Politics: Meet the Dominionists (be afraid)

[septbride2002]

Besides the lack of Christian symbols in public places how exactly do you feel your faith is being disrespected?

~Amanda

 

[wvrevy]

You must be one of those heathen liberals that believes Christians should emulate Christ. Real Christians understand that he didn't mean what he said, esp. that stuff about the poor and powerless. Their model is Republican Jesus

Funniest thing I've seen in a while...lol..."Republican Jesus"....I can just see Him now...Clean shaven...Alabaster skin...short, neat hair...Would never be caught dead in sandals or a robe...Wearing a button on his lapel that says "God Hates Gays" and a tie clasp ('cause Jesus would never be caught dead without a tie) that was a gift from the NRA when he paid his lifetime membership dues...

 

[Cheap-n-Dale]

Ah, but if only that were the case. The fourth amendment has taken a severe beating as this president uses fear to beat back attacks on his ideology. The first has also taken quite a beating, with more than one person in very public ways saying that if you don't support the president then you are unamerican, among other things.

Simply put, if it weren't for the fact that our courts are mostly bound by precedent and that the Supreme Court is still controlled by moderates instead of a corrupt thug like Antonin Scalia, we would be a lot further down that rather frightening path than we already are. Indeed, that is why it was so important that the minority not lose one of it's only tools to defend against the brute force tactics of the majority during the recent senate battle over fillibusters.

In short...I do have faith in the system that our forefathers created in this country. But that system will not work if one party decides to ignore or change any rules that they don't agree with, and nobody stands up to stop them. That's exactly what those on the extreme right (including those in the original article) are trying to do.

But that system will not work if one party decides to ignore or change any rules that they don't agree with, and nobody stands up to stop them.

..and I think they will. Stop them I mean. Whether it be through election or revolt. Or more revolting elections. It took something like 9/11 to snap this country out of its fantasy of invulnerability. Maybe it will take something like the repeal of Roe v Wade to wake the country up to the fact that liberties are eroding.

Maybe I am the one being naive...

 

[wvrevy]

..and I think they will. Stop them I mean. Whether it be through election or revolt. Or more revolting elections. It took something like 9/11 to snap this country out of its fantasy of invulnerability. Maybe it will take something like the repeal of Roe v Wade to wake the country up to the fact that liberties are eroding.

Maybe I am the one being naive...

Nah...I just think you have more faith in people than I do After the last election, I have very little trust that the American people will wake up to what is being done to them. They are so scared by the terrorist bugaboo that they voted in a president that presided over the worst terrorist attack in history, and under whom terrorism has gotten considerably worse year by year. Not only that, but have you checked a map of the states won by Bush compared to Kerry ? How many of those "red states" do you think are likely to be the target of foreign terrorism ?

No...I hope you're right, but I fear you're not. As long as they can keep scaring people into hiding their eyes, why should anything change at the top ?

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Interesting! That is the same argument old southerners use to use in favor of slavery

Comparing nativity scenes to slavery. Quite a stretch.

 

[Cheap-n-Dale]

No...I hope you're right, but I fear you're not. As long as they can keep scaring people into hiding their eyes, why should anything change at the top ?

Well, then...I guess I'll see you on Bunker Hill. Gotta warn you though, I'll be wearing a St Francis medal.

 

[wvrevy]

Comparing nativity scenes to slavery. Quite a stretch.

You can't be serious...lol...He was comparing the arguments for each (that it was "tradition"), not the two things themselves.

Geez...Can any of you guys actually address a point without stretching things so far out of proportion and pretending to be offended ?

 

[sodaseller]

Funniest thing I've seen in a while...lol..."Republican Jesus"....I can just see Him now...Clean shaven...Alabaster skin...short, neat hair...Would never be caught dead in sandals or a robe...Wearing a button on his lapel that says "God Hates Gays" and a tie clasp ('cause Jesus would never be caught dead without a tie) that was a gift from the NRA when he paid his lifetime membership dues...

Republican Jesus

 

[wvrevy]

Well, then...I guess I'll see you on Bunker Hill. Gotta warn you though, I'll be wearing a St Francis medal.

Hey, not a problem with me Besides, if it ever gets to that point, I figure we'll need all the help we can get, so I might just be wearing a St. Jude medal myself (a long ago gift from my Catholic mom)....What could be more appropriate at that point than the Patron Saint of Lost Causes ?

 

[wvrevy]

Republican Jesus

I prefer The Landover Baptist Church , where the "Worthwhile Worship...Unsaved Unwelcome (as Jesus Commanded)"

WARNING Do not click on that link unless you have a pretty healthy sense of humor, particularly if you are a christian. It's one of the funniest sites on the net, but if you are easily offended by religious humor, you might want to take a pass.

 

[WDWHound]

Here's the quote -- Mathew 6:5
I cannot understand why the Christians complain about not being able to hold prayers in public places when it is not WWJD.

Jesus also prayed openly in public, as did the disciples. The verse you quoted is a warning against what I call showboat prayer (prayers said just to impress others).

I am against enforced prayers anywhere, especially on government grounds, but people should be able to pray verbally alone or in groups wherever they please as long as they do not distrurb others or require others to perticipate.

The whole concept of just practiing our faith in silence in places where those who don't agree cant see it just doesn't fly. Faith is part of our lives all day, everyday. We cant just limit its expression to politically correct places.

As for the religious symbols in public places, I would like to symbols of ALL religions there. They are part of our culture and the govenrment should reflect that. But I would be against displaying only Christian symbols.

 

[sodaseller]

Familiar with Landover - love that site also

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Nah...I just think you have more faith in people than I do After the last election, I have very little trust that the American people will wake up to what is being done to them. They are so scared by the terrorist bugaboo that they voted in a president that presided over the worst terrorist attack in history, and under whom terrorism has gotten considerably worse year by year. Not only that, but have you checked a map of the states won by Bush compared to Kerry ? How many of those "red states" do you think are likely to be the target of foreign terrorism ?

No...I hope you're right, but I fear you're not. As long as they can keep scaring people into hiding their eyes, why should anything change at the top ?

So you think we voted out of fear instead of reason just because Kerry did not win.

And Kerry's plan was? Go to the UN!! AGAIN!! We see the respect the terrorists give the UN - they know the bribe price - oil for food anyone.

We're attacking the terrorists - instead of waiting for them to attack. Terrorism has gotten considerable worse year by year?? Not here is the USA.

Scaring people into hiding their eyes?? From what?? Perhaps their eyes have not seen the glorious plan from the "left" to fight terrorism ("eliminating poverty" or just getting "Bid Laden" won't end it).

People see Democracy beginning to spread across more parts of the world and their hearts are proud and their eyes see the glory of freedom thanks to our president and our armed forces.

 

[WDWHound]

You must be one of those heathen liberals that believes Christians should emulate Christ. Real Christians understand that he didn't mean what he said, esp. that stuff about the poor and powerless. Their model is Republican Jesus

Funniest thing I've seen in a while...lol..."Republican Jesus"....I can just see Him now...Clean shaven...Alabaster skin...short, neat hair...Would never be caught dead in sandals or a robe...Wearing a button on his lapel that says "God Hates Gays" and a tie clasp ('cause Jesus would never be caught dead without a tie) that was a gift from the NRA when he paid his lifetime membership dues...

Hey gang, its time for stereotypes on parade.

I am a Christian and a Republican. I don't hate gays and I despise the beleifs of the smalll minority of Christians who do. I wear a t-shirt and jeans to work and wear a tie only when forced.. I beleive in helping the poor by gioving both my money and my time, but I don't beleive my religious beleifs in this should be forced on others via government. I beleive that I should give to the poor voluntarily (which I do through my church) and that goverment should not be involved.

Funny how some liberals are so anxious to paint Christains and Republicans with such a broad brush. Actually, I guess its not funny, just sad and insulting.

 

[live4christp1]

Jesus also prayed openly in public, as did the disciples. The verse you qwuote is a warning against what I call showboat prayer (prayers said just to impress others).

I am against enforced prayers anywhere, especially on government grounds, but people should be able to pray verbally alone or in groups whereever they please as long as they do not distrurb others or require others to perticipate.

The whole concept of just practiing our faith in silence in places where those who don't agree cant see it just doesn;t fly. Faith is part of our lives all day, everyday. We cant just limit its expression to politically correct places.

As for the religious symbols in public places, I would like to symbols of ALL religions there. They are part of our culture and the govenrment should reflect that. But I would be against displaying only Christian symbols.

I have tried to refrain from posting on this thread but had to commend you WDWHound for a great response. Like you, my faith isn't like my coat, it's not just something I take off and leave when I walk out the door of my house. It goes with me everywhere I go, it's an important part of my daily life. Troubles me sometimes to hear Christians say that they don't see what the big deal is, we should practice our religion in our homes or our church, go over to COMMUNIST China and tell them that. Once your relegious freedom is taken away to that extent, it won't be long until they come tell you that it's illegal to do so in your home and imprison you for it.

 

[chobie]

Jesus also prayed openly in public, as did the disciples. The verse you qwuote is a warning against what I call showboat prayer (prayers said just to impress others).

I am against enforced prayers anywhere, especially on government grounds, but people should be able to pray verbally alone or in groups whereever they please as long as they do not distrurb others or require others to perticipate.

The whole concept of just practiing our faith in silence in places where those who don't agree cant see it just doesn;t fly. Faith is part of our lives all day, everyday. We cant just limit its expression to politically correct places.

As for the religious symbols in public places, I would like to symbols of ALL religions there. They are part of our culture and the govenrment should reflect that. But I would be against displaying only Christian symbols.

You're free to interpret the bible as you wish. The quote seems pretty clear to me.

 

[wvrevy]

So you think we voted out of fear instead of reason just because Kerry did not win.

Yes, I do. Anybody using reason would be unable to support a president that failed as miserably as Bush did. You may not have voted for Kerry out of philosophical differences, but there is simply no way you could rationally support Bush. It's simply not possible.

Failed in Iraq (and arguably lied to get us there).
Failed in Afghanistan.
Failed to protect the country from terrorism in the first place.
Failed to grow the economy.
Failed to create jobs.
Failed to benefit anyone other than CEO's (middle income salaries are stagnant while CEO's went through the roof in the last 5 years)
Failed to protect the surplus, running up record deficits with no end in sight.

Failed...failed...failed...failed...failed.

So, you "rationally" support that ? And why was it that red staters who were considerably at less risk of attack than people in blue states all saying that "security" was the reason they voted for him, if not out of fear ?

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

You can't be serious...lol...He was comparing the arguments for each (that it was "tradition"), not the two things themselves.

Geez...Can any of you guys actually address a point without stretching things so far out of proportion and pretending to be offended ?

It's still a stretch to compare the two as traditions. We all know that not all traditions are good. So what was his point? -- that navity scenes are not a good tradition - just as slavery was not a good tradition. I'm not buying the false comparison.

We can certainly keep what is good in our culture (from tradition) without people being so easily offended (even if it includes some religious symbols).

 

[wvrevy]

Hey gang, its time for stereotypes on parade.
Funny how some liberals are so anxious to paint Christains and Republicans with such a broad brush. Actually, I guess its not funny, just sad and insulting.

Stereotypes generally get to be stereotypes for a reason, Hound...Does everyone fall under the description I just mentioned ? Of course not. But a good number of the people you are choosing to associate yourself with most certainly will. I don't see how you could possibly even argue that.


I'll tell you what....When I see any Christians on tv news programs saying what you have often said on this forum, then I might believe that the majority of christians are as you describe them. But when the only voices I hear that claim to be christian are those of intolerance and hatred, then I will continue to doubt your assertion. If what you say is true, why aren't there more people out there saying that ? Why is it that the only people giving voice to their beliefs are nutjobs like Dobson or that idiot minister in North Carolina (take your pick of which one I'm talking about) ?

I wish more people took your attitude about it, I truly do. But I just don't see it...not even on this forum. If you want to blame somebody for how outsiders view Christians, I suggest you look on the inside of your religion for the reason, rather than at the people making the observation.

 

[chobie]

If you want to blame somebody for how outsiders view Christians, I suggest you look on the inside of your religion for the reason, rather than at the people making the observation.

Amen.