Republicans Aren't Christians

[doggie]

this a pretty good read. I think a lot of us have though this quote

Indeed, many describe the Republican political faith as "American Calvinism."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-burne ... 92022.html

Whether it's fiscal austerity, Benghazi, or opposition to gun control, the Republican Party is remarkably disciplined. Day after day, press conference after press conference, Republican members of Congress speak from the same hymnal. But it's not a Christian hymnal. While the Republicans claim to be true believers they actually eschew the moral teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Beginning in the '50s, Christianity began to infiltrate American politics -- in 1954 the phrase "under God" was added to the pledge of allegiance. Thirty years later, during the Reagan presidency, Republicans rebranded as the "Christian Party" and labeled Democrats the Party of secular socialism.

[HoneyBunny]

This stuff fascinates me; thanks for posting. I will never forget, in the very early 1980s, an older friend warning me about the Christian Right, stating that it would be the downfall of this country. I was humored. How could Christians be the downfall of the US? Over 30 years later, I have to admit he was spot on. Except that they're Christians in name only.

This is scary stuff. Every time I think they've pushed it to the limit, and that people will surely see what they're really about, people's tolerances seem to change and their behavior seem less out of line.

[mypsychoticself]

And no true Scotsman would do such a thing.

[debrand]

I also get tired of Christians using the no true scotsman argument but the Republican party's brand of Christianity seems to have little to do with what Jesus actually taught.

[GolightlyGrrl]

Thanks for sharing this article. When the radical right began to infiltrate politics, especially the GOP, I thought they were just a bunch of loonies and common sense and compassion would prevail. Sadly, I was mistaken, and I hope our country can heal from the radical right's destruction.

[Becket70]

My feelings are that the Radical Right, which consists mostly of white people, sees the demographics of this country changing and looks in the mirror and sees itself as a minority in the future. I'm white but I don't have the fear that the Right does. They are a fearful group of people. They thrive on it. They are holding on to their power by their fingernails right now. The real question is what will happen down the road when there is a coalition of black, Hispanic, Asian and other minorities that constitutes the majority. Will the Radical Right cede power to them? I don't think so.

[yewchapel]

My feelings are that the Radical Right, which consists mostly of white people, sees the demographics of this country changing and looks in the mirror and sees itself as a minority in the future. I'm white but I don't have the fear that the Right does. They are a fearful group of people. They thrive on it. They are holding on to their power by their fingernails right now. The real question is what will happen down the road when there is a coalition of black, Hispanic, Asian and other minorities that constitutes the majority. Will the Radical Right cede power to them? I don't think so.

Yes. It's the politics of fear. It's not a true fiscal conservatism of aspiration. I am a socialist but even I can recognise the Religious Right as being very different from most centre-right to right parties in the West.

[Becket70]

Yes. It's the politics of fear. It's not a true fiscal conservatism of aspiration. I am a socialist but even I can recognise the Religious Right as being very different from most centre-right to right parties in the West.

Sadly, the Radical Right wields a great deal of power these days. We should underestimate them at our own peril.

[nelliebelle1197]

Sadly, the Radical Right wields a great deal of power these days. We should underestimate them at our own peril.

I sadly think that the left continues to underestimate this dangerous minority.

[Becket70]

I sadly think that the left continues to underestimate this dangerous minority.

Totally agree.

[doggie]

Sorry I forgot the link to the article. Will fix it when I get home. Sorry about that.

[Mela99]

Interesting...

I never understood the obsession with Jesus but still ignoring 99.9% of what he said and did. Love, forgiveness, tolerance, no judgment...

[yewchapel]

I disagree that Jesus was all about tolerance and no judgement. Jesus judged plenty of people - those who oppressed the poor, religious bigots, legalists, political dictators, those who left children and women and the vulnerable at the bottom of society. He didn't tell his followers to tolerate evil either. The problem with the Religious Right is not that they judge, but that they are actually the very people Jesus *would* judge. The 'judge not' verse is referring to judging in a proper, considered way and not being swayed by social status, Jesus isn't telling people to not judge at all because judging is a part of justice.

[LostSamurai]

And this is why Republicans in the US are the scum of the earth and need to be stopped.

At least most of them are.

[Loveday]

I disagree that Jesus was all about tolerance and no judgement. Jesus judged plenty of people - those who oppressed the poor, religious bigots, legalists, political dictators, those who left children and women and the vulnerable at the bottom of society. He didn't tell his followers to tolerate evil either. The problem with the Religious Right is not that they judge, but that they are actually the very people Jesus *would* judge. The 'judge not' verse is referring to judging in a proper, considered way and not being swayed by social status, Jesus isn't telling people to not judge at all because judging is a part of justice.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

[MyName]

I disagree that Jesus was all about tolerance and no judgement. Jesus judged plenty of people - those who oppressed the poor, religious bigots, legalists, political dictators, those who left children and women and the vulnerable at the bottom of society. He didn't tell his followers to tolerate evil either. The problem with the Religious Right is not that they judge, but that they are actually the very people Jesus *would* judge. The 'judge not' verse is referring to judging in a proper, considered way and not being swayed by social status, Jesus isn't telling people to not judge at all because judging is a part of justice.

This.

[debrand]

I disagree that Jesus was all about tolerance and no judgement. Jesus judged plenty of people - those who oppressed the poor, religious bigots, legalists, political dictators, those who left children and women and the vulnerable at the bottom of society. He didn't tell his followers to tolerate evil either. The problem with the Religious Right is not that they judge, but that they are actually the very people Jesus *would* judge. The 'judge not' verse is referring to judging in a proper, considered way and not being swayed by social status, Jesus isn't telling people to not judge at all because judging is a part of justice.

This so much.

Part of the problem is that a lot of Christians in America don't read their bibles. They are taught to memorize scripture or they read sections in religious classes or they will read what other people write about the bible but they ignore their own holy text book. I am not certain how it works in other countries but in many American Protestant churches there is a lot of emphasis on Paul and very little acknowledgement of Jesus, at all.

[miffy]

Most of them need to get WWJD tattooed on their wrists & inside their eyelids.