Good news: Christian group plans revival to protest toxic evangelicalism

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

A group of progressive evangelicals and other Christians are planning a “revival” this spring to protest “toxic evangelicalism” and evangelical leaders such as Jerry Falwell Jr. who support President Trump.
Christian author and activist Shane Claiborne announced the event on Twitter Wednesday (Feb. 7), saying he and others plan to host a “Red Letter Revival” on April 6-7 in Lynchburg, Va. — the same city where Liberty University, a conservative Christian school led by Falwell, is located.

To read more:

https://religionnews.com/2018/02/08/christian-group-plans-revival-to-protest-liberty-u-and-toxic-evangelicalism/

Much of the media prefers to present Christians as a right wing monolith.

[yallerdawg]

1. "Gonna be epic," tweeted Claiborne.

“In word, worship and witness, this ‘revival of Jesus and Justice’ will stand in stark contrast to the distorted Christian nationalism that many white evangelical leaders have become known for,” the statement reads in part. “It is a gathering for people of faith or no faith who are curious about Jesus and troubled by the state of evangelicalism in America.”

[guillaumeb]

2. Agreed.

As progressive Christians, we must aggressively work to present a more balanced view of Christians to counter the media savvy and overly covered right wing Christians. Even here we can see a very one-sided presentation of theism and theists by some few.

[yallerdawg]

3. It's like they're possessed or something!

[msongs]

4. two peas in the same pod, one less extreme than the other nt

[guillaumeb]

5. Similar to the "both political parties are the same" argument?

I disagree in both cases.

[Mariana]

11. The political parties have entirely different platforms.

The various flavors of Christianity all follow the same Bible. Many churches and religious groups publish Statements of Faith or some equivalent lists of things they believe, which tend to be remarkably similar regardless of denomination or lack thereof.

[gibraltar72]

6. As a recovering evangelical

I've been at a loss as to why real christians haven't tried to reclaim their brand. Sitting in the background silent on all the abuses and excesses. Just seemed like tacit approval. I believe it's all pretty much bullshit but I thought if I had a brand I wouldn't ket some crackpots drag it through the mud if I could help it.

[guillaumeb]

7. Many us have done so, and continue to do so.

Moral Monday is one such effort.
There are/were many theists in the anti-war movement.
But the conservative, corporate media prefers to frame theists as naturally conservative. Thus allowing the theists to be enemies of the liberal godless types so beloved of FOX and similar outlets.

William Barber receives far less media coverage than Pat Robertson for a reason.

[gibraltar72]

8. I have yet to see any

mainstream? churches in my area say their sermon is going top be about the corrosive nature of Trump to religion. I of course know Rev. Barbers work. The grass roots churches where I assume some good people still exist must be the place the message starts. I son't blame media for a lack of good works by "christians".

[guillaumeb]

9. I blame the corporate media for only choosing to cover right wing theists.

Rather, right wing Christian theists.

[Mariana]

10. Open your local newspaper on Sunday.

I bet you'll find at least a few pages of nice stories about religion and religious people. The papers in my area have entire sections reserved for positive, feel-good stories about religion and religious people, in one of the least religious states in the country.

[Voltaire2]

12. No shit.

[guillaumeb]

17. But the headlines are reserved for the right wing contingent.

And the media attention is also directed overwhelmingly to the right.

The Moral Monday movement received minimal attention except probably in the immediate area. But if Westboro Baptist Church decides to parade and picket it is national news.

[AtheistCrusader]

25. "More than 80 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump, and many consider him a champion of th"

Fix that and we'll care.

The rest of this is feel good (for you) noise.

[Mariana]

13. They may be concerned about preaching against Trump directly.

That could open them up to losing their tax-free status.

What is not helpful is declaring that these people you disagree with are not real Christians. They are. Their Christian beliefs are as sincere as anyone else's. They interpret the book differently, that is the only difference. You say there's a lack of good works by them, but they consider what they are doing to be good works and in accordance with God's will. I don't know how to go about convincing them that they're doing it wrong. It certainly won't be by denying that their faith in Christ is genuine.

[gibraltar72]

14. Seems the Jesusits got all inflamed by my post

I know what I see and what I hear. Timid responses at the best. I'm not talking about positive PR for churches. I'm talking about proactive denunciation of what is happening to your brand.

[Mariana]

15. "They're doing it wrong".

Why do you think the mainstream churches aren't saying that more frequently and forcefully?

[gibraltar72]

16. To be honest my experience is

churches are the most political group I've ever encountered. When I was in the cult it was who will with hold tithes if I say this. Whose feathers must I not ruffle. I can't believe how silent most churches are on what's going on today.

[Act_of_Reparation]

19. That was another example of the "fake Christians" argument, by the way.

I trust you're keeping track of these.

[guillaumeb]

21. I saw.

When I make such a comment, please remind me of this so I can argue with myself.

[trotsky]

28. "corporate media prefers to frame theists as naturally conservative"

In the USA at least, theists belonging to the largest overall religion (Christianity) generally ARE conservative.

http://news.gallup.com/poll/125021/mormons-conservative-major-religious-group.aspx


Facts are inconvenient things, huh?

[LeftishBrit]

18. Good!

In the UK, Christians are far from a right-wing monolith, and the bishops have often annoyed Tory governments by their criticism of cuts in services that help poor people.

[guillaumeb]

20. Nowhere are Christians or theists in general a monolith.

But some few prefer their villains to be suitably villainous, so to speak, so any nuance disappears in the haste to criticize.

[trotsky]

29. So wait, I'm trying to get a handle on the conspiracy you're proposing.

The national media outlets conspire to portray Christians as a "right-wing monolith" in order to make Christians the villain? For what purposes, exactly? Are all the media companies run by intolerant atheists or something?

Please help me out here and explain what it is you're trying to say.

[guillaumeb]

31. You misread it.

Yes, the national corporate media generally prefers to focus on conservative Christians.

[trotsky]

33. Oh I must have. You've made it clear that you think I'm incredibly stupid.

So why is there a conspiracy in the media to focus on conservative Christians? Connect the dots for me.

[guillaumeb]

34. I have never stated or implied that you are stupid.

Questioning your behavior is a different matter unconnected to your intelligence.

[trotsky]

35. Drop the bullshit.

I am so sick of it.

[guillaumeb]

36. So what do you think about the actual topic?

That of presenting an alternative?

[trotsky]

37. I've asked you a question. It's in post #33.

I would love an answer. Since you're posting here on DU where, as you admit, no one actually believes Christians are a "right-wing monolith," I'd like to explore your reasons for posting the OP.

Please proceed.

[AtheistCrusader]

22. How big is this group, exactly?

Much of the media prefers to present Christians as a right wing monolith.

Show that it's not. Nobody is sitting around saying 'Christians are 100% right wing conservative evangelicals', so show that the 'right wing monolith' characterization (your words not mine) is wrong, knowing that there are no absolutes, and everyone already knows that.

[guillaumeb]

23. Group referring to what exactly?

[AtheistCrusader]

24. Your. Own. Subject. Line.

[guillaumeb]

26. I have no idea.

Every tree starts from a seed.

Christianity started as a small group of poor laborers.

[AtheistCrusader]

27. So again, a possibly tiny, or possibly even insignificant movement.

Oh boy. Good news.

[guillaumeb]

30. Protesting toxicity is good news. So we agree. eom

[AtheistCrusader]

32. From now on, until you INCLUDE numbers or even estimates in your 'good news' posts, I'm going

to assume the number is zero.

Please make an effort.