When did Republicans turn their backs on Christianity?

[rdean]

"Let 'em die" say the Republicans.

The poor are that way because they want to be.

The poor are drug addicts.

Hobos.

Bums.

1 John 3:17-18
If a rich man saw someone in need, but closed his heart to him, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matt 7:12
Always treat others as you would have them treat you; that is the meaning of the Law of the Prophets.

Matt 19:21
If you wish to be perfect, sell why you have and give the money to the poor. But the young man went away sad, for he had great wealth.

Matt 19:23
I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt 25:21
The Last Judgement

Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan

Luke 16:19
The rich man and Lazarus

-------------------------------------

Americans helping Americans didn't used to be "socialism" and "welfarism". It used to be "Americanism".

Now I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in one thing and acted the opposite and claimed I had those beliefs, I would be mighty worried.

 

[edthecynic]

"Let 'em die" say the Republicans.

The poor are that way because they want to be.

The poor are drug addicts.

Hobos.

Bums.

1 John 3:17-18
If a rich man saw someone in need, but closed his heart to him, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matt 7:12
Always treat others as you would have them treat you; that is the meaning of the Law of the Prophets.

Matt 19:21
If you wish to be perfect, sell why you have and give the money to the poor. But the young man went away sad, for he had great wealth.

Matt 19:23
I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt 25:21
The Last Judgement

Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan

Luke 16:19
The rich man and Lazarus

-------------------------------------

Americans helping Americans didn't used to be "socialism" and "welfarism". It used to be "Americanism".

Now I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in one thing and acted the opposite and claimed I had those beliefs, I would be mighty worried.

They have always been ChINOs, Christians In Name Only, for political purposes only.

 

[whitehall]

The myth that democrats love to hate is that all republicans are devout Christians. I wouldn't assume that all democrats are all depraved sexual deviates if it wasn't for Clinton.

 

[rdean]

The myth that democrats love to hate is that all republicans are devout Christians. I wouldn't assume that all democrats are all depraved sexual deviates if it wasn't for Clinton.

It's Republicans who insist they are devout Christians. They point to their religion as the reason for hating the gays. They use their religion as a weapon insisting Obama isn't "one of them".

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mohandas Gandhi

And this new thing of "every man for himself" and "let him die" is just too much. How can these people be proud of these awful views. These aren't "values". Considering what this country stands for, they are crimes.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

The myth that democrats love to hate is that all republicans are devout Christians. I wouldn't assume that all democrats are all depraved sexual deviates if it wasn't for Clinton.

It's Republicans who insist they are devout Christians. They point to their religion as the reason for hating the gays. They use their religion as a weapon insisting Obama isn't "one of them".

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mohandas Gandhi

And this new thing of "every man for himself" and "let him die" is just too much. How can these people be proud of these awful views. These aren't "values". Considering what this country stands for, they are crimes.

I could be wrong, but didn't Obama insist he is a devout Christian before he was elected?

 

[hortysir]

Care to compare charitable contributions between Christians and atheists?
Republicans and Democrats?

 

[martybegan]

"Let 'em die" say the Republicans.

The poor are that way because they want to be.

The poor are drug addicts.

Hobos.

Bums.

1 John 3:17-18
If a rich man saw someone in need, but closed his heart to him, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matt 7:12
Always treat others as you would have them treat you; that is the meaning of the Law of the Prophets.

Matt 19:21
If you wish to be perfect, sell why you have and give the money to the poor. But the young man went away sad, for he had great wealth.

Matt 19:23
I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt 25:21
The Last Judgement

Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan

Luke 16:19
The rich man and Lazarus

-------------------------------------

Americans helping Americans didn't used to be "socialism" and "welfarism". It used to be "Americanism".

Now I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in one thing and acted the opposite and claimed I had those beliefs, I would be mighty worried.

What part of those passages say that government must be set up to force you to give part of your possessions to the poor?

Stuff like this should be voluntary, not forced upon you by the government.

 

[rdean]

Care to compare charitable contributions between Christians and atheists?
Republicans and Democrats?

Giving someone a couple of cans of cream corn and helping them learn a trade are two different things. Republicans insist they give so much, but at the same time, insist that giving is "socialism". It's a two faced message.

The real question is, "What are Republicans doing for the country"? And there is way more to the country than rich people and corporations. Believe it.

 

[rdean]

"Let 'em die" say the Republicans.

The poor are that way because they want to be.

The poor are drug addicts.

Hobos.

Bums.

1 John 3:17-18
If a rich man saw someone in need, but closed his heart to him, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matt 7:12
Always treat others as you would have them treat you; that is the meaning of the Law of the Prophets.

Matt 19:21
If you wish to be perfect, sell why you have and give the money to the poor. But the young man went away sad, for he had great wealth.

Matt 19:23
I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt 25:21
The Last Judgement

Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan

Luke 16:19
The rich man and Lazarus

-------------------------------------

Americans helping Americans didn't used to be "socialism" and "welfarism". It used to be "Americanism".

Now I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in one thing and acted the opposite and claimed I had those beliefs, I would be mighty worried.

What part of those passages say that government must be set up to force you to give part of your possessions to the poor?

Stuff like this should be voluntary, not forced upon you by the government.

Thank you so much for proving my point. If you don't get it, you simply don't get it. Don't worry about it. You will never get it.

 

[rdean]

The myth that democrats love to hate is that all republicans are devout Christians. I wouldn't assume that all democrats are all depraved sexual deviates if it wasn't for Clinton.

It's Republicans who insist they are devout Christians. They point to their religion as the reason for hating the gays. They use their religion as a weapon insisting Obama isn't "one of them".

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mohandas Gandhi

And this new thing of "every man for himself" and "let him die" is just too much. How can these people be proud of these awful views. These aren't "values". Considering what this country stands for, they are crimes.

I could be wrong, but didn't Obama insist he is a devout Christian before he was elected?

He still does. But Republican Christians are something different. I think of them as the "Let him die" crowd.

 

[hortysir]

Care to compare charitable contributions between Christians and atheists?
Republicans and Democrats?

Giving someone a couple of cans of cream corn and helping them learn a trade are two different things. Republicans insist they give so much, but at the same time, insist that giving is "socialism". It's a two faced message.

The real question is, "What are Republicans doing for the country"? And there is way more to the country than rich people and corporations. Believe it.

Charity is giving my money, of my own free will, to a cause.

"Socialism" is taking my money and deciding where to give it.

What are you doing for your country?

Do you pay more taxes than you should?
Have you served in the military?
How much do you give to charity?
Do you volunteer 6% of your time?

 

[Quantum Windbag]

It's Republicans who insist they are devout Christians. They point to their religion as the reason for hating the gays. They use their religion as a weapon insisting Obama isn't "one of them".

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mohandas Gandhi

And this new thing of "every man for himself" and "let him die" is just too much. How can these people be proud of these awful views. These aren't "values". Considering what this country stands for, they are crimes.

I could be wrong, but didn't Obama insist he is a devout Christian before he was elected?

He still does. But Republican Christians are something different. I think of them as the "Let him die" crowd.

What qualifies you to discuss Bible doctrine, theology, or even Christianity? Have you studied it? Can you explain the differences between the areas of study I just asked about?

 

[Avatar4321]

Please rdean. You aren't stupid. Stop pretending there isn't a big difference between:

1) Volunteering to help others. Lifting up the poor through our own choice.

and

2) Using the government to rob one person to give to another person.

There is a big difference between the two. Means are everything. If you use bad means, you get bad ends. Crap in, crap out. Good in, good out. I know that's not important to you. I know you don't have a problem lying to get what you think the "right" thing accomplished. But you aren't. You're building a life on lies because you are lying to yourself.

I know for a fact that Glenn Beck was involved in helping others recover from addictions. I dont know if he still does it now with everything else he has, but I know he was involved in it. He didn't brag about it. He didn't make it known.

But because he believes that individuals should help each other and not turn to the government, would slander him. You condemn him. Yet, I don't know of you doing anything to help the poor. I do know you insult and degrade them if they have the audacity to reject what you think is better for them. I know you hate people who live in trailers for some reason.

Maybe you should stop asking what Republicans are doing with Christ and start doing something yourself. I encourage you read the scriptures for yourself. Pray for yourself. Change your life through the Atonement. He died for you. He suffered so you wouldn't have to. And we don't need to go through the government to get His healing hand in our life. We don't have to pay money. We simply have to accept it by putting the principles into action.

Let go of the hate brother. And stop claiming Gandhi didn't like Christians when he loved them unless you can actually back up the quote.

 

[rdean]

Care to compare charitable contributions between Christians and atheists?
Republicans and Democrats?

Giving someone a couple of cans of cream corn and helping them learn a trade are two different things. Republicans insist they give so much, but at the same time, insist that giving is "socialism". It's a two faced message.

The real question is, "What are Republicans doing for the country"? And there is way more to the country than rich people and corporations. Believe it.

Charity is giving my money, of my own free will, to a cause.

"Socialism" is taking my money and deciding where to give it.

What are you doing for your country?

Do you pay more taxes than you should?
Have you served in the military?
How much do you give to charity?
Do you volunteer 6% of your time?

I served in the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, 8th Infantry Division from 75 to 79. I worked at the Jane Addams center in Chicago for 15 years every other Sunday until I got too old. I don't pay enough taxes.

But why question me? I don't claim to be a "Christian".

Fuck your money. You don't make enough to worry about. You actually think the military, the roads, the bridges and electricity are all free. Tired of right wing idiots whining. Move to a country you don't have to help support.

 

[martybegan]

"Let 'em die" say the Republicans.

The poor are that way because they want to be.

The poor are drug addicts.

Hobos.

Bums.

1 John 3:17-18
If a rich man saw someone in need, but closed his heart to him, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matt 7:12
Always treat others as you would have them treat you; that is the meaning of the Law of the Prophets.

Matt 19:21
If you wish to be perfect, sell why you have and give the money to the poor. But the young man went away sad, for he had great wealth.

Matt 19:23
I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt 25:21
The Last Judgement

Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan

Luke 16:19
The rich man and Lazarus

-------------------------------------

Americans helping Americans didn't used to be "socialism" and "welfarism". It used to be "Americanism".

Now I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in one thing and acted the opposite and claimed I had those beliefs, I would be mighty worried.

What part of those passages say that government must be set up to force you to give part of your possessions to the poor?

Stuff like this should be voluntary, not forced upon you by the government.

Thank you so much for proving my point. If you don't get it, you simply don't get it. Don't worry about it. You will never get it.

What point? That charity should be something forced upon you by government fiat? In no section of those passages are government programs mentioned, it is all about individual actions in the service of those less fortunate than you.

In each parable it was the individual decsions of the person in question that are the crux of the stories, not that some burecrat came over, made the person see the light of day, and saved the situation for all.

 

[HUGGY]

"Let 'em die" say the Republicans.

The poor are that way because they want to be.

The poor are drug addicts.

Hobos.

Bums.

1 John 3:17-18
If a rich man saw someone in need, but closed his heart to him, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matt 7:12
Always treat others as you would have them treat you; that is the meaning of the Law of the Prophets.

Matt 19:21
If you wish to be perfect, sell why you have and give the money to the poor. But the young man went away sad, for he had great wealth.

Matt 19:23
I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt 25:21
The Last Judgement

Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan

Luke 16:19
The rich man and Lazarus

-------------------------------------

Americans helping Americans didn't used to be "socialism" and "welfarism". It used to be "Americanism".

Now I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in one thing and acted the opposite and claimed I had those beliefs, I would be mighty worried.

I disagree with the title of this post. The vile nature of the new (last forty years) religious conservative is exactly what Christianity as practiced by the republican party is about.

 

[Bfgrn]

"Let 'em die" say the Republicans.

The poor are that way because they want to be.

The poor are drug addicts.

Hobos.

Bums.

1 John 3:17-18
If a rich man saw someone in need, but closed his heart to him, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matt 7:12
Always treat others as you would have them treat you; that is the meaning of the Law of the Prophets.

Matt 19:21
If you wish to be perfect, sell why you have and give the money to the poor. But the young man went away sad, for he had great wealth.

Matt 19:23
I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt 25:21
The Last Judgement

Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan

Luke 16:19
The rich man and Lazarus

-------------------------------------

Americans helping Americans didn't used to be "socialism" and "welfarism". It used to be "Americanism".

Now I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in one thing and acted the opposite and claimed I had those beliefs, I would be mighty worried.

CHRIST THE AVENGER

The Christian Right finds its ideological justification in a narrow segment of the Gospel, in particular the letters of the Apostle Paul, especially the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus in the Book of Acts. It draws heavily from the book of Revelations and the Gospel of John. These books share an apocalyptic theology. The Book of Revelations is the only time in the Gospels where Jesus sanctions violence, offering up a vision of Christ as the head of a great and murderous army of heavenly avengers. Martin Luther found the God portrayed in Revelations so hateful and cruel he put the book in the appendix of his German translation of the Bible.

These books rarely speak about Christ's message of love, forgiveness and compassion. They focus on the doom and destruction that will befall unbelievers and the urgent need for personal salvation. The world is divided between good and evil, between those who act as agents of God and those who act as agents of Satan. The Jesus of the other three Gospels, the Jesus who turned the other cheek and embraced his enemies, an idea that was radical and startling in the ancient Roman world, is purged in the narrative selected by the Christian Right.

The cult of masculinity pervades the ideology. Feminism and homosexuality are social forces, believers are told, that have rendered the American male physically and spiritually impotent. Jesus is portrayed as a man of action, casting out demons, battling the Anti-Christ, attacking hypocrites and castigating the corrupt. This cult of masculinity brings with it the glorification of strength, violence and vengeance. It turns Christ into a Rambo-like figure; indeed depictions of Jesus within the movement often show a powerfully built man wielding a huge sword.

This image of Christ as warrior is appealing to many within the movement. The loss of manufacturing jobs, lack of affordable health care, negligible opportunities for education and poor job security has left many millions of Americans locked out. This ideology is attractive because it offers them the hope of power and revenge. It sanctifies their rage. It stokes the paranoia about the outside world maintained through bizarre conspiracy theories, many on display in Pat Robertson's book The New World Order. The book is a xenophobic rant that includes vicious attacks against the United Nations and numerous other international organizations. The abandonment of the working class has been crucial to the success of the movement. Only by reintegrating the working class into society through job creation, access to good education and health care can the Christian Right be effectively blunted. Revolutionary movements are built on the backs of an angry, disenfranchised laboring class. This one is no exception.

The depictions of violence that will befall non-believers are detailed, gruesome and brutal. It speaks to the rage many believers harbor and the thirst for revenge. This, in large part, accounts for the huge sales of the apocalyptic series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. In their novel, Glorious Appearing, based on LaHaye's interpretation of Biblical Prophecies about the Second Coming, Christ eviscerates the flesh of millions of non-believers with the mere sound of his voice. There are long descriptions of horror, of how "the very words of the Lord had superheated their blood, causing it to burst through their veins and skin." Eyes disintegrate. Tongues melt. Flesh dissolves. The novel, part of The Left Behind series, are the best selling adult novels in the country. They preach holy war.

"Any teaching of peace prior to [Christ's] return is heresy." said televangelist James Robison.

Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, instability in Israel and even the fighting of Iraq are seen as signposts. The war in Iraq was predicted according to believers in the 9th chapter of the Book of Revelations where four angels "which are bound in the great river Euphrates will be released to slay the third part of men." The march towards global war, even nuclear war, is not to be feared but welcomed as the harbinger of the Second Coming. And leading the avenging armies is an angry, violent Messiah who dooms millions of non-believers to a horrible and painful death.


Chris Hedges, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, the son of a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Thomas Hedges. He grew up in rural Schoharie County, New York, graduated from the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut in 1975 and attended Colgate University where he received a B.A. in English Literature. He later obtained a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, where he studied under James Luther Adams. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in May 2009 from the Unitarian Universalist seminary, Starr King School for the Ministry, in Berkeley, California.

 

[editec]

The real question is: When did our masters turn their backs on America?

I'd say it was about the time when Americans forced them to start giving the working classes a fair share of the economic pie we bake for them.

 

[Dr.Drock]

I want to do away with these government bureacracies so I have more money, and like every other american if i have more money i'm more likely to give more to charity.


The difference between people like me and RDean is he puts all his faith in the efficiency of government bureacracies, i have way more faith in the efficiency of charities.

 

[Bfgrn]

I want to do away with these government bureacracies so I have more money, and like every other american if i have more money i'm more likely to give more to charity.


The difference between people like me and RDean is he puts all his faith in the efficiency of government bureacracies, i have way more faith in the efficiency of charities.

We tried a 'charity only' society...it FAILED. Maybe if seniors and the poor are made to beg, it will make you more likely to give more to charity.