So here are my thoughts on Christianity, money, and politics (sans Dean)

[Writer]

Christianity - TRUE Christianity - is dying in America.

Let me share with you a few personal tid-bits.

I worked for a while in a Christian company. It's a company devoted to creating literature and tools for churches. The money pumping into the company is incredible, as they have expanded during the recent difficult economic times.

They hold conferences to teach "curriculum" to church leaders. These conferences cost churches a lot of money to attend. Who funds them? Well, who pays for everything in a church? The parishioners.

Someone owns this company, and they have grown wealthy building this company. I'm sure they believe they're doing the right thing, but you will not believe how much enterprise exists in Christianity nowadays. So much planning, scripting, networking, and MONEY. I can't think of Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, or Buddhism committing as many resources as Christian organizations commit to propagating their faith. Christianity is completely market-driven now.

Head over to your local sandwich shop and pick up one of those pamphlets left behind by the Jehovah's Witnesses. Take a look at the people shown in either the pictures or drawings. They are squeeky-clean, devoid of politics or the grit or grime of real life. They are scoured shiny into an idyllic gloss. This isn't real, but it feels so good to look at - why not join?

Here's another tid-bit I'll share. When I was growing up in Dallas, I recall visiting my friend's church. I recall entering the main foyer and seeing crystal chandeliers. They were opulent, in fact, the entire church was built in opulence. Hey - I'm not going to mention the church, but if you happen to live in Dallas, you can probably take a a guess as to which church I'm talking about.

This is Christianity? No. It's bastardized and commodified like democracy has been. Christians need to stop buying in, pick up a soup ladel and start PRACTICING Christianity again. Christian groups will sell you on eternal life, but you rarely see pictures of helping your neighbor. No longer it that a goal for Christianity in America.

Writer.

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Alas, people sometimes need the bright and shiny to be convinced

It's likely no mistake that the Church pioneered acoustics. A pipe organ loading (vibrating all the air) in a cathedral can be quite moving.

[Indiana_Dem]

2. I've seen that, too.

I'm a Christian and I've seen it. I know what you're talking about.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Yep. This is all very true

[AntiCoup2K4]

4. The reason that the JW literature was devoid of politics....

...is that JW's are not political. They do not salute the flag, they do not recognize any government except for Jehova, and therefore, they don't vote.

Must be nice to pretend to be oblivious to everything going on in the world. It might be easier, but I couldn't do it.

Mainly because my Christian values, which are based on Jesus Christ's teachings and not Jerry Falwell's, James Dobson's or Pat Robertson's are what got me involved in politics in the first place.

There probably are real Christians out there who have been persuaded to vote the right wing agenda, especially if they are a member of a large national church (i.e Southern Baptists or Catholics) because of the politicizing that comes down from right wing leadership.

Hopefully the Holy Spirit will speak to their hearts and let them know they have been deceived :(

[Writer]

5. Kick

I'd like to get a few more thoughts on this issue.