Church Uses Marquee To Speak Out Against Beck: ‘Sorry Mr Beck, Jesus Preached Social Justice’

[babylonsister]

:applause:

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/03/12/wantagh-beck/

Church Uses Marquee To Speak Out Against Beck: ‘Sorry Mr Beck, Jesus Preached Social Justice’


This week, Christian religious leaders have been criticizing Fox News host Glenn Beck for his controversial remarks that churches that promote social and economic justice are somehow dangerous. “If you have a priest that is pushing social justice, go find another parish,” said Beck. Progressive Christian group Sojourners has even launched a campaign calling on Christians to speak out against Beck.

A story posted on CNN today has a photo of a United Church of Christ congregation in Wantagh, NY that took its message right to the community:



Today, ThinkProgress spoke with Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Pastor Ronald Garner, who explained that he put the sign up yesterday when he decided that he had to do something more public than just e-mailing Beck:

GARNER: Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church is a very progressive church. We’re open and affirming in our denomination, which means we accept into the full life of our church gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. We are a peace church, and so I just felt that it was a sign that should be in front of our building to say that Mr. Beck’s comments about the social justice being a perversion of the gospel was a total distortion of anybody that’s even given a cursory reading to the words of Jesus.<...>

I feel it was an unwarranted attack on Christians, and I felt like something needed to be said.

The pastor said that a priest in the area who liked the sign originally submitted it to CNN. He added that so far, he has received only positive responses to the church’s message.

[Echo In Light]

1. k/r

[elocs]

2. Jesus was (is) a Liberal:

http://www.jesusisaliberal.org/

We created this website because we believe the historical, Biblically documented teachings of Jesus
Christ clearly show that Jesus is a Liberal. His philosophy, based in compassion, equality,
inclusion, forgiveness, tolerance, peace and - most importantly - love, is 100% Liberal.

For 20 years we have seen the growing domination of the radical right wing evangelicals on TV, on
the radio and in the news, newspapers and magazines and in politics - claiming to own a virtual
monopoly on Jesus. They have redefined what He meant and used His name to advance their
radical right wing social, business, governmental, political and military agenda - or as President
Bush calls it their just and righteous Crusade. We strongly object and disagree.

We reflect the views of over 150 million Liberal, Progressive, Tolerant and Independent thinking
Christians, Catholics, and others of all spiritual paths, religions and traditions in the USA and
Canada. Together, we reject the radical right wing Republican evangelicals' claims that they alone
represent the will, expression and blessing of Jesus Christ. We believe it is high time someone
stand up for the Liberal, Progressive, Tolerant and Independent thinking majority's position that any
plain reading of His words, any genuine interpretation of His intent, outline a Liberal, Progressive,
Tolerant, Loving and holistic world view.

Our Mission is to promote the Integral Koan (TM), holistic meme, and the original belief and
understanding that Jesus IS a Liberal, and to their very core His teachings outline a Liberal,
Progressive, Tolerant, Loving, open minded, holistic, and sustainable vision for our World.

[eShirl]

8. thanks for the link

awesome

[earcandle]

38. Right on! At last a sane voice for Christianity! KNock those fake christians into the pits!

And let them wrestle with their own dogma. 

[axollot]

39. Living in the Bible Belt of NE FL as I do - I always make a point

of reminding the far rw xtians around here that "Jesus was the ultimate peacenik hippy" The 1st, liberal if you will. LOL It shuts them up and makes them think.
Cheers
Sandy

[Mithreal]

47. +1 for finding their weak spots

[damonm]

3. Well Done, Rev. Garner! k/r

[SusanaMontana41]

55. It's about time that someone speaks against that loon who preaches hate

Thanks, Reverend!

[Swamp Rat]

4. k&r

[gtar100]

49. Glen Beck is in the process of stealing all possible labels that would accurately describe him.

Nazi, fascist, propagandist... he's in high gear spinning new meanings onto these terms and others. Why? To hide his own identity for one. Really, one good term fits him quite well that he'll have a hard time escaping - he's an asshole.

[brettdale]

5. kick

kick

[Critters2]

6. I turned myself in. All you commie Social Justice Christians should, too!

http://go.sojo.net/campaign/glennbeck_socialjustice

[texastoast]

12. I had a lot of fun writing to Beck yesterday

Scumbag hate-mongering Beck.

[damonm]

13. Oh, DO share!

[Critters2]

14. +1 nt

[texastoast]

16. I read the Red Words (and the Gnostic gospels)

But I'm not big at all on the Levite influence of the Old Testament.

I pointed out to Beck that equating Nazism with the teachings of Christ to love our enemies, serve, give, and share was just unbelievable. I just couldn't do that. I also pointed out that he better be finding himself a pretty big needle if he thought he was going to make it to heaven, because as long as he is rich, it is doubtful he will get a chance. Better give your money away, Glenn.

Haha. It was fun. And I was sincere.

[Mithreal]

46. +1

:applause: for your response and all red letter folks.

They just have to time that rich thing right, give it all away at the end. You know, a will counts. Throw a few charities in there and as good as front row seats.

[wryter2000]

23. I tried that

My message bounced back to me. My guess is Beck's turned that e-mail address off.

[Kajsa]

34. Done, Critters2.

I have turned myself in also.

:D Thanks for the link. :hi:

[keith the dem]

53. Done, Thanks

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

7. Good Christians. Peace be with them.

[Binka]

15. Amen! n/t

[jrt4]

9. Excellent!

[texastoast]

10. K&R

Jesus was a Capricorn
He ate organic foods
He believed in love and peace
And never wore no shoes
Long hair beard and sandals
And a funky bunch of friends
Reckon we'd just nail him up
If he came down again

[damonm]

11. The church has a website,

http://www.wmcc1845.com/Home_Page.php

And I just called them to congratulate them on pushing back against the perverted Christianity that Beck and his ilk try to shove down our throats.

[wryter2000]

24. It's on the pastor's blog, too

Check the link toward the bottom. :bounce:

[kestrel91316]

17. UCC is cool. They are related to the Congregational Church, of which my

dear great-grandmother was a lifelong member.

[patrice]

18. K & R

[jwirr]

19. Now if others will just follow suit.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

20. Finally. The Gospel Truth.

Tell it. :D

[RevCheesehead]

21. k&r

[wryter2000]

22. I wonder if my rector knows what Beck's been up to

If so, he'll work it into a sermon. :evilgrin:

[struggle4progress]

25. Beck will say whatever he thinks will create controversy and drive up his ratings. For that reason,

it's counterproductive to give him attention by mentioning his name: it just provides the publicity he wants

Social justice should be preached directly through action, not by arguing with attention-seekers

[KittyWampus]

26. and yet DU'ers complain constantly about liberal Christians not speaking up. Damned if they do,

damned if they don't.

[struggle4progress]

30. "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary."

Speaking out is sometimes essential, but not every argument is worth having.

[Mithreal]

50. +1

We are all flawed in some way.

[Mithreal]

48. One person at a time. BE the change.

I agree with your sentiment and if it works for you I wouldn't argue for you to change your position.

Some of us are more confrontational and see it differently.

[Renew Deal]

27. I live near this place

They usually have a nice pumpkin patch during the fall. I guess I'll have to pay more attention to them.

[lib_wit_it]

28. Well, once the RW is done rewriting the Bible to take out the "liberal" parts, this will no longer

be a problem.

[ccinamon]

29. My question: Where have they been for the past 30 years

while things got progressively worse? We wouldn't be here if they said something back in the 80's and 90's.

[Critters2]

60. The UCC has been saying things for the past 30 years.

It's not our fault if Larry King doesn't invite UCC leaders onto his show.

[HopeHoops]

31. K&R

[BlancheSplanchnik]

32. So good, I put it on my facebook page, with this comment

From the Department of "We TRIED to tell you":
Progressives and Liberals knew Beck's true, deranged and hateful, colors from the start. Likewise for Limbaugh, Hannity, Fox News (Fixed Spews), and the ultra-conservatives they represent.

The "christian" hate movement--if you're a part of it, the problem is not the evil world threatening you. It's the evil in you threatening the world.

***************


heh!
Hope I don't get fired for that!

*gulp!*

[cliffordu]

33. Thinking that Beck finally overstepped.......

[Mithreal]

44. If signs like this started popping up across America, would be some hope.

I've challenged the church on my block to take down fascist nonsense, this is to another level entirely.

[malaise]

63. He did that ages ago, but this

will anger millions.

[orbitalman]

35. Kicking it up another notch.

MR Beck needs to DEcease and desist.

[newspeak]

37. I didn't realize that Beck was Mormon until last night

I read the book "Hitler's Pope"--Hitler was a Catholic but he definitely didn't believe in social or economic justice. After all, he requested a list of nuns and priests who were outspoken advocates for social and economic justice--so that he could round them up. He murdered unionists and socialists--so what is his argument claiming Nazis were for social justice? It seems to me, that he has finally jumped the shark!!!

[axollot]

40. Finally jumped the shark? NO, he jumped it ages ago - jumped right onto

the sharks back more like and in favor of chumming the waters.

;)
Cheers
Sandy

[Joey Liberal]

36. Jesus was a Liberal! nt

[Mithreal]

41. Damning! Thank you for posting this. That Jesus fellow might actually have a chance.

:applause:

[Wizard777]

42. Sorry Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church. Jesus was a Jew. Not a "Christian."

I mean if we're gonna get honest about it....... :hide: :scared:

[Mithreal]

45. .

No!1!!!1

:cry:

It fascinates me that some people who profess to be Christian actually don't know this. I have run into a few myself. Sometimes even caught that deer in the headlights moment.

[Critters2]

57. Where does the church say otherwise?

It just says Jesus preached social justice, which he did. Nothing about him being Christian.

[Wizard777]

58. But "Christian" means Christ like or following in Christs way.

If Christians truly did this. They would be Jews. That would be Christs way. But in their defense Peter and Paul considered Christianity to be a higher form of Judaism. In fact there was even discussion about if a person should have to become a Jew before becoming a Christian. They ultimate decided against it. You didn't have to become a Jew before becoming a Christian.

[Mithreal]

43. What's a circus without its ringmaster

[SkyDaddy7]

51. If only a majority of American Christians felt this way...

I love to see this but I also know this is not representtitive of the majority of Christians in America.

I would glady do my time in the Lake of HellFire just to see Jesus return and set all these right wing idiots straight...Which would be most American Christians according to the version of the Bible (KJV) I have read! However, WE ALL KNOW this will never happen.

[keith the dem]

54. According to a Media Matters report a few years ago,

The majority of Christians do feel this way, only the media give all the noise to the crazies.

[Moosepoop]

56. You are so right!!

Here's the Media Matters report, from 2007: http://mediamatters.org/LeftBehind

Some excerpts:

INTRODUCTION

If one were trying to assess the state of religion in America today by examining the major news media, one would be forgiven for believing that religious Americans are primarily concerned with a small subset of issues, chief among them ending legal abortion and opposing gay marriage. One might also believe that a handful of vocal religious figures advocating extremely conservative political views, many with close ties to the Republican Party, represent the face of religion in America today.


<snip>

Religious coverage as it exists today does a disservice to the public in two major ways. First, the distorted picture allows a vocal minority to exercise an outsized influence on the issues and politicians that shape the direction of the country. The second disservice is in the opportunity cost of neglecting to offer a more accurate picture of religiosity and its effects on political views: More than eight in 10 Americans, consistently across virtually every religious tradition, agree that too many leaders use religion to talk about abortion and gay rights, but don't talk about more important things like loving your neighbor and caring for the poor. This is particularly notable in a country with higher rates of religious observance than nearly any other industrialized nation.

From David Brock, President and CEO of Media Matters: http://mediamatters.org/print/research/200705290001

"For religious progressives, this report won't come as a surprise -- they know firsthand that when it comes to a media discussion of religious issues, they rarely have a seat at the table," said David Brock, President and CEO of Media Matters. "If the public is to have confidence in the media, the views of the vast majority of religious Americans must be represented. As our report details, those who get their news from leading press outlets could only assume that a right-wing conservative voice and a religious voice are one in the same -- that is clearly not the case."

[SkyDaddy7]

61. Where are they?

If the majority of Christians felt the same as this little church the media would have no other choice but to hear them! If not, then that tells us a lot about Christians in this nation, huh?

[keith the dem]

62. When the UCC church tried to run TV ads

implying that gay people were welcomed, the networks refused to run them.

When the story does not meet their narrative they ignore it. Just look at the non-coverage of the pro HCR protest last week. 600 people at a tea-party convention will get hours of coverage. Anything liberal or progressive will be made to look goofy or just ignored.

I am a UCC church member. The UCC church is the fourth largest denomination in the USA. I can proudly say that the beliefs of that little church.

[SkyDaddy7]

64. Please don't get me wrong...

I truly believe the people at your church are decent people that do not take part in the hate campaigns against homosexuals, anti-abortion campaigns and trying to teach Bronze Age Creation as an equal scientific theory to evolution in public schools...However, the polling data is very clear where the majority of American Christians side when it comes to these issues and others.

Now, I could clearly understand the media not doing its duty when it comes to perhaps covering the minority view within American Christians...Plus, these little churches do not have the money the big churches do or the huge church groups do.

I will say this before the economic downfall and during the theocracy of the Bush years the polling data showed improvements but who knows if those improvements will hold through rough times! Especially those who fall for the myth that the USA hard times are due to people not being close enough to god. Scary to think of!

[dbmk]

52. Good occasion to replay this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUqxoPrX25I

[BreweryYardRat]

59. So, where's DU's "there are no good Christians" crowd?

Because the folks at this church are good Christians.