The Fox /GOP version of Christianity has already betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.....

[kpete]

I was betrayed by Republican religion: What my years as a Christian fundamentalist taught me about right-wing faith
The political form of Christianity, championed by "The 700 Club" and Fox News, is selling a powerful snake oil
EDWIN LYNGAR

.........................

The political version of Christianity is first and foremost a media construct, like so much of our lives these days. It’s championed by Fox News, the 700 Club and a parade of has-beens and never weres, selling the “prosperity gospel” like so much snake oil. It’s a powerful and toxic stew that is as relevant to Jesus as professional wrestling or a discarded Playboy. Conservative Christianity in America is less a religion and more of a secret handshake, a group signifier of exclusion and moral superiority. Its swaggering and masculine cruelty is at once its greatest weakness and most attractive feature for working class white people who have seen their lifestyles and power eroded...

I could fill a dozen essays with examples of Bible verses that contradict the core ideas and statements of conservative candidates, politicians and talking heads, but it’s a waste of time. No matter what the politicians and pundits claim to believe, they are only using faith to exploit an angry and ignorant populace with a collective Bible literacy that wouldn’t fill a shot glass.

As the Republican base becomes both grayer and whiter, more homogenous and religious, fake Christianity will become an even more important wedge for conservatives to drive between people and their self-interest. We don’t care if a Republican politician throws grandma out of the nursing home or takes food stamps from poor people, so long as he weeps during Sunday service. The problem with America isn’t greed, out of control capitalism or the perversion of democracy with moneyed interests—it’s that we don’t go to church enough or we aren’t cruel enough to our gay nephew.

The Fox News/GOP version of Christianity has already betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and would do so again, just to get the matching set of spinning rims. Even though it’s a 21st century fabrication, it still has power and danger. Liberal Christians and anyone who values a secular republic need to stop pretending it’s been defeated.


http://www.salon.com/2015/08/17/i_was_betrayed_by_republican_religion_what_my_years_as_a_christian_fundamentalist_taught_be_about_right_wing_faith/

[PatrickforO]

1. I lament this as well

The essence of Christianity can be found in Matthew 5-7. These crazy Christians have forgotten about love, tolerance, forgiveness.

30 pieces of silver.

Yes.

[Fred Sanders]

2. I wonder how much of Christian magical thinking happens in media corporate HQ's or are they

immune from religiosity and entirely neutral?

Which is why the mass media barely notices how extremist religion in the GOP is controlling the agenda of the entire party, because it is a myth?

[jwirr]

6. I would guess that they use it as a tool. Religion is the opiate of the.....

corporations to use on the people.

[merrily]

7. You seem confused. Corporations ARE people, my friend.

[jwirr]

10. Oh, darn I forgot.

[R. P. McMurphy]

17. I'll believe corporations are people . . .

when Texas executes one.

[merrily]

21. It's done all the time, but it's called corporate dissolution.

[Populist_Prole]

19. Because it doesn't cost the plutocrats any money

Which is why the plutocrats tolerate christian magical thinking, even if they dislike it.

[modrepub]

3. Who's Closer to God?

In my mind the basic question that divides the "us and them" is Who is closer to God? On one side are those that think it's the rich (and powerful) since they obviously have the blessing of God and those who are poor have been rejected and punished by God. The other side believes the poor (and powerless) are closer to God.

From my history lessons it's obvious that the first Christians fit into the latter category. I can't help but think that the humility of the early Christians made a good impression on most people and enabled their cult to gain converts and acceptance during the first few centuries of its existence.

[Thav]

15. You've hit the crux of modern conservative Christian thinking.

"I'm rich because God has blessed me for being a good Christian." This is in spite of many preachings from Jesus that those who are rich in wealth have a much harder time getting into heaven, and fall easier into sin. The rich may have been blessed with wealth, but what they do with it truly reflects their heart. Do they support honorable charitable causes, or do they use their money to bend people to their will and force their will on others? Are they going to use their wealth to honor God, or are they listening to Satan while saying it's "God's Will?"

I'm of the belief that it is easier for the poor to be closer to God - as they appreciate and recognize blessings more, whereas wealthy people believe it is their own cunning and wisdom that has more to do with their wealth, than a blessing from God.

[n2doc]

4. The fundies believe in a permanent get out of jail card

You can do whatever evil you want to do, break every commandment, but so long as you 'accept Jesus into your Heart' you are good to go. At least, that is how I understand the 'born again-ers'

[merrily]

8. Even long after you accept Jesus into your heart, you can sin, confess and repent, then go and sin

no more.

Until the next time.

See, for just one example, Jimmy Swaggart.

Some bits in the NT do speak of an unforgivable sin or two, but that's not entirely consistent with other parts of the NT, so never mind.

[Initech]

11. Oh how I miss Frank Zappa.

This song is perfect for this thread:

"Just remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over." - FZ

[ChazInAz]

14. Vlad the Impaler counted on this.

There are many monasteries, churches and convents in Wallachia that were founded and/or supported by that horrible fellow. Apparently he was trying to buy his way into heaven while maintaining a rule of terror.

[Populist_Prole]

20. To the fundies, it's faith, not "works"

It's the faith alone meme that allows them to brush aside any cognitive dissonance of them being nasty SOBs to their fellow man while claiming to be "a good christian".

[MisterP]

24. heck, that's our own party's central problem: "who cares about their record or if they act like a

Dem should? they have a *D after their name*. Q.E. fuckin' D."

[Uncle Joe]

5. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[Initech]

9. In case you haven't seen John Oliver's awesome expose on Prosperity Gospel bullshit...

Here it is in all its glory (pun intended ):

[classof56]

22. I'm K&R'ing this thread so I can watch this video again, soon and often.

Thanks, Jon, for speaking the truth, and thanks, Initech, for posting.

[zeemike]

12. Been saying this for years.

But not so precisely and with authority.
These "Christians" are in reality the new Pharisees.

[ybbor]

13. I use the Pharisee analogy often

It is the "HEY, look at how holy I am!" When they are really acting like the Michigan GOPers when no one is around.

I may no longer go to church, but I still try to do the best I can for those less fortunate than me. And Lord knows, I am just barely getting by myself. My daughter also see this and for her birthday party last year she asked for donations to the Food Gatherers, our local food bank, instead of presents. She was only turning 7!

But enough about how "holy" I am.

[zeemike]

25. You are not holy but human.

That is how humanity is suposed to be, before it was perverted by materialism.

[Enthusiast]

16. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[rwsanders]

18. I'm not a bible scholar but...

I've challenged bible school graduates and pastors with this:
Let's list the issues by party, then let's go through the bible and see how things line up.
None of them has yet to accept the challenge. Especially after one home church allowed me to do one on the environment. Their jaws were dropping the entire time.
But so many of the churches teach the right wing platform rather than the bible. My wife and I have gotten to the point where if we have to look for a church, we ask that straight up before we attend. But in many it still sneaks in. I don't know if they don't realize the source of what they are saying or if they are trying to be sneaky, but the one I hate is that "our country started going downhill when they took prayer out of schools"
So everything was great before 1964? We even heard this in a black church.
Another favorite was when I was explaining Revelation 11:18 to a co-worker at a state environmental agency, but he was still so sold on political Christianity that he searched multiple translations until he found 1 that said "destroy those that destroy the world" instead of "destroy those that destroy the earth" so he could continue to believe that protecting the environment wasn't a Christian value.

[senz]

23. Conservative "Christianity" is an excuse to feel superior and abuse others

And that is the core desire of all conservatives.