Why the Christian Right Loves Sarah Palin - Member Submitted Editorial

[BTT_Sky]

I realize this thread is quite old and everyone has obviously moved on but I just joined yesterday wanted to add my two cents. :)

Quote:
"Those who subscribe to an apocalyptic vision basically long for the end
of the world and all the violence and bloodshed that comes with it so
that Jesus will come back. This could prove to be a dangerous tendency
in someone with the power to make war."

Wow, those "far right" fundamentalist Christians sure do sound scary, huh?  They long for the end of the world and all the violence and bloodshed that comes with it???!!!  I have to wonder if the Reverend has ever actually interacted with these "strange creatures" who attend churches like the Assemblies of God where Gov. Palin attended.  It is my personal experience that the majority of these people are fine examples of what Christianity is all about.  They are not blood-thirsty or violent or wish harm on anyone.  They do not spend their lives in anticipation of a violent end of the world!  They are, in fact, more apt to be the compassionate souls their bible teaches them to be.  I believe their "mission" is to lead people to Christ, which is the Great Commision set forth by none other than Jesus Christ himself. 

My late father in law was a retired Assemblies of God pastor.  If there was ever a man who "walked the walk," it was he.  Highly educated, a student of world history and theology and he would have given you the shirt off his back.  He spent his life in service to others and was well-respected for it by his congregation and the community.  I am deeply offended that Reverend Brooks would attempt to besmirch the denomination he served.  It is unfair and cruel in my opinion.

Non-believers are always quick to assert that separation of church and state is important and I agree whole-heartedly, but in my personal experience, people who attend the Assemblies of God churches (like Sarah Palin's church) are not even politically active for the most part.  On the other hand, if you want to hear a "political sermon," steeped in bitterness and divisiveness instead of love, compassion and redemption, I suggest a visit to Rev. Wright's church. . .and while you're there, shake hands with a man who apparently became a member for no other reason but to expand his "political" network.  Of course he's long gone by now - once the "light" was shed on the hatefulness eminating from the place, it was no longer profitable for him to remain affiliated. 

In short, I find it sad and ironic that Reverend Brooks 1) seems overly concerned with one candidates' religious beliefs and chooses to ignore the other's and 2) degrades and completely misrepresents a group of people he obviously doesn't know.   
 
As with every other religion, Christianity has it's fanatics and/or loony tunes but as someone else so aptly pointed out, like it or not, many of our laws do coincide with biblical morals.  I understand & appreciate the hard-line stance taken concerning separation of church and state.  It is not only important, it is vital to the integrity of our nation - but this does not justify discriminating against a candidate for her religious beliefs or belittling and making wild, untrue accusations against Christian people who have the same rights as every other American: free speech and the right to promote their value system with their vote.

   

[scotirish]

Reverend Brooks gave us a lot of thought to think about, but I have a question?  Was he dissing the Assemblies of God theology?  My good friend Lloyd and his wife Nita just concluded 39 years of visiting the U. S. Medical Center for Prisoners in Springfield, MO.  Lloyd and Nita are in their mid 80's.  They and a contingent of volunteers have sought to bring the messages of God's Salvation to prisoners for nearly 4 decades.  One third of this prison is a psychiatric nut house, another 1/3 is for patients (many of them dying on dialysis) with medical problems and the other 1/3 for maintenance of the institution.  Students from local colleges, married couples from local churches visit these prisoners in many settings aside from religious functions.  A hospice program, one of few in this country exists as a result of their influence with the prisoners.  I spent 5 years in this joint concluding a 12 yr. sentence for robbery.  I, at that time, had spent 1/2 my life in prisons and it didn't look like things were going to get any better, but a prison school teacher told me that God could change my life.  I seriously doubted it, but if what she said was true, that He could change my life, what did I have to lose.  Well, she was right, He did, and now I have been out of prison for 31 years, me and the former prison school teacher have been married 29 years, raised three children and are enjoying our first grandson.  The preponderance of these volunteers, including Lloyd and Nita are Assembly of God people.  Any writer who openly denounces any group without knowing all that goes on in the name of Jesus and the lives that are saved and turned around is pure ignorant.  My question to all anti-religious groups is what do you have to offer?
In 17 1/2 years in over a dozen penitentiaries I haven't seen it. 

[BTT_Sky]

I know Rev. Brooks, he's a member here...and his church is an ardent supporter of inmate issues in Illinois...he's supported every IPT initiative we've proposed for prison reform, appears at prison reform functions and has been a friend of inmates for a long time. 

In the case of abortion, it's never mentioned in the Bible....the Bible says life begins at birth...when the first breath is drawn....

Dazzler - this is just a couple of instances where the bible speaks about our creation.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeramiah 1:5

Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me.  Isaiah 49:1

I appreciated the comment made by downtown though.  I think it's important to not write laws based on religious beliefs alone.  I have no desire to force other Americans to practice my chosen religion but as others have pointed out, many of our laws are characteristic of  religious morality.

The abortion argument all hinges on whether or not one believes that life begins at conception.  Biologically, it would seem logical to me that "life" is created when the egg is fertilized but there are too many people who refuse to accept such a basic concept.  I am of the opinion that corrupt politicians on both sides have spent years debating and exploiting this issue for no other reason than to garner votes and thereby power.

Personally, I don't think abortion should have ever been legalized in the first place but I'm not naive enough to think that Roe vs Wade will ever be overturned.  Our society has been conditioned to believe that anyone who opposes abortion is some kind of religious nut who wants to force their beliefs on everyone else.  If every scientist in the nation announced that life really does begin at conception, it wouldn't matter because we've been conditioned to accept the practice of terminating life in the womb for too many years now.  Our society has been led slowly down the path of devaluing human life.  For all our knowledge, education and technological advancements, we seem to be a nation that throws "people" away.  We throw away the unwanted children, the mentally ill, the criminals (innocent or guilty).  Human life gets "cheaper" by the decade.

Personally (as you can tell, I'm sure), I think abortion is indeed murder.  I have had loved ones and close friends who have had abortions.  I did not agree with their decisions and did my best to talk them out of it but in the end, they made their own decision and I never turned my back on them.  I've held their hands, cried with them and prayed for them.  To me, the saddest part of the abortion issue is these precious women who have suffered through the experience when knowing in their heart of hearts, it didn't feel "right,". . .but they were able to go through with it because so many people told them it was the only thing they could do.

As Americans we are all free to vote our consciences.  If we feel strongly about an issue, we vote accordingly.  Rev. Brooks speaks of Jesus' contempt for politics - I share that contempt and in addition, I agree that church is no place to hear a political speech, but I also feel that I have a responsibility to let my voice be heard.  If my congressman or senator or president's values and/or political views do not reflect my own, I will not vote for him or her. 

Reverend Brooks is concerned that voting "Christian Fundamentalists" are being exploited by religious leaders who involve themselves too much in politics.  In my opinion, both parties operate this way.  But from the tone of his article, I'm gonna go out on a limb and surmise that he votes democrat.  I just wonder, as a reverend and a supposed biblical scholar, isn't he concerned that his vote promotes the destruction of human life by voting for a politician who supports abortion?  I'm not judging him, that's not my place - I'm just trying to understand the logic in that.  He doesn't promote politics in church (neither do I), but does that mean he leaves his conscience and convictions outside the voting booth?   

[whitecastleman]

Hi BTT_Sky

Your comments are well put.  I couldn't agree more!  Thanks for adding a well thought out post

I expect, though, that Daz & com. will invite you to take your religious views and go away- or perhaps to go to an obscure corner of the website.  There has not been too much tolerance shown here at IPT for views based on religion.  That's sad.

whitecastleman

[Dazzler]

How kind of you WCM...I've been tolerating you for quite some time now...you might want to add that IPT isn't really a religious network...it's an inmate support site.  Many of us here are believers...we just believe that we shouldn't force our opinions down anyone else's throats....and I've noticed the religious forum is the least visited board we have...even you don't visit it....

[BTT_Sky]

Thanks for your comments, WCM!  It's always nice to know that you aren't completely alone in your views.

I hope Dazz doesn't send me to the obscure corner of the website.   I think a little lee-way(sp?) was allowed since the article posted involved religion in politics.  I will check out the religious forum - I didn't realize one existed.  If it's as desolate as Dazz has indicated, maybe we can work on that? 

I have strong opinions about some things but I will always try to demonstrate respect for those with differing opinions.  Discussing and debating issues keeps one's mind well-greased and can be pretty invigorating but it's important to remember that the person with a differing opinion is not an enemy to be insulted or destroyed.  It's an exchange of ideas and there's no reason why we can't do that with respect.  Internet squabbles are futile and not worth the time or energy required to fight them.  !  This website was a real Godsend for me and I hope that I can communicate my views without anyone feeling like I am attacking them personally.

[Jims]

What exactly is your connection to Illinois prisons, BTT? It sure seems as if you jumped into the controversial/political/religious discussions willy-nilly. Most newbies take awhile before they're even comfortable navigating the site. Hmmm.... you and WCM wouldn't be "buddies" now would you???

[BTT_Sky]

Unfortunately, my son was recently sentenced to 120 days of bootcamp.  Like any other mother in my situation, I was anxious to find out anything I could about what he would be facing.  Actually, my son found this website a couple of nights before he had to report to county.

It's been an extremely stressful year in my family.  My son got arrested the same day my father took ill and was rushed to the hospital in February of last year.  I spent months caring for my dying father while trying to snatch my youngest son from the path of destruction he was on and working two jobs as well.  My father passed away in July and my son was sentenced to bootcamp in December.  I was glad to see 2008 go and will be just as relieved to see 2009 pass as well. 

I am new to this website but well-seasoned in conversing on others - mainly our local paper's website.  I am drawn to political discourse and noticed that your posts indicate the same.  I have no earthly idea who WCM is but I suppose I can understand your suspision.   He and I are definitely in the minority here in some of our views.