A shout out to Sharon, Mary, Chris and Josh today. I'm sorry I had to leave early from the soup kitchen yesterday, this team is just about the most fun people I know to work with.
Here is a little introduction.
I didn't see enough Progressives there, which is a shame. I understand our Fearless Leader has proclaimed that there is no room in the caucus for getting together even once a month to serve our community's poorest citizens.
I kinda had a bad visceral reaction when I heard that.
Maybe they don't vote.
On a similar subject...
I just ran across this good site to read for those who have stray-ed from the flock, and who want the low-down on the real agenda of the radical religious fundamentalist right.
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/4/24/154621/278
And the article that jump started todays' post:
Corporate Jesus Still Sucks
by Scott Davis
Mine eyes have beheld the Christ of the Right.
His crown is resplendent with diamonds mined from South Africa, the red highlights encrusted blood of the poor split during their extraction.
His eyes flash televangelist shows. His mouth spews forth booming words that enflame, frighten and promise blessings for a contribution. His rainment a business suit of finest dark wool, the exquisite tailoring offset by the logos of all Fortune 500 emblazoned upon it. Around about him plays the music of a trillion commercials.
In his right hand, an NRA pistol. As colossal Christ strides forward, gay teens kill themselves in advance for fear of his approach. Other boys shoot their classmates and teachers in tribute. Mall girls writhe BritneyAguilera style. Businessmen bend over for a kiss. Women cackle gleefully of family and values. Police barracade away those who cannot afford access to the spectacle.
Behind him crops wither, birds fall, and distant structures are backlit by fire. Christ takes his throne astride Wall St. and Madison Avenue. He crushes the Statue of Liberty with a swipe of his great hand, condemning it as an idol. Corporate jets and news helicopters circle for a look, while he pronounces New York to be the New Jerusalem.
Bush has said that Jesus is his favorite political philosopher. He must have meant this Christ. Fortunately, the Jesus of history is not so easily dismissed. Conservatives can be called to account by scripture because they claim such allegance to it. Observe these actions by Bush.
In the election aftermath, Gore offered to meet with Bush to find a process to end the confrontation and legal wrangling. To find common ground and commit to a process that would be satisfactory to both. Bush refused. But, after the Supreme Court made its decision, Bush went to church.
Contrast this, with what Jesus says: "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." Matt. 5:23-24
When Carla Faye Tucker pled for leniency, Bush mocked her. Contrast this with what scripture says: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8. In this act of mockery, Bush is more like the shouting crowd at the foot of the cross than the One upon it.
It is impossible for me to imagine Jesus or one of His diciples the head of state of these United States. We harbor weapons of mass destruction. The Catholic church has called our possession of these sin. Our governments promote sin, though gambling in our state lotteries and the CIA involement in drug trafficing. Our corporations oppress foreigners in developing countries to enrichen us, from Bhopal to the Malasian sweatshops producing our footwear. Let us begin there with our vaunted homage to Jesus!
I can see Jesus holding a woman as she weeps over an unwanted pregnancy, no more judging her than the woman caught in adultery, before I can see Him as part of Operation Rescue. I can see Jesus more easily in a gay bar before I can see him in Pharasaical Liberty Baptist Church, since He was a "friend to prostitutes and sinners."
The Christian Right betrays Jesus.
Open the Gospels, beginning with John. Give Jesus a fair hearing. It's worth it no matter what your faith, or no faith. It is only 30 pages or so, depending on the edition. It will put an end to your understanding of Jesus according to Jerry Falwell.
The Christian Right prattles on about making our nation pleasing to God by forcing everyone to act like a Christian, by not having an abortion. But they "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" by turning a blind eye to our treatment of the poor, the native american who has become a foreigner in our midst, our selfish choices to protect our industries while we ruin the air of the planet, and so many more sins I cannot count.
In fact it is no action justifies us. As Martin Luther said, we are justified by faith, not works, "lest any man should boast." We will need this grace in abundance. Thank God it is there. As Robert McNamara, a Presbyterian Elder as I am, apologised on his deathbed for exaggerating the Soviet threat, as Lee Atwater did likewise for smearing Dukakis for Bush, Sr., we have much to repent of, as Bush's actions unfold.
How different a nation obeying the full gospel would be. Third world debt foregiveness would occur overnight (Deut. 24:12). Basic needs would be supplied to all. Estates of the rich given to the poor. Exhaltation of the handicapped, the criminals, best treatment of the mentally ill, and more. (Matt. 5) Human rights, peace and justice the goals of our foreign policy. Commercialism forsaken in charity. Selfishness and greed seen for the vices they are. Life, in short, would be heaven. Life under the Christian Right, quite oppressive in contrast.
Jesus would be a poor choice for a political philosopher anyway. A politician would hardly be said to be successful who was executed at age 33. Let's be mindful that there are other forms of success than the one Bush pursues this Easter season.
I will hope and pray for a Christian whose Bible is not just worn out on the outside as President in 2004. Until then, please do not pronounce Jesus guilty by association with Bush!
After a lifetime spent in love and sacrifice, we shall come at last to that forlorn lonely mountaintop whose backdrop is a sky so open, blue and high it makes the solar system seem an indoor affair. We shall come upon a hut such as a poor Nazarene carpenter might build. In the silence, our hearts may hear the distant, achingly beautiful sound of celestial choirs. He Who will greet us is both infinitely wise and infinitely simple. And we shall break bread together, and eat.
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