Religion: Tea Party politics and the new Christocrats. The first Tea Party Convention is over and one thing is certain: the Tea Party movement is conservative and Christian. Jesus filled the halls. Most conference sessions began with prayers. The speaking roster was filled with a bevy of star-studded right-wing culture warriors.
There was plenty of explicit Christian social conservatism on display. Conservative Christian speakers included Pastor Rick Scarborough, the infamous Judge Roy Moore, and of course the big fish, Sarah Palin.
Pastor Rick Scarborough is a controversial former Southern Baptist preacher. Scarborough is now head of a group called Vision America. Scarborough led the convention in prayer and led a breakout session on why Christians need to be more politically active. Scarborough is infamous for trying to get America’s preachers more politicized, and for proclaiming: “I’m not a Republican; I’m not a Democrat; I’m a Christocrat.”
Roy Moore is the “10 Commandments Judge” who was fired from his position as Alabama Chief Justice when he refused to remove a 5,000-pound 10-commandments sculpture from his court building. Moore is now running for Alabama Governor. At the convention Moore sounded more like a conservative fire-and-brimstone preacher than he did a man seeking public office
At the convention Moore delighted in gay bashing. Moore lashed out at President Obama for issuing a proclamation for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month." Moore claimed that by doing so President Obama "has elevated immorality to a new level." What is sad and discouraging is that many gathered at the convention applauded Moore's hate speech masquerading as Christianity.
In the past Judge Moore has advocated in favor of the death penalty for gays and lesbians.
Former governor Sarah Palin soft pedaled her faith. Nevertheless, she made some disturbing claims. Palin claimed that one of Congress's top priorities should be "asking for divine intervention from God." She also said she wants our elected representatives to "proclaim their alliance to our Creator." Both remarks drew heavy applause. Both remarks, while empty platitudes, as is the bulk of such religious fluff, are nevertheless enough to make any free thinker and lover of reason profoundly sad.
Tea Bagging for Jesus may be the Tea Partiers calling card, but the Christian fundamentalism is bound to turn off Independents and moderates who are uncomfortable with reliance on "divine intervention" and an "alliance" with a make believe god.
When confronted with the religious bigotry embraced by many followers of the Tea Party movement, it is wise to recall a motto embraced by atheists, humanists and free thinkers alike:
Let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is just a myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.
Comments
Yes, this nation under God should run every religious person into the ground permanently. Very American. Only the deprave should rule. Very quaint, and incredibly idiotic. Does this author realize he sounds like every two-bit Marxist communist murdering thug that has engaged mass murder for the last 100 years? Oblivous. Obviously a product of the public school system.
The Tea Party started as a libertarian movement. Smaller government, tax the churches (or end income tax in favor of flat sales tax), end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan now, end the drug war. Now it looks like more Nanny State TARDS (short for the "R word") Neocon politically correct same old.
Looking at 6,000 years of human history during which time the vast majority of rulers relied on human wisdom, the evidence would suggest such reliance unwise.
Furthermore, Mr. Stone's full time interest seems rooted in anti-Christian hatred and a generalized anti-religion bigotry.
Interesting that people of faith are glad to accommodate, even celebrate, the free speech rights of atheists, humanists and 'progressives.' Christians celebrate true diversity, and historically, the agents of tolerance have been Christians.
Atheists, humanists and 'progressives' demonstrate by their words and behavior extreme intolerance and bigotry, all the while pointing the finger.
"I've lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that except the Lord build the House they labor in vain who build it. I firmly believe this, — and I also believe that without his concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our Projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a Reproach and Bye word down to future Ages."
Benjamin Franklin
"Human government is more or less perfect as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from the imitation of this perfect plan of divine and moral government."
John Adams, draft of a Newspaper Communication, Circa August 1770
"It is the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the SUPREME BEING, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping GOD in the manner most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship."
John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776
"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever."
Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781
"Adore God. Reverence and cherish your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself, and your country more than yourself. Be just. Be true. Murmur not at the ways of Providence. So shall the life into which you have entered be the portal to one of eternal and ineffable bliss. And if to the dead it is permitted to care for the things of this world, every action of your life will be under my regard. Farewell."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, February 21, 1825
Thomas Jefferson
"I have examined all the known superstitions of the world and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature.
They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to
support roguery and error all over the earth."
John Adams
"The doctrine of the divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity."
Treaty of Tripoli. Article 11 states
"The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion."
historical accuracy is neither history-based nor accurate.
Read the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers if you want the truth. Read these sites as well:
wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=78
kvbatv.org/Preambles.htm
townhall.com/columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/10/03/the_founders_intended_a_christian,_not_secular,_society
This is not a Christian nation, in the sense that most people are not Christians. This is a Christian nation from the vantage point of the Founders and the principles that guided them to establish self-governance.
Thomas Jefferson?
angelfire.com/co/JeffersonBible/jeffbsyl.html
Jefferson owned slaves. How Christian of him.
Sarah Palin is a Neocon. She wants more costly wars. The Tea Party has been co-opted by Dominionist Socialists who use the title "christian". Lets not pretend that the theology of Jesus has anything to do with Corporate Socialism, and debt ridden Empire that exemplifies what Baptists represent.
"Tea bagging for Jesus." Great phrase!
The re-introduction of religion into public life, and the endorsement of some kind of informal state religion with a nondescript (presumably male?) Judeo-Christian God at its core does seem to be front and center for these folks...
There is zero evidence of such a being existing, and state sponsored superstition is a thing which should be left in the past. There are competitive societies which are more eager to embrace reality, and at this time it is very important we do not regress into this mindless nonsense. Let people worship how they want in their own lives, but let them keep that in the same sphere they keep their sex lives. Otherwise, it is simply a perversion of reality, an infringement, and a retrogressive foolishness from which no good will come.
Yankee, common misconception. only one defines how our government is set up and run. The Constitution. Others can help clarify specific statements, but don't change them.
Ironically, the New York bomber was the victim a nasty foreclosure. Technically he was a homegrown Islamic Tea Party Terrorist.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!