It’s Time to Tell the Truth: Republicans Aren’t Christians

[Scuba]

http://www.forwardprogressives.com/its-time-to-tell-the-truth-republicans-arent-christians/

See, a few decades ago the leaders of the GOP did something very intelligent. History shows one of the easiest ways to manipulate, and control, people is through their religion. You can get people to do horrific things in the name of “their god” by convincing them that their actions are acceptable because they are the true believers, and those they oppose are the “heathens. You see this with radicals of every faith. These radical leaders take a handful of excerpts from whatever book they follow and manipulate millions into believing whatever they want.

Republicans knew two key issues could easily control millions — abortion and homosexuality. Once they identified their two key manipulation points, all they needed to do was tie in whatever political ideology they wanted with these two religious-based beliefs and they could create a political party that was worshiped more like a faith than a political idea.

As I’ve said before, whether you believe in Jesus Christ or not is not the issue, what he symbolized and his story aren’t really debatable. He spent his life helping the poor, sick and needy. He never once spoke about homosexuality or abortion. He embraced those from the lowest rungs of society by saying that those for whom much had been given, much is expected. He taught love, hope, compassion and forgiveness. He warned against those who would manipulate the word of God for their own selfish ambitions. He opposed greed and encouraged giving. You know, the exact oppose of what Republicans stand for.

...

I can’t count the times I’ve heard people say they don’t consider themselves Christians any longer because of the ignorance of the Republican Party. Millions have abandoned Christianity because these people have hijacked a faith to distort it for their own political gains. It’s time real Christians take back their faith from these people who’ve turned so many sour on Christianity. It’s time they rise up against these ignorant fake Christians and call them out directly on the truth. They don’t follow Christianity.

[Dash87]

1. While I would call them Christians, they're terrible Christians.

An example of this would be claiming that Socialism is the worst thing that could ever happen the US, while at the same time claiming that America needs more Christian values. Truly facepalm worthy.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. I think you would call these Republicans "Kristians".

You, know, kinda like the Krab they put in the imitation seafood salad.

[Populist_Prole]

3. I wish I could say my experiences with others mirror the authors, but alas I can't

"I can’t count the times I’ve heard people say they don’t consider themselves Christians any longer because of the ignorance of the Republican Party" I really wish it were so, because I've never ran into a single person who did so.

It's been my experience that I can't count the number of christians I've known for many many years that have become much more conservative, and, much more overt in their "christianity" as well. They use it as just another tool in their arsenal to define how conservative they are. They are true, snarling and angry, gun-toting, corporate jesus fans.

[jberryhill]

4. Well then, I'm pleased to meet you

When the church at which I was a member used the membership roll to send out a mailer on behalf of an R candidate, I left, never turned back, and have been happier for it since.

[el_bryanto]

5. No True Scotsman

I agree somewhat with the sentiment - but the truth is that these impulses are prevalent in Christianity, and have been for centuries. Look at kicking the Jews out of Spain or the witch drownings/burnings. There is a part of Christianity that likes to persecute those that it sees as different from themselves, be it Jews or Witches or Homosexuals.

Now that's not the whole story of Christianity (I consider myself a Christian as well), and many Christians and myself would love tos ee Christians focus on the more loving generous sides of Christianity. But we have to be honest and say that this is a part of Christianity while working against those tendencies.

The other problem is that some believe that those persecutions are the whole story of Christianity, which is also problematic.

Bryant

[Phillip McCleod]

6. oh fuck.. another 'no true scotsman' fallacy thread.

Liberal Christians are no more 'real' than fundies.

Hello? The Apocalypse? That's Jesus too. And don't give me that 'Christians' don't believe in the o.t. b.s. Jews do.. are you saying Jews are as misguided as Republicans because they prefer god the father to some false prophet?