Religious liberals gain new visibility

[William769]

Left-winged group no longer overshadowed by Christian right

Long overshadowed by the Christian right, religious liberals across a wide swath of denominations are engaged today in their most intensive bout of political organizing and alliance-building since the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements of the 1960s, according to scholars, politicians and clergy members.

In large part, the revival of the religious left is a reaction against conservatives' success in the 2004 elections in equating moral values with opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage.

Religious liberals say their faith compels them to emphasize such issues as poverty, affordable health care and global warming. Disillusionment with the war in Iraq and opposition to Bush administration policies on secret prisons and torture have also fueled the movement.

"The wind is changing. Folks -- not just leaders -- are fed up with what is being portrayed as Christian values," said the Rev. Tim Ahrens, senior minister of First Congregational Church of Columbus, Ohio, and a founder of We Believe Ohio, a statewide clergy group established to ensure that the religious right is "not the only one holding a megaphone" in the public square.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12879318/

[rpannier]

1. This is a very good thing

We need to show the world how real Christians behave.

[shaniqua6392]

2. Thank you for posting that!

I was happy to see some publicity for other progressive Christians. There are millions of us out here and we need to be heard.

[NI4NI]

3. It's time

that the difference betwen the hypocrisy, hate and intolerance of "the christian right" rhetoric be publically compared to the calls for charity, compassion and peace from right christians.

[Lerkfish]

4. wonderful! now I await the entrance into the thread

of all the people who complain liberal christians never do anything.



*cricket*

[mim]

5. I do too

We've had too much of the assumption--agreed on by both sides--that "Christian" and "right-wing" are synonymous.

[Lerkfish]

6. amazing, isn't it?

[sutz12]

11. As one who has been critical of the Christian right

This is welcome news, indeed. Why did it take so long? That's my question.

It is far past time for this. But I'm mucho happy that it is happening at last.

:thumbsup:

[trotsky]

12. Why did it take so long, indeed.

Hopefully with the reception they got here for just announcing themselves, they'll get some REAL cheering when they actually DO something.

[Lerkfish]

13. ever the ray of sunshine

[trotsky]

14. What did you expect?

Didn't want to disappoint after your "call out." Otherwise I would have just left it alone.

[Terran1212]

7. The minority religious groups were always to the left

Black, latino, muslim -- it's time for the Yuppies to get on the right side11!

[OregonBlue]

8. Wonderful news. Bill Clinton and John Edwards are spreading

this same message. Poverty, healthcare, etc., should be the concerns of religion, not abortion, gay bashing.

[Kajsa]

9. Yes! The heretic fundies finally

got their comeuppance.

For too long, many of us have been mistaken for these obnoxious "evil-doers"-( sorry, I couldn't help myself :D )
Jesus stood for most of the liberal values we endorse, fair treatment, helping people in need, tolerance, etc.
I like to call them humanitarian causes- people caring about people.
The fundies would have driven him nuts! ( picture overturned tables)

[corkhead]

10. It's about time.

:kick:

[AX10]

15. It's about time that there is balance to these SOB's such as Falwell...

and Robertson as well as Dobson.