Some Christian allies in the war against the Religious Right
Offline I decided to do some exploring with the progressive Christianity movement today, inspired by the fact that they are almost as upset about the Religious Right as I am. While I'm different from them in the fact that I don't believe in higher powers, I find I'm very similar to them in the drive to separate church and state and to change the dangerous trajectory this country is on.
One site I was impressed with was The Center for Progressive Christianity www.tcpc.org
They, too, have a radio show that airs in Seattle. Here is a good show to listen to: http://www.livingfaithnow.org/radio/livingfaith_04132007.mp3
Here is a snippet of their coming schedule:
April 20th
What is Progressive Christianity?
Why the Church must evolve.
Guest:
Rev. Sandy Brown Director of Seattle Church Council
May 11th
George Bush and the Spirit
of Anti-Christ
Guest:
Dr. David Domke Author of, God Willing? Political Fundamentalism in the White House.
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We will have a conversation on the influence of the Christian Right on the formation of political policy. We will also explore the meaning of the Biblical notion of anti-christ.
May 18th
What Happened on 9/11?
The Church Under Empire.
Guest:
Dr. David Ray Griffin Author of The New Pearl Harbor, The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions, Christian Faith and the Truth of 9/11, and Debunking the Debunkers.
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We will have a conversation on the theories surrounding who masterminded the 9/11 events. We will also explore the continual anti-empire narrative woven throughout the Bible.
May 25th
Who would Jesus Bomb?
Militarism & Christian Faith.
Guest:
Rev. Weldon Nisly Pastor of Seattle Mennonite Church and member of the Christian Peacemaker Team.
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Weldon was injured in Iraq while on a Christian Peacemaker Team and we will explore the meaning of Christian peace witness in a time of war.
I think it would be wise to work together with these types of people who at least share some of our concern for the rise of the religious right, especially since they are coming from a Chrisitan perspective, too. There is a split in Christianity between those who are "moderate" and those who are extremists. Lets use that to our advantage
The Enlightenment wounded the beast, but the killing blow has yet to land...
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I too find that there are christian groups out there that are extremely against fundamentalist ideologies. The United Secular Alliance at VCU has been going to a forum on Mondays entitled "Christianity examined by reason" The sponsors of this forum are the New Age Campus Ministries. They are a group of progressive christians who are willing to examine and dissect their theology. Of course, the reason why we go is to interject reason in their examination. They enjoy our input so much that we are allowing us to choose a topic for next monday.
However, the fundametnal difference still remains, their examination of faith alwasy leads to the fact that jesus' teachings are what they need to examine their faith with.
We agree on one thing, that sometimes we need to stop looking at people as ideolgies....but as people, then perhaps dialogue can transpire and progress made. Fundamentalists refuse to look at people as people, which is why you see them harassing women at abortion clinics etc... they loose touch of the humanity that binds us all together.
BTW: Tomcat, we need to get together, try to make it to VCU at some point....
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This is a good show I listen to on Sunday:
http://www.airamerica.com/stateofbelief/
Hosted by Rev. Welton Gaddy, it's topics range from progressive religious activism to the issue of church/state seperation.
Support the Separation of Church & State!
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Good to know that there are some people are realizing that just voting or supporting someone "Just 'cause they're a good christian like me." is a bad thing.
You'd think people would learn after the first time.
Ah! It's really refreshing to read your post Larry! I get dissapointed when I encounter so many people, including those on the atheist's side, who can't see "people as people."
The Enlightenment wounded the beast, but the killing blow has yet to land...
Most people religious or non-religious believe in stupid things, do stupid things it doest make you a bad or stupid person.
It's a sum of what you believe not an individual belief that defines who you are
I am strong atheist I also believe in liberal democracy and freedom of speech. The latter always has to come first.
So you can definitely be a good person and belief in god (just a good person that believes in something stupid)
Certainly. After all, if everyone were 'bad' people then there would be no one to control with bad beliefs.
It actually causes me emotional pain to hear people say that attacking beliefs is the same as attacking people.
We're talking about religious secularists. right? We're talking about people who are good in our opinions. right?
Wouldn't these people still be good if their beliefs were proven wrong?
AHHHHH. Therein lies the rub. That's where people cease being people and become zealots. Their hurt feelings over losing their god(s) cause them to lash out just as their maintenance of their religions has caused us to become more outspoken.
How often have we seen it? At the moment when they can feel faith being replaced by reality, they make the decision whether or not to continue their tolerance toward us and our lack of belief.
I'd be interested in the results of a survey taken by that radio show concerning how many of their secular theists in their audience would elect an avowed atheist president even if he/she were in agreement with their social issues.
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