Posted on 11/27/2005 12:42:40 PM PST by NotchJohnson
Im mad as hell. Ive been a Catholic all my life. I was an altar boy. I went to Catholic high school. I spent ten years in the seminary, studying for the priesthood. I have a degree in sacred theology. Yet some religious conservatives suggest that I cant even walk into church anymore - without first taking a loyalty oath to the Republican party.
The election of 2004 made it official. With the help of religious conservatives, Republicans have stolen religion. Of course, its not just liberal Catholics they stole it from. Liberals, moderates and progressives of all faiths Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists are all suddenly out in the cold. Because conservative Christians have taken over the Republican party and have declared a monopoly on religion.
Well, I dont buy any of it and thats why I wrote this book.
In tackling this topic, I draw on my life as a Catholic, my degree in theology, my knowledge of Scripture and my decade spent in the seminary - as well as over 30 years of active involvement in politics as campaign manager, strategist, candidate and political commentator on television and radio. I speak to and from both worlds, and I begin with this premise:
Conservatives possess no monopoly on religion. Theres still a place in the church for liberals and moderates. On many important social issues today, conservatives have it all wrong. They twist Scripture to fit their politics, rather than base their politics on Scripture. What many religious conservatives define as moral values today is not the morality of the New Testament. Its too narrow, too selfish, and too intolerant. Conservatives have turned Jesus Christ upside-down: from a loving Messiah who hung out with the poor and dispossessed, into a cold-hearted monster who cares only for the rich and powerful. Its time to define the proper intersection of religion and politics.
Its time to end the Republican monopoly on God and God-talk.
Its time to take our religion back.
Copyright © 2005 by Bill Press
Just don't get your pants in a bunch, Bill. Take a deep breath ....
Translation: We're determined to continue the baby-killing, no matter what, and the Church can't even express disapproval, or I will WHINE REALLY LOUDLY.
Abortion and homosexuality are against Catholic techings. Take it up with the Pope and stop lying about dem evil Republicans.
Bill, I think it's time to switch over to Decaf Coffee.
Take it back where? I think this guy got abused.
The Democrats flushed Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church down the toilet after Roe v Wade in 1973 when they decided to perform homage to Moloch instead of the Lord of Life. If the Democrats want us back, they need to reject abortuary child murder.
Bill needs to open the Church gate a crack and take a peek at the big wide world for some perspective.
Crock o' Crap! The churches are open today. Parking lots aren't full. You want to go to church? Just step inside.
As a Christian and as a conservative I sure do not claim any corner on religion. I just question how someone claiming to be a Christian can possibly vote as a democrat..the agendas the Dem's. support do not seem to fall in step with biblical truths and teachings...just my opinion and I am sticking to it.
Hey Bill, you can still have your own liberal and "progressive" beliefs.... In the Unitarian Universalist Church. I'm sure they'd love to have you and you'd fit right in.
Ours is, and people are parking on the lawns. Last weekend Father warned everyone about the disastrous consequences of parking over the septic tank :-).
Translation: "If we socialists can just master all this religious mumbo-jumbo talk, at least enough to dupe all the yahoos in flyover country to vote for us, we'll still be able to enact all our anti-individual and anti-religious doctrines."
Dang, I want whatever drugs this guy is taking.
Gee Bill when the democrats made abortion rights and gay rights a part of their party platform, they dumped the Catholics by default. What did they expect us to do? I guess they just expected people like you and Ted Kennedy and John Kerry to stay in the faith and continue to call yourself Catholic even though you know that support of these issues excommunicates you..... even if you won't leave.
Conflicts between the Sadducees and the Pharisees are inevitable.
I'm sure.
On many important social issues today, conservatives have it all wrong.
Abortion, homosexuality, socialism...
They twist Scripture to fit their politics, rather than base their politics on Scripture. What many religious conservatives define as moral values today is not the morality of the New Testament. Its too narrow, too selfish, and too intolerant.
Abortion and suicide ("right to die") are selfish decisions that offer a permanant solution to temporary problems. Teen sex isn't championed in the New Testament either.
Conservatives have turned Jesus Christ upside-down: from a loving Messiah who hung out with the poor and dispossessed, into a cold-hearted monster who cares only for the rich and powerful. Its time to define the proper intersection of religion and politics.
Where do Republicans say that Jesus was for the rich and powerful? Just because He preached to prostitutes and tax collectors did not mean that He thought these were the highest callings.
There is no charity in being forced by Caesar's swords to pay your taxes to help the poor. Give from the heart, not because the government demands it. There is no free will in socialism.
Bill, if I'd gone through all that, and still didn't know a damned thing about God or the real world, like you, I might be unhappy, too.
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