It's about evangelism, evangelicals, and why they are so dangerous

[AverageOldGuy]

House Speaker Mike Johnson is an unabashed "evangelical Christian," a term that is applied to a lot of individuals and groups today, mainly to those who seek to force their version of Christianity on the rest of us.

And why do they do this, try to force their beliefs on us even to the point of arguing that the US is a "Christian nation" and our laws should be based on Biblical laws? Because that's what they have been "called" to do.

I know "evangelical Christians" and "evangelical Christianity" because I was born (1944) and reared in rural South Mississippi, grew up as a white supremacist Southern Baptist, became uncomfortable with what I was hearing from the pulpit, escaped to college at age 18, read some dangerous books, and have never returned -- except to march in Selma and Montgomery and Birmingham in the 1960's and continue to piss off my MAGA relatives and friends in my old age.

The word "evangelize" -- and its other forms, "evangelism," "evangelical" -- comes from the Church Latin evangelizare, "to spread or preach the Gospel," with the Greek root euangelizesthai, or "bring good news."

According to the Gospel of Mark, Christians are ordered by Jesus to go into the world and "bring good news."

Mark chapter 16 verse15, which purports to be the words of Jesus, is translated variously with the same meaning in each translation.

15 And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

The writings of the Apostle Paul make up the bulk of the Christian New Testament and Paul's evangelism is held up as the example for all Christians to follow. Not only did Paul "proclaim the good news of Jesus," he CONVERTED people from whatever spiritual beliefs they held to Paulian Christianity and he encouraged them to convert others. It is from this period of Christianity that "evangelizing" went from "spreading the good news" to converting the heathen to Christianity (by any means possible, by the sword if need be, which is how we converted the "heathen Indians" in the USofA)).

Of all the world's religions, two are evangelizing faiths: Christianity and Islam. Some argue that their methods are the same.

Muslims do “evangelism.” It is a duty in Islam called da’wa. In Islamic dogma, da’wa means “to invite people to Islam.” It is the act of making an appealing message, calling people to embrace the faith proclaimed by Muhammad, as described in the Quran (Q 3:104; 3:110; 16:125; 41:33). The da’wa focuses on exclusive claims of Allah’s strict monotheism and Muhammad’s prophethood. As Islam spread from its founding in Arabia into Europe and Asia, conquered peoples were converted to Islam -- by persuasion or the sword, similar to the spread of Christianity.

This is why the likes of Mike Johnson and his "Christian nationalist" brethren -- including Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett -- are so dangerous:
-- they are CALLED BY GOD to preach their beliefs, and,
-- they are CALLED BY GOD TO CONVERT OTHERS to their beliefs, and,
-- they are CALLED BY GOD TO RULE OVER THE REST OF US, and,
-- if we don't like it, they are CALLED BY GOD to use the sword -- or the federalized National Guard.

And, no, I have not been drinking or smoking ganja and I have taken my meds today. This is serious.

[Aristus]

1. I always found it amusing that although Jesus said, if a town or city did not want to hear the message of

the Apostles, to "shake the dust from their feet", and leave those places, and go to areas more receptive.

Today's evangelicals don't do that. They abuse the law to force their beliefs upon other people. It's all about power, domination, and oppression.

[Farmer-Rick]

8. And they ignore the passage about praying in a closet

Matthew 6:6-7 King James Version (KJV)
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Today's Christians will pray anywhere someone is watching. It's all about the show.

[jayschool2013]

31. The only "verse" that matters

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ..."

Bill of Rights, Chapter 1, Verse 1

[Farmer-Rick]

40. Oh I agree

But Christians don't even follow their own Bible. They just pick and choose the parts they like.

Most of the Bible is full of sex, massacre, slavery and magical talking animals and events. It contradicts itself in so many places.

Anyway, I'm an atheist and think if you are going quote the Bible, you should quote the parts of it you don't like too.

[Walleye]

2. Absolutely correct, humanity is not their first priority. It's God's kingdom

Why they choose to participate in the secular government I just don’t know, except they think they can own it. I guess that’s what God tells them

[pandr32]

3. It is ever-changing mythology.

[Dave Bowman]

10. By Zeus, I believe that you are on to something!

[progressoid]

13. Yes, but we have to deal with this version,

[CrispyQ]

4. They didn't listen to their own.

[progressoid]

19. Hell no. They welcomed them in.

[calimary]

36. Reminds me of something I learned in Catholic school.

Karl Marx famously said, “Religion is the opium of the people”. That really made sense to me. Learned that through outside reading, not something the nuns taught in class.

[OMGWTF]

5. My narcissist mother is a Talibangelical who blew up her family in the name of Jesus

She had a grand mal seizure that left her bruised and unconscious for a day, complete with soiled pants. Her doctor told her that the law said she couldn't drive for six months. She said that all she had to do was pray harder and continued to drive. I told her that pray harder defense wouldn't hold up in a court of law, but after the Alabama SC decision, I'm not so sure.

RELIGION RUINS EVERYFKINGTHING!!

[bluestarone]

6. I have always thought that there is only one way to deal with religious thoughts, that say have faith.

The religious right that say things like, He is the chosen one, God tells me TFG is the one, God tells me to be against abortion. If they talk like that, then FORGET trying to change their mind. No way will you. Just don't waste anymore of your time. These people are a God cult. Move on to other voters, and hope the hell we get these religious looney's out of politics!! Separation of church and state!! That's the ONLY way for us!!

[twodogsbarking]

7. I am tired of people who quote the bible. Just post some fortunes from your Chinese cookies.

[John Farmer]

9. The real mystery is

why are evangelicals so un-Christlike?

[Dave Bowman]

12. They are damn hypocrites.

[Dave Bowman]

11. These creepy weirdos sure are very dangerous and it seems

that their way of thinking is spreading, like a nasty contagious disease.

[StarryNite]

15. Christian Covidicus

And yes, they are creepy and dangerous.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

14. You can't argue or reason with a god.

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

26. Yes you can!

And then you blow it away with your Bird of Prey

[Martin Eden]

16. "CALLED BY GOD" -- God's voice in their head, or their own ego?

The article cites the call to spread the word and to convert, but does not reference biblical passages calling for use of the sword or other means to force their religion onto others.

THAT is the calling of their own self righteousness and EGO, which is a manifestion of their sense of superiority over the judgment and the rights of others.

It is narrow minded zealotry, and un-American. Religious freedom is the right to worship the faith of our choosing, or none at all -- NOT forcing our own beliefs onto others.

I understand that many Evangelicals sincerely believe, however misguided, their efforts to make America a "Christian" nation is doing God's work and is necessary for the salvation of our country.

Their efforts might engender less hostility if not for the sheer hypocrisy of the political ideology and monied intetests they have embraced.

They are NOT "Pro Life" in so many of the policies they support and push. The latest IVF issue can deter couples from starting families, and forcing women to full term with unviable and unwanted pregnancies including by rape can threaten women's lives and change their course away from having subsequent children. Their intolerance for LGBTQ people has driven youngsters to suicide, and fostered violence against them.

Evangelicals also support policies which favor the rich over the poor, and deregulating polluting industries which spew environmental toxins that shorten lives and cause myriad afflictions especially hazardous to the embryo and fetus they ostensibly care so much about.

Finally, they essentially worship the would-be dictator who is eager to turn America into an authoritarian state like that of his idol, Vlad Putin. Our freedoms are threatened on multiple fronts by holier-than-thou Evangelicals. If they are actually doing "God's work" then I want nothing to do with such an evil entity.

[moniss]

17. Good OP

and sadly we still in America do little to really come to grips with admitting how much of our conduct towards Native Americans was driven by the "convert the savage" justification. The Hollywood movies/TV shows are all mostly predominant about the tribes of the Plains and Southwest and usually all about military conflict. Hollywood still doesn't really show us the truth of the Iroquois for example and how they lived. Conflict sells I guess. How about a real story of the "Trail of Tears"? How about a realistic portrayal of what the Spanish Mission system did to the tribes in California? The destruction of tribes and then the subsequent horrors of the "Schools" all had the "convert the savage" mentality at it's core.

So we wait for a movie that will never come about the fight for the return of the Black Hills. We wait for a movie to tell the real truth about the "Schools" the people involved and what they did. Suffice it to say that we know as fact that a huge amount of knowledge and wisdom gets lost through the ages whether, for example, it is Alexandria, the Mayans or the Native American tribes. Sometimes there are more than one way to answer questions. Sometimes people want to control those answers.

" It is hard to follow one great vision in this world of darkness and of many changing shadows. Among those men get lost."

Black Elk

[Warpy]

18. Goldwater was wrong about much but he was right about evangelists

and he did his best to warn the Republican Party about them.

The beginning of the end came when Reagan actively courted the religious nutbars as a voting bloc. He was too stupid to realize what would happen when they were voted into office.

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

27. Goldwater would have been better (err...less paranoid?) than Nixon, he should have run in '68

No Watergate and the treason with North Vietnam and the rest.

[Trust_Reality]

20. Similar for me (1943, Missouri)

Our church (yes, Southern Baptist) was not obviously racist, but they were occasionally very concerned about helping the people of Africa find Jesus -- as indicated by fund raising -- after making sure we ourselves accepted Jesus as our personal savior (saved from spending eternity in hell because we are all miserable sinners) thanks to Eve and her friend Adam, the two who procreated the entire planet.

It took me until about age 30 to begin actually escaping the BS even though I had questioned it a few times previously.

I have tried to be respectful of "believers" and their religious situations, but based on what they are now doing to this country, I think it is time to speak out more forcefully. I absolutely agree they are a danger. They live in a different reality. They generally have little respect for broader mankind based society. They are oriented toward dictators -- the Big Dictator is called God. They are dichotomous thinkers -- either-or thinking -- no compromising. Yes, they are "called" by God. They need to be confronted and challenged, humiliated if necessary.

[CCExile]

21. I'm surprised that everyone doesn't already know this!

Those of us from the south, or have half a family full of evangelcals, have known this for decades. We mistakenly believe that everyone else knows this as well! It is an unaddressed mental illness. Fuck 'em!

[LiberalLovinLug]

22. Unfortunately, the "moderate" Christians uphold the radical Christofascists

People don't want to hear that. Especially those who just quietly attend their moderate Christian churches. The places that don't talk politics. Just a place to preach from God's holy book to encourage the flock to be nicer, be thankful, pray every day.

It all sounds harmless, even good.

But its the same thing as "moderate" Republicans giving shade to the radical right Trump cult. The news media still gives any Republican the respect of them being representative of the party of Goldwater, Reagan, George Bush senior... So that the destroyers can wreak havoc on the nation.

I know, I grew up in an Evangelical house. My parents, one who is now gone, are the sweetest, wonderful parents...about most things. But they and most who attend church as Christians, are feeding the narrative that believing in an invisible all powerful creature and the book written by the first cult follower humans, as...well...gospel. It is normalized by these folks.

And once some of that supernatural belief system is accepted, its easy for the more crazy ones to extrapolate further.

Europe is so far ahead of us in North America. They have gone through many centuries of Religion dictating their lives, and now, mostly, have a healthy disdain of organized religion. I wish we'd have matured sooner by now across the pond

[ancianita]

23. I hear you. These leaders are dangerous, but Pew and 538 show charts that show they don't represent most Christians.

The poll was during a midterm year, but media hype amplifies these leaders as representing more Christians than they actually do.



Agree that these christian nationalist leaders are dangerous, but they're out of touch with the majority of Americans, and might not pose the level of threat folks seem afraid of.

I prefer to take my cues from Joe Biden, who's better informed about Christian voters, and whose numbers are undoubtedly up to date.

[Caliman73]

32. The problem is that they have the ear, or are actually political leaders within the Republican Party

There was a time when right wing evangelicals were a fringe group and up until the 1960's and 1970's had stayed out of politics, but since then with the Falwell's and Swaggart's, the FRC, TBN and Conservative Catholic groups joining the Conservative Coalition along with White Supremacists, that fringe has a big influence on the Republican Party.

Numbers are small but because actual Conservative numbers are kind of small, they are a loud part of the Conservative coalition and they are here for there pony, like the White Supremacists that the Conservatives have been playing footsies with the last few decades.

It has less to do with Religion than with Political Ideology. Religion is just the hook they use to bring along the foot soldiers. It is more convincing when God is telling you to do it, to avoid the fires of hell, than if some rich person is telling you to do it to give them more power over everyone including YOU.

[ancianita]

34. You may be right that they have leaders' ear. But it's Americans' views of them that are driving the vote toward the

mainline Christian Joe Biden. Factor in the big donor losses their 'dear leader' is having.

Here's another look at how Americans view religious extremists.

Evangelical Christians received some of the lowest ratings by other faith groups.

Researchers said: “Overall, similar shares of the whole public say they view evangelical Christians favorably (28%) and unfavorably (27%). But among Americans who are not themselves born-again or evangelical Protestants, the balance of opinion is much more negative (32% unfavorable vs. 18% favorable). Some of this sentiment is tied up with politics: Democrats who are not born-again or evangelical Protestants are far more likely than non-evangelical Republicans to view evangelicals negatively (47% vs. 14%, respectively).”

Overall, those surveyed expressed more favourable than unfavourable attitudes towards Protestants (30 per cent to ten per cent) and Roman Catholics (34 per cent favourable to 18 per cent unfavourable).

Attitudes to atheists, Muslims, and Mormons were less positive, with more people holding unfavourable views than favourable. Only 15 per cent held positive views of Mormons, compared with 25 per cent who said that they held very or somewhat unfavourable views.

The survey also found that knowing someone from a faith group was likely to mean holding a more favourable opinion of that faith group as a whole, although Evangelical Christians and Mormons were the exception to this. Those who knew an Evangelical Christian or Mormon personally were more likely than those who did not to express a positive view, but they were also slightly more likely to offer a negative view of Evangelicals as a whole.

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/24-march/news/world/evangelicals-not-popular-in-us-says-survey

It's not helpful to Biden in 2024 to feel fear and threat that don't reflect reality.
Fear motivates the GOTV, I suppose, but we also know that most voters know they are trying to save democracy and that their 81 year old Christian incumbent presidential candidate has proven he will do just that.

[dlk]

24. Religious zealots are dangerous

Throughout history, more blood has been shed in the name of religion than for any other reason.

[Mblaze]

25. It's interesting that the phrase is

To “preach the good news” rather than practice the good teachings of Christ and lead by example. I sense the birth of marketing in the Christian church, starting with John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Again, the focus on “belief” rather than good action through following Christ’s directives.

We see this being played out in the lame “Christianity” practiced by political Evangelicals.

[Caliman73]

28. It is more than evangelism. It is Dominionism.

A corruption of evangelism, which as Aristus said in their response, was a more passive call to "spread the Good News". The call was to share the Gospel and if people reject it, then you move on.

Religion has always been a tool of politics. As much as some have wanted to "remain pure" and stay out of "secular" things like politics and governance, religion has always been used by those in power to move the masses.

"Converting the heathen" has been a rallying cry for people seeking to conquer new lands and take the material wealth. The Spanish did it, the French, the English, Arab groups under the guise of spreading Islam, etc...

The problem with "evangelicals" is not that they are called to share the Good News. The problem is that they are Conservative, and have a hierarchical view of the world, and as such, their ideas, their beliefs, and their points of view are superior and require the subservience of "lesser peoples". Religion is just a motivator, not the cause.

There are Liberal evangelicals who focus on Social Justice because their liberalism guides them to apply the teachings of Christ that focus on service and helping others.

It isn't so much about being Evangelical as it is about being Conservative and right wing.

[leanforward]

29. I'm all in with this thread

In my early days mom had us in church, a lot. Later, with military brat travel that leads to diversity and then education and my own travel, religion needs to stay out of everyday affairs.
Let’s not forget the French Revolution.

[amb123]

30. These Fanatics take "Onward Christian Soldiers" LITERALLY.

Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to WAR
Christ the royal master, leads against the FOE

They call all whose oppose them the Soldiers of Satan, the Apostles of the Anti-Christ.

They must be taken seriously.

[PlutosHeart]

33. KICK.

[lindysalsagal]

35. Now that politics are being driven by religion, it's fair game on this general page.

They're imposing 1st century religious doctrine on the entire US population.

Ok. So, let's see them live the 1st century life:
1. Give up all technology: cell, tv, internet, radio, CD's DVD's. All gone.
2. Give up modern farming: go out and live in the woods, catch fish and plant your corn yourself. Try to find water that's not polluted. 3. Give up transportation and live on horseback or canoe.
4. Give up modern medicine and that includes pharmaceuticals.

AND SHOW THE REST OF US YOUR"RE LIVING THE 1ST CENTURY LIFE!!!!

[jaxexpat]

37. The Americanized Evangelicals will fold like tissue paper the moment it costs them things.........

they're not willing to part with. They're a poorly organized mob, like the Jan. 6th clowns. They'll depend on their charismatic leaders to maintain some momentum and lead from the front. But they have no popular calling even among their flocks. I don't think these TeeVee preacher types have much interest in upsetting their business model. They will not seek martyrdom and are crowd-wise enough to avoid the fray. Arrest a couple and it will fold.

They're all mouth, inspired by their own whining. Those jerks in that city park in Eagle Pass bother me more than these religious sheep. Mostly because they may actually have some sort of chain-of-command. Hell, they might even fire a round or two before they throw down their weapons and beg the Feds to let them just go home. Biden needs to push the issue legally as close as the law allows. There are a lot more people for peaceful and humane than for razor wire and breaking up families. It's not a vote-and-see thing. It's a law-and-order thing. Bottom line: Texas governors have already done more than their share of damage to democracy this century.

[Wounded Bear]

38. K&R...nt

[Permanut]

39. Polls apparently are showing that the dominionists comprise a minority of evangelicals .

And it has been implied that this minority presents little threat to our democracy.

I submit for your consideration that in 1943, only about 10% of the German people were Nazis. Something on the order of 7 to 8 million out of 71 million.

[leanforward]

41. I'm in complete agreement

In my early days mom had us in church, a lot. Later, with military brat travel that leads to diversity and then education and my own travel, religion needs to stay out of everyday affairs.
Let’s not forget the French Revolution.

[OldBaldy1701E]

42. Of course, it is serious.

But, you don't speak ill of religion. It is one of the things we as a society refuse to let go of. Our need to have something to blame for our own bullshiat. ('God spoke to me and commanded me do it!' comes to mind.) How easy it is when we as a species can just rape, pillage, and murder, only to just go blame it on the guy in the sky, or his nemesis, which is an even easier sell.

https://i.postimg.cc/vmkckJmn/temp-Imageie1-GVh.avif

So, it is all about evangelism, Evangelicals and the danger they present. But, until we stop empowering them by buying into their schtick... oh well...

[redqueen]

43. Yep. Religion is a mind virus.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation has never been more important.

Christianity and Islam should be taught in schools - they should be included along with the other mythologies.