of different religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhists, etc."

"ecumenical" means "includes different varieties of Christians"

So the Inter-Faith Alliance is an organization for liberal religious people of all varieties.

[TWiley]

18. That sounds even better yet

It seems that fundamentalism is the scourge, regardless of the type.

[immoderate]

16. I think Interfaith Alliance is legit.

Sound right to me.

--IMM