Monthly Archives: October 2008

Why the Democratic Party is the Pro-life party.

Posted on by
35

I wrote this in response to a comment, but it was so good that I thought I would make it a post.


Mrs J on October 20, 2008 at 11:07 am said:

5. Obama is the most pro abortion candidate to ever be nominated for president. Maybe he is. I don’t know. But after the last eight years of Bush, I just don’t care that much about abortion anymore.

Seriously? Your mother must be so proud.

The reason I don’t care about abortion as much, is because I believe that being pro-life is more than just opposing abortion. It’s about preventing unecessary wars. It’s about opposing torture. It’s about ensuring that there are fewer abortions by providing teens with the knowledge necessary to keep from getting pregnant. It’s about providing low income people with the money necessary to be able to afford to have children.

If you vote for McCain then you are almost certainly voting for more wars, more torture, and more abortions.

I’m still pro-life. I have just decided that the Democratic party is now more pro-life than the Republican party.

Good Samaritan

Posted on by
6

Christians have been getting a bad rap on this blog, and I just want to share a story I heard about a lay pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma who helped a bunch of Indian/Kuwaiti Immigrants escape slavery from a local manuracturing plant. The men were forced into a kind of virtual slaved labor, with almost no help of escape.

The story picks up here

Thankfully, a couple of workers were able to sneak out (leaving the factory without permission was forbidden under armed guard) on a Sunday and they slipped into the nearby church to participate in worship and escape the oppressive conditions of Pickle’s prison. Mark Massey, a lay minister there, connected with the men and befriended them in spite of their broken english and seemingly suspicious demeanor. Eventually, he learned of their plight and began to smuggle them out into his own home, vacating his house so that dozens of Indian workers could find a safe place of refuge while he contacted local organizations to collect food and resources for the men. meanwhile, he also recruited the only lawyer he knew for the cause, an attorney who humorously admitted that prior to this case, he couldn’t even spell “immigration.”

What stuck out to me was an encounter between massey and some of the workers one night when he was helping them to escape the factory- two of the men had brought their friend who told Massey, “I’m hindu- but will you help me as well?” and Massey replied, “of course- that’s what the gospel is about.”

The whole story is spelled out in an episode of This American Life. It's a fascinating look at a pastor in a mid-western town who shortly after 9/11 sacrified his life to help a bunch of Middle Eastern men. And why did he do it? Because it's what Christ would do.

I just want to point out that there are a lot of good Christian out there. And frankly, we need to help tell their story. Because, if not. All we're gonna get is "The Glories of the Prosperity Gospel" and "How to Raise up a Standard to Fight a Tide of Sexual Immorality."

Never Underestimate The Power of Blogs

Posted on by
34

A recent post questioned this blogs ability to change anything at CBC (or any church for that matter) and that got me thinking.  I've been so wrapped up in politics I haven't given much thought to the other things that our out there, but I do wonder — how effective are blogs?  In particular this blog?

To me blogs are great because you can comment on what people write, there are no editors (very obvious from all the typos), we can write whatever the heck we want (yeah free speech), whenever we want, and most people do it for free.  Blogs can ignite an issue and spread the word in a matter of minutes.  They have become a force in this country — from politics and religion to stories about family vacations and newborn babies, the power of the internet seems to have taken everyone by storm.  Love them or hate them, it seems like everyone is writing on a blog these days and people are turning out in large numbers to read them.

So what about this one?  Is it really making a difference at CBC and beyond, or are we just blowing smoke up our butts?  I for one know that I have pissed a few people off with some of the stuff I write (even some good friends), but I really wonder if it goes beyond that?  Who are the hundreds of people who read this thing on a regular basis?  Where do they come from?  Why do you choose to read this blog?  I'd love some truthful responses here.

God’s Financial Blessing or Poor Lending Standards

Posted on by
Reply

Here's another fun article mocking the Prosperity Gospel:


It is the notion that all you need is hard work and you will prosper – except in this case, "hard work" gets replaced with prayer and large donations to your church.

Seen that way, Prosperity lies somewhere on the same spectrum of fashionable, particularly American optimism as the 1990s self-help movement, Tony Robbins-style motivational speaking, and the kind of ultra-positive thinking stressed by bestsellers like The Secret, all of which teach that you should "fake it until you make it." Think Oprah and How to Make Friends and Influence People, but guaranteed by the love of Jesus Christ, and you've got an idea of the doctrine's seductiveness.

…a preacher might say, `If you give this offering, God will give you a house.' And if they did get the house, people did think that it was an answer to prayer, when in fact it was really bad banking policy."

My two great interests the last several years have been the "prosperity doctrine" and the "housing bubble".  It's quite fun to see them intersect.

Lending standards and poor risk management had much more to do with this financial crisis than the prosperity gospel, but it has certainly played a part.  The question going forward is how these churches survive? Will their congregants continue to tithe even when they know they won't be blessed financially. My guess, is some of them will. But a great many won't.

Prosperity Preachers as Snake Oil Salesman

Posted on by
9

It seems the recent financial collapse is inspring greater outrage against those who preach the prosperity gospel.

From Belief.net, a blog post titled To the Christian Leaders of America:

For the last thirty years, selfishness and private greed in the material world has been mirrored and supported by individualistic and privatized spirituality.  We have been bombarded by the heresy of the 'me first', self help, prosperity Gospel.   David Van Biema just wrote a startling piece in Time magazine as to how the the Prosperity Gospel played a role in the subprime mortgage crisis as predatory lenders fed upon poor congregants' magical belief that God had provided them with a home they could not afford.  Once the economic reality crashed in on their spiritual fantasy, it caused them more poverty, heart ache, and a spiritual crisis to add to their financial one.  Perhaps now the world will recognize the prosperity preachers for the snake oil salesman that they are.

Notice the especially harsh language. It is now becoming much more acceptable to criticize Pastors who preach the prosperity gospel. I like it.

McCain booed after trying to calm anti-Obama crowd

Posted on by
38

Well it seems the crazies are really coming out now that McCain is trailing in every poll, but even he is realizing it's gone a little too far.  In an article today on yahoo news McCain finally fought back.

The anger is getting raw at Republican rallies and John McCain is acting to tamp it down. McCain was booed by his own supporters Friday when, in an abrupt switch from raising questions about Barack Obama's character, he described the Democrat as a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

A sense of grievance spilling into rage has gripped some GOP events this week as McCain supporters see his presidential campaign lag against Obama. Some in the audience are making it personal, against the Democrat. Shouts of "traitor," "terrorist," "treason," "liar," and even "off with his head" have rung from the crowd at McCain and Sarah Palin rallies, and gone unchallenged by them.

McCain changed his tone Friday when supporters at a town hall pressed him to be rougher on Obama. A voter said, "The people here in Minnesota want to see a real fight." Another said Obama would lead the U.S. into socialism. Another said he did not want his unborn child raised in a country led by Obama.

"If you want a fight, we will fight," McCain said. "But we will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." When people booed, he cut them off.

"I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity," he said. "I just mean to say you have to be respectful."

Presidential candidates are accustomed to raucous rallies this close to Election Day and welcome the enthusiasm. But they are also traditionally monitors of sorts from the stage. Part of their job is to leaven proceedings if tempers run ragged and to rein in an out-of-bounds comment from the crowd.

Not so much this week, at GOP rallies in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida and other states.

When a visibly angry McCain supporter in Waukesha, Wis., on Thursday told the candidate "I'm really mad" because of "socialists taking over the country," McCain stoked the sentiment. "I think I got the message," he said. "The gentleman is right." He went on to talk about Democrats in control of Congress.

On Friday, McCain rejected the bait.

"I don't trust Obama," a woman said. "I have read about him. He's an Arab."

McCain shook his head in disagreement, and said:

"No, ma'am. He's a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with (him) on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about."

He had drawn boos with his comment: "I have to tell you, he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

We all understand the game of politics, but when people are screaming "off with his head" it makes me wonder where this is heading?  Especially since a majority of these people claim to be God fearing Christians.

Widows and widowers are the best tithers

Posted on by
8

Baylor University recently released the results of a national survey that asked people about their beliefs about God, church, and even the paranormal. You can find more information about it here and here.

One of the most interesting findings to me was that the group of people most likely to tithe were the people who the tithe was designed to help support.

"Widows and widowers are some of the biggest tithers, with 17.6 percent giving 10 percent or more of their income to the church, compared to 8.6 percent of nonwidowed people."

What does this say about how churches teach tithing? I think it says they are clearly getting it wrong! Or do they not remember this verse?

"When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them."

One of the key tenets of tithing advocates is that God provides financial blessing to those who tithe. This is the greatest tool in the tithe-advocate's toolbox, because it appeals to basic human need (and greed). Everyone wants to have enough money. The people who are most in need of financial blessing are the people who have the least money to give. This is the irony: the people who are meant to benefit from the tithe are the ones who are most likely to tithe!

The next time your church asks you to tithe, be sure to ask for the church budget and find the line items that go to the poor and needy within your own church. 

AIG Execs Vacation After Bailout

Posted on by
13

Can you believe this?

Less than a week after the federal government committed $85 billion to bail out AIG, executives of the giant AIG insurance company headed for a week-long retreat at a luxury resort and spa, the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach, California, Congressional investigators revealed today.

Rooms at this resort can cost over $1,000 a night," Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said this morning as his committee continued its investigation of Wall Street and its CEOs.

AIG documents obtained by Waxman's investigators show the company paid more than $440,000 for the retreat, including nearly $200,000 for rooms, $150,000 for meals and $23,000 in spa charges.

"Their getting their pedicures and their manicures and the American people are paying for that," said Cong. Elijah Cummings(D-MD).

Is it possible to fire every member of Congress and start over?

Now, might be a good time to PANIC!

Posted on by
2

For those of you who are wondering what the hell is going on with our economy, I suggest you listen to these two episodes of This American Life.

The first episode (Giant Pool of Money) was produced about 4 months ago and gives the best explanation of the Subprime Housing Crisis that I have ever heard. I highly recommend it. It's incredible. The second episode (Another Frightening Show about the Economy) was produced last week, and gives an excellent accounting of what exactly is happening to our Financial System. These shows explain this economic mess in very simple terms. 

- The Giant Pool of Money (95 Cents.)

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=355 

and

- Another Frightening Show about the Economy.  (Free) 

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=365

You can also get both episodes on I-tunes.  

For those of you who have I-tunes, just pay the 99cents and buy The Giant Pool of Money. It will be the best 99 cents you ever spent.

(And then buy "Live Your Life" by TI. I love that song. I'm pretty sure it's an homage to the Numa Numa guy.)