NY Seminarians to protest Republican convention

[realFedUp]

For those who are progressive Christians, this website looks
interesting:
http://religiousliberal.blogspot.com/2004/08/some-interesting-news-items.html

http://chuckcurrie.blogs.com/chuck_currie/2004/08/seminarians_for.html

Seminarians For Change

A Religious Liberal Blog made mention today about seminarians getting ready to protest the Republican National Convention in New York. Great news. Here is the press release from the website of the The Social Action Caucus at Union Theological Seminary:

New York, July 2004 - As people of faith we are children of God and our allegiance is first to the kingdom of God. This core principle of faith and unity is why seminarians from across New York - including Union Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary and New York Theological Seminary - are gathering in a spirit of worship, meditation and prayer on Sunday, August 29th, during the Republican National Convention. Concerned people of all faiths and political persuasions will be gathering together with one unifying premise: government is a moral issue. The 2004 elections will define our lives, spirituality and communities in ways more urgent and complex than a simple map of red and blue states ever could.

As future religious leaders, we believe the role of religion in society is that of provider and healer, to be a voice of conscience that demands accountability, reconciliation and justice. We believe all people of faith should be involved in the political process, especially to exercise their right to vote, and that the role of clergy is to provide education on the issues and promote an affirming and uplifting role for religion in public life. Our God is a God of justice who believes in the dignity, integrity and value of each human being.

That is why we are gathering on Sunday, August 29th to pray for change for the future of our country in this election year. Record deficits, record job loss, more people under-employed and uninsured in America than ever before, unprecedented limitations on our civil liberties, under-funding of education, unstable alliances with our allies and the threat of terrorism increased by the ever-unwelcome presence of our military in Iraq - these things suggest that no one is currently free to fulfill their potential as children of God created equally in God’s image. We need strong, moral leadership. Islam, Judaism and Christianity all admonish us to take care of the poor, the outcast. Join us in worship On Sunday, August 29th and pray with us that our faith might lead us to elect and guide our leaders to do God’ will in these times.

continued-

[DeepModem Mom]

1. I am so gratified to hear voices like those raised in the Sixties...

being raised again. I wonder if the kids know that Christian priests and ministers marched shoulder to shoulder with civil rights marchers, and that Jews were particularly in the forefront of the movement for social change and an end to the Vietnam war? There were no voices being raised from the religious elements we hear today, drowning out all others.

[kwolf68]

2. I can't wait

When more Christians become Liberal (or vica versa) you will see them really expose the horrific hypocrisy of the Christian Right.

I am far from a Bible Thumper, but the teachings of Christ don’t look anything like what the Republican Party is about. He wasn’t a man of hate, bigotry, war, revenge, selfishness, greed, materialism, and exploitation-all core doctrines of the Conservative ideology.

I would be quite presumptuous to assume Jesus would “vote Democratic” if he were here today, I see nothing that leads me to believe he would be voting Republican.

The core philosophy of Liberalism IS VERY MUCH aligned with the teachings of all religions. This is the paradox of the entire situation. The Conservative philosophy of social Darwinism counters everything Christ taught.

While us Liberals may have not always done it the right way in the past, the underlying message of our philosophy is one of Peace over War, Love over Hate, Reconciliation over Revenge, Selflessness over Selfishness, Sharing over Greed, Empathy over Disdain, Compassion over loathing is one that Jesus Christ taught, as did every other religious leader worth his/her salt.

I don’t care how you slice it, the religious right does nothing but prostitute “God” to advance their most anti-God agenda.

There is probably not a group of people I have as much of a problem with as this crowd.

I believe (and hope) that the Democratic Party begins to get an influx of people of faith to challenge the basic assumptions laid down by the far-right. When they really get outside of their niche’ issues and ideology they will find their basic ideological assumptions are and have been a complete fraud to their faith.

[realFedUp]

3. Good points

and I think if the media really looked, there
are many, many progressive and Democratic religious
people out here. Many social programs begin in
churches...ones that don't endorse a candidate for
office.

[kwolf68]

4. Very true

Thing is, the “Liberal Christians” are much quieter.

I attended a Methodist Church near Richmond, Va before I moved to NOVA and we had a Sunday School class where we talked about “Hot Potatoes” Christians were afraid to touch. Issues like Homosexuality, AIDS, Trophy Hunting, War, etc…

I was the ONLY ONE espousing a Liberal perspective. We had 18 or 19 people in the class…Finally, after the class had ended I had 3 people come up to me and say, “You made some great points”, but most importantly they said, “I agree with you.”

I was thinking, “Why the heck didn’t you people say anything?”

The Pastor (who I suspect is Liberal) did a great job of keeping the perspectives broad. Although, he surely didn’t advance his ideology. The only reason I said he was “Liberal” is because he “UNDERSTOOD” the perspective of us Liberals.

Typically, Conservatives DO NOT understand WHY we are Liberal so they concoct these hapless generalizations about our “agenda.” This pastor understood the deep roots of our ideology and he seemed respectful of them. If he was NOT a Liberal, he was the best damn Non-Liberal I have ever met.

My point is, those Christian Liberals are being drowned out by the fanatical zealots on the far-right, NOT because they don’t exist, but because the 700-Club Types scream the loudest.

The way I responded to a Christian Conservative friend of mine was, “You Christian Conservatives keep fighting to keep God on the dollar bill and keep God in the Pledge, and the Christian Liberals will be working to fight poverty and disease.”

Same way with Kerry v. Bush in the war. Bush talks war…But it was Kerry who was man enough to go serve in it. I don’t think our Democratic Party knows just how right we are when we stick to our principles.

[realFedUp]

5. You are correct

your point-
My point is, those Christian Liberals are being drowned out by the fanatical zealots on the far-right, NOT because they don’t exist, but because the 700-Club Types scream the loudest.

I agree, less insane Christians just go about
doing good work quietly....

[kwolf68]

7. African-Americans also at play

The religious aspect is also deeply involved in the black community and I suspect black churches and community leaders will get more and more active as the dreams of a right-wing global empire continue unabated.

And heaven help us if the black vote ANYWHERE is disenfranchised again…can you say MUTINY? And who the hell could blame em?

[TheReligiousLeft]

6. We're taking religion back

Check this out if you haven't seen this one yet.<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x748112>

[kwolf68]

8. Tony Campolo

In my story about about my Sunday School Class...The Book we discussed was written by Campolo.

I guess it proves my belief that my preacher was progressive, because we discussed the book in class.

Great points all the way around in that book...