I promise I'll be back to the mundane in short order, but...another issue that I could not ignore.
So, in an "action notice" I received from a progressive political organization with which I am affiliated, I just read this:
On Sunday morning, Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson told TV viewers nation-wide that the threat posed by liberal judges is "probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings." When an incredulous George Stephanopoulos asked if Robertson really believed that these judges posed "the most serious threat America has faced in nearly 400 years of history, more serious than al Qaeda, more serious than Nazi Germany and Japan, more serious than the Civil War?," he responded, "George, I really believe that."
So...all this hatred, fear mongering, and activism...all on behalf of what? 2 things: The ability for same-sex couples to marry, and abortion rights. This is what reality-based people in this country are up against-a vociferous and maddeningly effective group of nutcases that are out to impose their morality on the rest of the world, and for whom no tactic is over the line. Boy, I sure like Christianity, such as it was conceived. But for anyone who wonders what has driven me away from the church in recent years, look no further. There's nothing Christian about hate, lies, and bigotry.
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7 comments:
Add intolerance and being judgemental and you've pretty much summed them up.
Be nice to others and who are you to judge other people - that's the message I got from Jesus.
I'm pretty sure I also understood that God was to be the judge of our actions, not some self-appointed band of self-righteous nut jobs.
These are the same people who in the past would have burned people at the stake for taking an opposing view. Thank goodness society has developed that won't tolerate that.
The crazy evolution versus intelligent design debate in KS now is also a sore point for me.
I SHALL SMITE THEM!!
Also ironic in this is that most of the 'activist' judges that refused to intervene in the Terri Schiavo debacle were appointed by Republican presidents.
The Republican party and the Christian conservatives are drunk on power, believing the majority of people in this country believe they are right, and are throwing most Republican beliefs in limited government out the window in favor of dictating to us all how we should live our lives.
Fuck them.
I think this is a very important comment you make, Mixdorf:
"These are the same people who in the past would have burned people at the stake for taking an opposing view."
This is important to consider. I think about variations on this theme quite often. Look back through history and consider times when there were rather large segments of people who thought blacks should be slaves, women shouldn't vote, etc. etc. It's not hard to look out over society now and discern those people who, given another time or another place, would have gladly and willingly fallen in lockstep with whatever oppressive, backwards viewpoint that has now fallen out of cultural favor. And every step of the way, there were visionaries and progressives fighting against such illogic and bigotry. Something to consider when you evaluate which is the party of "morality."
And on more than a few occasions it was the church (often the Catholic church) that was spearheading the intolerance.
Crusades
Kicking the Jews and Muslims out of Spain in 1492 along with the Spanish Inquisition to follow.
Imprisoning Galileo and burning Giordano Bruno at the stake for saying the Earth wasn't the center of the solar system or universe.
Witch trials in England and New England
Nazism
Monkey trials - today and yesterday
And that's just Christianity.
I offer just this little thought for you to ponder. It makes me sad to see Christianity viewed as a negative association in so many peoples eyes. I have been taught that love and kindness to all people is the message of Jesus. We should be models to those who are and to those who are not Christians, and to love them as he so loves us. We don't have to agree or even like the lifestyles of others, but that doen't mean we shun, ignore, or hate those who are not Christians. It is in my view that most of the hate from Christians and issues with Christians comes from those loud and judgemental individuals or organizations that are giving Christianity a bad name. In association with that, there are those hypacrits that bash others or live their Christian lives half assed. Do what I say and not what I do. Self-rightiousness is not the message of Jesus. All of these are more negative producing factions of Christianity are tainting the intent of Jesus. He knew it would be this way, but he lived his life as an example for us to follow, and he gave his life for ours. My friends, don't get blinded by those who choose to blow their horn in the name of Jesus, but instead look for those true Christians who model their life with love and kindness. Tha is the true message of Jesus. On a side note, it is important to stand up for what you believe and should voice your concerns, but hattred and ill intentions are not acceptable. Judges should be prayed for not identified as terrorists.
While I no longer can reasonably consider myself a Christian, you are indeed a credit to your religion, Clog. Believe me, I have great respect and admiration of those true to that noble religion, who truly attempt to live as Jesus did.
Now, unfortunately, we're living in a world where our nation's leaders are intentionally sowing the seeds of religious discord; trying to blur the distinction between church (their perverted version of it, no less!) and state. The new pope finds it necessary to, as one of his first official acts, accuse Harry Potter of "undermining the soul of Christianity." We live in crazy times. I fear that the loudest spokespeople for your religion are conspiring to drive people of wisdom, compassion, and reason away from it.
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