It was the result of having multiple pastors tell me, essentially, the same story about quoting the Sermon on the Mount, parenthetically, in their preaching — “turn the other cheek” — [and] to have someone come up after to say, “Where did you get those liberal talking points?” And what was alarming to me is that in most of these scenarios, when the pastor would say, “I’m literally quoting Jesus Christ,” the response would not be, “I apologize.” The response would be, “Yes, but that doesn’t work anymore. That’s weak.” And when we get to the point where the teachings of Jesus himself are seen as subversive to us, then we’re in a crisis.
I don’t know what can be done about this. Humans are tribal and facts can’t beat that.
It is definitely telling that when conservatism has come at odds with Christianity, so many Christians have chosen to abandon Christianity instead of abandoning conservatism.
Depends on the flavour of conservativism. In some ways Christianity is pretty conservative (Like sexual abd gender dynamics: Women cannot be in ecclesial authority over men, sex is between a married man and a woman, remarriage isn’t allowed, divorce is frowned upon) but can also be pretty socialist (You shouldn’t be rich, give money to the poor, the Church should be collectively helping each other, literally forgive everyone and give all you have to the poor).
Although, the fact that nobody seems to be able to follow this perfectly illustrates the entire point on why Jesus had to die. I don’t see how people don’t realise this.
I don’t mean to imply that Christianity is progressive. But how a person reacts when politics is at odds with their religious beliefs is illuminating. Do their political beliefs follow from sincerely held religious beliefs? Or do they contort their religion in service of their political beliefs? For much of the religious right, it’s clearly the latter.
There’s no good party for most people but that doesn’t stop many of them from demanding better from their parties. The story, though, is about how Christians are demanding their religious leaders change rather than demand better from their politicians.
I think that’s the whole point of Jesus coming and dying- Because He knew that men cannot be righteous in men. He became righteousness because we cannot.
It’s the same pattern in the old testament - you see man committing real atrocities against man in there.
Things like this happening in real life are why I think some conservatives are legitimately, sincerely, deeply stupid. And a little cruel.
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/08/1192663920/southern-baptist-convention-donald-trump-christianity
I don’t know what can be done about this. Humans are tribal and facts can’t beat that.
MAGA is about hurting people. That’s all it’s about.
It is definitely telling that when conservatism has come at odds with Christianity, so many Christians have chosen to abandon Christianity instead of abandoning conservatism.
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Depends on the flavour of conservativism. In some ways Christianity is pretty conservative (Like sexual abd gender dynamics: Women cannot be in ecclesial authority over men, sex is between a married man and a woman, remarriage isn’t allowed, divorce is frowned upon) but can also be pretty socialist (You shouldn’t be rich, give money to the poor, the Church should be collectively helping each other, literally forgive everyone and give all you have to the poor).
Although, the fact that nobody seems to be able to follow this perfectly illustrates the entire point on why Jesus had to die. I don’t see how people don’t realise this.
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Some people claim to be Christian yet pick and choose, unfortunately.
I don’t mean to imply that Christianity is progressive. But how a person reacts when politics is at odds with their religious beliefs is illuminating. Do their political beliefs follow from sincerely held religious beliefs? Or do they contort their religion in service of their political beliefs? For much of the religious right, it’s clearly the latter.
There are no good parties in the USA for Christians to vote for
There’s no good party for most people but that doesn’t stop many of them from demanding better from their parties. The story, though, is about how Christians are demanding their religious leaders change rather than demand better from their politicians.
To be fair, I don’t think the people complaining are Episcopalians. That church has gone down the gutter, unfortunately.
I don’t get what they expect the priest to do about that, since they’re quoting the Bible.
Do they expect them to outright make up something about how everything is fire and brimstone?
The cruelty is the point.
I mean they’ve always been subversive, and the upper echelons of organized religion have, largely, been hypocritical since the year dot.
I think that’s the whole point of Jesus coming and dying- Because He knew that men cannot be righteous in men. He became righteousness because we cannot.
It’s the same pattern in the old testament - you see man committing real atrocities against man in there.