I saw the program tonight, "What would Jesus want?" with the CNN guy Roland Martin. It was excellent, overall. Loved Rick Warren's remarks. I'll bet martin was a little disappointed that the preachers didn't say quite what he'd hoped. Falwell and T.D. Jakes were also featured, as well as some woman I've never heard of whose plastic surgery looked a little tight. But she and Jakes were ok, too.
Falwell and Warren did the best on the war question--saying there is such a thing as "a just war" that is Biblically defensible. Both said freedom and security were worth dying for. They both said our war on terrorism was not a war on Islam. Neither said what they could have on that point --that we were, in fact, helping Muslims in both Afghanistan and Iraq who wanted democracy, freedom, and peace and they needed our help to achieve it.
One of them said the meaning of martyr had been distorted --that a martyr was one who was killed for his faith --not one who died by blowing up others--that no religion tells us to "blow up yourself!"
Rick said the AIDS victims were today's lepers and Jesus would be working among them. I agree that he would and we should. However, I don't know where they are or how to help them. I've seen no call for our help--except for money for their healthcare --and gov't and insurance companies have undertaken those expenses. Most of them, as I understand it, are doing pretty well with the drugs available to them. According to one blogger, they are favored in insurance policies and benefits as homosexual partners --getting benefits that unmarried heteros don't get. I don't know of any move among Republicans to deny care for AIDS victims. IN fact, Bush ordered tons of aid for AFrican AIDS.
Pastor Warren also said he was pro-life and for the Bible's view on homosexuality vs hetero marriage --but just didn't want evangelicals known for only those 2 things. Didn't like being called "right wing" because of the 2-issue connotations --because he wants to be a pastor to all people.
Being known for just two issues isn't primarily our doing --it's the two issues where liberals and social conservs are most polarized --so liberals are just as vocal about these two issues--except when they are trying to ride the fence for votes. I write on the gay issue a lot --and abortion some --because they ARE the most controversial issues and the liberals are winning, I think --because they repeat misinformation/propaganda over and over, emotionally, and people assume it's the truth.
You know I have observed in the blogsphere before that the two most important issues to the democrats are homosexuality and abortion. Truth be told, they are the dividing issues today between the parties. They'd rather play up the war, however, in order to get a Democrat in the White House. I'm betting they'll overplay their hand. they are so afraid that if we start to succeed in Iraq --that the Republicans will win the presidency and regain the house and senate --which could happen after we are all sick of pelosi.
Look how many of Mudville's posts are dedicated to attack on Christians for these two issues. He accuses me of not caring about any other social issues --but we do agree that we want improvement in social problems of concern to the left(poverty, economy, jobs, environment, education). We just don't agree about solutions and how to get the money. We say stimulate the economy with low taxes and there will be more tax revenue. They think we should just rob the rich and middle class with more taxes to pay for all their big ideas, which are more government, more regulation, more big brother.
I think we also differ with liberals about drugs, porn, immigration,campaign financing law, grassroots role, etc.
I do think social conservs. are more concerned about what kind of world we will bequeathe to the kids--not just earth issues and the economy --but moral issues.
The radical left is dangerous on these issues --more dangerous to kids than the religious right.
Another consideration, many of us don't know WHAT should be done about environment or the war, education, etc. Some of us don't think gov't can fix everything even if they try and don't have solutions to recommend. But they KNOW how they feel about the moral/social issues. That's another reason for the perception that the religious right cares about just the 2 issues. We know that sinning is not the way to have God's protection on our nation--whereas other issues may not be as clear.
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PS to myself --a correction to either Falwell or Warren, whoever said it:
Actually, while there may not be religions that tell us to "blow up yourself to kill others," there are religions who have ordered sacrifice of children and women, who order murder as in voodoo and witchcraft, and if you want to call atheism a "religious belief" of sorts, it has inspired the death of millions as with Stalin and Hitler--not just war death --but genocide and murder of dissenters and "defectives." And it is Islamic fundamentalism (a religion) that DOES say to blow up yourself to be a martyr for Allah.
So there is really bad religion and at least one good one: Judeo-Chrsitianity.
Quotations:
Anon: "You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image, when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."
Rev. Tony Campolo: "We are furious that the religious right has made Jesus into a Republican. That’s idolatry. To recreate Jesus in your own image rather than allowing yourself to be created in Jesus’ image is what’s wrong with politics."
Jim W. Martyn, "I suggest that people who express hatred towards others do so because they are unable to love themselves or God. That's sad, and unfortunately causes many of the social and political problems in our nation and world."
Stephen Roberts, an Atheist talking to a theist: "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
Xenophanes, an ancient Greek philosopher: "If horses had Gods, they would look like horses!"
Both parties can't be diametrically opposed to one another and still be right.
People choose the party that most closely represents their own hopes and views for the country's policies.
I think most republicans are compassionate conservatives --especially the religious right. There are some fundamentalists who are hateful, and some rich republicans who are merely greedy and self-protective --but most would agree with democrats that education, help for disabled and poor, affordable healthcare access, clean environment, affordable, decent housing, and research for cures --are all important. And they agree with tolerance --if it means coexisting peacefully with people with whom you disagree. They don't believe tolerance means agreement or condoning all religions and lifestyles as equally good/valid.
and then there are some liberals who are VERY hateful toward Christians and Bush and anyone who doesn't think homosexual acts are genetically caused.
We will not agree about those NEW rights attained and sought --right to abortion and gay marriage and gay adoptions. NOr for Rights for unlimited porn in libraries, on internet and free speech for indecency on TV --nor liberal sex education.
People like you and Campolo accuse Christians of being unconcerned about anything except the moral (sex) issues --which is simply not so.
Whereas, when conservs accuse democrats of being unconcerned about the sex-related morality issues, that really seems to be true.
We can come together on many things.
Taxes, however, are another divider. GOP knows what JFK knew from his rich father --that lower taxes stimulated the economy,tax revenues and employment --and slowed inflation.
Dems stimulate a sort of class warfare with their Robin Hood view of taxation. And it's just to get votes from the needy, encouraging their victim mentality.
Head Scarf!!!
I appreciate your deep thoughts and participation here, Steve! : D
Are you pleading the head scarf over your temptations or mine here?
Stephen Roberts --whoever he is, LD, can find no other God-Man to believe in like JEsus who proved His power and reality in so many ways to so many people, that several participated in writing the New Testament to record what He said and did.
My husband has a patient right now who was a severe drug addict --and a guy at work led him to faith in Christ and he had an instant release from all his addictions some years ago. Only the power of God can do this.
My husband's grandfather had a serious nicotine addiction--and when he believed in Christ, he got off of them immediately, no struggle.
"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds." God can instantly change the brain structures that have been damaged by addictive substances and activities. If He always did it for everyone, if He always healed people miraculously, the whole world would believe for the consistent and reliable supernatural benefits. God's working in most of our lives is more subtle --we are blessed --but we are STILL mortal --and we all WILL die of something and endure trials and tribulations. but being assured of a Good Shepherd who will bring HIs sheep into the eternal fold some day --is a great comfort and inspiration. I can't over-recommend the benefits of faith in the Galilean --the carpenter from Nazareth --born of a Virgin, crucified, resurrected and coming again.
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