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If You Read the Gospels, the Religious Right is Most Often Wrong


Was Jesus a big winner in the last election?
You'd sure think so. If the pundits and Religious Right zealots are correct, the Son of God scored a knockout victory on Nov. 2. We've had it drilled into our heads that something known as "moral values" was decisive in the election. Some worked-up commentators have even said we're on the brink of a second Great Awakening.

All this hype about the God talk swirling around in our culture prompted me to do a little research (a big departure from how I usually prepare for writing a column). I cracked open my Bible and started rereading the Gospels.

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1129-24.htm
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quote:
Originally posted by themax:
PBA, just slap me neeked and hide my clothes, but why does every issue have to be right wing or left wing?? Just wondering Roll Eyes




Themax, nothing wrong with your question at all. Matter of fact, I think it's a good question. Most of your political parties are labeled right wing, right wing extremists, the very far, far right wing, and their extremists, and the same with the left. It's almost like a cult when you get to thinking about it. Just different cults. That's why most people say that we are a divided United States instead of a United States. Take John McCain for instance. He started out being a moderate republican and now he is considered a right wing republican who has joined the religious right for their money so hopefully he can be president. McCain was against Bush when he was running against him but now has joined Bush's ways of thinking. All this right and left stuff started in England as part of their parlament sit on the right while the others sit on the left. And so it caught on in America and we've been using it ever since. The media and the politicians and the talk show hosts fill the airwaves with propaganda and we fall for it instead of researching it. One last point. I don't care how much you like your preacher or your church, it's always good to read the Bible for yourself and do your own research rather than to trust what your preacher says is gospel.
pba, I hope I don't hurt your feelings, but lordy, I'm sick of saying this...nobody trusts what their preacher says as gospel, not unless they are as dumb as a rock.

Secondly, the labels you listed (which many of you use frequently - no offense intended, just don't want to pick on pba) very rarely describe someone effectively. People are too complicated to fit into a nice tidy little label. Sorry, this drives me bananas.

Take the religious right, for example. Since no two religions agree on anything, how exactly are they lumped into one label? Forget religion, even within the same denomination, nobody agrees on all or even most political issues. JMHO
PBA, I was taught to search the scriptures daily to see if what is being taught is the truth. I just don't see right wing or left wing in my feeble way of searching the scriptures. I'm sorry but the way I read the Bible there is only what is right and what is wrong. I must rely on the blood of Christ to cover my sins.
I just don't see the relation you are refering to.
themax, what you're saying sounds nice, but what's happened is political manipulation. The right has convinced the dumb that the right stands for everything found in the Bible. They've attempted to hijack the government by trying to make everyone believe that a stand against them is a stand against God and America (two entities that, contrary to popular belief, are not synonymous).
quote:
Originally posted by Rowan Oak:
themax, what you're saying sounds nice, but what's happened is political manipulation. The right has convinced the dumb that the right stands for everything found in the Bible. They've attempted to hijack the government by trying to make everyone believe that a stand against them is a stand against God and America (two entities that, contrary to popular belief, are not synonymous).




Well said. Very well said!
quote:
Originally posted by DixieChik:
I'm still scratching my head to figure out why this is in the News section -- Right Wing/Left Wing is politics....Religion could be considered news, but the topic is not about beliefs -- it's about how "religion" helped Bush "steal" an election. I'll be glad when Nov 2008 gets here and pba can move on to another topic.




Oh, you make such a big deal out of a mo hill!! do we have a Religion section?
quote:
Originally posted by themax:
PBA, I was taught to search the scriptures daily to see if what is being taught is the truth. I just don't see right wing or left wing in my feeble way of searching the scriptures. I'm sorry but the way I read the Bible there is only what is right and what is wrong. I must rely on the blood of Christ to cover my sins.
I just don't see the relation you are refering to.



I agree with what you said,very well put!! read Rowan Oak's reply, this is what I mean and he did a good job on breaking it down for me. I agree with Rowan Oak's Reply. and thank you also!
quote:
Originally posted by excelman:
quote:
Originally posted by Rowan Oak:
themax, what you're saying sounds nice, but what's happened is political manipulation. The right has convinced the dumb that the right stands for everything found in the Bible. They've attempted to hijack the government by trying to make everyone believe that a stand against them is a stand against God and America (two entities that, contrary to popular belief, are not synonymous).




Well said. Very well said!




Excelman,just wanted to say I have enjoyed reading your reply's to others post and you say it very well!
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
pba, I hope I don't hurt your feelings, but lordy, I'm sick of saying this...nobody trusts what their preacher says as gospel, not unless they are as dumb as a rock.

Secondly, the labels you listed (which many of you use frequently - no offense intended, just don't want to pick on pba) very rarely describe someone effectively. People are too complicated to fit into a nice tidy little label. Sorry, this drives me bananas.

Take the religious right, for example. Since no two religions agree on anything, how exactly are they lumped into one label? Forget religion, even within the same denomination, nobody agrees on all or even most political issues. JMHO




The term Religious Right is a broad label applied by scholars, journalists, and critics to a number of political and religious movements and groups that primarily are active around conservative and right wing social issues.[1]William Martin suggests that the terms "Religious Right" and "New Christian Right" can refer to the movement in the United States that began to mobilize in the 1960s.[2]Other, however, use the term to describe a coalition of religious conservatives that extends beyond Christianity.[3]



Read what Wikipedia says about the Religious Right
The terms Religious Right and Christian Right are considered pejorative by some conservative critics, who suggest it is used primarily by the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Right
Yes, pba, but they don't agree on anything. Therefore, to use the term broadly, such as "the Religious Right will support Bush" is incorrect because some would and some would not. That is my point. Using a label to say how everyone who falls under that label will vote or how they feel regarding a particular issue is incorrect. You see what I'm saying?
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
Yes, pba, but they don't agree on anything. Therefore, to use the term broadly, such as "the Religious Right will support Bush" is incorrect because some would and some would not. That is my point. Using a label to say how everyone who falls under that label will vote or how they feel regarding a particular issue is incorrect. You see what I'm saying?



Joy, I think I know where you're coming from. I agree that not everyone believes alike. Let me try to use some examples about the religious right and whether you be Baptist or whatever, it's not directed at anyone, so please don't get offended. The religious right, for instance the Southern Baptist Coalition, then you have the Christian Coalition, the 700 Club and their coalition, and even the Church of Christ, who normally do not get involved in politics and don't agree with the religious right, will support the religious right when it comes to election time. And they usually vote very conservative. Take a look at your Bible belt, the southern states vote conservative republican. They don't vote moderate republican. They vote usually to the very far right. But, you have very few moderates in the Christian rights seat. John McCain has swung over to the religious right and is taking money from the Christian coalition and the Southern Baptist coalition, as well as private donations from Christians. John McCain, if elected, will be another Geroge Bush. The Christian right came up with, "if you vote democrat, you're going to hell", and that is nowhere in the Bible. The Bible speaks of tolerance. The Christian right doesn't believe in tolerance. The Christian right think if you don't think their way of thinking, the devil is going to get you. More churches have leaned to power, money, and influence, rather than soul saving.
You see, you just did it again. Your description of the Religious Right does not describe me & yet you (& others) would label me as part of the Religious Right because I am a Christian. See, it is incorrect. It doesn't work.

Also, of those considered the "Religious Right", at least half of us would like to bury George in a field of that oil he loves so much.

Bottom line is generalizations are not accurate.
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
You see, you just did it again. Your description of the Religious Right does not describe me & yet you (& others) would label me as part of the Religious Right because I am a Christian. See, it is incorrect. It doesn't work.

Also, of those considered the "Religious Right", at least half of us would like to bury George in a field of that oil he loves so much.

Bottom line is generalizations are not accurate.



Joy,I have not label you as "Religious Right"but most are!! 95 out of a 100 so called christians are "Religious Right" MOST True Christians can see through the Religious Right!
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
Sorry, pba, I am not offended at all. I thought I fit Wikipedia's definition of the Religious Right because I am a Christian, and would be considered so by anyone using that term. I was mistaken and apologize.

Hmmm, have to think on that a while & get back to you. Smiler




Joy,Thanks! This is the kind of debate I like,sharing knowlege! its good and we can learn from each other! May GOD BLESS!

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