Religion and its role today

[nadinbrzezinski]

Ok folks time to engage the right wing... was readying an article on Harpers and it dawned on me the RIGHT WING Christians have really given us an opening.

I know religion is a very uncomfortable subject for many but according to the article what many Christians are learning at this massive super churches in the suburbs is how to become better through Christ... yes you read right, self improvement.

Nowhere in the message being taught are things like oh turning the other cheek or clothing the stranger...

Now I am no expert in Christianity but last time I checked self improvement and how to get richer through Christ is one of the seven deadly sins, and it is like a rich man getting to heaven through a needle's eye.

Some are afraid of confronting this because we should never tell others how to believe in their chosen religion. Gets worst, some confuse this with Principles of Faith (those you cannot touch ok)... but it is time to call this new form of Christianity what it is... they are praying to the Golden Calf and ironically they will not get the reference either (for those not familiar the calf built by the People of Israel while Moses when to get the laws at Sinai.. an allegory to the return of the familiar)

So I want you to start using some of this language in your contacts, especially with those who claim to be religious. I mean Christ would have a problem with 45 M who cannot see a doctor, for he said that it is our duty to clothe the poor, feed the hungry and heal the sick... so the attitude if they cannot afford it, is actually sinful, (the sin of Pride). Moreover thinking that I get rich and that is all I have to worry about, is also sinful, the sin of gluttony... I know what Calvinism says and this is what we are seeing in many of these mega churches, but it is time we fully engage it.

Now can I get an Amen?

:-)

[napi21]

1. Check out the attached link. It's seems like a good Dem group

of people who are fighting exactly what you are talikng about. Professed Christians acting like anything but Christians!

I joined it about a month or so ago, and I really think all Dems should at least take a look at what they have to say. They have the right talking points to fight the RW crazies, I think.

http://www.christianalliance.org/site/c.bnKIIQNtEoG/b.592941/k.CB7C/Home.htm

[Larissa238]

3. I joined too

I heard about them on the local radio here, and it really interested me. I'm not a Christian at the moment (long story), but I do know that what they see as Christianity is closer than what the fundies and the RWers have to say about it. Its a great group, and I encourage people to check out the site.

[intheflow]

4. The problem I have with this is its exclusivity:

Christian Alliance. I prefer The Interfaith Alliance.


:) Just picking on you. Both organizations are doing awesome work to counteract the RW Christian nuts. :hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. You know I wonder if I can, as a Jew

oh my lord, time we fight this though... full force

[Kerrytravelers]

6. Yes, you can join anything!

At a Progresive Christians meting, we had Muslims, Athiests, Agnostics and Jews there! We are interested in anyone who can help us save the hijacking of our faith. Believe me, Progressive Christians will someday return the favor!

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Oh goody... by the way I got a lot of my training in

christianity as it were in discussions at oh dark hundred with a wonderful seminary student... I wonder what happened to him? its been years.. hell over a decade now, I am feeling old

[intheflow]

2. I've been saying this for years.

Jesus as golden calf. He'd be mortified!

The self-improvement thing is also right on the money. Many of these folks are the boomers who were the "me" generation that refused to go to Vietnam, not because they truly wanted the US out of Indo-China, but to save their own asses, like their children's refusal to enlist for Iraq. They're the people who brought us the corporate corruption of the '80's and '90's to build their own portfolios. Their faith is in money-building. By putting the Kingdom of God in heaven (after life) instead of trying to build it on earth (this life), they assuage their own consciences by being in denial as to how they're not following Christ's example.

[Tux]

10. Good point

I know many baby boomers that feel empyty from focusing on nothing but money. So they turn to the trendy churches in the 'burbs. All they hear are justifications for their greed.

Call it what it is: Corporate Christianity.

[napi21]

8. Here's a snip I received from that group this morning.

Update

It has been only one month since our Movement’s formal launch. But in just this short time, another 6,000 Americans have joined in this cause we share! Within a few days we will number more than 10,000!
Additionally, hundreds of “local leaders” from across the country (47 states already!) have contacted the Christian Alliance home office and have volunteered to step up as full-fledged organizers for the Movement in their own communities.
We’ve gotten strong national and international media coverage. And despite their much larger size, the Christian Right is attacking us in the media – not just Rev. Jerry Falwell of the Moral Majority, but also many others including the large right-wing think tank, the Heritage Foundation, which wrote an editorial opposing us in the Wall Street Journal Online.
http://www.christianalliance.org/site/c.bnKIIQNtEoG/b.592941/k.CB7C/Home.htm



I thought it was pretty impressive they went from 0 to 10,000 members in a month, and that they are pi**ing off Falwell and the Heritage Foundation!

We need the kind of information and points of argument they can provide. I'm a Catholic, but not a very active one, but what they have on their web site makes a lot of sense, and is good info for all Dems to fight the RW with.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Add me to that number

and of course they are scared... there is, courtesy of them, an awakening going on and people are going... wait a minute, christ did not say covet wealth...

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[napi21]

12. I don't think our idea is to tell anyone how to lead their life, but

the exact opposite! At least what my intent is, is to convince the RWers, who are trying to do that to ME right now, need to really read the bible they are preaching, and they just might be surprised that a lot of what they are preaching is just not in there!

It would be a whole lot easier to just insist on separation fo Church and state, but they're not buyin' that, so we have to try to point out why other Christians feel they are wrong.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. I do, and many a times I have met these people who tell me

your hobby is unholy, you are gonig to hell (smile), your way of life is unpure, (Whatever), so these days when they start going down that route I just start quoting Christ... and I mean the real deal, like do unto others... turn the other cheek, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, you know what is really in there.. not the Me and I that is so prevalent these days and passes for christianity... oh and by the way... they are telling you right now how to live your live