It seems that ever since 9/11, Conservative Fundamentalist preachers have declared open season on anyone who doesn't agree with their world view. In addition, as my good friend Polycarp writes over at The Church of Jesus Christ, we've seen a number of false prophets come forth declaring that Sarah Palin is a modern day Esther or Deborah or that God has endorsed Sarah Palin because Bush is a "Christian". Besides being blatantly promoting idolatry and false doctrine, these preachers are complicit in keeping their congregations ignorant and in fear. Don't believe me? Take a look below at an actual protest sign from a rally in Ohio recently.
One has to wonder how someone like this doesn't fall down and hurt themselves while putting on their pants. Aside from the ignorant statement that Sen. Obama is a Muslim, it appears that this "Christian" has forgotten the 9th Commandment about bearing false witness.
Additionally, if this "Christian" knew his scripture, he'd know that this type of slander and rumor mongering has been prohibited by God since Leviticus 19:16 in which God tells Moses “Do NOT go about spreading slander among your people.” As I discussed in another blog post titled "What does scripture say about slander?", the Bible is full of passages warning us not to engage in this sort of behavior.
What I love about this country is that everyone, including preachers, are entitled to and free to speak their opinion. What anyone should find reprehensible, however, is those false prophets teaching destructive heresies and keeping their congregations ignorant with stories they make up. I will end this discussion with the words of Simon Peter as found in 2 Peter 2:
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping...
...For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error....
...It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
17 comments:
Christian states:
"One has to wonder how someone like this doesn't fall down and hurt themselves while putting on their pants. Aside from the ignorant statement that Sen. Obama is a Muslim, it appears that this "Christian" has forgotten the 9th Commandment about bearing false witness."
Though you have a point when it comes to a few hotheaded, ignorant individuals, I think you are overestimating the prevalence of this phenomenon. Secularists seem to insist that all members of the religious right are somehow brainwashed to vote Republican no matter what. The fact of the matter is that the majority of Christian conservatives -- just FYI, I do not consider myself a Christian conservative -- sincerely contemplate who they will be voting for. And yes, they do take into account issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, etc., which is EVERY BIT within their right.
There is a two-edged sword to your argument, Christian. If you are going to criticize the "lying" and hypocrisy of the right, then that same logic can be used against the left.
For the record, I am not a McCain supporter, but I do think that this one-sided type of attack is rather transparent.
Using this guy with the sign to impugn the "religious Right" is itself a slander, and worse, an invalid form of argument. One can find an example of virtually anything on the fringes to make a point, no matter how ridiculous.
Neither does 2Peter2 particularly apply here, except grabbing the words "false prophets" and shoehorning them into a current partisan issue. 2Peter 2 refers to those "denying the sovereign Lord who bought them" and "appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature," neither of which are in evidence here.
So even worse, we are misappropriating the Bible. Further, even if this post weren't pure nonsense on its own terms, anyone's theological truth claims in a secular forum like this one are completely inappropriate.
Beyond that, Tom (and I am sure you will be surprised that I am on your side this time)...
what the hell does this have to do with America's founding???
As it states on the top of the blog:
American Creation: A group blog to promote discussion, debate and insight into the religious history of America's founding. Any observations, questions, or comments relating to the blog's theme are welcomed.
Obama, McCain, voting in 2008, etc...not really with it.
Brad,
It's unfortunate, IMO, that people such as the guy in the photo reflect the viewpoint of how Christians are seen... simple minded, myopic, and ignorant.
Is it a stereotype? Sure. Is it valid? No. Can the same logic be applied to both sides? Without a doubt. I don't deny that at all.
The fact remains, however, is that this is a prevailing opinion and there are, and always have been, churches that foster this sort of ignorance in influencing American politics... one can go back to the election of 1800 and see this same behavior.
Raven,
I'm new here, so I'll get the hang of things soon.
I'll be sure to contextualize things better in the future.
Deal?
Wow, I find myself in agreement with raven. Record this moment in history. :-)
2Peter 2 refers to those "denying the sovereign Lord who bought them" and "appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature," neither of which are in evidence here.
Tom,
I disagree.
The lust for (political) power and influence and promoting one candidate as "divine providence" to "deliver the faithful" makes 2 Peter relevant here.
To quote you: Because if people hate religion being shoved down their throats, what they hate and fear far more is somebody else's religion used as a tool for political power.
What happened in 1800 is still happening today.
To answer your question Has anything has really changed since the Founding era?
No.
Finally... Further, even if this post weren't pure nonsense on its own terms, anyone's theological truth claims in a secular forum like this one are completely inappropriate.
People like the guy with the sign are the reason why Christians are viewed as ignorant hicks... that's as undeniable as those on the other spectrum that reinforce the viewpoint that secularists hate God. It's been going on for centuries in this country, as your own post showed.
I am a theologian. My focus on the debate of the mix of religion in American politics tends to focus more on the theological side than on the political side.
I'll attempt to temper things somewhat... like I told raven, I'm new, so let me get my legs under me a bit before throwing me to the lions.
Christian
Christian states:
"The fact remains, however, is that this is a prevailing opinion and there are, and always have been, churches that foster this sort of ignorance in influencing American politics."
I disagree. Historically speaking, churches have been on both sides of the issue. For example, we cannot forget how important religion was in bringing about the American Revolution AND in supporting the loyalist agenda. Religion has been on the side of slavery and abolition as well. I guess what I am trying to say is that it is unfair to categorize devout Christians as being simple-minded or ignorant.
Have there always been religious cooks? Yes. Do we have religious nuts today? Absolutely. But the Jim Jones' and Warren Jeffs' of the world are few and far between. Most believing and practicing Christian conservatives are well-educated, thoughtful and sincere people.
For myself, there are a number of issues that I disagree with when it comes to the religious right. However, I cannot argue against their character. I think that -- for the most part -- Christians generally speaking have the best intentions at heart. One may support abortion for example, but that doesn’t automatically insinuate that those against abortion -- traditionally Christian conservatives -- have bad intentions. After all, they are simply trying to save a life (in their opinion).
So, in short, applying a general label to all religious zealots is problematic at best.
Oh, and welcome to the lion's den. Lindsey should have warned you about the fact that EVERYONE has to go through the gauntlet around here. =)
Sir, I assure you that Christians calling each other "false prophets" is as laughable to non-Christians as the guy with the sign. The rest isn't even worth getting into.
I guess what I am trying to say is that it is unfair to categorize devout Christians as being simple-minded or ignorant.
I guess I should have made it clearer that that was my point. As a devout Christian myself, I find it offensive that a) this perception exists; b) this perception is, generally speaking, the most prevalent; and c) that churches and church leaders do/say things that continue to feed this perception.
I agree, it's completely unfair.
Like I told Raven, I'll be sure to contextualize better in the future.
Thanks for the welcome and I look forward to our future discussions!
Tom,
Sir, I assure you that Christians calling each other "false prophets" is as laughable to non-Christians as the guy with the sign.
I'll be sure to stick with the phrase "Christian Nationalist" or "Dominionist" in the future.
The rest isn't even worth getting into.
Then we will agree to disagree.
Raven
Well there is a belief out there that America was founded on Christian values and therefore the US as a Christian Nation and Jesus and America are synonymous. My limited knowledge of the subject tells me the founding fathers felt otherwise.
Brad
I have also received unsolicited e-mails to vote "Christian" values, which boils down to abortion, gay marriage, and oddly taxes. Do many of the secular voters know there is a Religious left?
No one wants to be typecast, but thats what we are fed. It's far easier to put things in black and white and appeal to the lowest common denominator. Christian I believe just wants to say hey world there are Christians out there with different views. Just like all Americans don't drive trucks and own guns.
Tom,
You got it.
In my own convoluted way, that was the point I was trying to make.
Christian
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I don't suppose it surprises anyone that my impression of Salafia's post is that it was thoughtful and well put.
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I think Salafia has nailed a very important point and it speaks volumes about the present government's administration as well as shows us what is wrong about the direction the slanderers are trying to take our society..
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Good shots, Christian.
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Thanks Phil!
I tend to see your point while reading this, Christian (from one noob to another, if that matters!)
The radicals in any belief system or set of religious ideals can make the rest of the group seem laughable or outright insane by comparison. Unfortunately, the common, decent person practicing and living quietly do not get the attention the zealous radicals do...which can have a damaging effect on the group as a whole.
There is in truth in the fact that groups such as the Westboro Baptists can be used as ammunition against more sedate (and rational!) Christians; such people give all Christians a bad name...regardless if people know the difference or not. Are all Muslims terrorists? Of course not, but "terrorists" have come to be equated with the religion such as "crazy radical Christians" have come be equated with Christianity.
So, I do see your point. True, too, any religious leader selling their congregants on false prophecies can be dangerous; at the very least such things can spread bigotry and hate - and that does no one any good.
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