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Post by librarylady on Nov 17, 2017 19:04:36 GMT
baptistnews.com/article/death-christianity-u-s/#.Wg8qwEqnHIXA couple of paragraphs from the article: Christianity has died in the hands of Evangelicals. Evangelicalism ceased being a religious faith tradition following Jesus’ teachings concerning justice for the betterment of humanity when it made a Faustian bargain for the sake of political influence. The beauty of the gospel message — of love, of peace and of fraternity — has been murdered by the ambitions of Trumpish flimflammers who have sold their souls for expediency. No greater proof is needed of the death of Christianity than the rush to defend a child molester in order to maintain a majority in the U.S. Senate. Evangelicals have constructed an exclusive interpretation which fuses and confuses white supremacy with salvation. Only those from the dominant culture, along with their supposed inferiors who with colonized minds embrace assimilation, can be saved. But their salvation damns Jesus. To save Jesus from those claiming to be his heirs, we must wrench him from the hands of those who use him as a façade from which to hide their phobias — their fear of blacks, their fear of the undocumented, their fear of Muslims, their fear of everything queer. ================== Evangelicalism has ceased to be a faith perspective rooted on Jesus the Christ and has become a political movement whose beliefs repudiate all Jesus advocated. A message of hate permeates their pronouncements, evident in sulphurous proclamations like the Nashville Statement, which elevates centuries of sexual dysfunctionalities since the days of Augustine by imposing them upon Holy Writ. They condemn as sin those who express love outside the evangelical anti-body straight jacket. Evangelicalism’s unholy marriage to the Prosperity Gospel justifies multi-millionaire bilkers wearing holy vestments made of sheep’s clothing who discovered being profiteers rather than prophets delivers an earthly security never promised by the One in whose name they slaughter those who are hungry, thirsty and naked, and the alien among them. Christianity at a profit is an abomination before all that is Holy. From their gilded pedestals erected in white centers of wealth and power, they gaslight all to believe they are the ones being persecuted because of their faith. Evangelicalism’s embrace of a new age of ignorance, blames homosexuality for Harvey’s rage rather than considering the scientific consequences climate change has on the number of increasing storms of greater and greater ferocity. To ignore the damage caused to God’s creation so the few can profit in raping Mother Earth causes celebrations in the fiery pits of Gehenna. Evangelicalism forsakes holding a sexual predator, an adulterer, a liar and a racist accountable, instead serving as a shield against those who question POTUS’ immorality because of some warped reincarnation of Cyrus. Laying holy hands upon the incarnation of the very vices Jesus condemned to advance a political agenda — instead of rebuking and chastising in loving prayer — has prostituted the gospel in exchange for the victory of a Supreme Court pick. Evangelicalism either remained silent or actually supported Charlottesville goose steppers because they protect their white privilege with the doublespeak of preserving heritage, leading them to equate opponents of fascist movements with the purveyors of hatred. Jesus has yet recovered from the vomiting induced by the Christian defenders of torch-wielding white nationalists calling for “blood-and-soil.” The Evangelicals’ Jesus is satanic, and those who hustle this demon are “false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (2 Cor. 11:13-15, NIV). You might wonder if my condemnation is too harsh. It is not, for the Spirit of the Lord has convicted me to shout from the mountaintop how God’s precious children are being devoured by the hatred and bigotry of those who have positioned themselves as the voice of God in America. As a young man, I walked down the sawdust aisle at a Southern Baptist church and gave my heart to Jesus. Besides offering my broken heart, I also gave my mind to understanding God, and my arm to procuring God’s call for justice. I have always considered myself to be an evangelical, but I can no longer allow my name to be tarnished by that political party masquerading as Christian. Like many women and men of good will who still struggle to believe, but not in the evangelical political agenda, I too no longer want or wish to be associated with an ideology responsible for tearing humanity apart. But if you, dear reader, still cling to a hate-mongering ideology, may I humbly suggest you get saved.
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
Jun 28, 2014 0:26:58 GMT
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Post by schizo319 on Nov 17, 2017 19:28:03 GMT
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Nov 19, 2017 2:34:49 GMT
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 19, 2017 3:08:39 GMT
I had seen another one........... Rev. Dr. William BarberThe unbearable hypocrisy of Roy Moore's Christian rhetoricThis isn't Christianity, it's an extreme form of Republican religionism. Nov.18.2017 / 4:04 AM ET A disturbing pattern has emerged since the Washington Post first reported that four women accused Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore of offenses ranging from the creepy to the criminal. People in Gadsden, Alabama, where Moore worked in the District Attorney’s office three decades ago, say it was “common knowledge” that Moore pursued teenagers when he was in his 30s. Locals told the New Yorker that they recall being told than the local mall banned Moore for the same reason. Accusations of criminal assault are difficult to prove in court and the statute of limitations in these cases has since passed. But Republicans outside of Alabama have started to back away from Moore following the allegations; They have chosen to believe the accusers. Moore’s base, on the other hand, continues to support him despite the evidence. For many of them, this is matter of faith. Jerome Cox, the pastor of Greenwood Baptist Church in Prattville, Alabama, told NBC News he would be supporting Moore because "he’s done a lot of good for the state of Alabama... Everything else is for the Lord to sort out." This is not Christianity. Rather, it is an extreme Republican religionism that stands by party and regressive policy no matter what. It's not the gospel of Christ, but a gospel of greed. It is the religion of racism and lies, not the religion of redemption and love. It is unlikely that any of Moore’s accusers can definitively prove that he sexually assaulted them 30 years ago (a point the defiant former judge knows well). But even before these allegations made national headlines, it was clear that Moore’s policy agenda endangered the children of Alabama and this nation. This man, who wants to be Alabama’s next Senator, wants to repeal Obamacare, making it health care inaccessible for millions, in Alabama and elsewhere. He has said Islam is a "false religion" homosexual conduct "should be illegal." and curtail equal protection under the law for gay and transgender people. Moore supports a tax plan that would hurt the poor and working poor. In short, Moore’s political agenda presents a credible threat to millions of vulnerable people in America. Yet Moore claims to be the moral and Christian candidate, using religion as U.S. slave masters did before him to justify actions which fly in the face of Christ's teachings. Like segregationists, Moore imagines the struggle for equality in America as a story of loss. At a revival meeting earlier this week, Moore complained that he was being persecuted. He also lamented the fact that the courts took prayer out of schools in 1962 and made a cryptic and confusing reference to “new rights” created in 1965, the year the Voting Rights Act was signed. Some members of the congregation responded, “Amen!” ************** As one who survived abuse by a stranger in my own childhood, I feel deep empathy for the women who have come forward to name and confront their abuser. At the same time, my soul grieves as a Christian minister for people who are fed such a distorted view of Christianity and racism that they are willing to support Moore no matter what. I have heard the confessions of abusers: I know that people who are broken and hurting in their own souls hurt people and rally others to join them out of deep pain. But I am deeply troubled by Moore’s determination to wrap his own painful policies and pain-causing ways in the theological claim of being like Christ. There is nothing Christian about the policies Moore has supported. They are as immoral as the terrible abuse he so vehemently denies. While he wants to compare his plight to the suffering of Jesus, there is no biblical basis for policies that hurt poor people and children. ********** More at link...... I don't know this man, but here it is......... www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/unbearable-hypocrisy-roy-moore-s-christian-rhetoric-ncna821921Christianity has a long history, not likely to be gone anytime soon, but......... it may be changing. There are different Christians which we sort of discussed on another thread. Moore and his lot may end up gone, they re extreme. There are many Christians n the world and the USA who are willing to live and let live....But are also willing to help others without preaching at them. People are people, doesn't matter the color, love on another!
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Post by femalebusiness on Nov 19, 2017 3:26:25 GMT
While I am not even the teeny tiniest bit religious I am a great admirer of Jesus. I think his teachings, when followed, make this world a better place. Most of the time I think he would be appalled and distressed at what people do in his name. He would weep.
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Post by catmom on Nov 19, 2017 21:22:36 GMT
It was actually sort of encouraging to read this article. I was beginning to think that I was in a twilight zone where everything I learned about the Bible and Christianity was off and that it's really about being angry and hateful. But just last week I met Christians who are genuinely nice people who to make the world a better place. First time I've met anyone like that in a seriously long time. So that and this article gives me some small hope that there are decent Christians and people who recognize that evil is seemingly infecting the church.
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Post by monklady123 on Nov 19, 2017 21:43:45 GMT
It was actually sort of encouraging to read this article. I was beginning to think that I was in a twilight zone where everything I learned about the Bible and Christianity was off and that it's really about being angry and hateful. But just last week I met Christians who are genuinely nice people who to make the world a better place. First time I've met anyone like that in a seriously long time. So that and this article gives me some small hope that there are decent Christians and people who recognize that evil is seemingly infecting the church. There are a lot of us out there who do not support trump and his followers. I wish you all could come visit my church one day.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 21, 2024 3:26:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 22:20:25 GMT
I keep thinking it's not Christianity that's in trouble, it's hypocrisy masquerading as Christianity that's the problem I attend an ONA church and it's such a breath of fresh air. No hate, no exclusion, just a lot of love and people working for the betterment of their community and the good of their fellow man.
I quit voting for any Republican years ago. It's easy to go in and just vote a straight Democratic ticket and hopefully send my message to the Rethugs that their f*@kery won't be tolerated any longer.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 19, 2017 23:34:58 GMT
I keep thinking it's not Christianity that's in trouble, it's hypocrisy masquerading as Christianity that's the problem I attend an ONA church and it's such a breath of fresh air. No hate, no exclusion, just a lot of love and people working for the betterment of their community and the good of their fellow man. There are a lot of us out there who do not support trump and his followers. I wish you all could come visit my church one day. I think you will find that a large number of the people here are Christians, including pastors, ministers, lay people. Christians include Catholics, LDS, no idea how many Protestant denominations there are and I probably missed a bunch... We have Jews, Muslims, Pagans, Atheists and however many others. Speaking for myself, a few I know IRL and most here are not 'radical' Christians or 'radical' anything. We can get mouthy but in general we are mostly pretty nice and helpful.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 21, 2024 3:26:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 23:45:55 GMT
I live in Alabama. I wish I could say that about where I live.
Awesome! Variety is the spice of life and the more the merrier.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 19, 2017 23:49:14 GMT
I live in Alabama. I wish I could say that about where I live. Awesome! Variety is the spice of life and the more the merrier. Here, I meant here on 2peas............ Although it is very true where I live as well....
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,229
Jun 26, 2014 0:09:18 GMT
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Post by Peamac on Nov 20, 2017 12:23:38 GMT
pridemom- the Babylon Bee is like the Onion-satirical "news" made up to entertain.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Nov 20, 2017 17:09:47 GMT
pridemom- the Babylon Bee is like the Onion-satirical "news" made up to entertain. I know, that’s why I loved the article.
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