For those of my friends who view Christianity with skepticism, ridicule, or boredom; for those over at The Blue Voice who wonder if anyone has ever heard of liberal Christians; for those who somehow equate Christianity with patriotism or the Republican Party or the United States of America; for those (I count myself in this group) who are just an apathetic group resting our behinds in the pews ~
just for today, read about and honor Tom Fox.
just for today, read about and honor Tom Fox.
Thanks for the link. I think there are many "brands" of Christianity. Tom Fox represents the best of them. Rush Limbaugh reflects attitudes of the worst.
ReplyDeleteWhat a prolific past few days. *Breath-taking photos
ReplyDelete*Thoughts which I chew on for days
*Me, too! moments
*Interesting links
*Fascinating reports on what's happening in nature in another part of the country
*Etc.
In other words, the usual!
I love your journal and look forward to it as often as I can possibly visit. To paraphrase a cliche, you illuminate my life.
*debbi*
Did you think I was saying Christianity and conservatism are one and the same? I'm sorry if I gave that impression. My personal feeling is that the best and highest aims of Christianity--of any faith--are embodied in the liberal movement. What I meant to say in my post
ReplyDeletehttp://thebluevoice.blogspot.com/2006/03/choosing-liberalism.html
at TBV was that we cannot use literal Biblical passages--which we all know can be and are interpreted in any way an individual chooses to spin them--as a textbook for 21st century human society. We can employ faith as a vital part of the conversation, but it cannot BE the conversation.
No, it was someone else on TBV who said something like, "Have you ever even heard of a liberal Christian?" I get so irritated at those posts -- yes, I have heard of a liberal Christian; I go to church with 250 of them every week. I just get tired of all the liberal ragging on Christians. But when I respond, someone usually just repsonds back and basically tells me how stupid I am. I guess if your (not you personally, of course) preconception is that religious = stupid, it's hard to get beyond that.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine anybody who has read your writing calling you stupid. It says a lot about the place where the statement comes from.
ReplyDeleteI know many liberal Christians and many liberals who can't believe that I am both a liberal and a Christian. In fact, I would take it a step further and say that I can't imagine being Christian and not being a liberal. Christ was all about helping those who needed help, living peacefully, and loving deeply.
I couldn't agree more with Kathryn's statement above. As a non-Christian, I believe that God commands and demands us to live peacefully, show compassion for our fellow man, and love all people--regardless of sexual persuasion, belief system, skin color, ethnicity, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf that makes me a liberal, then I'm proud to be one. I'd rather not be labeled but if I have to wear one it would read, "human being".
If my beliefs lead some to think I'm damned to an afterlife in hell then that's their problem, not mine.