The Republican Party and the Rise of the “Christian” Sociopath

[Katashi_itto]

As many of you might know, I live in Texas, a state which is part of what’s known as the “Bible Belt.” Needless to say, religion is a very big deal in most areas of the “Bible Belt.” But growing up as a progressive in a very conservative part of the country has been amazing. It’s easy to be a progressive when you’re from a much more liberal part of the country, but I became one as a direct result of what I saw growing up around hypocritical and irrational conservatives.

Especially when it comes to Christianity. See, I’m a Christian but I don’t subscribe to any organized religion.

In fact, I believe organized religion is one of the worst things that’s ever happened to the human race.

It’s human-made laws and rules exploiting faith as a means to control large groups of people. But it always blows my mind to see Republicans go on and on about how they’re the “party for Christian values” considering the policies they support are those of some deranged, greedy sociopath. Not only that, but many of these states in the so-called “Bible Belt” have supported atrocious events in our history.

Many of these are the states that:
Started a war for the right to own other human beings as property.
Opposed giving women the right to vote.
Supported segregation.
Opposed legal interracial marriage.
Opposed the Civil Rights Act.

Read more at: http://www.forwardprogressives.com/republican-party-rise-christian-sociopath/

[truebluegreen]

1. Christianity as it was established--

an imperial religion in service to the Roman Empire, as opposed to what Jesus taught--is a very authoritarian, top-down, "conservative" religion. For millennia it has been about control, and I think you are probably right: that characteristic is a feature of organized religion in general, not a bug.

[WDIM]

2. And they found justification in their organized religion.

For all those things listed they used religion to justify it.

I still dont know how the "christian" right can be pro-war, and hate the poor and be pro-greed and consumerism as much as they are. That is the hypocrisy i see.

[nruthie]

3. A really excellent article.

[Fumesucker]

4. Christians Aren't Perfect

Just Forgiven


I think that non-ironic bumper sticker sums up the attitude fairly well.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Excuse me?

[Fumesucker]

7. Never seen that one?

[Jackpine Radical]

9. Of course; I was just playing with "excuse" & "forgive."

Anyway, my preferred one is

WWJD

What Would Jackpine Do?

[Martin Eden]

15. That looks like a license ...

... to behave as a sociopath.

[el_bryanto]

17. It depends on how you take it

It can be interpreted as such, that's for sure. "We are the elect of God, chosen to be forgiven, therefore what we do, no matter how wicked, is ultimately forgiven."

It could also be taken as a statement of humility. "I know I'm a sinner, I'm far from perfect. I'm grateful to be forgiven, but I have a lot of work to do to become better, more kind, more generous."

I guess it depends on whether you focus that attitude outwards or inwards.

Bryant

[Martin Eden]

18. In the context of the OP is how I took it

Whatever the intent of the person displaying the bumper sticker, it's reasonable to infer a message that Christians are forgiven but others aren't. Not much humility in that.

[el_bryanto]

19. Fair enough. I apologize for wasting your time. nt

[Martin Eden]

20. You didn't waste my time, and I apologize if my reply was offensive.

I didn't intend it to be. And I don't think a humble Christian (as opposed to a sociopathic RWer) intends to be offensive with a bumper sticker message that Christians are forgiven.

All of which goes to show the potential for misunderstanding between intent and how a message can be fairly perceived.

[Zorra]

6. K&R ~ "Christian" Sociopath is a good description. nt

[Initech]

8. Perfect example of a "Christian sociopath": Phil Robertson

He is batshit insane and today said something like Jesus is preventing me from raping and murdering non believers.

[niyad]

10. that psycho belongs in a nice, insulated room somewhere.

[niyad]

11. some of the comments after that article were bizarre.

[Atman]

12. How is an organized religion any different than the government they hate?

Just a different government.

Tithe = tax. Except tithing only pays for big temples and new homes for pedophile priests. At least taxes pay for roads and bridges and schools. Or at least, they're supposed to.

Religion is just a different form of the same type of government they say they hate.

[Yorktown]

13. What are Christian values?

But it always blows my mind to see Republicans go on and on about how they’re the “party for Christian values”

What are Christian values?

Don't steal, don't kill? The golden rule? = universal values.

Don't be gay? = Christian churches range from gay bishops to criminalization.


What are Christian values? Or Muslim values? Can't see them.

[nightscanner59]

14. I endured extraordinary bullying from small minded "christian" conservatives as a youth. To wit:

[Faux pas]

16. I can't think of anything

good religion has done for the world. Ever heard of any atheists wars? I haven't.