Writing about Beck: God made me do it
I wasn't planning to write about the Glenn Beck rally on the National Mall on Saturday but then I felt like God dropped a giant sandbag on my head.
It was clearly divine providence.
I wasn't going to mention that Beck had called President Obama's religion a "perversion."
But then my role, as I see it, is to wake America up to the back sliding of principles and values and -- most of all -- of God.
It seemed so absurd to say about the president, as Beck did, that "America isn't recognizing his version of Christianity," and referred to Obama's religion "liberation theology" that I didn't think it was worth writing about.
But then as I looked at the problems in our country, quite honestly, I feel the hot breath of destruction on our necks.
I can't believe that God's view of those who question the faith of others wouldn't be disapproving and would see it as continuing to create scars that might never heal. I believe this country has spent far too long worrying about scars and thinking about scars and concentrating on scars. I think it's time to concentrate on the good things in America, the things that we have accomplished, and the things that we can do tomorrow.
I know for instance, that God would want all Americans to respect religious freedom. After all that is what this country is all about.
For too long this country has wandered in the darkness, condemning first people of other faiths, and no faith, people of other races and people with different sexual preferences. Today nearly 20 percent of Americans, many of them Glenn Beck Republicans, say the president is a Muslim and they view that as a negative.
I wasn't going to say this but God must be confused. Beck and his followers, who believe that Obama, a Christian, has perverted his religion, and called him a "liberation theologist" (I wonder how many know what that means) also believe he is a Muslim.
I really didn't want to bring this up but wouldn't God think it perverted for one person to criticize another's faith? Didn't God make us all in his own image?
One of Becks diciples, who was at the rally, said that "we believe in Jesus Christ. He is our savior" and said Jesus would not agree with the redistribution of wealth. No loaves and fishes for this Christian.
I was reluctant to say that something that is beyond man is happening. But when Beck proclaimed that "America today began to turn back to God," I just know that made God really mad. God doesn't demand that anyone turn to him. If he wanted everyone to believe the same thing he would have made it happen. The fact that there are people in this country, good Americans, who worship in many ways including not worshiping at all, is, in fact, a manifestation of "divine providence."
I really think Glenn Beck is on to something though. "We are a country of God," he said. I swear I wasn't going to mention this but he has a point. I think he and all of his followers should follow God's command ment to "love thy neighbor." Even if that neighbor is perverted, a liberation theologist, a Muslim, a Catholic a Jew, a Hindu, an atheist or anything else. The great theologian Reinhold Niebuhr said, "The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan values and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism."
Maybe. But I can't help but be grateful that God dropped a giant sandbag on my head, anyway.
By
Sally Quinn
|
August 31, 2010; 11:10 AM ET
| Category:
Barack Obama
,
Religious Freedom
,
ethics
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Posted by: woodstock-41 | September 2, 2010 10:21 AM
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I think that Beck is speaking about a personal relationship with God, rather than a singular focus on social engineering or collectivism.
Posted by: richard36 | September 2, 2010 9:40 AM
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Ooopps, That Was meant for Dipka bhambhani
"Yogathon: stretching bodies, stretching minds across America".
Posted by: woodstock-41 | September 1, 2010 10:51 PM
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Mr. DIPKA & CO:
YOGA. YOGI Schmo-gi/Go-gi... should Never be made for Kids or Expose them, Under 21 Years Old!!!
Forget 18th Amendment [i.e. NO SMOKE before] . Soo, "U.S. Constitution [NOt HiNDUTVA] being the 21st Amendment" means They can (21+) can Get Drunk (i.e NOt on Religion, but on 'Spirit's; Alcohol).
Note: KIDS; especially under 18, need to Keep Busy; Sweat, Play, Play and NOt run astray Yo! They Don't Need Yoga/Yogi or what ever stogi's to unstress; but Kids need lots of "EXERCISE" or WORK to fall asleep early; but they, Naturally being active//'Born-FREE', do NOt need Any IMPORTED Yogi/a/o..lalala, or intro as be a Philosophy or ART from the East?;and Monopolized by Foreign Governments & Agents (Lama's; Guru's, Shwarmis..].
iMportant; Under certain Clinical-Trial; WE[i] EKLAHt-i-ON's found that Introducing YOGA+ ti Kids Under 18 (not only under 21) are very Lazy & Die Early In Their Lives. NO Live Longer Yo/YE! Soo
INDIA [the Nation?] is been trying to "PATENT-ize? (Monopolize, GLOBALLY??) their Mind [Self?] Control System; disguised as if be some genuine "Philosophy"??
NAY!! Running away from Reality can never be achieved by "MOKSHA" (Zero LiFE state) Only Pre-Apocalyptic Hindu/Buddhist {Double-Agents of the EAST 'imported religion(s); NOt Made-in AMERiKa/o} capitalist/Nationalist via their "Yoga//i//Yogana..." [Positions/Postures] pretexts/front, Biz..
part 2
Secret: YOGA//YOGi//YOGO... is a Tautological Concept Way to Pretzle-ize one self (as much as possible?). YOGA///YOGi///YOGO... lalala is FREE; and should never accept Money as if be some ORGANiZED RELiGION.
SUMMARY: Children (under 21) Should NEVER be forced or introduced [By An Adult, Relative or another Under-age kid] be exposed to YOGA/GOGI/YOGO/GOGO.. lalala. AND
Adults [Over 21] Shold STOP Reading their CHUMASH/BIBLES, Stop Reading Their GEETA/GITA's, Stop Reading Their KANGYUR/TANGYURs, Stop Reading Ye/Yo QURAN/KORAN's etc..! These Are For Kids! NOt Adulys to Live out {"WAR BLESSINGS" etc.. Therein/at..}!
So Parents need to STOP Act'n like Children; opps, Kids. WAKE-UP needs it's own WAKE-UP!
Tricks r fo kids; but everyone can eat Cereal together but NOt Eat Bibles together. Aye?
QUESTION: Which is Better [Pleazza, NO Tangents]: TO DO YOGA/YOGINI/lalalali (OR) (Not; AND) to Read & Live by the Geeta/Gita alone, et al?
Posted by: woodstock-41 | September 1, 2010 10:35 PM
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Umm...unless ANY of you (Glen Beck included) have had a conversation with a burning bush lately I don't think that you're qualified to lecture anyone else on what God would want, or what he's thinking or feeling (if anything at all). The only thing you can speak of with any certainty is how you feel, what you think, and what you believe based on the particular version of religion you've decided to support. You can't even be sure that the words in the bible are really words that were spoken by a man called Jesus or "received" by man from the entity known as God. All of it was written by men with agendas who attributed whatever they wanted to say to God. Wow. Sounds familiar...
Posted by: lifeonmars | September 1, 2010 9:47 AM
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There are a lot of people speaking for God these days. In fact, it's getting so noisy that when God does say something, hardly anyone hears.
Posted by: mwpalmer | August 31, 2010 6:56 PM
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It's time for people like Quinn to point out the perverted ideology of Beck and his followers.
If Beck wore a robe and a beard ,one could imagine him exhorting a crowd in Tehran.
A pox on all these pious sectarians.
Posted by: rcbakewell | August 31, 2010 6:45 PM
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Sally don't be silly.
The fishes and loaves had nothing to do with redistribution of wealth.
But you are right about one thing.
Too many folks think God agrees with just them.
A. Lincoln was asked by a preacher how it felt to have God on his side (in the Civil War).
Abe said: Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side.
Of course, you've got to care what God's side is, before it makes much difference.
Posted by: JimHale1 | August 31, 2010 6:27 PM
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Dear Noshwat,
Wow....
#1. What version of the Bible do you read? Loving others is a key commandment stated throughout scripture. It is unmistakably worded along side Loving the Lord with all your heart, all your strength and all your mind in Luke10:27
#2. Your understanding of this passage seems to be grossly misled. Have you tried looking it up or reading the original Hebrew/Greek, or possibly referring back to Rabbinical teachings and/or commentary?
#3. Did God tell you He was mad? It would seem to me that speaking FOR God is the vanity; not invoking His name in humility and reverence. The Israelites (Children of God) have invoked Gods name throughout history. It isn't vanity to acknowledge God in the lives of a people, and most certainly not in light of Proverbs 3:6; and in Numbers 6:27 where we told BY God to invoke His Name upon the children of God and He will bless them.
Have a nice day. :)
Posted by: cdh03 | August 31, 2010 6:12 PM
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#1: There is no commandment to love anyone but God.
#2: Jesus wanted all rich people to give their money away. "It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
#3: Commandment 3 states to not mention God for personal gain or vanity. God has been angry since the U.S. vainly added God to the pledge and to the currency. God is angry when a sports team credits Him for their win. God is now angry with Beck and poor Glenn is due for tests that even Job would find difficult.
Posted by: Noshwat | August 31, 2010 4:36 PM
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Instead of trying to be cute by prefacing every insipid statement with "I wasn't going to write...," you should have just NOT WRITTEN anything in the first place. You would have saved us ALL a good chunk of valuable time.
Posted by: TinkerBrendie | August 31, 2010 3:36 PM
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Reading this column was a waste of my time. You totally missed the point in Beck saying "liberation theology" about Obama's religion. Being that Obama attended Jeremiah Wright's church. "Liberation theology" is what he (Jeremiah) preaches. liberation theology = Marxism/Communism It is a perversion of Christianity. Makes me smile that you had a giant sandbag dropped on your head, although figuratively.
Posted by: pmbpooh | August 31, 2010 2:35 PM
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The irony that I constantly witness is amazing. Every opinion, whether those I agree with, or those I disagree with, all have one fundamental thing in common; they are ALL ultimately based in and through the eyes of one’s own personal beliefs and perceptions. Every comment no matter what side you find yourself on is going to be colored by that individuals beliefs and value system. You served up quite a bit of strong language yourself, solely based on your personal beliefs and observations; just like Glenn Beck has. You’re both right! You both have the right to conclude whatever you wish based on how you have personally ‘digested’ information. Some of it just comes up like vomit; other has plenty of merit, but it is all equally valuable in holding an honest debate. You seem to have taken issue with Mr. Becks beliefs by referencing and equating the ‘fishes and the loaves’ with redistribution of wealth. I ‘personally’ do not believe that was the intent of what Jesus did. He was providing food in the form of a miracle, for a crowd of people who were listening to the message He was sharing. If what you said holds merit, then that would mean if Glenn Beck were to have passed out food at his rally on Saturday, that he believes in and would therefore be promoting redistribution of wealth; or at minimum the redistribution of food. By my estimation, you read into an event held by Jesus, and concluded that Jesus is a proponent of redistribution. I’ve heard and read many opinions stated by Mr. Beck and many, many others. Some I agree with, others I don’t. But to witness the constant berating of his character, his personal beliefs etc. from those that are spouting their very own, is hypocrisy at best. Many are attacking him for doing the exact thing they’re doing; stating a personal belief and opinion. I doesn’t matter that we agree or disagree; what matters is holding a civil discourse, and or debate without demeaning one another. To tout or ‘preach’, “Love thy neighbor”, would imply that one has done so themselves. I did not hear or sense the ‘respect’ which comes from ‘loving thy neighbor’ expressed in the language of your article, toward someone elses opinion or personhood. I did sense a certain level of self-righteousness, mingled with a hint of a condescending tone. Maybe you feel as though you have a better understanding of scripture, and of what Gods love and His Truth truly means. I hope that holds true on that day in which we will all have stand and give an account for our version of “loving thy neighbor”.
Posted by: cdh03 | August 31, 2010 2:26 PM
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The many ways a big chunk of the religious right pervert the teachings of Jesus is sometimes breathtaking. Most of what he taught revolved around reaching out to those less fortunate, and not judging others. I always felt the line - 'judge not, lest ye be judged' pretty much summarized his whole message.
I keep wondering where the mainstream Christian leaders are, why aren't any of them stepping up to the plate and spelling out how wrong this condemning other faiths is? Mainstream Protestants far outnumber the Christian right, but the only religious leaders we hear from in the media are the far right hyper-judgmental folks.
Beck really has a lot of chutzpah to condemn other versions of Christianity (as he did recently to Obama) when he himself is a Mormon, which is condemned as a cult by the Christian right. Don't forget they could not bring themselves to vote for Mitt Romney because he was a Mormon, which is how Obama got elected in the first place. Had Romney been even a mainstream Methodist, he would have won the nomination and the presidential election in a landslide.
Posted by: Andante51 | August 31, 2010 1:56 PM
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If you want to see the America that Beck is urging to take back the country, and how they rationalize the disconnecct between Beck's doctrine and our Founding Fathers, you need only read his followers’ comments on this site http://wp.me/pNmlT-mI which is critical of Beck. They are completely blind to facts presented to them if they are contrary to their beliefs. Worse, they have no problem with Beck saying to take back the country requires embracing christianity, and the Founding Father's strict separation between Church and state. They claim the Constitution is supreme, yet in the same breath stridently support ignoring its core!
Posted by: dh1976 | August 31, 2010 1:34 PM
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One of the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36 NIV). Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).
~~
I'd love to see our country recognize THAT type of religion. I think all this hate probably makes the Jesus I know weep...
peace
Posted by: TLS2 | August 31, 2010 1:24 PM
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IT WAS VERY DISTURBING WATCHING BECK IT FELT LIKE A JIM JONES MOMENT. FOLLOW ME AND I WILL LEAD YOU TO THE PROMISED LAND? I AM A CHRISTIAN BUT I BELIEVE IN THE EQUALITY OF ALL FAITHS. WHO AM I TO STAND IN JUDGMENT!!!!
Posted by: 4heglas | August 31, 2010 12:52 PM
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"God doesn't demand that anyone turn to him. If he wanted everyone to believe the same thing he would have made it happen."
Hi Sally, Maybe god does want everyone to believe the same thing. I believe he does. It's called the Truth. He gives us freedom to make mistakes and develop faith, but how can you be so critical of others who proclaim what they believe to be true when you're doing the same. Is it hateful?
Posted by: markhamharris | August 31, 2010 12:48 PM
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What a Difference 3-Three Years Make.
Please see the Before and After, Sen. BORACK H.OBAMA's, Onfaith, as GUEST, Post JULY.13th-2007.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2007/06/obama.html
Note: Please ignore that insane TURKISH blogger who's post look like he/she's full of TWITTs like. And Also Keep in Mind that the blogger J O {{Z}} e {{VZ}} "Dear Mr. Obama...." recommendation on "Leadership" was jealously deleted by someone in at ONFAITH Newweek WAPO. AND
Keep in mind that ex-Cathoholic; GLENN BECK (G_D Player), suddenly turned MORMONi, of Fox-5 & His other entertainer of Fox-5, Bubba & Cathaholic BiLL OREiLLY (G_D of the Air) are now [DEvilishly] officially MORMON & CATHOLIC conspirators in a Great crime in Sweet Sweet U.S. of A.! They are Jealously both conspiring to APOCALTIC-ze {Not IslamicIze} their other unwise PRE-Apocalyptic BIBles/Books & Thinkers/thinking! And THey even Resorted to STEAL Other New- (AMERICAN) Prophets Writings, Philosophy, Story's (i.e., "SiLOM" The Photon/Light Bringer Of The Apocalypse Writtings..) and audaciously Sneak Them into THeir Church's Writing or for Personal gain/ego and speak analogies using them as if be genuine "New Sermon"s (Omitting the Intellectual Thefts or sources thereof/from) as if Theirs Divine Providence com'th in dreams & More Jealous Satanic Under/over-TOMES&tones.!
PS: WHO "ENDORSED" OBAMA instead Of Mitt ROMNEY? FOX-5? NEWS CORP? ...?
WOW! HUMAN(s) Trying to act like US "HUUMATES" of , Made In Miracle & Naturally Holi-Blessed, and NEBULA-Bilt S.pace-S.hip EEarth. NOT Planet HELL, Not Planet Heaven, Not planet in between. Never Sweet SWEET S.S. Earth. O' Jealousical HUMAN's!
O', YE/YO & SHMO. O' HUUMATE(s); Beware them "N-i-C-O-L-A-T-i-A-N-"s! {Beck, O'; Reilly & CO').