Quote of the day:
"There are varying levels of obscenity in televangelist Pat Robertson's suggestion that an elected Latin American president, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, should be killed. Robertson's already trying to back off, claiming that his phrase "take him out" could mean a lot of things. You bet. It's sort of like the fight over the meaning of "is."
Seattle PI Editorial, 8/25/05
Today's Blog:
In recent years, I've written extensively regarding the direction of modern Christianity. Especially as viewed under the lens that now includes the influence of the current "Rags to Riches" Tele-evangelical infomercial doctrine. You know this type of model, much resembling the mirror of Pat Robertson's religion of political whacko'd convenience; these religious leaders say Jesus with perfect pronunciation while practicing nothing of what Christ preached.
Indeed the new phrase going around the "Letters to the Editor" circuit is "WWJA?"-Who Would Jesus Assassinate?
Robertson is deservedly under fire for being the lunatic he is. First he denies he made the remark. Then he claims it was taken out of context. Then he rationalizes his stance by comparing his position to a true theologian of conscience-one who was subsequently murdered by the Nazis. Meanwhile the Bush administration, frantic over the sinking of their ship of political fortunes in the 2006 election and afraid to piss off the last base of support they have, evangelicals, looks the other way.
Uh President Bush here's a doctrinal hint- the phrase Christ coined was "Turn the Other Cheek." It wasn't "Look the other way". Robertson is not just a "private citizen" entitled to his own views. He is the centerpiece of a movement you have capitalized on again and again. If you believe in Jesus as much as you claim, its high time you took Robertson to the woodshed.
Historically the real problem here is that Christ has once again been completely hijacked--by people who really have no interest in turning cheeks, breaking bread, or hanging out with prostitutes-that is unless like Jimmy S, they are procuring their services.
And how cool is that?
We've now had 2000 years of debate over what makes a real Christian. But I wonder if a REAL Christian is even really interested in this debate. Heartfelt believers are just too busy-slogging it out in the trenches, loving their neighbor as themselves, and living humble lives in which servitude comes first. That's not nearly as fun as the mega dome excitement of being a testosteroned up! Promise Keepers Christian, not as glitzy as being a 700 Club Christian, and certainly not as profitable as being an ENRON Christian. We've had so many hijackings of things done in the name of Jesus it's hard to keep count. There was WWCC? (Where Would Christ Crusade), WWCG ?(Who Would Christ Gas), and finally, we've enjoyed WWJL? (Who Would Jesus Lynch) Now we get to add assassination to the mix. Is it any wonder the non Christian world doesn't trust the faith?
I don't mean to be offensive, but when is our species going to tire of people with political agendas hijacking religion for their own purposes? Right now the evangelicals are in serious damage control mode, but rest assured they'll be back before long, once again proclaiming new takes on WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?).
Ironically Jesus Himself makes it very clear what he'd do. Read the New Testament. And if you see Robertson hanging out in Africa, sleeping in the dirt, eating the same porridge as every other starving person is stuck eating, not driving around in an air conditioned Land Rover, not mining for Diamonds in impoverished African Nations, and not looking the other way when oppression and dictatorship are the law of the land, then maybe just maybe there's a chance that Robertson and even the other evangelicals in this posse, the likes of Gary Bauer, Ralph Reed and James Dobson, have finally converted.
To Christianity.
Prayer Requests:
For my, father who in addition to last week's heart attack scare, was run over by a forklift earlier in the week. His shoulder and arm were injured in this latest accident, but immediately after the collision, at least one witness thought my father had been killed....
For David, who may have had a mini stroke this week, and for his wife joyce, who is recovering from cancer...
For Jay who shattered his Achilles Heel...
For Nancy who remains facing cancer concerns...
For Mark, Cathy, and Keith and ongoing health issues...
For my cousin Grant's infant daughter born several months premature...she's still hospitalized...
For my neighbor Dennis who is fighting a five year battle against cancer...
For Clayton's Sister who is going through a tough time...
For parents Vickie and Jimmy and their premature babies Heidi and Olivia...
For Stacy and Chris-who face frightening health challenges...
For Bobbi that her pregnancy continues without complications...Bobbi carries a boy.
For Brooke who is also pregnant. She is carrying a girl.
For all the cattle ranchers on both sides of the border facing Mad Cow fears...
Links, links, links...
Rex ponders the whole "gay community" thing...
http://365gay.com/opinion/wocknerwire/wocknerwire.htm
Mayor West Recall to move forward...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002451478_west25m.html
Evangelicals under fire for Robertson's remarks...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002451439_robertson25.html
And the NYTimes weighs in on Robertson...calling a spade a crackpot.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/25/opinion/25thu2.html?th&emc=th
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