Much of American Christianity is being subverted...

[lees1975]

Should Democrats try to disrupt the flow of votes to the GOP?
https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-subversion-of-american-christianity.html

There's a sense of power and influence that comes with church leadership, especially when the church is independent, autonomous and not connected to a denomination or to one of the branches of Christian tradition. There's a temptation to use that kind of power and influence that is temporal, dependent on "worldly" influences. Christ himself was tempted with that same kind of worldly influence and power, the idea that one man could rule the whole world (Matthew 4:8-11).

That's why, when someone like Donald Trump comes along, a man who built his life, business and personal reputation on everything that the Bible labels as "debauchery" and worldly pleasure, and he says, "Hey, I love the Evangelicals. And turning the other cheek and doing unto others are nice things, but where have they gotten you?" he still has their ear. He can deny the very belief that is at the heart of Christian faith, claiming, "I haven't done anything that requires me to ask forgiveness from anyone," live a lifestyle that is the polar opposite of Christian submission to God, and still get the support of Christians. It is no longer the gospel that is the focus for many, it is gaining worldly power and influence. That takes less time and is more certain than prayer is, I guess, in their thinking anyway.

[wryter2000]

1. I belong to a "mainstream" Protestant church

I wish we could take the faith back, but we don't rake in money like the sham artists, and that money buys them political power that we don't have.

[lees1975]

3. It might be hard to get the militants back

but they do seem to be causing somewhat of a shakeup. Evangelical churches for the most part are aging and dying, can't reach millennials and Gen X, and there is a migration of those who tend to do their own thinking, back toward the mainline churches.

These people follow personalities, not truth. Democrats need someone who can stick with the narrative and not be a policy wonk, stay away from the social agenda (or use it to their own benefit) and keep telling people how good the economy is getting.

[Thomas Hurt]

2. Any christian who voted for Trump and still supports him is utterly without moral credibility.

People should laugh in their faces.

[keithbvadu2]

4. Political Christians rather than Christians of faith.

Political Christians rather than Christians of faith.

They support Trump who says he is so perfect that he does not need Christ or his forgiveness.

Like today's evangelical/religious right supporters, Trump is a Political Christian, not a Christian of faith.

Evangelicals/religious right are easily able to spin their beliefs for political expediency.

The Donald who does not have to ask Jesus for forgiveness.

The Donald who ridicules Holy Communion.

Trump: Drink my little wine, have my little cracker

http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2015/08/13/donald-trump-religion-serfaty-dnt-erin.cnn

[patphil]

5. CINO's - Christians in name only. They don't know Jesus or God.

Their love is for worldly power and possessions - very self-serving.
And Donald Trump is their leader; probably the 2nd highest ranking satan walking the Earth.
You know who #1 is.

[sanatanadharma]

6. Christians are the ones who need say "You are NOT Christian"

Will someone finally free me of this accursed 'no true Scotsman' problem answer?

As a Hindu, it is in my face clear when someone is not Christian, whatever they call themselves.

[RainCaster]

7. I'm an ordained Presbyterian, but I stopped going years ago

I have found my local AA group to be far more spiritual, so I spend my time there.

[gibraltar72]

8. As a recovering Evangelical I have been amazed

that no real effort has been made to take back the brand of Christianity.

[lees1975]

12. There's no money or power in doing that

and that's what Evangelicals are all about these days.

Branding is the result of a consumerist mentality in churches and denominations. People who are in denominations and churches that are still interested in living out true faith don't care about branding. If they're sincerely following Christ's model, they're serving people and living out values.

[Seinan Sensei]

9. You can't reason with them

They believe God is on their side.
They believe they are on God's side.
To go against their belief therefore means going against God
They take themselves (and other mortals) out of the equation entirely

"God said it. I believe it. That settles it."

Don't waste your time discussing what "it" is, or from where "it" is derived.

[Skittles]

10. yup

religion is proof people can be made to believe anything

[Karadeniz]

11. A fabulous book by Bauer, paleographologist, showed that there never was a time when there

Was one Christianity. There were always two broad categories, one which could now be termed Orthodox and one which we now call Gnostic. Each called the other heretic! When I read Bauer, I thought that was interesting, but I didn't in any way connect that info to figuring out the parables, which I could see were not being explained with any degree of consistent or logical literary analysis...and, not meaning to brag, but I am pretty darned good at that. When I unlocked the parable which highly suggests kharma, I thought, okay, I should put my antennae out for reincarnation. Everywhere, it's everywhere. When Jesus says his truths were deliberately hidden from public view and knowledge, he wasn't kidding. But, I understand that need, seeing how manipulative, self-serving or just plain lazy people nowadays corrupt even the easy to understand instructions, which is also presented in a parable! I now see that our gospels were not written by or for those with an orthodox faith base. The Gnostic belief system, kharma, reincarnation, different levels of "heaven" with their own "princes" and rulers is everywhere. And, we know the gospels were written with two audiences in mind, Jesus and Paul's children who can only assimilate baby food, and the adults who can handle stronger stuff... the difference between faith vs knowledge, faith vs asking, seeking.

Neither Paul nor Jesus hesitated in identifying the children in the communities. Nowadays, church leaders accept bad behavior by members, no consequences. How many sermons deal with soul? How many sermons blare out that racism... bullying... lying... leading others astray...materialism... ego...all diminish the soul's growth. How many discuss being perfect like God is perfect.

The worst, to me, is that nowadays testing and observations bolster the gospels' references to our paranormal Minds. Church would do well to investigate that.

Oh, well!!!