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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhen did being a Christian equal being right wing?
The hate for Christians on this site seems much more prevalent here lately. I’m starting to feel unwelcome. Am I the only one?
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Enter stage left
(4,378 posts)"Only true religion"!
electric_blue68
(26,386 posts)Otho, Saint John The Divine Cathedral of NYC Episcopalian is one of the most inclusive churches I've known as far as religious institutions go!
They've had rabbis, and iman's talk from their pulpit. The Dalai Lama has been there. Native American spiritual rituals performed. Etc.
I feel very comfortable being there.
It's a beautiful place, with an expansive attitude.
Riverside Baptist Church of NYC is pretty much like that also.
I imagine maybe Grace Church in ?SF is kind of similar.
Scrivener7
(58,875 posts)who built that cathedral. (St John the Divine) 
electric_blue68
(26,386 posts)
Skittles
(170,191 posts)reply to me please, thank you
unblock
(56,071 posts)Because you think OP is a bot or something?
Skittles
(170,191 posts)and I notice they never reply......
yup
...including me.
It shouldn't be surprising that people are getting serious. I joined during a time when the site was only accessible by registering. I expect others did too.
Actually, it was the casual anti-trans and anti-Christian content that kept me from signing up. EarlG addressed the former, which was nice to see - not that I'm fooled into thinking that haters are reformed by that. But it makes spending time here less like other corners of the internet.
Anyway, bots & Russian trolls have gotten smarter, and probably would read as less cranky. My jury's out on this one, but the sentiment they expressed isn't unique to them.
Skittles
(170,191 posts)welcome 
I am not anti-christian - I dislike the sentiment that religion is needed for people to be good.....I just wish people could do the right thing without expecting some kind of reward in the end....and I am CERTAINLY not anti-trans, never have been.
orthoclad
(4,728 posts)many of the newly-membered posters simply post a link to Musk, with no text or context, and never answer pleas for context.
FarPoint
(14,647 posts)The OP has not responded to any replies on the thread they started with such great concern...
orthoclad
(4,728 posts)Musk must be worried he's not making enough money from DU
hatrack
(64,485 posts)Obvious Troll/Bot is obvious.
Scrivener7
(58,875 posts)orthoclad
(4,728 posts)"blank" posts which are simply links to Musk. Other people answer, not the poster.
Takebacktherepublic
(45 posts)But what can I help you with?
Takebacktherepublic
(45 posts)I’m not sure what test this is
Skittles
(170,191 posts)thank you
Takebacktherepublic
(45 posts)Replying to my replies is somehow a better test than replying directly to you?
Skittles
(170,191 posts)BYE BYE
Takebacktherepublic
(45 posts)
Dan
(5,030 posts)I think that someone was just saying that you posted an opinion, which is your right. But having posted - then wasn’t it part of your responsibility to engage with people that responded?
Nothing negative was intended.
H2O Man
(78,860 posts)that you passed the test. It does not seem like you grasp the meaning of it. Hit-and-runs aren't positive here.
Takebacktherepublic
(45 posts)I wasn’t trying to pass a test, just to understand what they were asking. It didn’t make sense to me at first.
Secondly, I do plan on engaging in the conversation but I’m at work currently. I don’t have time to wax philosophical right. I will be back this evening to respond. It wasn’t intended as a “drive by”, I just don’t have the time to sit on DU and wait for the responses to come in. I’m a pilot by profession so I don’t have a lot of down time until I’m back home or in the hotel. It’s comical how some people expect me to be sitting on my computer all day.!! Thanks for the insight though!!
H2O Man
(78,860 posts)Not everyone is retired, which is a good thing. As a member of the retired community, I encourage others to keep working. And I warn the workers not to think retirement is all roses and barbeque. For example, I spent a few hours today on an archaeological excavation with my son, watching him do all the work while I gave words of encouragement. Thus, I could not post on DU until I got home. Add to that playing with the dog, and I've had a tiring day.
One od this community's wisest and most respected members had suggested that you respond to comments to your OP. Although I had not added #109 before reading that person's recommendation, I for one always gind my posts most interesting and worthy of responses. Sad to say that I am the only forum member that thinks this, though ..... and thus most everything I've ever posted has been ignored. Fortunately, ever so often someone is kind enough to attack me.
Over the decades I have been an inhabitant of this forum, I have witnessed numerous human beings who post things not unlike your OP, then disappear. In the lingo of my youth, we called this "stirring the pot." This, of course, is distinct from "smoking the pot." In my opinion, for what very, very little it is worth, it is better to smoke pot while on this forum, than stirring the pot. It is a tough crowd usually, that does not suffer those who they suspect of certain things that, in my youth, we called "stuff."
If, for example, someone has the time and opportunity to post an OP, generally community members expect responses to their comments. It is possible -- however unlikely -- that thousands of DUers are waiting with masturbated breath to see your response to post 109.
Torchlight
(6,514 posts)brewens
(15,359 posts)we've always been told about into being on their side.
It may not turn out well for all Christians. As far as I'm concerned, they have had since the 50s to push back against this fundamentalist crap and didn't want to. I would suggest they start wanting to if it's not too late.
If you know the history of religions, they don't last forever. There's a reason for that. This time it's not an environment where people are afraid to tell them to shove all of it. Not like when everyone believed in a god and they could just gin up a new story to keep it going.
TheBlackAdder
(29,981 posts)Last edited Mon Jul 29, 2024, 03:29 PM - Edit history (2)
Since they are more submissive to their pastor's musings and distorted interpretations of the Bible, they are easily malleable and controllable by other forces as well, especially other cult-like influences. This is partly how Trump and the GOP can easily sway them to their desired views. They are taught to believe that the Bible is without error, something that caused quite the stir when the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy was first adopted in the late 70s and later accepted by most mainstream churches.
Christians were told to accept the over 300 errors and conflicts in the Bible as being correct, by inventing fantastic backstories that are not substantiated by history or other religious teachings. Congregants over time just blindly accept what they are being told, even though they know it isn't right. This acceptance trait that they've developed as a coping mechanism is what Trump and other manipulators exploit.
Permanut
(8,130 posts)and none of them include worship of a malignant narcissistic sociopath.
For example, I have been a member of a Lutheran church for over thirty years. I assure you, Mango Mussolini did not get one vote from that church.
The issue is, rather, that some groups who have hijacked the name of Jesus have formed a subcult of the Trump cult, and extremely dangerous.
Just my two cents.
Freddie
(10,075 posts)Yes it bothers me (a lot) when people on our side fail to make the distinction between us “normal” Christians and the RWNJs.
There’s been a lot of comments about how we should remove the word Evangelical from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, saying it gives people the wrong idea. The word literally means “sharing the word of God” and we used the word LONG before the RWNJs hijacked it. I totally disagree, we must keep the word and live its original meaning.
Mariana
(15,613 posts)In the US, the RWNJ’s are the normal Christians. You are the minority. And the word “Evangelical” is going to be associated with Donald J. Trump forevermore.
GenThePerservering
(3,164 posts)taking over the narrative, they need to stand up and be heard, not cry about it, because the regressive right ARE dominating. Take a page from Senator Rev Warnock's book, Martin Luther King, Sr. Joan Chittister, etc. Be heard.
FlyingPiggy
(3,748 posts)
B.See
(8,014 posts)sakabatou
(45,928 posts)unblock
(56,071 posts)But ever since the 80s it's been all about the Christian right.
I'm guessing the distribution of Christian's along the political spectrum probably hasn't actually changed all that much, but the views that make it into popular political discourse have definitely lurched rightward during and since the Reagan era.
allegorical oracle
(6,323 posts)when he confessed publicly about consorting with a "professional" lady.) The mega-churches and the way members' donations were/are spent on private jets -- all add to doubts about the propriety of right-wing churches.
msongs
(73,227 posts)
elleng
(141,926 posts)(joking-ish, but repug's attitude changes carried it along.)
GenThePerservering
(3,164 posts)along with the regressive movement, and feel that they own God, making "him" in their image and likeness, which is pretty blasphemous. They even have a nice golden calf in the image of that gold statue of Dump (made in Mexico, I've read), which they have duly worshiped. Their religion is transactional and has nothing to do with revelation, spiritual belief or anything else.
I don't understand why their co-religionists don't take a firmer stance, but it's all "we're not all like that" well, then prove it...demonstrate it. There are good people here - show yourselves!
Tribetime
(7,096 posts)While hating everyone else are hypocrites ....I don't believe they think Christians here are phony.
Music Man
(1,663 posts)So much as being a non-believer makes you left wing.
The faux outrage from the right over the opening ceremonies has led to some trauma-informed reactions from us. I, for instance, live and work in a heavily religious community, and I usually don't enjoy the freedom to express my atheism openly, lest I burn bridges I don't want to burn.
DU is a place where I'm safe to admit my non-religiousness and commiserate over how the right wing has twisted Christianity into a sick ideology.
Mountainguy
(2,145 posts)BUT, I do think that being right wing makes you much, much, much more likely to loudly claim you are a Christian.
ItsjustMe
(11,971 posts) 
Butterflylady
(4,584 posts)
flying_wahini
(8,254 posts)THEY didn’t believe in it. Christian’s complained when any law came along they didn’t agree with. Gay marriage, single Moms having babies, Divorce even if you want to go back that far.
Heart transplants, medical science breakthroughs that they didn’t prove of. Just the relentless harping about Christian values and their beliefs. Hearing it from the pulpits. Making it talking points with politicians on interviews and such. Bringing Christianity into every single issue. Yea, it shouldn’t be held against you. It’s just a political hot button right now. Please understand and don’t take it personally. But it’s like I told my dear sweet Mother in Law; “ the rest of us are growing weary of your ‘expertise’ in all moral issues. It’s like nobody else’s feeling mattered but hers because ‘she was right and everybody else was wrong’”. I told her (after 25 years of biting my tongue) that I didn’t make it my purpose in life to talk HER out of her deepest beliefs. That would show a lack of respect for others. And she should respect my boundaries and drop it.
She did.
We all have feelings here. Sorry if yours got hurt.
I don’t want Christians to EVER feel unwelcome here. Ever! Nor Muslins or Atheists. There is a reason for separation of church and state.
BlueSpot
(1,265 posts)I think it started with the invention of the "moral minority." At least I don't remember churches being political before then in my lifetime. I mean, I know there were people who didn't support JFK because he was a Catholic and that sort of thing but they weren't trying to steer policy. Jerry Falwell invented that (unless it happened other times in history and I just don't know). I think that was in the late 70's or early 80's.
It's gotten worse and worse (their influence stronger and stronger) since. Now we just call them evangelicals. And they push for things like banning abortion and burning books that nobody on the left likes. They want to force everyone to live under their weird, repressive values.
When did it become Christianity in general? I don't know for sure but I think it's because the non-evangelical churches never even put up a little fight. They never said, "No! What those people are saying is not what Christianity is. And here's why it isn't...."
If you don't agree, why don't you argue? At least that's my question for the silent churches. And it sure makes it easy to just lump them all together.
I've seen priests and pastors march in protests in against police violence, so I know there are probably decent churches and decent Christians out there. But why didn't any of them argue when the weirdos decided to get into influencing politics? And why are they still not arguing?
lees1975
(6,956 posts)Conservative Evangelical Christianity in America is a closed community. Most churches are autocratic, run by an oligarchy of favored persons who follow the pastor. Dissent of any kind is automatically classified as a heretical threat to the unity of the church, and pushed out. Most people in the pews have a belief system that is a cross between what they want to believe about their faith, some superstition and mysticism, and what their pastor tells them they need to believe. Many of the people who are educated enough in the theology, doctrine and practice of the church are dependent on it for their livelihood, and these are people who won't stand for their power, authority, or income stream being threatened. There are a lot of former pastors, church staff and clergy in different careers now, mostly worse off financially, because they pointed out hypocrisy and inconsistency in the rhetoric and actions of a politically oriented congregation.
I earned a master's degree from a Southern Baptist theological seminary, and I can fire cannon holes through the flimsy attempts to make right wing politics synonymous with conservative American Evangelicalism with their own perspective and unique approach to interpreting the Bible. I can point out how inconsistent it is, in accordance with their own claimed doctrine and practice, to cast a ballot for an evil, worldly personage like Donald Trump and I can point out his tendencies to become a false messiah, throwing Jesus under the bus and categorizing those teachings which he intended for his followers to inspire by example as "liberal talking points." What that does is generate angry, caustic and vitriolic responses, and makes it more difficult to get into position to keep doing it. Free speech is not a value of the conservative, Evangelical right.
http://signalpress.blogspot.com
raging moderate
(4,608 posts)Last edited Mon Jul 29, 2024, 12:11 PM - Edit history (1)
In my childhood, I attended many different kinds of churches. The church members who called themselves Evangelical were more mellow and less rigid than the church members who called themselves Fundamentalists (a few called themselves Fundamental Christians). And it was generally the Fundamentalist churches that had more racist tendencies. But even in the Fundamentalist Bible church I attended for several years, politics did not dominate their preaching as it does today. (Although they were mad when a Catholic was elected President, because they feared that the Pope would start running our government.) And people who got an operation to change sex were not the focus of belligerent hatred that they are today - there was more of an "oh, well, not my business" attitude. And they did not hate Christ's orders that we must take care of sick, unclothed, unfed, unhoused people (which is echoed by several other New Testament authors).
Wednesdays
(21,904 posts)An article from about a year ago:
https://www.newsweek.com/evangelicals-rejecting-jesus-teachings-liberal-talking-points-pastor-1818706
"When the pastor would say, 'I'm literally quoting Jesus Christ' ... The response would be, 'Yes, but that doesn't work anymore. That's weak," he added. "When we get to the point where the teachings of Jesus himself are seen as subversive to us, then we're in a crisis."
walkingman
(10,486 posts)there are millions of legitimate Christians who are not part of the "Christian Right" or this "Christian Nationalism" that is so prevalent in the GOP. Personally, I do not see religion as a political affiliation.
However, the biggest voting block for Trump are white evangelicals. Their nastiness and seemingly anti-everything that could possibly be viewed as "Christian" is not only a major turnoff to Christianity but to religion in general.
The GOP tries to paint all Democrats as anti-religion, mainly through religious leaders that spread the hatred and mean-spiritedness. If these really was a Christ, I do not think he would approve of the GOP version of Christianity.
My own family falls into this phony Christian genre - always playing the victim instead of showing love for their fellow man. I can't stomach it.
lees1975
(6,956 posts)I no longer worship in a conservative, Evangelical congregation. The political intrusion has caused major shifts in the way they interpret theology and doctrine, and the content of worship services. I consider myself to be Quaker, though there isn't a meetinghouse close to me for worship, and my wife enjoys worshipping at a small, non-denominational church that is a collection of "refugees" from Evangelical congregations around us that have gone apostate because of politics.
I get the frustration that people experience with the arrogance of those who think their religious faith entitles them to the status of "chosen" people, meant to rule the world. I also understand that most criticism of Christianity is directed at flaws in forms of the faith that have, for the most part, lost their authenticity. Christianity was never intended by its founder, Jesus Christ, to be a set of beliefs by which one's sincere devotion to God is singularly measured, but it was supposed to be a way of life, with the life and teachings of Jesus as inspirational and and motivational, but without a creed. As a way of life, considering all human existence as sacred, we inspire and motivate by example, not by force or judgment.
Here, in this community, what we share in common is that we are Americans who are patriots, who revere the freedom we have been given as a nation and who are committed to protecting constitutional democracy. As a Quaker Christian, I value community, including this one. I don't consider some of the stronger rhetoric that appears here regarding Christianity in general as a personal threat or offense.
Skittles
(170,191 posts)you get it
travelingthrulife
(4,799 posts)This is so true. Exactly why you don't want to mix politics with religion.
I remember when we were taught that life begins at first breath, but through political intrusion by the woman haters it has become life begins at conception which has resulted in the mess in which we are currently involved.
ZonkerHarris
(25,577 posts)
LostOne4Ever
(9,745 posts)They are the ones causing the bad reputation your group is getting.
prodigitalson
(3,193 posts)
RockRaven
(18,929 posts)
NewHendoLib
(61,696 posts)Who gets to choose which religion is THE religion.
Hence I chose none of the above.
spicysista
(1,731 posts)See my previous post about this topic here.... https://www.democraticunderground.com/1186621
This assumption leaves out the fact that there are many loud and proud Christians who are very liberal. This includes our amazing President, Stephen Colbert, and tons of other folks throughout the country.
I don't think people on this site hate Christians. Many just come here to vent. They may have also bought the whitewashing of Christianity spread by our media. Think about who the press most often shows as Christian in this country. They're certainly not camping outside my church to get my opinion.
For instance, a huge chunk of Black people in the Democratic coalition are Christian. We turn out and gotv like nobody's business. So, it would be foolish to make any part of this giant tent to feel unwelcome. But, we also know what's at stake and will continue onward weathering microgragressions coming in from any side. It's what we do.
So gather yourself, my friend. Let's together show everyone what real Christianity looks like!
B.See
(8,014 posts)I choose to ignore it by trying to understand where it's coming from and why.
onecaliberal
(36,594 posts)
angrychair
(11,897 posts)Pushing an agenda that will force a raped 12 yr old to have her rapist's baby.
It's Christianity that forced a friend's sister to almost die before she could get an abortion and now can never get pregnant again.
It's Christianity that wants to force my cousin to feel shame and insecurity about just being who they were born to be.
Christianity is inherently full of hate and violence and fear.
Yes, there are those Christians that are the exact opposite of that. At least in America they are the minority and they sure as hell are not the Christians trying to make the rules for everyone right now.
FullySupportDems
(421 posts)Last edited Wed Jul 31, 2024, 10:21 PM - Edit history (1)
There's a couple of lines from a song, great song, I'm pretty sure it's Turn The Page.
"The Lord uses the good ones,
And the bad ones use the Lord"
And I'd say to you, there's been a lot of bad ones using the Lord in politics, haven't there? It's not your fault, but it has to be criticized. It's as simple as that.
Editing to say
Nope, the song was Get The Show On The Road, by Michael Stanley. Now I remember, that's been bugging me.
ItsjustMe
(11,971 posts)The majority of serial killers are also Christian. It's true you can look it up.
J_William_Ryan
(3,405 posts)It doesn’t.
The great majority of Democrats/liberals/progressives are Christian; a greater number are persons of faith.
The false narrative about Christians being ‘victims’ and ‘oppressed’ was part of the Christian right’s agenda to vilify and demonize the ‘godless left’ – to advance the lie that liberals were ‘anti-god’ and ‘anti-religion,’ and by extension ‘un-American.’
multigraincracker
(37,162 posts)I’ve been a member of a UU Church for many years. About half the members are or have been Christians. I think and encourage everyone to search for the truth. I don’t think anyone has all of the answers.
I can see lots of good in the New Testament and in other religions too. I lean toward Red Letter Christians as a group I can relate to. I’d rather see the Beatitudes posted in public than the Ten Commandments. But that’s just me.
Any group that seeks peace and love get my respect. Accepting others is a great goal for everyone, but can be a struggle saying we are right and you are wrong turns me off.
I hope you can accept those with other beliefs and take what we share here without feeling like an outsider or enemy. Most here do.
Peace and good health to you.
canetoad
(20,399 posts)But I would ask, "When did being right wing equate to being christian?"
You see, it all depends what kind of 'Christian' you are.
demosincebirth
(12,818 posts)
The Wandering Harper
(915 posts)the interesting lecture that popped to mind when I read the subject line
no_hypocrisy
(54,559 posts)I've been with the Freedom From Religion Foundation since 1984.
I've read document after document, books, articles, etc. about it's more than spreading "The Good Word."
These RW Christians intend to do more than influence government policy and legislation. They want THEIR legislation where their beliefs ARE the law. Coercing others to follow their tenets with penalties and punishment for infractions, violations, and worse. Taking our tax dollars and giving it to their churches. Establishment Clause ("Congress shall make no law establishing a religion" ) be damned.
I also had an advantage that others didn't have. I attended Sweet Briar College, 15 miles away from Lynchburg, VA, home of Jerry Falwell and the Thomas Road Baptist Church in the late 1970s. The city and Sweet Briar knew all about Jerry and his dreams. It went from a small church to a small "Christian" church to a university to broadcasting all over the world. Jerry's religious corporation was buying up so much land in the city that property taxes went up for others as his properties were taken off the Books. And Jerry's church was ruthless in getting congregants. Example: Thomas Roads would send an empty school bus into a neighborhood on a Sunday morning where kids would be playing in the street. The driver would tell the kids there was a $10 bill in one of the seats. The bus would load up and drive away, leaving one kid behind to tell the otherwise sleeping parents that Jerry had taken their children to church. Even in 1978, residents knew that Jerry wanted more than Lynchburg for power and money; he wanted the World. And as far as "right wing", Jerry didn't use Christianity for "brotherly love". He hated "homosexuals" and African-Americans. He used his church and college to promote segregation in the Sixties.
If you can find the time, watch this documentary, Blind Faith. https://tubitv.com/movies/100020971/bad-faith
As to the OP, not all Christianity represents the RW Christian Dominionist mindset. I've met many Christians who are Methodists, for example, who are closer to Humanists and Ethical Culturalists than the lemmings found in the megachurches.
hlthe2b
(113,192 posts)I'm no expert on this issue, but I observe that those who retained their "Christianity" talk about the New Testament, are largely (like Jesus) proponents of compassion and humility and helping others (hence NOT conservatives and certainly not MAGA), but these latter Christians get nearly ZERO MSM attention.
But for #1 and #2: Note how focused they are on the most punitive parts of the Old Testament in total exclusion of the New. If that isn't evidence they excised Christ from the equation for political expediency and power, I don't know what is....
These are just the observations of this agnostic- one who respects those who sincerely practice their religion(s) and don't use it as a cudgel against others.
Elessar Zappa
(16,385 posts)I occasionally go to church with my mom (Anglican) or Dad (Catholic) despite not being a Christian myself. The Christians I have a problem with are those who worship the most evil person I can think of, Donald Trump. It’s very disturbing.
elocs
(24,486 posts)nor his teachings in the New Testament. He would claim not to know them and they have no part in him.
They would love to have ruling power, but then nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition which is their dream and what they think of as the good old days.
Zoomie1986
(1,213 posts)Of supporting right-wing policies, rulers and governments, particularly of the autocratic variety.
You do realize that this is the religion that came to power by aligning itself with an autocratic leader. Do you think Constantine ruled by committee? Come on.
It's the same religion that supported the policy known as the Divine Right of Kings to rule as absolute authorities, well into at least the 19th century. Not only the Catholic church supported that, before you go there. So did the Church of England and the Lutherans and the Calvinist, along with their many offshoots.
The religion pretty much provided the 'moral' underpinnings that launched the Atlantic slave trade. Do look up how papal bulls made that okay. Or how an entire Protestant sect came into being to justify slavery in the US.
It's the religion that repeatedly either ignored, supported or outright carried out mistreatment of Jews that included enslavement, stealing children from their families (as late as 1858), forcing Jews to place their children into monasteries and convents, legally robbing them blind with ridiculous taxes and asset seizures, denying them the right to live or travel where they chose, and don't forget the torture and even murder. For centuries. Those are all right-wing actions based on right-wing policies that Christians and their clergy supported or outright took part in.
In the 20th century and beyond, the religion never met a right wing autocracy it didn't like, whether in Europe, Latin America, Asia or Africa. During the 1940s, they supported Hitler's Nazi Germany, Mussolini in Italy, and the Ustaše regime in Croatia. They supported Stalin after he started rebuilding the Orthodox churches. They supported Diem in South Vietnam. They supported the autocratic (and often murderous) regimes of Pinochet, Somoza, Montt-Rios, Duarte, Trujillo, Stroessner and on and on and on.
Now here were are in 2024. and tens of millions of Catholics and Protestants are agitating to install right-wing autocracy in this country, often with the full backing of their clergy. Do you see any other religious bloc showing so much support for right wing policies and actions?
People reveal who they are by what they say and do. Maya Angelou was right: When people tell you who they are, believe them.
I didn't think we needed to explain that people who aren't right wingers don't do things that right wingers do. If you don't want the religion equaled with the right wing, then make sure that so many in the religion don't, you know, behave like right-wingers.
I don't know how much plainer one can state the obvious.
The Magistrate
(96,043 posts)People putting up posts like this, and then never engaging with the replies.
It puts in question, shall we say, the sincerity of the exercise....
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)I haven't yet seen any resistance to it from christians though.
Is that what you're asking?
FarPoint
(14,647 posts)I think you maybe reading too much into the various discussion to conclude " Christians on this site seems much more prevalent here lately"...
That is a rude claim...insulting to some...
LymphocyteLover
(9,548 posts)causing all our political problems.
Not all Christians are rightwing assholes but 95% of rightwing assholes are "Christians"
mucholderthandirt
(1,773 posts)The evangelicals were being courted hard, and they answered with a resounding "YES!". It's only gotten worse since then.
When I was growing up, in the 60s and beyond, many Christians were good Democrats, including my mother's family. My Grandpa was a good man, he was strong on people voting, would take people if they didn't have a way. Before an election he'd go around asking people if they were going to vote, and if not, they should. Race didn't matter, he knew Black people needed to vote, he told them so.
My Granny was the best Christian I ever knew. I never heard or or Grandpa say a bad thing about anyone. At her funeral there were a lot of old men there that no one recognized as family. One of my aunts talked to them and said they were the old hobos Granny would feed when they came to the door (there were train tracks close by the house). They saw when she died and came to pay respects.
My surviving aunt is a Trumper. It's sad. She doesn't care that he'll take away her SS, or what he's said he'll do to everyone else. I'm pretty sure Mama's brother is about the same. He's a lifelong alcoholic and apparently never had much sense.
Thanks to the Universe my siblings are Democrats, and my mother. I don't know what I'd do if they were Republicans, I guess I'd have no family.
Dan
(5,030 posts)In 1964??? Goldwater warned against the “Christians” joining in and taking over the GOP.
The problem that he had, was not with their beliefs or their faith, but he noted their inability to compromise. This nation is based on the ability to compromise - no one gets 100% of what they want, we have to give and take.
My one GOP friend doesn’t get this - a really nice person, but her faith overrides her ability to compromise regardless of the cost.
dslyahoo
(179 posts)They have abandoned all precepts of Christ centered Christianity and proclaimed their version as being the one that is “true”. I think that is what most people rail against. The people I know that are secure and content in their faith don’t take offense and seem to live their lives in peace. We all have thoughts. We all have emotions. We all can live as our human selves and let others do as well. Those are my thoughts anyway and are not meant to persuade or offend. Peace all.
OnDoutside
(20,862 posts)Firstly, that started when the extremes of (American) Christian churches/sects realised that they could no longer control people by fire and brimstone, so they had to come up with other ways of control.
Secondly, you have a safe space here to believe your beliefs, but the whole point is that others have their beliefs too, which might not align with you.
OneGrassRoot
(23,936 posts)
pfitz59
(12,515 posts)And then there are 'Xians' (Christians in name only). Xians take Christ's teachings and do the opposite. It is why they vote for Trump.
Demsrule86
(71,518 posts)themaguffin
(5,002 posts)The word shouldn't be attached to them.
bluestarone
(21,632 posts)Disappearing!! OK, we know who you are.
Autumn
(48,866 posts)Mahatma Gandhi. That's the best explanation I can give. I think now they are so much worse than they were when he said that. Just be a beacon for your religion. Maybe it will spread.
Celerity
(53,994 posts)
Autumn
(48,866 posts)
usonian
(24,101 posts)ChatGOP, adding to the world's pollution faster than clamshells around every damn morsel of food.
edhopper
(37,169 posts)Last edited Mon Jul 29, 2024, 11:53 AM - Edit history (1)
when there are over 70 replies and you have not responded?
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)and then disappears
Flamebait
maxsolomon
(38,393 posts)37 posts in, you're STARTING to feel unwelcome?
GoodRaisin
(10,803 posts)There are true Christians that are the Rev. Barber type that actually believe in feeding the hungry and caring for the sick.
Then there are the right wing mega church Christians i.e. the Osteen type that vote for Republican ideals which fly in the face of Jesus’ teachings aka the Christian nationalists. They are the modern version of the biblical Pharisees.
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)examples.
Interesting
Wednesdays
(21,904 posts)...and I don't feel at all unwelcome here.
It seems the dog yelps when it's struck.
LAS14
(15,474 posts)I just feel like the group with those opinions are severely misinformed. I don't need their welcome.
But I do get tired when a lot of DUers lump people in a group and judge them on unrelated things accordingly. It's called prejudice. It's not worthy of DU.
Torchlight
(6,514 posts)As congregants, if we want that perception to change in any measurable way, then let our positive actions lead that change.
As tough as might be to swallow, being the change we want to see (and concentrating on achieving it) is rarely as satisfying (and even more rarely, effective) as asking others to do the changing for us.
Aepps22
(367 posts)I am a Christian that grew up in the Black Church and I attend a White Evangelical church. Trust me when I say that there are huge differences between the White Evangelical movement and the Black Church. I've never felt unwelcome on DU or any other left leaning site because I know when they feel anger against Christians it isn't all of us and they are talking about the Christian Nationalist crowd that have taken over the White Evangelical church. I had an honest conversation with my pastor a few years ago and he said the greatest threat to Christianity is the rise of White Christian Nationalism. I care about my fellow man and live my life with a desire to help others. Each person has to run their own race on life and I'm not big on imposing anything on anyone else noting that many of these same people lynched my ancestors and didn't and don't want us to be seen a full humans.
Takebacktherepublic
(45 posts)Delete
Takebacktherepublic
(45 posts)And I’m not a bot, a troll, a right winger, or any other of the insults thrown my direction. I also do not live on DU so apologies for not replying sooner than I did.
My question was genuine and I’m glad to see that a few of the posters acknowledged that.
Thank you
maxsolomon
(38,393 posts)Otherwise, what's happened here is going to happen. Your motives will be suspect.
Long-time DUers have good reason to suspect the motivations of low-count-but-they've-been-here-for-years posters.
DFW
(59,875 posts)It is the highjacking of the designation “Christian” by those who act like nothing of the sort that we find objectionable. The same goes for the term “conservative,” but I see that so often, I’m immune by now. When some idiot right-wing extremist tells me why he’s conservative and I’m not, I just pull up the definition from an English dictionary. I’m cautious, don’t to make rash decisions, debts make me nervous, I’m risk-averse. I’ve held one job (49 years now), been together with one woman (50 years now), have no addictions—not to alcohol, gambling, religion or drugs. I rarely meet a self-declared “conservative” who is as conservative as I am. But I never hesitate to call out these fake Republicans who call themselves “conservative.”
Maybe true-believing Christians could do themselves a favor by calling out the fake ones, instead of being passively offended by being lumped together with them.
myohmy2
(3,716 posts)...jerry falwell...?
...or was it pat robertson...?
...or maybe billy graham...?
...I consider myself a Christian but not the Bible thumping hypocritical kind...
...the hatred...?...I think it's the hypocrisy...
...how in Christ's name could you ever consider yourself a Christian and vote for trump...?
...it boggles the mind...
doc03
(38,930 posts)Trump fits the bill for at least 6 of the 7 things God hates. I think with Trump's verdictive
nature he has committed number 7 also. How can anyone calling themselves a Christian support such a person?
get the red out
(13,997 posts)Christians here are Democrats! Fundamentalists are people I have feared since the Regan administration.
bluesbassman
(20,375 posts)because the did not stand up against the infection that the Convicted Felon brought into their party, instead embraced it until it spread like a malignant cancer until it consumed its host. Christianity has suffered a similar fate with the hard right faction. As many, not all but many, Christians were fervently anti-choice, they were ok with allowing people who were willing to do the dirty work of the anti-abortion movement into their ranks and gave them more and more access and power. Over time these people became not just foot soldiers and operatives, but leaders, and they brought their hardline thinking into the mix, giving rise to Christian Nationalism, Dominionism, and the movement to abolish the seperation of Church and State and make the United Stated a theocracy.
So no, I don’t think all Christians are right wing. But many are, and more importantly a great many who are not refuse to speak out against the manipulation and hijacking of their faith and all that comes with that.
LiberalFighter
(53,544 posts)And religious nuts pushing their religion in politics
Baitball Blogger
(51,895 posts)confusion. The right weaponized the term for their own purpose, so it's our job to clarify the boundaries.
They have a very pro-Anglo Project 2025 form of Christianity, which isn't anything like the kind of Christianity that most of us know. I suppose, it's Anglo-American conservative Christianity vs every other Christian believer, especially Third World Christians.
H2O Man
(78,860 posts)the Jesus movement west to Rome. That's when christianity became the religion of kings.
There are, of course, good examples of people of that faith in recent times. Dr. King, Daniel & Phillip Berrigan, and Himmy Carter come to mind. And thousands of others.
A good christian would understand the opinions of others who despise the christian nationalist movement, and others who have suffered indignities from others who judge them. The religion advocated for the slaughter of the Native Americans and the system of slavery in this country.
carpetbagger
(5,436 posts)The right wing stuff tends to be the things other people wrote in his name.
And in reality, we only have some of his writings, I wish there were extant letters to people in Judea and Galilee.
H2O Man
(78,860 posts)in ending the religious movement that the prophet Jesus led. So in that sense he was indeed radical.
dchill
(42,660 posts)...cast all of you in a negative light. That is simply true. I've seen no one on DU hating Christians. We hate the sin, not the sinner.
Sparkly
(24,867 posts)There are Christians, and there are "Christians." The latter seem to have read a different Bible than the one I grew up with.