teachings!

Exactly, they disregard Christ's teachings, and muddle the scriptures to make up their own rules. As a Christian, the number one thing that I believe, the very basic element to Christianity, is that we should do what we can to help those that are less fortunate than we are.

And before someone bitches, NO, I don't think those beliefs are unique only to Christianity. But I think they should be fundamental to anyone who practices Christianity.

That's just individuals and churches and, you know, United Way.
Thuh govermint shouldn't be involved.
Except they should let us pray in schools.
And put the 10 commamunts in the courthouse.

to suit their purposes.


Helping those less fortunate than you isn't just a Christian thing. It should be basic human compassion.

Most fundies are TOLD what to think... TOLD what scripture means by their pastor. I'm not trying to imply that fundies aren't responsible for their bible learnin' but most of them just do what their pastor tells them and then they're done with it. They may attend bible studies or even host them but they don't seem to study the book beyond the narrow confines of what they've already been TOLD so for them there is no room for any other interpretation--even if biblical scholars say the scripture means something entirely different than what they understand it to mean.

For example, many biblical scholars theorize that homosexuality isn't really spoken about it the bible as we know it today. The look at the scripture in the context of the times it was written and then interpret from there. It seems to me, many fundie pastors don't do that. They try and apply, no matter how hard they must twist it, to today's times--where the context just does not work. Back to my homosexuality argument... Sodom & Gomorrah talks about homosexuality but the context is, the people (males) of S&G wanted to rape some visitors to show them who was boss. The bible then says that's wrong. It doesn't really say that homosexuality is wrong but a man raping another man to show dominance is wrong. Context, gots to love it.

Another example is a love story about 2 men, David & Jonathan. When I read it, it's obviously these 2 guys were romantically over the moon for one another. I mean, on first meeting, the one guy strips naked in front of the other--when they part, they share a kiss. Most fundies interpret this, not as a love story, but as a good example of a strong friendship between men. So I have to ask straight men, how often on first meeting a guy do you feel such a strong connection for him, that you get naked to show that strong 'friendship'? I'd venture to say never. It's kind of a gay thing to do (and I mean that in the homosexual sense).

So yeah, my point is, they take the bible out of context and then often misinterpret it... or at least their pastors do. I think it's pretty clear that not a lot of critical thinking goes on in the fundie camp.

Thanks!

They aren't "poor", they are lazy people who would rather live on the government teat. Voilà! Instant absolution from ever having to fulfill one's duty as a Christian. After all, Jesus didn't command that his followers help any dirty, lazy welfare queens.

of the Bible as a weapon and not a book. RW Fundies view the Bible like a loaded weapon to kill 'bad people' with or at least dam their souls to Hell with.

And then I shutter to think what will come out of Romney's mouth if he becomes the president.

it's 'shudder'.

i prefer the corrections!

I don't do that often, but I like for DUers to look sharp when they post on ours or other websites.
You're very kind.

attaining the right to marry. I guess those ethics are situational? Treat others who are not gay as you want to be treated? He says my family is not 'Sanctified' and that we do not share the 'spiritual element' all Straight couples share. Fact is, if I said about his family what he says about mine he and his supporters would spin on their heels and cry injustice.
So yeah. The Golden Rule. A thing the religious recite without respecting or practicing.

I always use the King James Version when I quote it to them

Matthew 25 verses 31-43

31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

I do the same thing. Although I have sometimes been told that my interpretation is wrong when I ask for the correct interpretation no other one is ever offered.

To my knowledge this is the only place in the Bible which directly spells out who goes to life eternal and who goes to everlasting punishment. There are other passages which imply things like "those who believe in me shall not die" but it never gets into detail about exactly what that belief requires.

The parable of the sheep and goats has never failed me, it always shuts them up.

but how could he be anymore clear about taking care of the poor and the sick.

He didn't say that one should take care of lazy people who don't want to work, and/or who would rather spend their money on things other than health insurance. See how it works?

They really are the epitome of evil.

and their example.

You can't just stick your hand up and say "I believe Jesus existed" and win a heavenly get-out-of-jail-free card.

teachings in favor of the more fire & brimstone Old Testament. They don't comprehend the message of forgiveness and turning the other cheek. They are ruled by fear and hate and are willing to listen to virtually anyone who confirms those feelings as long as they claim to be "Christian". Even if the actions that person is undertaking are as far from Jesus as possible they huddle and cry and bow to that figure and ask for salvation and protection from evil. When all the while the most heinous evil is produced by themselves and their ilk.

but Obama made his point, indirectly but unmistakably. Perfect.

This group is pure evil that openly promotes a "the rich are blessed" style of theocracy.
They have lobbied for death sentences for gay people overseas for Christ's sake.

They do have some nice tax free low cost lodgings available for politicians that join their cult.
They are not good, or have these Family people changed?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prayer_Breakfast

...The breakfast, held in the Hilton's International Ballroom, is attended by some 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries. The National Prayer Breakfast is hosted by members of the United States Congress and is organized on their behalf by The Fellowship Foundation, a conservative Christian organization more widely known as "The Family". Initially called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, the name was changed in 1970 to the National Prayer Breakfast...

of "blessed are the poor in spirit" in their faces. It's important for prosperity theology goons to hear the unbastardized version of their religion.

In essence, they MUST cling to their bibles/Torahs/Korans or whatever!

We lost working class whites especially because we lost that message, tying moral justice to addressing the needs of the poor and working class.

where it so needs to be heard

and I don't blame him for participating in the breakfast. It would look much worse to many in this country if he did not attend.

From a conservative blog

Of course, the bible also says “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat,” but we’ll just ignore that part for now.

President Barack Obama tied his proposal to raise taxes on wealthy Americans to his faith on Thursday, telling leaders gathered for the National Prayer Breakfast that Jesus’ teachings have led him to that conclusion.

The rich pay more not only because “I actually think that is going to make economic sense, but for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus’s teaching that ‘for unto whom much is given, much shall be required.’” Obama said at the Washington Hilton, delivering remarks at an annual event that every president has attended since Dwight D. Eisenhower.
“We can all benefit from turning to our creator, listening to him,” Obama said.

With an utter lack of self-awareness, and with not a hint of irony, Obama went from that bit of sanctimonious nonsense to deriding “phony religiosity.”

“Avoiding phony religiosity…. This is especially important right now when we’re facing some big challenges as a nation.”
I’m not sure the guy trying to justify tax hikes to pay for a bloated federal government that is spending far beyond its means by cherry-picking from Christian doctrine ought to accuse anyone else of “phony religiosity.”

http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/obama-the-bible-says-to-raise-taxes/

They like the fire and brimstone of the Old Testament...

but you hear nary a peep from them of the actual words and overall message of Christ himself.