For the Least

Just when I think the hypocrisy of fundamentalist christians can't get worse. When I read of support for the Iraq war, hatred of immigrants, the killing of doctors, the prayers for the death of a president, the church that encourages bringing guns to services, the anti-science crusades, the subjugation of women, the hatred of homosexuals, the screams of abuse at "liberals", the brain washing of children, the ultra wealthy churches and pastors, I wonder which bible these people are reading. I'm an atheist, so what would I know, but I suspect that if a man called Christ really existed, and said at least one or two of the things attributed to him, good things, that he would be horrified to see how his inheritance has played out in modern America.

But just when I think I've heard it all, out comes another surprise. In an excellent HuffPo piece Linda Hirshman, talking about Teddy Kennedy and health care says - "As one demonstrator's sign said recently, 'Drop Dead. I Won't Pay for Your Health Care.'" Is it just me, or has a fundamental plank of the christian program been deleted from the health care debate?

Me, I'm just a godless liberal, but I believe in helping the poor and the sick. Why don't the Christians?

Follow David Horton on Twitter: www.twitter.com/watermelon_man

Comments

[Sean McHale]

The "churches" Mr. Horton describes are not my church, nor Senator Kennedy's: Here's some of what the late senator wrote to Pope Benedict:

"I pray that you have all of God's blessings as you lead our Church and inspire our world during these challenging times. I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines....I have been blessed to be part of a wonderful family. Both of my parents, particularly my mother, kept our Catholic faith at the center of our lives. That gift of faith has sustained and nurtured, and provided solace to me in the darkest hours....I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic Your Holiness. And though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith. I continue to pray for God's blessings on you and on our Church, and would be most thankful for your prayers for me."

[Stokes]

"They keep up the outward appearance of religion, but reject the inner power of it." (2 Timothy)
It is because they have removed Jesus Christ from power and shredded the teachings of "The Sermon on the Mount". They are students of false teachers and would do well for themselves to follow their most inner heartfelt feelings and stay away from the churches and charlatons.

[Poboy]

The "church" that hate produced :

PASTOR STEVEN ANDERSON, FAITHFUL WORD BAPTIST CHURCH: Tonight, I want to preach this sermon. And you have probably never heard a sermon like this before. Actually, you probably have if you have been coming to church here for a while. But you know what? Here is my sermon, why I hate Barack Obama. That's my sermon tonight, because Barack Obama is coming to town tomorrow morning.

Barack Obama is coming to town. And he is going to be here tomorrow morning. Who knew that he was coming to town? I didn't know. I just found out recently with his health care and everything like this.

And I'm going to tell you something. I hate Barack Obama. You say, well, you just mean you don't like what he stands for. No, I hate the person. Oh, you mean you just don't like his policies. No, I hate him.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/cspanjunkie/why-i-hate-barack-obama-pastor-steven

[bluerthanblue15]

"The "church" that hate produced :"

You've got it, Poboy.

And/or maybe it could be stated: The hate that 'church' produced.

And that's not to indict all churchs/de­nomination­s. btw. But it's a fair assumption that most here know where degrees of that hatred do come from.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely ... Lord Acton

[norman60]

I am a christian, amazed by which Jesus the republicans follow. I see them practice hatred of immigrants, the killing of doctors(sinners), the prayers for the death of a president, the church that encourages bringing guns to services. Insulting elected president. Jesus would not do any of these.

[WASanford]

Jesus had a very simple and elegant message. It was "Love God with all your heart and love one another." If your preacher obfuscates that then you're not in a Christian church, no matter what they try to tell you there.

[newshound1]

I am not an athiest, I am a follower of Christ. Sadly, I agree with your comments. I think these fundamentals would be shocked to know how the very words of Christ indict them. They do not understand the concepts of mercy or grace. Sad for them. Destructive to the least of these.

[JJeter]

Here is one thing to say for Christianity.It takes the question of Grace and Law and shoves it in our face.And no matter our relationship to religion,C­hristianit­y or otherwise, one of the important questions we need to answer for ourselves is which we are,a person of law or a person of grace.No one is or should be all one or the other,but we are each inclined toward one or the other and it is important we realize it.

But here is the odd thing.If you are not familiar with the phenomenon,you might be amazed to learn how huge a number,how stupendous a number of Christians,and yes,especially those of the protestant evangelical and fundamentalist persuasion, absolutely despise the doctrine of grace.If they could they would take this most basic tenet of their faith and burn it at the stake.They are people of the law,through and through.The idea that someone might get into Heaven who has not worked as hard at it or sacrificed as much as they have drives them nuts.

And so what is the connection?Anything that involves helping other people who they don’t know or who are different from them is going to have about it a whiff of grace.And a whiff is all it takes.They might not be able to do anything about the after-life,but as long as they have anything to say about it,ain’t nobody getting away with nothin down here.

[David Horton - Huffpost Blogger]

Nice observation Jeter.

[anachoret]

I would love to see the Bleeding hearts take back their faith... But this new breed would probably subject them to enhanced interrogation to prove that they were witches and then burn them at the stake... Or something with a crown of thorns.

[elmerfude]

Despite having a tabernacle on every corner and having had several thousand years to perfect the species, religion has failed. It is either incompetent or part of the problem. The parables and the Sermon on the Mount are useful but almost totally ignored by religion. Religion has morphed into some sort of weird collective and disgusting insanity.

[Stokes]

According to (2 Timothy) on the last days. "They keep up the outward appearance of religion but reject the inner power of it."
They have removed Jesus Christ from power and shredded the teachings of The Sermon On the Mount. They are students of false teachers and would do well for themselves to follow their most inner heartfelt feelings and stay away from the churches and charlatons.

[JohnFromCensornati]

Haven't you heard?
"God (R) will provide."
I think Mr Christ said that.

[TruGal]

AMEN!
I'm an extremely secular Jew, and I often wonder what it is that's being preached inside this nations' churches (and to be fair, synagogues and mosques as well!)