The Rise of the Religious Left -- Why Christianity Isn't Just for Conservatives

American Xtianity always shape-shifts and re-frames itself as something different
whenever it becomes embarrassingly obvious
that they've previously been inexcusably wrong.
Which is often.

That wormy little bastard of a church
never takes responsibility for its fuck-ups.

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correct, christianity is not just for conservatives, it is also for conservative and liberal democrats who still believe in sky gods. still, i’m not sure about the leftwards shift being entirely accurately stated by Hartnell. it may be countered by a young generation now being brainwashed in jesus camps , a well done must-see film.

these jesus camps are nothing to sniff at, should not be ignored, the anti-science and anti-enlightenment movement continues, “graduates” of these camps could spread and multiply should america retain its poor primary education system, should the divide between affluent and poor widen and a so-called democratic political system continue to be unable to represent what the majority of the people really want. lack of education is probably what most accounts for christian-culture americans being unable to detect the baloney taught to them.

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This article gets its' terminolgies mixed up, confuses the issues and concludes by being inconclusive. At the end, I said, "So?"

Any "religious" movement must be (in essence) one of spirituality. The instant it becomes focused on being right or left, it ceases to be religious and becomes a socio/political organization that worries more about the concepts and principles of,and how to manipulate, structures like captalism and greed (this is why churches don't pay real estate taxes).

A person, or the "religious" organization he or she adheres to, can no more be left or right than can a mongoose or a duck in the local park pond.

Christianity, Islam and most "tried and true" religious movements have become largely irrelevant in our time. If we would spend less time affixing labels, analyzing and creating descriptions, and debating "god", we would cease to become right (wrong) or left(which is largely just anti-right, today) and start behaving as humanitarians.

In his movie, Religulous, Bill Maher tells a group of truckers, in a wayside chapel, after they "pray" for him, "Thank you for being Christ-like and not Christian". Think about it.

Anyone who marches bumblingly ahead, with contrived interpretations of Jesus or Moses or Mohammed or Buddha or a Mormon leader as a right or left-handed social political activist has missed the point , which is why religionsists of all ilks have also missed the boat in the 21rst century. We have bigger challenges ahead.

"What would Jesus do?" Well, he sure wouldn't waste time on this debate.

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It is nice to hear someone give a nod to a largely ignored segment of society that works tirelessly and humbly to feed the poor and heal the sick and do justice in their communities. It is sad that the right wing fundies have given Christians such a bad rap that the few athiests commenting above have nothing to contribute but vitriole. Progressive Christians have informed the movement for centuries. I don't care whether you're athiest or anything else. Keep your hate to yourself and tell us what you've personally done to help elevate someone in your community.

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I do not believe that anyone has suggested that terminal irrational religious fanaticism is a trait exclusively attributable to "conservatives". However, based on observation and experience it certainly appears to predominate among that demographic.

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Obviously around half voted for Dems. Only 15% of the pop are athiest, agnostic, or believe in religion that has few members.

BTW, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Keep reminding Christians of that.

If we want Progressives elected then we must incorporate a Pro-Life agenda into the Progressive faction of the Dem party. The "all or nothing" view on abortion is why good people vote repub. Law or no law, abortion cannot be stopped, but the Progressives can help poor people who only have an abortion because they are poor. Progressives can help out when a girl or woman would have their baby and give it up for adoption except for not being able to afford going to a doctor or the schedule of pregnancy, work and school is not possible. Free and easy access to birth control that prevents pregnancy should be a battle cry for progressives.

The repubs had the House, Senate, Whitehouse, and Supreme Court and did not overturn Roe v. Wade. They have no intention of ever doing so. Reminding Christians of that may prevent them from ever getting elected again.

FYI: Most people (including Christians) believe that abortion is an acceptable choice under many circumstances.

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The 'religious right' and the Monica Lewinsky affair together gave us Europeans (who are too divided to have much political say in the world) the 8 year disaster (for the West) of the G W Bush neo-conservative presidency.

But the categories of 'left' and 'right' don't help much with the Catholic vote. Almost one American in four is said to be Catholic - swing voter group: in 2000 psephologists say 47%, and in 2004 52% went for Bush).

Among Christians as a whole (other than "religious right" - apparently some 14%) there is much the same division. Pulling to the 'right' is opposition to abortion "on demand" (and abortion makes the Catholic bishops politically almost a "single sin" group), respect for the family as the basic unit of society, opposition to homosexual marriage, and concern for traditional morality as a whole as opposed to leftie "political correctness".

Pulling to the left though, is profound moral opposition to the prevailing "worship of the golden calf" - unbridled capitalism: Michael Moore's stance. There is too, a growing conviction that Christians ought face the existential challenges of climate change irrespective of particular commercial interests. And recognition there is 'sin' too in aggressive war, genocide, lack of concern for the world's poor and for social justice (including justice for Palestinians), and also in a laissez-faire attitude to the health of all Americans. For Catholics that all fits in with Catholic social teaching at least since the 19th century, and with the international policies of the last two popes. Other Christians too, derive much the same convictions from the New Testament.

From what he has said, President Obama appears to share, at least in part, this Christian dilemma and to be trying to reconcile these not necessarily inconsistent concerns.

Achieving even limited success is another matter - especially given the undemocratic nature of the US Senate where 2 votes go to each state irrespective of population. That gives an inordinate say to mid-west staunchly Republican states. Indeed the whole (albeit tenuous) Christian ethos of US government is being stifled by corruption, dollar heavy lobbying, Israeli pressure, and the monumental dishonesty of the financial sector. Not to mention pervasive racism subtly sapping the authority of a non-white president. He is now under internal attack from 'left' and 'right'. His administration needs full support from US allies - but, to our shame, our European leaders have neither the vision nor the unity to help - not just America and Europe, but the world.

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religion - go away, all of you freaking angry judgmental gods, stay out of our lives in every way.

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Genesis 38:24. Tamar's pregnancy was discovered three months after conception, presumably because it was visible at the time. This was positive proof that she was sexually active. Because she was a widow, without a husband, she was assumed to be a prostitute. Her father-in-law, Judah, ordered that she be burned alive for her crime. If Tamar's fetuses had been considered to have any value whatsoever, her execution would have been delayed until after their birth. There was no condemnation on Judah for deciding to take this action.

Exodus 21:22-24. If two men are fighting and one injures a pregnant woman and the fetus is killed, he shall repay her according to the degree of injury inflicted upon her, and not the fetus.

Author Brian McKinley, a born-again Christian, notes:

"Thus we can see that if the baby is lost, it does not require a death sentence-it is not considered murder. But if the woman is lost, it is considered murder and is punished by death."

Halacha (Jewish Law) defines when a fetus becomes a nephesh (person), a full-fledged human being, when the head emerges from the womb. Before then, the fetus is considered a "partial life". The fetus has great value because it is potentially a human life, it gains full human status after birth only.

Abortions are not permitted on the grounds of genetic imperfections of the fetus. Abortions are permitted to save the mother's life or health. With the exception of some Orthodox authorities, Judaism supports abortion access for women. Each case must be decided individually by a rabbi well-versed in Jewish law.

The Babylonian Talmud (Yevamot 69b) states that: "the embryo is considered to be mere water until the fortieth day." Afterward, it is considered subhuman until it is born. Rashi, the great 12th century commentator on the Bible and the Talmud, states clearly of the fetus 'lav nephesh hu--it is not a person.' The Talmud contains the expression, "the thigh of its mother," i.e., the fetus is deemed to be part and parcel of the pregnant woman's body.

This is grounded in Exodus 21:22. That biblical passage outlines the Mosaic Law in a case where a man is responsible for causing a woman's miscarriage, which kills the fetus. If the woman survives, then the perpetrator has to pay a fine to the woman's husband. If the woman is killed, the perpetrator is also killed. This indicates that the fetus has value, but does not have the status of a person.

There are two additional passages in the Talmud which shed some light on abortion. They imply that the fetus is considered part of its mother: One section states that if a man purchases a cow that is found to be pregnant, then he is owner of both the cow and the fetus. Another section states that if a pregnant woman converts to Judaism, that her conversion also applies to her fetus.

Some Jewish authorities have ruled in specific cases. one case involved a woman who becomes pregnant while nursing a child. Her milk supply would dry up. If the child is allergic to all other forms of nutrition except mother's milk, then it would starve. An abortion would be permitted in this case, a potential person, would be justified to save the life of the child, an actual person.

Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform Judaism are formally opposed to government regulation of abortion. They feel that the decision should rest with the woman, her husband, her doctor and her clergyperson. Some Orthodox authorities agree with this stance. Polls have found up to 90% of American Jews supporting abortion rights.

The New Testament is more permissive than the Old. Paul claims Jesus told him three times, "my grace is sufficient for thee" (II Corinthians 12:8-9), and Christians misinterpret this verse to mean they're free to do as they please--ignoring Jesus' and Paul's other teachings.

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When I look at the Religious Right, I do not see Christians who ever read the teachings of Jesus, but rather ones who read the Old Testament and then jumped to the Book of Revelations, with a mere glace at some of the Letters to support their various positions. They consider the Bible to be the absolute Word of God, but fail to take into account that Men are the ones who wrote the books of the Bible and often based on the stories that had been passed down through many generations. They do not consider the historical context in which the books of the Bible were written which affected how they were worded or the interpretation that would have been put on the writings, whether the original text or the translations.

People that I consider real Christians have read the New Testament in its entirety and taken into account the words of Jesus to be their guiding lights. They understand the Jesus brought a new message that was that God will forgive us, if we care for those in our society, love our enemies, and love God. He did not advocate vengence in his name or passing judgment on our fellow man if they do not live up to a specific interpretation of Scripture. True Christians work in the service of their fellow man and woman and they do not do it because it will give them fame or wealth or power, they do it because they believe it is the right thing to do. It is a pity that the Religious Right do not understand that.

It is nice to see an article that talks about what Christians should be doing, not about political influence or far right philosophy. Maybe if the religious left can bring balance, maybe this Religious Fanaticism we see will fade right along with the Moral Majority!

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"Nearly every major social justice battle fought in the US has been supported, if not driven, by religious groups -- which in statistical terms overwhelmingly means Christians."

In the 1960s - when lots of white Christians were sitting on the sidelines - thousands of Jews risked their lives to fight for civil rights for African-Americans in the South. If white Evangelicals are finally discovering some decency, that's wonderful - but let us never forget that American Jews have been leaders in the fight for progress for decades if not centuries.

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Right on! I've been pushing this line of thought for years, without much success. For example, we have liberation theology in Latin America...even though it wasn't well supported by the "Vatican Church". The problem is well shown in the movie "The Mission", with Jeremy Irons and Robert DeNiro
exemplifying the different sides of the issue.

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plays a very big part in helping to form an individual's character from an early age. It can be for good or ill. I know it seems foolish on my part but I feel much safer out in the streets of life if I think I am surrounded by Christians. I am even more polite when driving if I see the fish symbol on the back of a car. What I'm trying to say is that if a politician was brought up as a Christian his personality should be slanted in the direction of providing beneficial governance to his constituents. This is without mingling religion and government which is and should be prohibited. No, what I'm talking about is simply having a conscience and knowing the difference between right and wrong, because today, everything and I mean everything inclusive of death and destruction, can be rationalized by those without conscience.

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"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."

"Please stop the pastors who hurt us," said Jerry quietly, touching the scars on his face. "I believe in God and God knows I am not a witch."

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Of course. Some of them are even in favor of social justice. However, the anti- science stance of evangelical Christianity is likely to doom us all. Our energy consumption combined with overpopulation is pushing worldwide eco-systems to the brink, while the Abrahamic religions (at least in the United States) are pushing people further and further from the scientific understanding that would help them come to grips with the situation.

I can't believe that Obama had the inaugural invocation done by someone who denies evolution. People who aren't even bright enough to accept that people evolved on earth just like all of the other life forms are unlikely to make any positive contribution to solving our major problems.
A wholly anthropocentric religion cannot be called progressive, no matter how well-intentioned its practitioners are.
And Catholicism has been sexist from the get-go and still is.

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They should be able to find common ground in their shared misogyny and homophobia.

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Progressive Christians have for years advised the Left to update its views regarding faith in politics.

That said, it is faith which shapes my political views and not vice versa.

I personally focus on health care, labor rights, education and environmental issues. The "values voter" issues seem to be a black hole into which all reasonable discourse is sucked, never to be heard from again.

I have enough on my plate.

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Anyone can be retarded... you don't have to be a republican to be retarded, Democrats are stupid too. Stupid enough to believe in god.

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PRESIDENT OBAMA~THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND OUR ACTIVE DUTY U.S. MILITARY FAMILIES FROM POOR FAMILIES BACK HOME DESERVE TO BE ENLIGHTENED AND INFORMED ABOUT THE SPECIFIC FAMILY NAMES OF ALL THESE NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BEHIND THE SCENE BILLIONAIRE HEALTH*CARE INSURANCE COMPANIES(MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER INVESTORS) WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL THEIR FUTURE PROFITS OVER THE HORROR OF 45,000 POORER AMERICANS DYING EVERY YEAR WITHOUT PROPER HEALTH*CARE...

IT IS NOW VERY OBVIOUS TO MOST AMERICANS THAT CERTAIN U.S.CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD HAVE ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MINDS TO SELL OUT OUR 45 MILLION MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING POOR AMERICANS… 4 RE~ELECTION MONIES…

~ AND SO, MY FELLOW POOR AMERICAN SOLDIERS:ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRIES HEALTH*CARE INSURANCE COMPANIES CAN DO FOR YOU- ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRIES HEALTH*CARE INSURANCE COMPANIES ~

** OUR BRAVE AMERICAN ACTIVE DUTY U.S. MILITARY AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE RISKING AND LOSING THEIR LIVES FOR ALL OF USA ALSO HAVE POORER PARENTS AND SIBLINGS BACK HOME WHO ARE DYING WITHOUT HEALTH*CARE**

*PRESIDENT OBAMA ~ PLEASE MAKE A SPECIAL POINT OF ASSURING OUR AMERICAN MILITARY WORLD-WIDE THAT YOU WILL FIGHT FOR THEIR LOVED ONES HEALTH*CARE BACK HOME ALSO!!!

~ PRESIDENT OBAMA AND U.S. SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE OF MAINE BOTH KNOW THAT ANY FUTURE HEALTH*CARE PLAN FOR OUR NEW AMERICA NEEDS TO ALSO ENCOMPASS ALL FAMILY MEMBERS(PARENTS & SIBLINGS) OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS…ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE UN*AMERICAN ~

**JUST MAYBE AMERICA NEEDS A FEW MORE REVOLVING DOORS IN OUR U.S. CONGRESS **

OUR COUNTRY COULD REALLY USE MANY MORE SINCERE AMERICANS LIKE THIS SPECIAL U.S.SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE FROM MAINE WHO CONSIDERS THIS COUNTRIES 45 MILLION POOR AMERICAN MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITHOUT PROPER HEALTH CARE LIKE HER OWN FAMILY AHEAD OF HER ELECTED POLITICAL FAMILY **

45 MILLION POORER AMERICANS HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL WITH THE PEOPLES U.S. SENATOR SNOWE OF MAINE.

LAWYERS FOR POOR AMERICANS THANKS THIS SPECIAL WOMEN FROM THE CARING STATE OF MAINE FOR SHOWING THE REST OF AMERICA THAT GODS VILLAGE OF ANGELICA BEINGS CAN EVEN BE HERE WITH US EVERY~DAY IN THE FLESH.

LAWYERS FOR POOR AMERICANS IS A VOLUNTEER WWW LOBBY FOUND WITH ANY SEARCH ENGINE.WE BRING GOOD HEALTH TO LIFE...(424-247-2013)

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RUSH FINALLY MENTIONS THE M WORD

What has changed the past 40 years or so? What is at the heart of American cultural decay?
Any thinking person realizes its MORALITY.
That is why I say modern liberalism is now simply secular socialism.
Secular socialism is NOT progressive in any way! The terms “progressive” and “liberal” are way out of date and should NEVER be used to describe national democrat principles. Some would say secular socialism is “the new religion”. I agree.

When TRADITIONAL American families are consistently trashed (undermined) via TV.
When national politicians break all-time lying records on a weekly basis treated as EXCUSED expected behavior.
When TRADITIONAL adult authority in general is serially disrespected in media.
When white families become 28% fornication shack-ups and 76% of black families the same.
When homosexual activists seek public school pre-teen indoctrination.
When abortion and pot use are defended by millions as some sort of basic human rights.
When homosexual activists invade and disturb Church services.
When the housewife is portrayed as a “she-man and surgeon” while the husband can barely tie his shoes unassisted.
When profanity seeps daily into public TV as “a given”.
When fornication becomes a mandatory plot or subplot or actually a “cultural given”.
When atheists have public buses carrying their “don'’t need no God” message.
When people of faith or churches are continually portrayed as dangerous sicko cultural kooks (except for islam of course)…guess what?

Your country has been attacked by the secularists and they are winning…big time!
Are you happy with the results?
Morals matter, character counts.

(Remember…calling me judgmental makes you judgmental so get off that false comeback)
http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish

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The "Christian Left" has been around for hundreds of years. Quakers, Mennonites, and Catholic Workers (not such longevity, but the same principles)have long represented a Christianity that advocates for justice and that is far and away from dubious leaders like James Dobson and the sparkling televangelists.

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