Posted on 08/28/2010 7:43:33 PM PDT by GVnana
WASHINGTON — An enormous and impassioned crowd rallied at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, summoned by Glenn Beck, a conservative broadcaster who called for a religious rebirth in America at the site where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech 47 years ago to the day.
“Something that is beyond man is happening,” Mr. Beck said in opening the event as the crowd thronged near the memorial grounds. “America today begins to turn back to God.”
It was part religious revival, part history lecture, as Mr. Beck invoked the founding fathers and the “black-robed regiment” of pastors of the Revolutionary War and spoke of American exceptionalism.
-snip-
Officials do not make crowd estimates because they are unreliable and can be controversial, but event organizers put the number of attendees at 500,000; NBC News said it was closer to 300,000, but by any measure it was a large turnout. The crowd stretched from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I agree, but I would put it one step further. Though it was stated that this wasn't a political rally - it in reality was seen in just that manner. If I were God, how would I respond to this rally? Would the blending of theologies, do it yourself change America back to its materialism and pride, with populist politics be pleasing to God?
I would be less concerned if this was announced as a political rally which during its course raised money for children of fallen special ops soldiers. But when it is advertized as a spiritual gathering - just what 'spirit' is represented by the event's organizer that I would be gathering with? And is that resulting world view compatable with myown.
see #430 & 433
I experienced moments of discomfort when listening to the rally. At one point, Mr. Beck said the constitution was scripture and compared it to “sacred scriptures.” For obvious reasons, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. He also said, “find your truth” “look inside.” This too, concerned me, because these are buzz words used by the “world religion people” to keep others from looking to God for THE TRUTH — which can only be found in written form in His Word. But Mr. Beck has the albatross around his neck of upholding his religion personally while seeing with wisdom that the problems in our country stem from not looking to God. He wants people to look to God, but he can’t speak authoritatively and still remain solidly in the camp of his own chosen religion. It’s a real dilemma for him. I pray for him. But no matter how he resolves this, or even IF he resolves this, does not effect God’s use of him, if God desires to use Mr. Beck for a higher purpose. Whether that is God’s verdict is still out, I would say.
Funny thing is some of the best Christians I have known have been Catholics, as well as Episcopalians and others including my beloved Methodist, all from “authorities/organizations” that seem to be drifting further afield from their biblical responsibilities in the name of “getting along”...
Lefties in charge...
It will be a Restoring of the vision that started this Great Experiment. It will be a Nation that will be worth the sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in the name of Freedom. It will be a land that does not define individuals by skin color but by the person within. Sounds like a change for the better, don’t you agree?
“which would put Mr. Beck in the position of being Obama’s right hand man! Ironic—but the danger exists.”
That is the most ridiculous thing I think I’ve ever read on FR.
You really need to get out of your biblical straight jacket.
April, as I understand it, this forum is about conservatism. Conservatism necessarily entails some discussion about the Creator who endowed us with our inalienable political rights, because without that, we have nothing on the communists. Seriously.
However, I agree with you in one respect. Taking cheap shots at anyone over anything is unhelpful. But I don’t think the discussion here is “cheap.” Sure, there’s always going to be a few wiseacres who make thoughtless remarks. They are meaningless noise. Ignore them. But those who are here to figure this out, in good faith and sincerity, why should they surrender their free speech on issues critical to our future as a nation? And if some of them believe, as I do, and evidently as Beck does, that God is a critical factor in defeating the communists, why should we leave Him out of the discussion? If, as Beck says, God is the answer to our political death spiral, why should we not be free to talk about God in the context of politics?
Furthermore, I have not said I was unwilling to work with those whose view of God is different from mine. If atheists and Muslims and Presbyterians and Mormons want to speak with a united voice, both in the culture and at the ballot box, in support of the inalienable right to life of the unborn, or the right to liberty of those who wish to deal with their own healthcare needs, or the right to property of taxpayers unwilling to fund foreign mosque-building projects, then let us raise our voices together in those causes.
But that doesn’t mean a Christian should ever let panic control or suppress his or her testimony as a Christian. I once worked in an environment (nuke power) where they tried to teach the employees to not fall victim to what they called a false sense of urgency. A valve blows, the rods start dropping, all the alert panels start lighting up, and the mind starts taking erratic and unhelpful shortcuts. That’s exactly the time to take a deep breath, get control of yourself, and think calmly about what is the right thing to do.
And that is exactly what is happening when our FRiends, right in the middle of the greatest threat ever to our Republic, try to point us back to the God who brought us to this dance. It sounds as though you see God and politics as two separable issues, but a careful reflection on our history suggests they are not so easily separated, and that makes talking about God a part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Well put...
So? Beck’s a mormon.
He’s also a tolerant, God-fearing,America-loving person who’s making a very important point: We need GOD back in the public square,in the mainstream and in the heart of America. He’s not splitting hairs,and he’s not preaching hate or separatism.
I’d look at that first,if I were you. Just sayin’.
Yeah, that’s the reason I tend to avoid the word “cult,” which in its most primitive meaning simply refers to a distinct and unifying body of belief, which include pretty much everybody. I think it helps to “nuance” the term to include over-the-line coercive membership tactics. Kool-Aid comes to mind. That raises the question of where the line is, but at least it narrows the discussion significantly.
The foundation for any true and lasting change in america is the change of the spirits of the individuals - and that means true Christianization of America. Your vision lacks the prominent place of God (Judeo-Christian, not mormon polytheism) as its pillar and only support. When man’s hearts are changed, then God can work to heal this country and not by any pull-ur-self up by your bootstraps religio-political populism. That was the vision that our FF had for this country, to humble ourselves before God.
G,
No problem. :)
Peace.
SR
““which would put Mr. Beck in the position of being Obama’s right hand man! Ironic—but the danger exists.”
That is the most ridiculous thing I think I’ve ever read on FR.
You really need to get out of your biblical straight jacket.”
So—you have decided to put your cards on the table? Biblical straight jacket implies there are other truths that exist outside of my Biblical straight jacket that I have not received enlightenment from. Am I correct in understanding what you have said?
Further, to pull this one sentence from my entire post and comment just on this portion without recognizing that I said above that what Mr. Beck began with sincere intent of purpose could, if further developed without God’s guidance, HAS THE POTENTIAL-— AS AN FINAL CONCLUSION——
If you are going to exhibit fully your pure enlightened nature, please correctly read and understand what people say in the first place.
I believe Mr. Beck, for whom I have great regard and appreciation, had nothing but the purest intents for our country on Saturday. I do not believe he wants to be America’s spiritual guru, I believe he is a dad who fears for his children’s future and is using the blessings of his life to do all he can to improve the chances for them. There is nothing there to find offensive and I have not taken any offense. I am concerned with what others could do to pervert his initial intent and further muddy the waters for everyone. I am praying for Mr. Beck. He has taken a big bite, and he did so with great courage and personal sacrifice. I have nothing but respect for this.
Beck is in a cult that follows Joe Smith. Not a good thing. Look into it. It would be great if Beck was in a Christian Church. But alas.....
So...you didn’t pay attention to one word I wrote...
ok,have a nice day and God bless you.
No, I didn’t perceive you to be a critic of Glenn Beck and I’m truly sorry I gave that impression.
I often see a number of posts, often by Christians, that are critical of LDS members; Mitt Romney is one (although a poor example because I believe he a RINO). Christians need to leave the religious part out of the news/activism part. After all, that is why God made Free Republic with both sections. ;O)
Good point, although I think this thread started out to be a discussion of crowd size. I was really trying in post 220 to find a topic related to the rally that might generate some positive discussion for future directional focus, but apparently I missed my mark and ended up in side theological discussions anyway. Oh well, truly, it is healthy for us all to have these discussions. No doubt the founders had many such heated discussions! Thanks HarleyD for clarifying! :)
Bingo. The reaction to Beck's rally shows we are a nation whose public schools -- and even Christian & private schools -- have a failing grade on teaching critical thinking.
As MHGinTN said, just watch the first 3 minutes (I would say watch the first 4 minutes) into the rally. Beck was already covertly spouting Mormonism in his rally speech.
#1, Right off the bat, Beck provides the Mormon narrative -- but in a broad enough way where what he said could also be references to how we treated slaves and Native Americans in our early country's history.
At the 2:18 mark, Beck says: "For too long this country has wandered in darkness and we have wandered in darkness in periods from the beginning" of our country's genesis.
Somebody needs to ask Beck point blank what "darkness" he was talking about right "from the beginning."
Hey, Glenn: Were you talking about slavery?
Our treatment of Native Americans?
The so-called "lost gospel" of Christianity til 1830? (All three?)
You see, per Mormonism, whatever light was emerging in the 1770s was a mere "set-up" so that over 50 years later Smith could proclaim his "restored gospel." (IOW the primary purpose American freedom served was so that Smith could proclaim his version of the gospel)
The phrase Mormons and Mormon Missionaries use to describe this supposed complete darkness from the 1770s to the 1820s was a "universal apostasy." Until 1830, says Mormons, the darkness of Christian apostasy was the supposed order of the day.
Glenn Beck three minutes into his speech:
At the 3:00 to 3:05 mark, where were the alarms going off in minds engaged in critical thinking when Beck jumped off his Mormon diving board?
Note several things as you read the following: What Beck says next applies to B.C. times (not A.D. Mayflower days, although yes, he then references the pilgrims). And, yes, although Christians interpret themselves to also be God's "chosen" people, Beck uses the term "chosen people" to reference the Jews. B.C. Jews.
Beck: "5,000 years ago, on the other side of the planet, God's chosen people were led out of bondage by a guy with a stick who was talking to a burning bush. Man first began to recognize God & God's law. The chosen people listened to the Lord."
With Beck's very next sentences comes the Mormon narrative: "At the same time those things were happening on THIS side. On THIS land. Another group of people were gathered here, and they, too, were listening to God. How these two people were brought together again happened because people were listening to God."
OK, test, class. What two groups of people was Beck referencing in this speech BEFORE he moved on to later history and the pilgrims?
(a) God's chosen people in the East -- those who followed Moses and God's Law.
(b) Native Americans
And per Beck, did these two groups come together? Beck: "How these two people were brought together again happened because people were listening to God."
Now class, what source teaches this? That the Jews & Native Americans came together to listen to God's Word in B.C. Americas? That's right. If you're usin' your critical thinking skills -- The Book of Mormon.
Just to emphasize, so that you don't get confused when Beck fast-forwarded to talking about the pilgrims: What two other dynamics did "Professorial Chalkboard" Beck describe at the rally in his version of "history":
(1) It was the "same time" (same B.C. era) as Moses and those he led. [That rules out the Mayflower gang]
(2) Whatever was happening in the Middle East -- people listening to God in B.C. times, per Beck & per Mormonism it was also happening "on THIS side. On THIS land." (The word "This" was Beck's emphasis)
Guess what document teaches that? That's right. Joseph Smith's Book of Mormon. B.C. times. The Americas.
OO OOO OOO Teacher, Teacher...
Mr Beck also kept talking about a stick and a man and a stick...
Joey Smith and his stick...the book of mormon...
Do I get an A ???
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.