How do Democrats take Jesus back from the rethuglicans?

[truebrit71]

I honestly believe that He must be shaking His head in disbelief at how His words and His teachings have been so horribly mis-represented by the right-wing in this country.

It never ceases to amaze me as I hear supposed christians trying to ban gay marriage, and denounce tolerance towards one's fellow man in the name of God.

How is it possible that the general public hasn't figured out yet that these heretics are cherry-picking from the Old Testament that which suits their limited agenda and ignoring huge swaths of Christ's teachings? I mean seriously, are people that stupid?

It simply blows my mind when I see these corpulent, corrupt christians of convenience spout their own piety in an attempt to kow-tow the mind-numbed minions into their blinkered way of thinking...

Did Jesus say ANYTHING about gays or lesbians?
Did Jesus say ANYTHING about abortion?
Did Jesus say ANYTHING about waging "pre-emptive" war?

To the best of my knowledge the answer was no.

I DO remember an awful lot about taking care of those less fortunate than yourself.
I DO remember parts speaking SPECIFICALLY how the rich are going to have a hard time getting into Heaven.
I DO remember the part about praying privately and NOT publicly claiming one's piety.

You'd have thought that maybe these supposedly learned "christians" had read those parts of the Bible too...

Guess not..

And until such time as Liberals claim Jesus as quite possibly the most famous LIBERAL of all time, we are all buggered...

What say you?

[realisticphish]

1. totally agree

but it's going to take a LOT to do it...all we can do is try

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Frogtutor]

2. I've wondered if mass mailings would help...n/t

[BlackVelvet04]

3. WE don't .

"Never promote men who seek after a state-established religion; it is spiritual tyranny--the worst of despotism. It is turnpiking the way to heaven by human law, in order to establish ministerial gates to collect toll. It converts religion into a principle of state policy, and the gospel into merchandise. Heaven forbids the bans of marriage between church and state; their embraces therefore, must be unlawful. Guard against those men who make a great noise about religion, in choosing representatives. It is electioneering. If they knew the nature and worth of religion, they would not debauch it to such shameful purposes. If pure religion is the criterion to denominate candidates, those who make a noise about it must be rejected; for their wrangle about it, proves that they are void of it. Let honesty, talents and quick despatch, characterise the men of your choice. Such men will have a sympathy with their constituents, and will be willing to come to the light, that their deeds may be examined. . . ." John Leland, July 5, 1802

I don't believe we should treat the son of God as a political tool.

[CBHagman]

4. Part of the problem is framing the debate.

I do think George Lakoff's "Don't Think of an Elephant" makes some excellent points regarding this. People respond to the model they're familiar with (more often than not, the "strict father" model) and not necessarily to facts.

What I've found a lot in American society is that people mistake what's familiar for what's God's will, and there's a huge difference. The hawkish foreign policy, the emphasis on punishment of lawbreakers (rather than rehabilitation), the slavish devotion to unregulated capitalism are all depicted as Christian, even though they have precious little to do with the Scriptures. The Scriptures either do not figure or they are cherry-picked for the best effect (I seem to recall a verse in one of the epistles about people who don't work).

The media is no help in all this, as it only notes sins that are sexual and/or especially attention-getting (the better to sell magazines, newspapers, etc., and gain viewers). Lust and gluttony are sins, in their book, but not greed or indifference.

I wouldn't say we need to claim Jesus, for Jesus is not anyone's property, and of course the Democratic party welcomes those of all faith or no particular faith. Freedom to believe or not to believe is as vital as anything.

I would say we need to reframe the debate, get things into the public consciousness. I am old enough to remember when greed was not glamorized and people weren't encouraged to identify with the wealthiest, when unfettered capitalism was not presented as an ideal to the average person. We need to stop letting the other side get away with accusing us of class warfare every time we mention inequities. We've got to frame it partly as about community, about fairness, about justice, not as being about anger and taking something away.