Talking Points for challenging Evangelical Bush Supporters

[checks-n-balances]

These are actually humane & even biblical!

Since the GOP is emailing the false accusation against Dems - that we'll take away their Bibles - it's good to find an alternative message to counter this nonsense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christian Principles in an Election Year

Our Christian faith compels us to address the world through the lens of our relationship to God and to one another. Public discourse is enhanced as we engage civic leaders on the values and ethics affirmed by our faith. At the same time, religious liberty and the integrity of our democracy will be protected as candidates refrain from using faith-based organizations and institutions for partisan gain. We offer these ten principles to those seeking to accept the responsibility that comes with holding public office.

1. War is contrary to the will of God. While the use of violent force may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing on the peacemakers. We look for political leaders who will make peace with justice a top priority and who will actively seek nonviolent solutions to conflict.

2. God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation. We reject policies that abandon large segments of our inner city and rural populations to hopelessness. We look for political leaders who will re-build our communities and bring an end to the cycles of violence and killing.

3. God created us for each other, and thus our security depends on the well-being of our global neighbors. We look for political leaders for whom a foreign policy based on cooperation and global justice is an urgent concern.

4. God calls us to be advocates for those who are most vulnerable in our society. We look for political leaders who yearn for economic justice and who will seek to reduce the growing disparity between rich and poor.

5. Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite worth. We look for political leaders who actively promote racial justice and equal opportunity for everyone.

6. The earth belongs to God and is intrinsically good. We look for political leaders who recognize the earth's goodness, champion environmental justice, and uphold our responsibility to be stewards of God's creation.

7. Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers. We look for political leaders who will pursue fair immigration policies and speak out against xenophobia.

8. Those who follow Christ are called to heal the sick. We look for political leaders who will support adequate, affordable and accessible health care for all.

9. Because of the transforming power of God's grace, all humans are called to be in right relationship with each other. We look for political leaders who seek a restorative, not retributive, approach to the criminal justice system and the individuals within it.

10. Providing enriched learning environments for all of God's children is a moral imperative. We look for political leaders who will advocate for equal educational opportunity and abundant funding for children's services.

Finally, our religious tradition admonishes us not to bear false witness against our neighbor and to love our enemies. We ask that the campaigns of political candidates and the coverage of the media in this election season be conducted according to principles of fairness, honesty and integrity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some comments about the Principles:

A number of the principles have roots in ecumenical agreements that date back more than 50 years, noted Dr. Kinnamon, a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister and professor at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. For example, the first principle, "War is contrary to the will of God," was affirmed at the World Council of Churches' founding assembly in 1948. "It's not a pacifist position," he said, "but it says 'no' to crusade. It acknowledges that 'while the use of force may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing on the peacemakers."

Other principles echo such "key principles of the whole ecumenical movement" as the interrelatedness of all people, God's priority concern for the poor, the infinite worth of each person as created in the image of God, and the God-given responsibility to be stewards of God's creation, Dr. Kinnamon said.

Said the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., of Shreveport, La., Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church's Fourth District and NCC President, "We hope churches will post these principles on bulletin boards, include them in the church bulletin, and use them in Bible study groups, young people's forums and senior citizen meetings. We hope the principles will help people enter into dialogue and be 'Spirit-filled voters' who don't just get stirred up about emotional hot-button issues but also keep sight of all the other issues like racism, poverty and issues of peace and justice," Dr. Hoyt said.

The principles address not only the issues but also the conduct of campaigns, asking candidates to "refrain from using faith-based organizations and institutions for partisan gain" and urging that "the campaigns of political candidates and the coverage of the media in this election season be conducted according to principles of fairness, honesty and integrity."

Original document & short study guide (biblical references included):
http://www.ncccusa.org/letjusticeroll/electionyearprinciplesguide.pdf

[Ruby Romaine]

1. thank you so much for posting- I've been looking for this exact thing for

someone!
:)

[Democrat 4 Ever]

4. Great post

Makes me want to print up a couple of hundred and rush out and put them on the windshields of all the "godly" ones who are sitting in church this morning. I can't understand how supposedly "Christian" people love God on Sunday morning and Wednesday night but throw out the rules the rest of the time. They pick and choose God's laws like ordering dinner from a Chinese restaurant's menu - one from column A, two from column B, bring extra egg rolls and, no, not the mustard, too hot for me.

You can not be a Christian and be for this war. Simple concept that most God-fearing people would understand if they would get their heads out of their ass.

[Jack from Charlotte]

15. Along those lines when ever anyone mentions "morals"... I always say...

You know if someone said to me that there's a family that lives in our neighborhood in which the father has a DUI conviction, the mother ran a stop sign and her car struck and killed her boyfriend and the 2 children had numerous arrests for underage drinking as well as possession of false IDs...... they'd be pretty shocked.

Then I say that among the 5 children in my family none of us have EVER been arrested for anything. I'd be too ashamed to have to tell my mother.

Apparently people in that other family family aren't ashamed and have lower family values than my families.

[indef]

2. good post

Although a showing of "Oh, God!" usually sets them straight in my opinion. :)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. So I guess meeting with, supporting, and aiding and abetting Saddam

would not be a great evangelical talking point. I thought not. Perhaps those responsible should not hold high offices in our government... perhaps their offspring should be nixed as well.

www.counterpunch.org/dixon06172004.html
>>While the August 18 NYT article added new details about the extent of US military collaboration with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during Iraq's 1980-88 war with Iran, it omitted the most outrageous aspect of the scandal: not only did Ronald Reagan's Washington turn a blind-eye to the Hussein regime's repeated use of chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers and Iraq's Kurdish minority, but the US helped Iraq develop its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.<<

http://www.counterpunch.org/green02242003.html
Rumsfeld's Account Book
Who Armed Saddam?
>>In 1992 and again in1994, hearings were conducted by the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which has Senate oversight responsibility for the Export Administration Act. The purpose of the hearings was the Committee's concern that "tens of thousands" of Gulf War veterans were suffering from symptoms associated with the "Gulf War Syndrome", possibly due to their exposure to chemical and biological agents that had been exported from the U.S. during that brief period of "normalisation" of relations with Iraq in 1985-90.<<

by STEPHEN GREEN

[mia]

5. Do Unto Others: An Honest Look at George Bush's Record

IN HIS SERMON on the Mount, Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."

In sharp contrast, George Bush led America into a war of choice based on a single page of false justification. The catastrophic toll so far: more than 1,000 U.S. dead, 7,000 U.S. wounded, 12,000 Iraqi dead, 40,000 Iraqi wounded, untold misery and heartbreak among surviving families, and no end in sight to the violence. Iraq has become a rallying cry and breeding ground for a new wave of bin Ladens. John McCain and others predict that U.S. troops will be fighting to stabilize Iraq for at least 10 more years.



WITH GOD'S HAND, Moses parted the Red Sea to lead his people out of slavery.

With his own hand, George Bush created a sea of red ink that is drowning our government and threatening our future. During his term in office, he took a $230 billion surplus and squandered it into a Treasury-busting $422 billion deficit -- an act of economic dereliction that puts Social Security, Medicare, homeland security, and our children's future in jeopardy. Much of the debt is financed by China and Japan.



JESUS FED THE 5,000 equally with five loaves and two fish.

George Bush has done the equivalent of giving a full third of the bread and fish to the 50 wealthiest people -- and letting the remaining 4,950 people divvy up what's left. We know this from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which found that 33% of the payoff from George Bush's tax gamble went to the 1% economic elite -- people making an average of $1.2 million per year.



IN RECALLING HOW Jesus helped the sick and poor, the Apostle John wrote that we should love "not in word or speech, but in truth and action."

George Bush has said little and done nothing to help those who most need help. While he has been in office, the number of people living in poverty has worsened by nearly 14% -- up to 36 million Americans. This includes 12.9 million children, which means that nearly one in five of all young Americans under age 18 is being left behind in poverty. Yes, Mr. President, despite all the jokes and sarcasm at your convention, there really are two Americas.



JESUS TOLD THE story of a man who was beaten by robbers and left to die. Two people walked past and did nothing, but a third person bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. "Go and do likewise," Jesus said, encouraging all of us to be Good Samaritans.

George Bush is walking away from the 45 million Americans who are living with no healthcare coverage -- a staggering 15% of the U.S. population. The number has steadily climbed during the Bush years. In the past year alone, another 3,836 Americans became uninsured every single day. For those who do have health coverage, annual family premiums have increased by more than $2,600 over the past three years while prescription drug prices have grown four times faster than inflation. At this rate, the cost of a family premium will reach $14,500 a year by 2006.



ARE WE WILLING to accept this for four more years, or can we do better? As we make our choice on November 2, let us remember that from those to whom much is given, much is expected.


Tom Terez
http://AnotherRepublicanForKerry.com
Columbus, Ohio

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Christian Science Monitor says.... and I quote.....

http://www.outfoxed.org/

>>"Fox is not objective. Fox is a Republican propaganda machine." -Roger Ebert

"Move over Michael Moore. It's Robert Greenwald's time to shine." -CNN

"A must-see movie, no matter what your politics are."
-Christian Science Monitor <<

How can those who worship at the altar of Fox News be anything but terribly misled about the truth and about what is actually happening to their country?

[checks-n-balances]

7. Thank you for that contribution!

It's amazing how anti-God, anti-Jesus and downright INHUMANE his policies are - yet he wears religion on his sleeve...

The irony is strong enough to knock you over!

BTW, as "Another Republican for Kerry," do you have a story to tell about that? Just curious!

[mia]

13. Your welcome! Tom Perez wrote this,

here's his story.

As a registered Republican, I never thought I'd eagerly campaign for a Democrat seeking the highest office in the land. But here I am investing my time, talent, and money in a small effort to help put John Kerry in the White House.

This is by no means a parody site, and I have too much respect for the Presidency to make this a forum for personal attack. Rather, it is a simple, public expression from one caring American to another.

If you too are a Republican, or an Independent, I hope you'll read my views -- and keep them in mind as you decide where to place your important vote on November 2. Thank you!
Tom Terez

Columbus, Ohio

[madmom]

8. I heard a simpler and shorter way....

when confronted by a "born again christian" about Kerry's stand on abortion she simply said "the devil has his preachers too!"
also, isn't there a passage in the bible about how the devil will diguise himself to make people think he's one of us until he wins us over? I'm not into biblical teaching so I'm not sure but I think I recall something of that nature.Anyone out there know what I'm talking about?

[checks-n-balances]

11. "The devil can cite Scripture for his own purpose" - Shakespeare

Shakespeare was alluding to the story of Jesus being tempted in Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4.1-11 and Mark 1.12,13 - specifically, the second temptation:

5Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth.

6The devil said, "I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

7Just worship me, and you can have it all."

8Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say:
`Worship the Lord your God
and serve only him!' "

(Contemporary English Version)

[underpants]

9. Bush must practice a different kind of Chrisitianity than I learned

BAM!

[CityHall]

10. Camel. Needle.

I came up with an idea a while ago for a satirical logo for the neocons consisting of a 2-humped camel squeezed halfway through the eye of a needle. Perhaps someone artistic can run with it.

It also wouldn't hurt to point out that Bush doesn't go to church, and that his religious belief seems centered on the idea that he was divinely selected to rule the country. That's about one step away from the Pharaohs' claim to be descended from the gods.

[okasha]

14. Divine right

You don't have to go back to Pharonic Egypt to find the roots of Bush's notion that he's been appointed by God. It's another form of the "divine right of kings" propounded by the Stewart monarchs James I and Charles I. Both believed they ruled according to divine will. Neither believed he was responsible to his people or their elected representatives. James managed to die in office, but the Parliamentarians deposed and beheaded Charles on the charge of treason. Except for the beheading, it's a good precedent.

Okasha

[Cats Against Frist]

17. Oh, but Biblical revisionism took care of that one

"Now if you were traveling across the desert in those days, you would have had a camel to carry your belongings and if you came to a city at night your camel would have to pass in and out of the small side door. In order to for a camel to get through these small tunnels, you would have to take all of your belongings off and then you would have to convince the camel to get down on its knees and crawl through the door. This was obviously a big ordeal and unless it was an extremely urgent matter, you would have waited until the gate opened in the morning instead try to get your camel through this door. The name of this small side door, translated into our language would be " the eye of the needle."

So, when Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than a rich person getting into heaven, he wasn’t talking about something that was impossible, only extremely difficult. So what makes it so difficult?"

http://www.stmarksgastonia.org/Mark%2010.htm

First of all, most Biblical scholars think that this interpretation is a load of horseshit. Second -- why, you ask, was the passage revised? Let's check the words of the author, himself.

"This is without a doubt, one of the most difficult passages for me to hear in the entire Bible. I wish Jesus would have explained this a little better. You would think he could have included a loophole or something to ease my burden of guilt and discomfort over my material possessions."

**note: This particular author of this interpretation seems to actually come around to the right interpretation, at the end. However, many don't -- and the passage is used to deliniate "impossible" from "rather difficult." It's very "Pat Robertson"-style Christianity. God smiles down on the rich now, don't you know?

***edit:

Here's a great thread over at "Christianity.com" that shows the camel "spin" and the rationalizations.

http://forums.christianity.com/?do=post_view_flat;post=849188;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

Crap -- I don't know how to get the link to work, so unless someone can help, you can paste it.

[Pepperbelly]

12. I saw a VOTE GOD yardsign yesterday. nt

[Jackpine Radical]

16. Here's a relevant little LTTE I sent out the other day:

Want fewer abortions? Vote for Kerry.

You may not be aware of the fact, but there are fewer abortions performed during periods when Democrats control the Federal government than when Republicans are in charge. This has been true ever since reliable and stable abortion figures became available, in about 1977.

Why is this the case? Apparently because people are more likely to have abortions when they are in dire financial straits, and most people do better economically when Democrats are in office.



(Kind of an old stage magician's trick. Get them all excited & distracted with the abortion issue & then slip in the bit about Dems & the economy)

[coloradodem2005]

19. I did not know that.

interesting.

[coloradodem2005]

18. That is excellent.

I like what it says there. The problem is, they will counter with some bullshit. Then it's back to square 1.