Posted on 03/03/2007 8:06:35 AM PST by kindred
I’m a big believer in full disclosure, truth in advertising, and getting what you pay for – especially when it comes to discussing my two favorite topics, politics and religion. I hate euphemisms, deceptive labeling, half-truths, and any bait and switch. People should be honest about who they are and what they believe. They should be as plain-speaking, clear, and direct as possible – especially when it comes to important issues.
I believe people are supporting organizations like the National Council of Churches and other groups on the religious Left, without knowing – in clear terms – what these groups believe. Beneath their soaring and winsome rhetoric lies poli-cies and positions that betray their professed compassion. They sound so sensitive, caring, and empathetic, but the poli-cies they support – if implemented – would be the proverbial “medicine worse than the disease.” Their solutions would only make matters worse. It is my contention that if people actually knew the views of these groups and the conse-quences of their policies they would withdraw their support.
See how many of these position statements listed below representative of the religious Left that you agree with.
On Theology
1. God is morally neutral with regards to religion – it’s the act of faith, not the object of faith, that counts. There are no false religions – all religions have some truth. Jesus is not the “only way” to heaven. The Bible is neither inerrant nor infallible, it is filled with many errors and must be properly interpreted by experts.
2. Man is not depraved, there is no original sin; man is innately good, it is society that is evil. To improve the world, it is better to create good social institutions than to waste time trying to create good men.
3. God grades on a curve, there is no Hell. Everybody goes to heaven, eventually, if there is an afterlife.
4. Terms like “good” and “evil” are offensive, polarizing, and non-productive. They should never be used to describe in-dividuals, groups, societies, governments, nations, or religions.
5. Since objective truth is unknowable, public policy cannot be deduced from theology. Theology can only be formed inductively from policy preferences. (E.g., Homosexuality is no longer a sin in our faith community.)
On Abortion, Homosexuality and Global Warming
6. Episcopal churches who still believe homosexuality is a sin – and who therefore refuse to honor the ordination of ac-tive homosexuals (e.g., Gene Robinson) – should have their church property seized by the denomination.
7. All K-12 curricula should embrace the full spectrum of families, and no longer honor just the stereotypical “mother and father” family. Motherhood and fatherhood are equally expendable. The gender – and number – of parents is ir-relevant, as long as they are loving.
8. Some humans are more valuable than others. The killing of a fetus is moral because it prevents the mother from suf-fering an unwanted pregnancy. Similarly, the killing of a human embryo is moral if it can prevent the suffering of an-other human being by advancing medical breakthroughs. Both abortion and embryonic stem cell research are morally acceptable practices.
9. Man is responsible for all temperature fluctuations on the planet. Dissent is prohibited.
On Politics
10. God is morally neutral with regards to politics and economics – She’s neither a Democrat nor a Republican; She doesn’t prefer capitalism over socialism, communism, or Marxism; nor does She favor democracy over aristocracy, monarchy, or tyranny. We suspect She may prefer freedom to slavery, however.
11. All cultures are morally equal, except for Western culture which has been largely immoral. Allowing displays of American patriotism to occur in public is counterproductive to world peace. Multiculturalism good, American excep-tionalism bad.
12. The United Nations is morally superior to the Congress of the United States, just as the World Court is morally supe-rior to the Supreme Court of the United States.
13. National boundaries and rights of citizenship are exclusive and offensive to non-citizens, and therefore immoral.
There is no such thing as the religious left - except for the environmentalists. The Left and Religion are incompatible.
Thanks for posting. Interesting read.
The last time I was in the Methodist church of my youth, I found that it had been converted to a temple of liberalism.
On the bulletin board was an announcement that welcomed all to join in the joyous joining of Steve and mike in holy unity. There were pamphlets all over about saving the planet and forests etc. I don't think I saw a bible in the place.
A rational person may not be able to reconcile the two, but we are talking about irrational people. Without some of the points that were deliberately made to highlight their hypocrisy, most leftists would probably sign up to this.
[Thanks...]
Thank you.
That would be the Godless left. They may have a form of religion, but deny God's Word.
I did not know there was a religious left.
[A rational person may not be able to reconcile the two, but we are talking about irrational people.]
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[I did not know there was a religious left.]
They are ungodly athiests who have infiltrated the Body of Christ and seek to destroy the church from within and make money also while defiling the christian faith.
They will be in the hell they say does not exist, according to the word of God that they also deny.
[That would be the Godless left. They may have a form of religion, but deny God's Word.]
That is them. Godless and without hope in this world as you well said.
[The last time I was in the Methodist church of my youth, I found that it had been converted to a temple of liberalism.]
A sad truth.
1. Well I honestly don't think that God is going to throw every righteous person who does acts of good straight out the window just for not worshiping Christ. The rest all religions have some truth etc. I call BS.
2. Disagree on that point, all men have evil in them, and it is in not succumbing to that evil or repenting of it that we find some measure of salvation.
3. I do believe in purgatory for some sinners but people like Hitler, Mao, JFK, Hillary Clinton, and other people who commit grevious crimes are going to find themselves in the cook pot for all eternity.
4. Complete and utter crap, there's good and evil just like there is black and white or north and south. frankly that statement makes no sense whatsoever
5. Religions, theology and the like lay down good laws and firm guidelines for behavior which hold societies together. Though shalt not murder, though shalt not steal, though shalt not commit adultery etc are all good laws derived from the ten commandments which are a keystone in any legal system with an ounce of sanity. On homosexuality what two consenting adults do in their own homes is no damned business of mine, they have to deal with the consequences of their actions.
6. ......no
7. Absolutely not
8. Abortion 99 times out of a hundred is immoral and wrong (as in if the pregnancy will kill the mother then abortion can be considered a better alternative to one or both dying. If your going to have sex make sure both men and women are ready to either bear or help rear a child or stay celibate, or use contraception and hope for the best. Embryonic stem cell research and abortion are both immoral. Stem cell research from other sources like umbilical cords is moral.
9. Suck my ..... well I can't say that on free republic without breaking the rules
10. I'm not god and I've never spoken to god and therefore I can't comment on that. However, capitalism, democracy, and freedom have worked well for us and have created a just society which is full of great beauty and wonder. I doubt god disapproves of that.
11. actually I'd say the opposite but what do I know I'm just a filthy redneck American conservative.
12. Nope I'm afraid not, a corrupt decrepit and socialist organization which cares nothing for individual life, freedom, and indulges freely in every sin imaginable with American tax dollars is not superior to anyone or anything.
13. Nope because if there was no citizenship and no national boundaries every tom dick Jane and Mary of the impoverished places of the world would swamp developed places in the world and turn them into slums. I have no objection to immigrants who come legally, learn the language and build new lives for themselves and their families. Uncontrolled population imports who live on welfare and crowd schools and emergency rooms is bad mkay.
As a committed liberal, I find your posting of the word religion a source of umbrage.
I am a spiritual person (translation: I get a fuzzy feeling in my tummy when I see a tree or a puppy.)
I especially like "We suspect She may prefer freedom to slavery, however."
[As a committed liberal, I find your posting of the word religion a source of umbrage.]
Try not to be offended, is you are serious. (sarcasm?}
[actually I'd say the opposite but what do I know I'm just a filthy redneck American conservative.]
The Word of God clearly states,
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
No matter how obvious you make it, there are always a few...
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