True Christians fight to take back moral agenda from Pharisees!

[Walt Starr]

Black Baptists forge agenda
Focus on schools, jobs, health care

By Manya A. Brachear
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 28, 2005


NASHVILLE -- Tired of seeing America's moral agenda hijacked by debates over gay marriage and abortion rights, thousands of black Baptists met this week in a bid to define new priorities, including health care, education, new jobs and voting rights.

The historic gathering was a first for delegates of four black Baptist groups, which in the last century have splintered over internal squabbles. Now speaking with more unity, these African-American churches -- representing 15 million believers--want their core concerns to capture the nation's conscience and attract attention on Capitol Hill, just as conservative evangelical alliances have advanced their agenda in recent decades.

<snip>

But Rev. Jesse Jackson warned delegates Thursday to watch out for political trickery. Thousands of hands shot into the air when Jackson asked who wanted a higher minimum wage, stable Social Security, affirmative action and an end to the war in Iraq.

No hands went up when he asked how many churches had blessed a same-sex union. "How did that get in the middle of our agenda?" Jackson asked. "That's called a wolf in sheep's clothing. Beware."

<snip>

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0501280241jan28,1,1462428.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

My comment: BRAVO! True Christians have begun to fight back against the evil pharisees who have laid claim to the name of Jesus!

Had I been exposed to the TRUE CHRISTIANS as a child, I would probably be a christian today, but unfortunately all I was exposed to as a child were the Pharisees who support Bush today!

[lonestarnot]

1. Well who woke them up? I can't even go to Church any more. Have it

at home! They make me tooooooo sick!

[ElectroPrincess]

2. Kudos! This liberal Catholic is glad to hear of an organized effort

to counter the radical religious right. I must avoid the mislead folks within my parish and do my best to do what's right alone or in small groups of non-political Catholics. :hug:

[StClone]

9. Don't you miss the old ways?

When a Catholics priorities were avoiding sin yourself, being a good person and helping people?

Instead it seems the Church has a focus on stopping others from "sinning" by attacking them rather than lending aid and leading by example, by offering compassion rather than condemnation?

I used to love my faith now I question it.

[Cuban_Liberal]

3. We've been trying for years.

Finally someone is begining to notice that we're here. There are literally tens of millions of us progressive Christians, and we will continue to help.

http://www.liberalslikechrist.org

[katinmn]

4. People are beginning to sort things out

I wish we could fast forward a bit!

[bmbmd]

5. I just finished Max Lucado's new book

"It's Not About Me." It seems to be quite a departure from some of the Religous Right's rhetoric. The last chapter, especially, is about service and sacrifice and honoring God with our humility and "invisible-ness". I commented to my wife that it seems that some of the legitimate Christian spokesmen seem to be coming full circle.

[txaslftist]

6. Gee morality that means something besides bashing those...

who are different from yourself? Who'd a thought it.

[Just Me]

7. Oh. Warms my heart to see the forces of good gathering strength.

I think many simply lost focus or allowed themselves to become distracted by the tactics of the dividers.

"True Christians fight to take back moral agenda from Pharisees!"

AWESOME HEADLINE!!! :bounce:

[Walt Starr]

8. The Subject line was mine.

:)

It sounded better than the Tribune's headline.

:)

[Walt Starr]

10. .

[jdj]

11. God bless Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

I think it is wonderful that the republicans are making such an effort to promote so-called "minorities". May we never return to the days when Republicans praised Jesse Helms for confronting a black female official in by saying in front of her "I'm going to sing Dixie to her until she cries."

And Jackson and Sharpton are talking to people in the frank language of mistrust, why aren't there any white dems except Boxer and Kennedy willing to do this.

I think Kennedy is going to be another Strom Thurmond. I hope he'll stay in the Senate til the day he dies just to spite the people that killed his family members.

[Walt Starr]

12. .

[ContraBass Black]

13. The task is massive, the odds long, and the fight just.

[Cheswick2.0]

14. It's never too late to learn as a child

Luke 18:17
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

An old dog can learn new tricks. :wink:

I'm just kidding you Walt, not trying to convert you.
Thanks for the story. I worry about Southern Black Churches and their opposition to Gay rights and abortion rights. But I am glad to see this movement taking place.

[geniph]

15. Bravo, Reverend Jackson, well done!

We need more, much more of this, and we need it publicized. It's time for actual Christians who believe in the words of Christ to make more noise than the damn Pharisees and ConCINOs. All anyone ever hears about are the nutjobs, so that's what people start to think of all Christians. There's a lot more reasonable Christians than lunatic fringers; it's time for them to drown out the fundy fruitbats.