The Religious Left
Posted on July 26th, 2006 by catalyst into the Uncategorized categoryI realize this blog is becoming a conduit for the Washington Post, but heh, I live in their city and I like what they write. And yesterday the WaPo had a great article on how the Religious Left is standing up to the Religious Right.
Ten years ago, if you told me I would identify with the Religious Left, I would have scoffed and ridiculed you. However, after seeing the hypocrisy in the Religious Right (yes, I'm talking to you Ralph Reed), I'm beginning to side with those damn Christian Liberals.
Here's a quote that best describes how I feel:
"I join the ranks of those who are angry because I have watched as the faith I love has been taken over by fundamentalists who claim to speak for Jesus but whose actions are anything but Christian," declared Meyers, who has written a new book, "Why the Christian Right is Wrong.
Oddly enough, politically I am still relatively conservative. It just fires me up when people use Christ as a reason to push their own selfish agenda.
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July 26th, 2006 at 7:49 am
catalyst said:
Me too, son.
July 26th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
So it’s positive if the “religious left” use Christ for their own political agenda but the right is “wrong” for doing the same thing?
Believe me, I’m not very close to the religious right by any means…. the dress code is to strict, lol… but are those of the religious left persuasion really doing anything more “progressive for change” than corraling like-minded peoples with the central message of a religious lifstyle being the key?
I don’t think this approach is going to go over so well personally…
I don’t feel the Dems will ever really “win” in this country if they continually reach out to established systems and outdated religious practices while denying the 40% of this country who are independant of any religion or faith-based institutions.
Is it really so hard for progressive candidates to get dirty and really delve into the reasons why so many don’t vote in this country?
It’s not because were all going to lefty churches. It’s because we are independent thinking people people living in an independent nation and most of us out here, with a functioning brain, know this is just another strategy by the monetarilly superior, to pool as much money into causes that, I hate to speak it but, will benefit the same old money that has been destroying our personal freedoms for the past century.
After saying all this, when it comes down to it, we live in a capitalist country and in the end, it’s all about pooling the largest amount of resources.
Maybe this approach will help the Dems in 08′, but I don’t think it’s going to really get any more people to the polls.
The polls are what matters. And chocalate and vanilla are just too boring to get most of us to show up to the party.
If this approach helps Obama/Dean though, I’ll be a happy boy.
July 26th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Grass Roots baby!
http://www.myspace.com/peopleforpure
July 26th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Believe it or not, I’ve always considered myself part of the “religious left.” We prefer to call ourselves “progressive Christians.” I’ve been a student of Jim Wallis and Sojourners for over 30 years. I can’t wait to vote for Hilary. Now that I’m not in the CBC Republican enclave I can freely admit my sins.
Hello. My name is Larry Asplund, and I’m a Democrat.
July 26th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
I vote Libertarian; they’re for legalizing weed.
July 26th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
I feel like Elijah, thinking I was the only one. There we were, in Mike White’s district … registered democrats! Hey, maybe we should have formed a cell group, LOL.
July 27th, 2006 at 5:31 am
Hey, Michael Mendenhall, wherever you are on life’s journey, we’d love to have you drop by Sunday morning. Both Dean and Obama are members of the United Church of Christ.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:44 am
Here in lies the crux of the problem with CBC staff - loyalty to the organization and conformity are the most important virtues. Anyone who voices an alternative view or opinion is “sinning”.
Some who have gone before have dared to be honest and have paid the ultimate price, Larry. It’s called integrity (uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty).
July 27th, 2006 at 9:07 am
Loyalty is also a high value for me, and does not necessarily contradict integrity. My function did not require political opinions. However, whenever one was asked, I was always honest. Just ask my colleagues at PBC.
BTW, some people don’t know the difference between integrity and stupidity. Claiming that being a loud mouth is just a matter of honesty is a copout, and honesty to see the difference.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:51 am
Larry, thank you for coming out of the Republican closet. You are a shining example for all Christians to follow.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Hit me up with a pic when Obama/Dean show up on Sunday.
P.S. Integrity in political circles means keeping your mouth shut and not stirring the waters.
If politicians need to use labels, they are lying. Lying is what we pay them to do… along the way a couple go down in flames fo their deeds. Ralph Reed had integrity too… and he was a man of god at that. How wonderful!
July 27th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
I’ll be surprised if I see them at St. Paul’s in Mechanicsburg, PA, but you never know. I guess taking pix during services would be tacky, but I could try outside afterwards.