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The Year of the Religious Moderate
From Rick Warren's Saddleback Forum, to Jeremiah Wright, John Hagee and Rod Parsley, 2008 represents for faith in the American political narrative a quintessential Dickensian moment, the best and the worst of times. This Presidential election may very well serve as the healthy convergence of faith and politics.
Historically, the unhealthy monopoly of faith and God by the Republican Party created a religious junta where people of good will married religious convictions with one party in essence contextualizing the Democratic Party as the party of secular humanism and the Republican Party as the party of God. Consequently, Evangelicals became tools of political expediency and the Democratic Party became the anti-evangelical oracles of a post modern moral relativist ideology.
Suddenly, in some sort of parallel universe juxtaposition, the Democrats nominate a born- again candidate committed to abortion reduction, living out the teachings of Christ and unashamed of his Christian faith, while the Republicans nominate an ex-Episcopalian who in 2000 identified Evangelicals as religious zealots.
At the end of the day, this election demonstrates, to the bewilderment of our European brethren, that America thrives not in spite of her faith but because of her faith. As long as we continue to live by the political, legal and moral framework outlined in our Constitution and Declaration of Independence, we will continue to be a people of faith, faith that politics cannot ignore.
We stand not as a Christian nation but a nation of religious pluralism. We stand as a viable option to religious totalitarianism and offer the world a model where the separation of church and state enables us to live as neighbors that although we live within the framework of our institutions, we do not fret in partnering for the common good.
Obama and McCain can engage the faithful their respective campaigns by establishing the moral framework necessary in order to address the pressing issues of our 21st century experience such as poverty, Aids, global warming, poverty, and injustice. This is the year where the Democrats found Jesus, the Republican Cathedral shook and American people of faith declared that the lamb trumps the elephant and the donkey.
By
Samuel Rodriguez
|
August 28, 2008; 6:18 AM ET
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Posted by: NC Voter | September 12, 2008 5:16 PM
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Brilliant. The big story is how faith has shifted ground but not disappeared as you describe in this piece. This against a backdrop of an increased need to understand our Muslim neighbors. I voted for Bush in 2004 because I was against abortion. I was voting along evangelical lines. I still think of myself as an evangelical but now issues of racial division trump the abortion and gay marriage concerns. I embrace Barack Obama. I welcome Sally Quinn's questioning.... how can an evangelical woman put her complex family second and strive to be president. How can evangelical churches continue to promote her as a vicepresidential candidate while having a policy of no women in their own pulpits?
Posted by: Hermine Clouser | September 5, 2008 4:09 PM
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Reply: The Conflict We Chose: By Mark Weisbrot on 'onfaith' sister blog; "postglobal" today:
Note: It is AMERiCA who is the 'EViL EMPIRE" & not Modern Russia! The Tables hath turned & the 'Hand Writing is on the Wall too, Double Standard ‘s U.S.A & un-Friendlys! And
Mother/Father Russia is thee most genuinely Diverse, interfaithed Nation on Holy Cosmic NEBULA-built Space-Ship Earth(s), aka S.S. GAiA, S.S. GEOiD, S.S. TELLUSng something. Not America. Not Europe.
---To Stupid Jealous Americans: note: RUSSiA is the Smartest & Richest on Earth today!
America Violated the 300 Year Clause of the Americans ALASKA PURCHASE & the Czarist Stipulation (Re Gogless if turned Bolshivik or not] where is sais, [translated fron Cyrillic]
"If at any-time the U.S.A. Violates ANY of the Peacefull terms, that on demand, The RUSSiAN Government will pay 1,000 times the original purchase price........"
Att: Sour America, no more Sweet sweet America, HOUSTON, you have a Problem!
Russia Demands the Alaska that Ye Stole!
PS: G-8, russia does not need! nor does China, nor India {will never fill that 'G' void}, hence ye will be not only alone, but check-mated out of the Bank!
PS: Att: U.S. Federal Reserve of Dec.1914 et seq: RETURN The GOLD BULiON That Ye Americans & Friends hath Stolen from Mother/Father RUSSiA et al!
Hence: Russia wants both "ALASKA" & "GOLD" that Ye Hath Stolen from RUSSiA Major! Not Minor!
---
Ps: Russia, Venezualia, Iran, Cuba , China & India are gonna Gang-up on YE! 3rd World War & not 'Cold War' rhis time around ARMAGEDDON Loving & Provacatives, EVANGELiCALS NATiON U.S.A.! Aka Jealousicals, aka EViLGELiCAL & Catholics Nationals!
iMPORTANT: Caucus type Georgians are worse than Gypsy's! And They hath their own Dialect/Lingo. And RUSSiA, the ones whom EDUCATED, FED , Protected & Clothed foe 50n Years, does not want nor like Goergians! They are Devilish with long-crooked noses & snaky faces. A step away from Low Lifes! They are known as the 'People from ABROAD!"! [REfusniks!]! And Russia is right!
PS: Gerigians should Pay for the 22 Million Russians [not Geaorgians] that their 'Father' STAlIN hath Wrought! If JEW(s) can collect Human Wrong 'REPERATIONS" (via national government Moneys) from Germany because of what Catholic-Hitler did, then Georgians (America can chip-in) must pay Russians for what Catholic Stalin ]Georgians, not germany] did Atrocitly !!! OR
Georgians Government, via Mr. [American Satanic Puppet] Mikheil Saakashvili [aka sak-a-sh-ti] must pay the RUSSiAn FEDERAtION 'Reimbursement' for HEALTH, Education, Protection, Housing etc.. expenses that [Hard Working] RUSSiAn (not Americans] Payed Out!!! SO,
America, If Ye want, Ye surely Will Be Destroyed!
So Please STOP pushing Buttons so to spaketh TRUTH (opposite of MYTH)! An d STOP spreading Rumors of 'Cold War!' Note: Ye wish might come TRUE!
---
WHEREFORE: VOTE, "Gridarian Democracy & Trans{finite} Civilization", Healing of Nations & Global Peace & More Good Tidings.."
---
WOW! The Evilgelical Nationalis are getting Scared! SCHAMe SATANS ADvocates & ye Devish schemes!
VOTE: Deport all imported Religion SYSTEMS, not made in America! Time to remove all SECUALR priviliged (not a right) of "ALL" 'IRS Tax Free Status' to All REliGiON(s) not Prophecied nor Borneth in Sweet Sweet America, Whom the "NiCOLAiTAN”s {Enemys of Apocalyptarian Nationals} tried to Hi-jack [attempted Coup D atat] via PULPiT LEGiSLATiON, not from the Seculars Bench!
WARNiNG World: These Evangelical folks are worse than COMMUNiSTS! Not Secular Russia or China et al!
Paid For BY: The American 'EC{LAT{ARiAN'--NATiONALis' Movement & the 'JO{KTAN}ian' Party 2013+
Posted by: Anonymous | August 31, 2008 5:05 AM
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By: Interfaith Nation, US.:
NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., MYSPACE, Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al:
-
According to Federal LAW, "i" Jacob JO...Z, herein NOW, Electronically serve'd "NEWS CORP., Et Al" as per after many many Warnings.
LiVE, FROM:CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK YA!
NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al:
Note To Alot Of WAPO's socalled PRE-APOCALYPTiC 'Moderator(s)", YE All
Are SUPER-STUPiD-STiTiOUSLY Devilishly Jealous of O.U.R. “EC{CLATi}-ON” NEW RelIGiON from Old!
Wow! EC{LAT} 'Not Allowed!
Wow JOK{TAN} 'Not Allowed!
Thank You 'onfaith' & 'postglobal' for allowing me to go Forward in U.S. FEDERAL COURT, after giving al ye Many many FAiR Warnings: For Religious Discrimination, Theft of iNTELLECTUASL Property, Plagiarism etc!
August 28, 2008 6:04 P
.
Live From: CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK YA!
Thank You 'onfaith' & 'postglobal' , after giving Ye many “FAiR” warnings, for allowing me to go Forward in U.S. FEDERAL COURT For 1) Religious Discrimination , 2)Theft of iNTEELECTUAL Property , 3Plagiarism .………………..nth etc!
Originally Posted On 'onfaith' Moderators SUSAN K. SMiTH
Orig posted on 'ONRELIGION' posted On Moderators Susan K. Smith site Posted August 28, 2008 6:04 PM
Posted on 'ONFAiTH' moderator Sue Thistlethwaite site August 28, 2008 6:43 PM
Posted on 'POSTGLOBAL' on moderators STEVEN MUFSON site August 28, 2008 6:48 PM
Posted on Moderators Sally Quinns site 'ONFAITH' August 28, 2008 6:59 PM.
Posted on Moderator Deepak Chopra 'ONFAiTH' cite August 28, 2008 7:15 PM.
Posted on Moderators Susan Jacoby 'ONFAiTH' site August 28, 2008 7:20 PM.
Duly served on 'ONFAiTH' Moderator Greg M. Epstein August 28, 2008 7:23 PM
Onfaith Epstein again August 28, 2008 7:28 PM
Duly served ONFAiTH moderator Welton Gaddy August 28, 2008 7:37 PM
August 28, 2008 7:38 PM
August 31, 2008 3:32 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on August 31, 2008 03:32
Anonymous:
Greg M. Epstein is a Budhhist + Transcendentalist movement organizer, not Ju:
Schame, SCHAME discusting ScHAME on Harvards so called Rabbi Epstein, et al, the judeo-Ju-boy, playing the Devils "Secular + Huminista advocate card.
Hello {world}:
Harvards Mr. Epstein & Ms. Eck hath jealously hijacked the American Word 'SECULAR' (an Apple) and added (+) the American word 'HUMANiST' (orange) and thus Satanically "hiding" his/their "BUDDHiSM" & "TRANSCEDENTAL MOVEMENT" conspiracy in America & Elswhere!
Remember: SECULARiSM is the Religion of Everything , before the Science of Everything, and Zero, Nothing HUMANiST-ic About "IT"!
Preapocalyptic Jealous Split Minded Psychotic, F O O L S!
PS: As told Ye, Ye [NEWS CORP. et al] are Being Suid! Soon After Labor Day!
Amazing () No Grace! Happy Every Day & Happy god hunting!
Originally Posted August 31, 2008 3:06 AM
August 31, 2008 3:14 AM
Posted by: Anonymous | August 31, 2008 3:36 AM
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"How long is the Beast allowed to have authority in Revelations? "
Revelations Chapter 13 tells us that it is 42 months...
... Almost a four-year term of a Presidency...
According to The Book of Revelations the anti-Christ is:
"...a man, in his 40's, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything..."
Do we recognize this description?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Even if you don't believe in the Bible or it's teachings, how can we ignore the fact that this man has such close ties to the Muslim faith and it's beliefs?
And that the Pastor from his church preached hate against America?--No matter how much he may denounce him now, this was his spiritual leader for many years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a recent news broadcast, Barack Obama made this statement with pride, 'We are no longer a Christian nation; we are now a nation of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, . .." To think our forefathers fought and died for the right for our nation to be a Christian nation--then to have this man say with pride that we are no longer that.
How far has this nation come from what our founding fathers intended it to be!
Posted by: Shayna Arnold | August 29, 2008 10:29 AM
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Religion has no place in politics. There is nothing wrong with being Spiritual and the idea that there is some Benevolent All Pervading Intelligence and a connection between all being and that compassion results in the creation of the best future reality for all. But it stops there the rest is mostly Dogma and Fiction.
There is nothing wrong with Spirit being aggressively involved in Politics, in other words giving truth, wisdom and compassion a voice and presence. We need more of this.
And the classic quote from infinite play
"Religion is a creation of man, not God, and is subject to flaws"
Especially in the interpretation
Have you all ever witnessed Church politics? These people are supposed to be representatives for God and Spirit?
This is not to say certain writings are not divinely inspired and are void of spiritual insight and wisdom, but many of the have become tainted by source disconnected ego and organized religion has become an egoic institution to control and subvert, propagators of division, illusion and fiction.
I am sure all the great spiritual teachers are appalled at the commercialization of their work and it’s use in judgment and persecution.
Posted by: Richard Thomas | August 27, 2008 11:37 PM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
Shayna Arnold:
"How long is the Beast allowed to have authority in Revelations? "
Revelations Chapter 13 tells us that it is 42 months...
... Almost a four-year term of a Presidency...
According to The Book of Revelations the anti-Christ is:
"...a man, in his 40's, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything..."
Do we recognize this description?
--------------------------------------------------
Really? From where are you getting this description? I've read revelations, and this appears to be purely conjecture. Islam was not even a religion at the time of the writing of the New Testament, so how could there be a reference to a muslim in Revelations?
It's funny that you would pick Revelations as a chapter to quote, then talk about the founding fathers. Interestingly: Thomas Jefferson omitted it entirely from the Bible he edited, and wrote that he "considered it as merely the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams".[28]
Nice try, but I'm pretty sure there's something in the Bible about lying... correct me if I'm wrong