Liberal Christianity

-sig7: October 23, 2004

One of THE most annoying segments of political life in America these days has been the efforts on the Rightwing to claim God as their personal property.

In this political season in particular, it has reached a fevered pitch, and the media (asleep at the switch as usual) feeds this storyline by ceaselessly playing into this "values" discussion, without ever examining the very LIBERAL values that exist in the Biblical text. Such passages put George Bush's claim to faith in stark relief, since he seems to have completely overlooked if not intentionally ignored quite a few of them, yet he's never asked why HE doesn't support these godly liberal values. The Rightwing wears Christianity like a chip on its shoulder, and yet never seems to integrate it's compassion, forgiveness, and honor into life in any real way, yet presumes to tell others what is righteous?

Liberals must reclaim the faith, and get the message out, not that "We have faith too," but that Liberal values are the product of that which is most divine, most just, most loving in the Bible. That to deny these Liberal values is to deny God's intent.

What do we say to God when we cut back food stamps for the poor, or start wars, or ignore the scientific reality in front of us and deny use of our greatest gift - our minds. or harshly judge those who are different from ourselves and deny them their rights and freedoms, or deny universal medical care, or when we destroy the separation of church and state that has kept this country from devolving into the chaos Afghanistan suffers from, or give tax breaks to the wealthy and make laws which favor the usury of credit card companies?

Are these things godly?

A few passages for your consideration:

Equality, Mercy, & Justice

Proverbs

14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

1st Thessalonians

5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Science and Education

Proverbs

14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

1st Thessalonians

5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Conversion

Acts

16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.

Separation of Church & State

Matthew

6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.