We often hear the phrase "The War on Christianity" loudly bandied about by politicians, pundits and religious groups. Generally speaking, it's a Conservative call declaiming the dissolution of Christian values in mainstream discourse and governance. As a liberal, I want to come out and say they are right. There is a war on Christianity in this country.
We as a society have forgotten the central moral teachings of the Christian faith. Jesus taught mostly in parables, which are sometimes difficult to explain quickly and certainly can leave a lot of room for interpretation, so I'll focus on five very clear messages He gave that were not coached in parable, or metaphor, or narrative. They're easy to remember:
1. Feed the hungry.
2. Clothe the naked.
3. Care for the sick.
4. Visit those in prison.
5. Shelter the homeless.
Very little of what Jesus ever said wasn't clothed in some varied meaning, so it seems to me that when He says something clearly, it's probably extra-important. Or maybe just morally obvious. Its clarity should be seen as central to Christian practice and identity. Whatever promotes to its opposite could be said to be anti-Christian -- or against the Christian spirit -- or maybe more starkly, anti-Christ.
This would be even more fitting an epithet for those intending to subvert Jesus' message by convincing others that He meant the opposite of what He taught, that we shouldn't feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit those in prison or shelter the homeless. It might sound something like this:
It's almost comical if folks didn't believe this while claiming religiosity. This is the true War on Christianity in our country. It's not about prayer in schools, or soccer trumping Sunday school. It's about groups of pundits, politicians and "American"-centric groups redefining the teachings of Jesus to suit their economic, social or political agenda. You know it's working when those spouting the anti-Christian rhetoric rile people into anger and hatred. You know it's working when Christians are confused into believing that the the health of their neighbor is not their concern. That individual freedom is radically more important than community well-being. You know it's working when these movements strategically quote the teachings of Jesus to suit their own agendas, rather than base their leadership on the foundations of love, compassion, and concern for our fellow human -- which any good Christian knows is Jesus' clear central message.
Follow Rev. G. Jude Geiger on Twitter: www.twitter.com/revjudegeiger
Rick Perry, Barack Obama And The War On Christianity | Fox News
Political Animal - The “War On Christianity”
You mean like when UUA President Peter Morales preaches that, "The old religions (i.e. Judaism, Christianity & Islam etc etc.) lead to tribalism, violence, suspicion, hatred, and oppression." And goes on to proclaim that, "We live in dark times, filled with hatred, injustice, prejudice, ignorance. Sadly, obsolete religions created for another time (i.e. Judaism, Christianity & Islam etc etc.) contribute to the darkness."?
In our society, government IS individuals... ALL of us!
Political statements by Jesus and the Apostles were made when modern democratic republics didn't exist. They didn't live in a society where laws, including taxation and spending, reflect the national spirit.
In the USA we have such a society, at least theoretically. We cast votes in shaping the society we want, and government responds accordingly. We have a social contract in which we agree to live together like this, following the rules even if they change because enough of us want it.
In this system, a vote is one of few riches over which anyone has complete control. In effect, it's a currency we choose to spend in some way. What am I, as a Christian, urged to do with my wealth? Rev. Geiger reminded us of Jesus' answer. If enough of us spend that currency to ensure health care or education for all, or to turn our cheek rather than make war, then that's how we as a nation behave. Is force used on those who don't comply? Sometimes, but that's understood as part of our social contract, and it too is subject to votes.
An argument against government providing aid to the poor, hungry, sick, oppressed, and uneducated is an argument for a national spirit that lacks compassion and the sense of responsibility to be "my neighbor's keeper."
As for how they reconcile their votes for those who want to destroy the already-frayed safety net for the poor, I am told by them that Jesus demanded that individuals, not the government, step up to the plate and assist those in need. Of course, individual charity is pathetically inadequate to meet the needs of society--in fact, the government became involved during the Depression, when private charities proved woefully inadequate.
When traveling through the South, I've listened to radio shows with conservative pastors (no doubt reading from helpful Republican/Heritage Foundation talking points) explaining that the poor of the US really have it quite good--electricity, tv's, indoor plumbing, running water, etc. In fact, they live lives superior to those of kings/queens of the past.
Wow--this just makes me want to point the car due north, press down on the accelerator and not stop til I reach a blue state. For those who wave the bible so much, they should crack it open to Matthew 25:35-40 to get Jesus' take on this.
I've been trying to get liberals and/or Democrats to face the abortion issue head on since 1996 and all they want to do is RUN every time it comes up. See my http://LiberalslikeChrist.Org/ChristianChoice/