Religion
Related: About this forumGood news: Christian group plans revival to protest toxic evangelicalism
From the article:
Christian author and activist Shane Claiborne announced the event on Twitter Wednesday (Feb. 7), saying he and others plan to host a Red Letter Revival on April 6-7 in Lynchburg, Va. the same city where Liberty University, a conservative Christian school led by Falwell, is located.
To read more:
https://religionnews.com/2018/02/08/christian-group-plans-revival-to-protest-liberty-u-and-toxic-evangelicalism/
Much of the media prefers to present Christians as a right wing monolith.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)In word, worship and witness, this revival of Jesus and Justice will stand in stark contrast to the distorted Christian nationalism that many white evangelical leaders have become known for, the statement reads in part. It is a gathering for people of faith or no faith who are curious about Jesus and troubled by the state of evangelicalism in America.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)As progressive Christians, we must aggressively work to present a more balanced view of Christians to counter the media savvy and overly covered right wing Christians. Even here we can see a very one-sided presentation of theism and theists by some few.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)msongs
(67,478 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)I disagree in both cases.
Mariana
(14,861 posts)The various flavors of Christianity all follow the same Bible. Many churches and religious groups publish Statements of Faith or some equivalent lists of things they believe, which tend to be remarkably similar regardless of denomination or lack thereof.
gibraltar72
(7,515 posts)I've been at a loss as to why real christians haven't tried to reclaim their brand. Sitting in the background silent on all the abuses and excesses. Just seemed like tacit approval. I believe it's all pretty much bullshit but I thought if I had a brand I wouldn't ket some crackpots drag it through the mud if I could help it.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Moral Monday is one such effort.
There are/were many theists in the anti-war movement.
But the conservative, corporate media prefers to frame theists as naturally conservative. Thus allowing the theists to be enemies of the liberal godless types so beloved of FOX and similar outlets.
William Barber receives far less media coverage than Pat Robertson for a reason.
gibraltar72
(7,515 posts)mainstream? churches in my area say their sermon is going top be about the corrosive nature of Trump to religion. I of course know Rev. Barbers work. The grass roots churches where I assume some good people still exist must be the place the message starts. I son't blame media for a lack of good works by "christians".
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Rather, right wing Christian theists.
Mariana
(14,861 posts)I bet you'll find at least a few pages of nice stories about religion and religious people. The papers in my area have entire sections reserved for positive, feel-good stories about religion and religious people, in one of the least religious states in the country.
Voltaire2
(13,244 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And the media attention is also directed overwhelmingly to the right.
The Moral Monday movement received minimal attention except probably in the immediate area. But if Westboro Baptist Church decides to parade and picket it is national news.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Fix that and we'll care.
The rest of this is feel good (for you) noise.
Mariana
(14,861 posts)That could open them up to losing their tax-free status.
What is not helpful is declaring that these people you disagree with are not real Christians. They are. Their Christian beliefs are as sincere as anyone else's. They interpret the book differently, that is the only difference. You say there's a lack of good works by them, but they consider what they are doing to be good works and in accordance with God's will. I don't know how to go about convincing them that they're doing it wrong. It certainly won't be by denying that their faith in Christ is genuine.
gibraltar72
(7,515 posts)I know what I see and what I hear. Timid responses at the best. I'm not talking about positive PR for churches. I'm talking about proactive denunciation of what is happening to your brand.
Mariana
(14,861 posts)Why do you think the mainstream churches aren't saying that more frequently and forcefully?
gibraltar72
(7,515 posts)churches are the most political group I've ever encountered. When I was in the cult it was who will with hold tithes if I say this. Whose feathers must I not ruffle. I can't believe how silent most churches are on what's going on today.
Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)I trust you're keeping track of these.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)When I make such a comment, please remind me of this so I can argue with myself.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)In the USA at least, theists belonging to the largest overall religion (Christianity) generally ARE conservative.
http://news.gallup.com/poll/125021/mormons-conservative-major-religious-group.aspx
Facts are inconvenient things, huh?
LeftishBrit
(41,212 posts)In the UK, Christians are far from a right-wing monolith, and the bishops have often annoyed Tory governments by their criticism of cuts in services that help poor people.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)But some few prefer their villains to be suitably villainous, so to speak, so any nuance disappears in the haste to criticize.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)The national media outlets conspire to portray Christians as a "right-wing monolith" in order to make Christians the villain? For what purposes, exactly? Are all the media companies run by intolerant atheists or something?
Please help me out here and explain what it is you're trying to say.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Yes, the national corporate media generally prefers to focus on conservative Christians.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)So why is there a conspiracy in the media to focus on conservative Christians? Connect the dots for me.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Questioning your behavior is a different matter unconnected to your intelligence.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)I am so sick of it.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)That of presenting an alternative?
trotsky
(49,533 posts)I would love an answer. Since you're posting here on DU where, as you admit, no one actually believes Christians are a "right-wing monolith," I'd like to explore your reasons for posting the OP.
Please proceed.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Show that it's not. Nobody is sitting around saying 'Christians are 100% right wing conservative evangelicals', so show that the 'right wing monolith' characterization (your words not mine) is wrong, knowing that there are no absolutes, and everyone already knows that.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Every tree starts from a seed.
Christianity started as a small group of poor laborers.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Oh boy. Good news.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)to assume the number is zero.
Please make an effort.