The religionist sickness is spreading even in Massachusetts

[Zenlitened]

From pastor to political activist
His church booming, he wants to spread the word statewide

By Maria Cramer, Globe Staff | August 24, 2005

(snip)

But (Pastor Roberto) Miranda is not satisfied. He has written a master plan to ''reclaim the state of Massachusetts for Jesus Christ" and penetrate a culture he feels is being lost to promiscuity, activist judges, and the legalization of same-sex marriage. He is organizing Protestant ministers and Christian activists around the state and encouraging them to bring modern marketing techniques to the church.

The 17-page treatise appeals to evangelical leaders to work together to ''proceed systematically to penetrate and reconquer" institutions of culture, business, and politics in a state that he said has become ''saturated with a godless, secular outlook."

(snip)

''I called together these key leaders to talk about how could we put together an initiative to sell our product better, to be more relevant, and to communicate the message of the gospel in ways that would be a lot more digestible to the general public," Miranda said during in an interview in his spacious office overlooking Northampton Street.

He wrote the plan more than a year ago in the aftermath of the legalization of same-sex marriage. The vitriol he said he witnessed between both sides inspired him to draw up the plan, which calls on Christian leaders to unify and strengthen the church, recruit high school and college students, and imbue them with a ''clear, militant Christian worldview," and increase the influence of Christianity in the arts, media, and politics.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/08/24/from_pastor_to_political_activist/?page=full

Am I a "militant atheist"? Fuck yes, I am.

[salvorhardin]

1. Woo Hoo! You know what reclaiming Massachusetts for Jesus means don't you?

That's right. The next big reality TV show.

Burnin' For You
10 pious people share a historic Cape style home on the Bay and compete in religious challenges every week to see who loves Jesus more. Each week the loser, err, heretic is burned as a witch.

[BiggJawn]

2. I wanna move there!

...a state that he said has become ''saturated with a godless, secular outlook."

sounds like MY kinda place...

Oh, and he used "penetrate" and "promiscuity" in the same sentence, too...:evilgrin:

[YankeyMCC]

5. I don't feel saturated

My home state is more comfortable for someone like me than the other places I've lived around the country but still...

We get protesters in our town meeting telling a selectwoman who typically leaves during the prayer to "Stay and pray"

People at the Democratic Town Committee meetings tend to just smile and nod when I bring up being an atheist.

There's churches on every corner and a very welcoming atmosphere for people of many faiths...but to be atheist is at best tolerated and certainly not widely understood.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. I see they're using Catholic tactics

"proceed systematically to penetrate" :evilgrin:

[onager]

4. Reminds of the infamous phrase from...

...the Uniform Code of Military Justice:

Penetration, however slight, shall be sufficient to complete the offense.

One of the many reasons for the famous wisecrack by Georges Clemenceau: Military justice is to justice as military music is to music.

[NMMNG]

6. ''saturated with a godless, secular outloook"

Yet another dipwad who confuses secular with atheistic.