Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 03-04-2011, 07:14 PM

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The results from a recent poll published by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life ( http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and...-Religion.aspx ) reveal what social scientists have known for a long time: White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus.. . .

andrewcriddle · 03-05-2011, 02:59 AM

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Originally Posted by Toto

Why Evangelicals Hate Jesus

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The results from a recent poll published by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life ( http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and...-Religion.aspx ) reveal what social scientists have known for a long time: White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus.. . .

This is a bit more modern politics than I normally discuss on this forum, and I happen to share some of the concerns expressed about modern evangelical social attitudes.

However I am unclear that scepticism about the ability of modern central government to improve society, (the central theme raised in the poll and article), is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. It may well be mistaken but that is another matter.

Andrew Criddle

Doug Shaver · 03-05-2011, 06:32 AM

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Originally Posted by Toto

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White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus.. . .

Isn't somebody assuming something about what "the actual teachings of Jesus" actually were?

Evangelicals are not ignoring the teachings of Jesus. They just are not interpreting his teachings the same the way Pew Forum apparently does. I don't happen to agree with their interpretations any more than Pew does, but it does not follow that they are ignoring his teachings.

No Robots · 03-05-2011, 07:10 AM

The fact is that most people do hate Christ and his radical doctrine, but it is hard to make people forget him and his words. The attempt to erase him by casting him as god has failed. Now, we have the attempt to erase him entirely from history. This, too, shall fail.

Splarnst · 03-05-2011, 10:00 AM

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Jesus exhorted humans to be loving, peaceful, and non-violent. And yet Evangelicals are the group of Americans most supportive of easy-access weaponry, little-to-no regulation of handgun and semi-automatic gun ownership, not to mention the violent military invasion of various countries around the world.

Jesus also told his followers to purchase swords.

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They hate anything that smacks of "socialism," even though that is essentially what their Savior preached.

Personally giving away one's possessions because you think the world will end very soon ≠ Significant public control of the economy.

I oppose almost everything Evangelicals support, but I don't necessarily think they should follow the ideas of an illiterate first-century Palestinian Jewish preacher who never advanced a single logical argument either.

seyorni · 03-05-2011, 10:41 AM

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Originally Posted by Doug Shaver

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Originally Posted by Toto

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White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus.. . .

Isn't somebody assuming something about what "the actual teachings of Jesus" actually were?

Evangelicals are not ignoring the teachings of Jesus. They just are not interpreting his teachings the same the way Pew Forum apparently does. I don't happen to agree with their interpretations any more than Pew does, but it does not follow that they are ignoring his teachings.

Evangelicals are cherry-picking and 'interpreting', in my opinion. They seem to be promoting conventionalism, nationalism, American exceptionalism, and imperialism.
It seems to me the main purport of Christ's teachings involved ecumenicalism, rejection of wealth and the duty to care for the poor. His values were those of a Hippie, not of a soldier or capitalist.

No Robots · 03-05-2011, 11:14 AM

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Originally Posted by Revolutionary

I don't necessarily think they should follow the ideas of an illiterate first-century Palestinian Jewish preacher who never advanced a single logical argument either.

Arthur: "Bloody peasant!"

Dennis: "Oh, what a giveaway! Did you see that? Did you see him repressin' me? You saw it, didn't you?..."

Minimalist · 03-05-2011, 12:51 PM

The Evangelicals have created god in their own image....which is what all religions do.

braces_for_impact · 03-05-2011, 01:37 PM

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Originally Posted by No Robots

The fact is that most people do hate Christ and his radical doctrine, but it is hard to make people forget him and his words. The attempt to erase him by casting him as god has failed. Now, we have the attempt to erase him entirely from history. This, too, shall fail.

We do? Who's doing that?

aa5874 · 03-05-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No Robots

The fact is that most people do hate Christ and his radical doctrine, but it is hard to make people forget him and his words. The attempt to erase him by casting him as god has failed. Now, we have the attempt to erase him entirely from history. This, too, shall fail.

What radical doctrine did Jesus Christ preach?

Examine Mark 9:31 -

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For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

There is NOTHING radical here except perhap for madness.

And now EXAMINE Matthew 13

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...10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? ...... Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive,

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them....

What was really radical about preaching to people so that they could NOT understand and NOT BE Converted?

And why do you assume the Jesus story is history?

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03-05-2011, 07:10 AM	#4
No Robots Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 5,679	The fact is that most people do hate Christ and his radical doctrine, but it is hard to make people forget him and his words. The attempt to erase him by casting him as god has failed. Now, we have the attempt to erase him entirely from history. This, too, shall fail.

03-05-2011, 12:51 PM	#8
Minimalist Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,808	The Evangelicals have created god in their own image....which is what all religions do.

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