Such a sweeping statement is like saying all Democrats are corrupt. Yes, there have been recent convictions of Dems for taking bribes, and the Dems have a history of other corruption especially when dealing with unions, but for the most part, Dems aren’t corrupt. “The church” is not a singular thing.
And I would say that there are many religious groups that continue to fight on behalf of “the least of these.” IMHO-the real difference is that most mainline Christian denominations and other left leaning ones have played by the rules and kept partisan politics out of the pulpit while most right leaning ones have thumbed their noses at the separation of church and state and ignored the threat of losing tax exempts status endorsing right-winged candidates directly-including and especially Trump. There has been for years now liturgy provided free of charge to non-denominational Christian churches preaching “prosperity theology” and other distortions of the gospel. The right winged strategy left no angle to chance when they hatched this plan to undo Brown v Board of Ed and they even captured some of the Black churches in their attempts by pivoting to anti-LGBTQ when overt racism became taboo. The Heritage Foundation of course being the largest and most powerful.
And, while I am writing this epistle, let me say that the most effective thing the right has done is organized outside the party creating a strong network for messaging and shoring up support for anti-government ideals. AND these folks are less likely to feel the pain of the loss of social programs immediately because they have a network of support…in short, they look to the church and we lefties look to the government….I could go on and on.
I agree with Thomas 100% on this post and like everyone else, am horrified by this administration and dumbfounded by the lack of vigorous opposition. But I personally am finding the most fervent and passionate opposition within my denomination of UUs. Not a Christian denomination but “church” nonetheless. And we are in solidarity with United Methodists, Church of Christ, Reformed Jews, Lutherans, Presbyterian, American Baptist and other others who continue to fight for justice.
For a guy who doesn’t call himself a Christian, you sure nailed what it means to be a Christian. Or at least part of it. I think you must’ve been paying attention in Sunday school :-). Thanks for a good column; I really enjoy reading your stuff.
Spot on , Mr. Mills. Wouldn't empathy qualify as the term "Woke" that is criticized and scorned by the MAGA masses? Trump's Christians come across as the mob in the story of Herod's game show selection for crucifixion of either Jesus or Barabbas. (I am an atheist, BTW.)
I understand the sentiment, but technically, if one is strictly Old Testament “Christian”, then they wouldn’t have been exposed much to Jesus Christ, making that label, OTC, an oxymoron!
David French recently wrote a column for the New York Times called "Behold the Strange Spectacle of Christians Against Empathy" citing developments that include the publishing of a best-selling book by Allie Beth Stuckey called "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion." What an upside down world we are living in! Christians against Christ-like empathy!
I was not aware of the Elon Musk quote but it makes a lot of sense now. Neither Musk nor Trump has much if any. Consider the effects of the USAID cuts on the Sudanese, e.g. Very little has been written about this in conventional media.
Well said Thomas.
When non-believers see the hypocrisy more clearly than those who call themselves believers, you can see how profound the rot is within the Church.
Such a sweeping statement is like saying all Democrats are corrupt. Yes, there have been recent convictions of Dems for taking bribes, and the Dems have a history of other corruption especially when dealing with unions, but for the most part, Dems aren’t corrupt. “The church” is not a singular thing.
And I would say that there are many religious groups that continue to fight on behalf of “the least of these.” IMHO-the real difference is that most mainline Christian denominations and other left leaning ones have played by the rules and kept partisan politics out of the pulpit while most right leaning ones have thumbed their noses at the separation of church and state and ignored the threat of losing tax exempts status endorsing right-winged candidates directly-including and especially Trump. There has been for years now liturgy provided free of charge to non-denominational Christian churches preaching “prosperity theology” and other distortions of the gospel. The right winged strategy left no angle to chance when they hatched this plan to undo Brown v Board of Ed and they even captured some of the Black churches in their attempts by pivoting to anti-LGBTQ when overt racism became taboo. The Heritage Foundation of course being the largest and most powerful.
And, while I am writing this epistle, let me say that the most effective thing the right has done is organized outside the party creating a strong network for messaging and shoring up support for anti-government ideals. AND these folks are less likely to feel the pain of the loss of social programs immediately because they have a network of support…in short, they look to the church and we lefties look to the government….I could go on and on.
I agree with Thomas 100% on this post and like everyone else, am horrified by this administration and dumbfounded by the lack of vigorous opposition. But I personally am finding the most fervent and passionate opposition within my denomination of UUs. Not a Christian denomination but “church” nonetheless. And we are in solidarity with United Methodists, Church of Christ, Reformed Jews, Lutherans, Presbyterian, American Baptist and other others who continue to fight for justice.
For a guy who doesn’t call himself a Christian, you sure nailed what it means to be a Christian. Or at least part of it. I think you must’ve been paying attention in Sunday school :-). Thanks for a good column; I really enjoy reading your stuff.
Right on Thomas!
Spot on , Mr. Mills. Wouldn't empathy qualify as the term "Woke" that is criticized and scorned by the MAGA masses? Trump's Christians come across as the mob in the story of Herod's game show selection for crucifixion of either Jesus or Barabbas. (I am an atheist, BTW.)
Me, too. But I am churched. Go figure.
Reformed, moderate Southern Baptist here. Churched , and left long before the "hand wavers" took over the SBC.
Well spoken/written, clear with command, and timely as this dispatch addresses this moment head on. In gratitude for PoliticsNC. Everybody stay well.
Thank you Thomas! Well said!
There are Old Testament Christians and New Testament Christians. OTC have either never read the New Testament or just don’t follow its teachings.
I understand the sentiment, but technically, if one is strictly Old Testament “Christian”, then they wouldn’t have been exposed much to Jesus Christ, making that label, OTC, an oxymoron!
David French recently wrote a column for the New York Times called "Behold the Strange Spectacle of Christians Against Empathy" citing developments that include the publishing of a best-selling book by Allie Beth Stuckey called "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion." What an upside down world we are living in! Christians against Christ-like empathy!
I was not aware of the Elon Musk quote but it makes a lot of sense now. Neither Musk nor Trump has much if any. Consider the effects of the USAID cuts on the Sudanese, e.g. Very little has been written about this in conventional media.