A Dose of the REAL Story

[Danzig]

[quote=GenuineRisk]Very thought-provoking post, Danzig- I agree, that it's hard to discuss religion without someone feeling their own faith is being attacked, when in fact it's usually the way the faith is being interpreted by some individuals.

Timm, really, truly, I don't think Christianity is under attack today any more or less than it ever was in this nation- if you do some research about the "war on Christmas," for example- oh, that goes back ages. In the 1800s, ministers were preaching that it was sinful, sinful, for people to exchange gifts at Christmas time, and decrying the commercialization of Christmas. In the 19th Century (I'm glad America ignored that one- I love giving people gifts). If, for any reason, it seems like more attention is paid to Christianists than Islamists here in America, it's because, honestly, we have more Christianists doing violent things here than Islamists (note, I say HERE. Islamists are absolutely tearing many other parts of the world apart... grrrr....). Probably because more Moslems here tend to be Asian Moslem, or converted Moslem, and they tend not to be poor- poverty seems to go a long way towards breeding radicalism. I read once that terrorism is the angry cry of the dispossessed, and while I think that's simplistic, I think it is easier to make a poor man strap on a bomb than a rich man- the rich will fund it, but they won't do it themselves.

I just read a review in Salon of a book written by a Wall Street Journal writer about American Islam- I think I'll have to pick it up. Here's the review- doesn't the book sound interesting?

http://salon.com/books/review/2007/01/15/muslims/

In the end, I say three cheers for the secular nation, that allows all its citizens to practice their faith as they see fit. Hey, if we really HAD been founded as a devout Christian nation- meaning, if the most devout Puritans had gotten to run things, Danzig and I would be in burkas right now-- those Puritans also believed in covering women head to toe. And I HATE wearing skirts under the best of circumstances...[/QUOTE]


well, yeah...that's if i survived the stonings for missing church. so glad i live where i live!!
but there are people who wish that women would be seen and not heard. just a few months ago a woman was fired from the bible study group she had been teaching for YEARS. cause the bible says....fact is, you can back up pretty much any argument, regardless of what side you take, by quoting the bible.

perfect example--eye for an eye. no, you should turn the other cheek...

[Danzig]

oh, and i hate wearing skirts/dresses as well. so happy i was born in the late 20th century!!
i mean, how do you mow the lawn in a dress?! or cut firewood. or play football....

The lesson of this article for me is very clear: The religious right is villified in this country and other Western democracies simply because, IT CAN BE.

Ask Salman what happens when one is critical of the Islamic faith. The strength of free speech and tolerance lives and thrives in the West, unlike the tyrannic rule of many Middle Eastern Countries that is so fragile, and where criticism and critical thinking is punished.

My take from this article.

I might add to this that the religious right in my fair city comes under one prominent name, John Hagee. This man has no churches set up on the poor sides of this town. His giant monolithic church gets tax free dollars, buys up huge tracks of land and resells them, has a giant television network... He saves rich people from their guilt. He lives in a multimillion dollar house in a place known as the Dominion, where all the movers and shakers in business and sports live in San Antonio. He is driven around in a Rolls Royce... all tax free. His entire family is given a piece of the pie, it is absolutely ridiculous. So next time that toll free 800 number comes up, realize it and the savior that one buys, ends up in wealthy pockets.

So heck yes the religious right needs to be scrutinized.

BTW he was a huge contributor for Bush and advised on certain issues which is totally scary.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I might add to this that the religious right in my fair city comes under one prominent name, John Hagee. This man has no churches set up on the poor sides of this town. His giant monolithic church gets tax free dollars, buys up huge tracks of land and resells them, has a giant television network... He saves rich people from their guilt. He lives in a multimillion dollar house in a place known as the Dominion, where all the movers and shakers in business and sports live in San Antonio. He is driven around in a Rolls Royce... all tax free. His entire family is given a piece of the pie, it is absolutely ridiculous. So next time that toll free 800 number comes up, realize it and the savior that one buys, ends up in wealthy pockets.

So heck yes the religious right needs to be scrutinized.

BTW he was a huge contributor for Bush and advised on certain issues which is totally scary.

Pgardn,
Interesting article about the San Antonio power pastor...http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/46753/

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Pgardn,
Interesting article about the San Antonio power pastor...http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/46753/

DTS: John Hagee is a charlatan at best and deceiver at worst! That, from my frame of reference, is irrefutable! But, in my wildest dreams, I wouldn't believe for a moment this man has any influence over Bush. He runs a "bully pulpit" and the bile rises up in my throat when I see his ilk! But,in another context, he is no different than George Soros in throwing around power and trying to influence events. This is in reference to Pgardns statement that the religious right has to be scrutinized. Does Soros get a free ride because his faith is not declared? Just something to think about.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by timmgirvan

DTS: John Hagee is a charlatan at best and deceiver at worst! That, from my frame of reference, is irrefutable! But, in my wildest dreams, I wouldn't believe for a moment this man has any influence over Bush. He runs a "bully pulpit" and the bile rises up in my throat when I see his ilk! But,in another context, he is no different than George Soros in throwing around power and trying to influence events. This is in reference to Pgardns statement that the religious right has to be scrutinized. Does Soros get a free ride because his faith is not declared? Just something to think about.

Timm,
Both very scarey. I don't know, but I'm guessing that Hagee has more ears than Soros.
I'm thinking about "power", and "faith".
You might know much more about this than I do.
Ain't no "free rides"...NONE!