I've never been so frustrated by comments made in GD

[Blue_Roses]

about the hostage who used her faith to talk her way out of that horrible situation. Really disturbs me today for some reason. I understand that the fundies have wrapped Christianity up in such a negative way, but this isn't the way REAL Christianity is. Being born and raised southern baptist, I've seen my share of fundies, but as I have gotten older--and I would like to think I am little wiser--we now go to a fine Methodist church where we embrace all with tolerance and love. It's so different from the Baptist church. It's not just about religion but a positive way to help others. That's what REAL Christianity is all about--not this fake fundie stuff that is laced with bigotry.

I just wish it wasn't so hard to talk about your faith in that forum sometimes.

[Clark2008]

1. In all fairness, I think that SOME (not all) was as a result of the

right wing bigotry that ASSUMES so much and the left-wing knee-jerk reaction thereof.
Just keep presenting our side of things in GD - I do, and will not be cow towed by those who are the Fleepers (Liberal Freepers).

[Blue_Roses]

2. I agree and that's why I have always taken

it with a grain of salt, but for some reason it bothered me more than it ever has today. If I was in a hostage situation, you can bet I'd be praying hard and doing whatever to see my child again.

[Clark2008]

3. Amen!

But, I agree it gets awful toward Christians in GD sometimes. I also get pissed at the corporate media's portrayal of Christians, too. We're not all wingnuts. And this woman did a fabulous thing, but the wingnuts will use it to their fashion.
What's funny is that most of them would be too chicken to reach out like Ashley did.

Thanks to my sister Rev. - KOEB - for directing me to this forum!

[Blue_Roses]

4. you're right

we're not all wingnuts and neither was Jesus ironically. That's what boggles my mind. When did Christianity mean you are perfect? That's what the fundies seem to think and it takes away from what true love is all about.

[RevCheesehead]

6. Hi, Lara!

Glad you found us! :hug:

May this place be a refuge for you, a place to post your hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations.

(and just so you know, in this forum you will see the more serious, compassionate side of the Cheese. I left my snark at the door.)

[Blue_Roses]

8. I can't

believe that I haven't been to this forum yet. Glad to be here. I love being a Democrat and have been one all my life, but sometimes I feel that just because I believe in God, I am looked at as a turncoat. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Democrats embrace what Christ represents--the plight of the poor and homeless--and it hurts to see him being thrashed around because of how the republicans use him.

I will always be a Democrat as long as it's the party that represents tolerance and fights for the rights of the "little people."

[RevCheesehead]

5. Hi, Blue Roses!

Welcome to the Liberal Christians group! :hi:

I read part of that thread tonight, and then stopped. I've been in some pretty nasty discussions with people before, and ended up using my ignore button for the first time ever!

Most flame-bait stuff ends up getting moved to the Religion and Theology group, where it gets attacked by the atheists, and ignored, for the most part, by the rest of us.

I thought one poster made an excellent point: if the only coverage they're hearing is "God made this happen; and now this man is saved;" I've got problems with that, too. I don't believe in "Cause and Effect" Christianity, because I'm an ardent believer in free-will.

I also don't think this woman set out to be a hero. I think she was genuine, and others are spinning this story into something bigger (remember Jessica Lynch? Same thing).

[Blue_Roses]

7. Hey RevCheesehead

:hi: thanks for that. I can't believe I haven't been to this forum yet. I too, don't believe in "cause and effect" Christianity and I also totally agree that this woman is genuine--looks to be trying to get her life back on track. She seems to be in the starting phase of a renewed faith. I've been there. Being born and raised southern baptist, touting the baptist message and then finally stepping away and going the opposite direction where I could have cared less about God and religion. That's when my life fell apart, so I really related to her on this level.

That's been years ago before being married with kids, but I will say that the "fundie" faith that I was brought up under was the basis for a lot of confusion and rebellion later on. It's taken a long time to find my way back, especially with the fake fundies out there now, but we now have found a nice Methodist church that accepts and embraces tolerance, love, and kindness. This to me is what true Christianity is all about. It hurts my heart to see such bitterness amongst our party because of how Bush has used the word "values" and "Christian" for his own agenda.

[RevCheesehead]

9. That's great!

What state are you in? Because not all UMC's are created equal.

[Blue_Roses]

10. Arkansas

Born in Louisiana, lived in Texas 10 years after college and now Arkansas. One day maybe I'll get out of the south:D