Christian Democrats

Watch our broken government make

Frank Lynch — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:15:44 EDT

the Wall Street speculators rich.
They will come up with some goofy plan for Fannie and Freddie that will leave serious invesstors wondering how it will affect the stock price

But the insiders will know beforehand and get rich ahead of us.

They should stop trading the stock and have a true takeover just like with the banks where the stock is wiped out forever

But the Wall Street insiders will get rich and you and I will probably pay $10,000 per person in taxes for the bailout
I want to hear barack saying we will not bail out the insiders

Jesus Christ was a Community Organizer; Pontius Pilate was a Governor

Mike W — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:26:34 EDT

Attention Sarah Palin:

Jesus Christ was a Community Organizer.

Pontius Pilate was a Governor

---
now available on a button

Freddy Einsford-Hill vs Marion the Librarian

JMesserly — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:16:19 EDT

It's easy to get the wrong impression about me- I go to an evangelical church every Sunday with my wife and 4 children. My wife teaches Sunday school, as I have done in the past.

Many associate evangelicals with the political spectrum, forgetting about the linkage between evangelicals with the left in central America (Jesus as radical advocate of the poor), or unaware of the work of Jim Wallis and evangelical progressive groups like the Sojourners.

More importantly, many folks associate evangelicals with an anti rational world view at odds with science and emersed in the kind of supersitious closed minded thinking that was common prior to the age of enlightment.

Palin embodies this anti-rationalist world view. For her, Evolution is an opinion, Climate change an opinion and so on. In place of empiricism, the touchstone of fact is what is heard in prayer. EG: God wants us in Iraq, God wants us to build oil pipelines, and drill offshore. Never mind that the Iraqis don't want us there, or that energy experts state that those supplies are insufficient for America's needs.

Iraq: Governor Palin told ministry students that the United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a “task that is from God.”

Governpr Palin Emerging Background/News

Peter Groen — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:41:04 EDT

I was curious about Governor Palin, and was hoping to find out more about her over the coming weeks. I read this morning that she was a long time Pentacostal and then also saw this article that may, unfortunately, raise some uncomfortable issues -

The Alaska governor addressed parishioners at Wasilla's Assembly of God Church in June and likened the war to a messianic mission.

Ed Kalnins - the church's senior pastor since 1999 - has preached that critics of President Bush will go directly to hell. Although the church took its Web site down yesterday, Kalnins' sermons are widely available on Google video.

During the 2004 election, Kalnins - who originally hails from New Jersey - praised Bush, and offered this message:
"I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for [John Kerry], I question your salvation. I'm sorry."

In another eyebrow-raising development, voter records revealed that Palin's husband, Todd, twice registered as a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a fierce state's-rights group that has advocated for secession from the nation.

New York Post â€" 9/6/2008
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09032008/news/nationalnews/church_prayer_for_iraq_war_127206.htm

Reminder: Why Obama Picked Biden

FreedomOfSpeech — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:54:23 EDT

I just wanted to remind you why Obama picked Biden.

Check THIS Out.( http://www.youtube.com/watc... )

Also,

For those who STILL feel like they need a long shower after that , that , Whatever it was we saw this week , I have a few suggestions.

Here's One

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Two

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Three

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Four

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Five

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Six

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Seven

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Eight

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Nine

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here's Ten

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND !

Dee Anna

CALL TO ACTION !

FreedomOfSpeech — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:39:43 EDT

Disclaimer:

Although this is a "Christian-Based Call To Action" , all are welcome to participate. Don't worry. We won't try to send you "e-mails urging conversion" as a result........(As far as I know).

Thank you,

Dee Anna

Dear Friends,

If you watched Governor Sarah Palin's acceptance speech to the Republican National Convention last night, we're sure you were as disappointed as we were in the tenor and content of the speech.

As Christians, we are called to be respectful and loving toward our neighbors, honoring their intentions even if we disagree. We are also called to be truthful in all things, to "put away falsehood" (Eph 4:25) and refrain from slandering, belittling, or speaking out of contempt for anyone.

If these are the standards God has set for us in our personal lives, our church communities, and our neighborhoods, how much more so should they be for those who choose to be in the public eye? Shouldn't we expect our brothers and sisters in politics to also speak the truth in love and to extend respect and goodwill even to those who disagree with them?

It's because of these standards, and because Governor Palin has been so public about her Christian faith, that the Matthew 25 Network found her address last night at the Republican National Convention so disappointing. We call on her not only as a political figure, but as a prominent Christian, to commit herself to campaigning in good faith, with love and respect for her political opponents and a strong commitment to truth-telling.

Please join religious leaders Brian McLaren, Douglas W. Kmiec, Rev. Dr. Susan B. Thistlethwaite, Vincent Miller, Delores Leckey, Peter Vander Meulen, Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, and Sharon Daly by signing the Matthew 25 statement in response to Gov. Palin's speech. View the statement here.

We will share this petition with the McCain-Palin campaign and with the national media. Please add your voice and sign the statement now.

Join us in saying-- this time-- in this election-- we will not allow the politics of fear and division to win the day! Together we will lift up a compassionate religious voice that calls out the very best in every one of us and in the promise that is America.

Thank you for all you do,

The Matthew 25 Network Team

Just When You Thought it was Safe to Go Back in the Water

Rob-33704 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:42:39 EDT

I received the following email from aBarbara Davis this morning. She is apparently also a member of the 2008 Presidential Blog group. Barbara wrote:

"The fact that the taxes are too high on American Companies is why they are leaving the US. The US will become a service nation soon if we raise their taxes more. This will cause even more crime and poverty. We have to lower their taxes in order to bring the companies back to the US and put people back to work.

You need to get your facts right before you place the blame."

Someone please explain to me how an "American Company" can relocate to a communist nation - like China - and make a profit? The tax rate there is suppose to be 100%.

If a democrat can believe the real problem is that companies are taxed too much then we certainly should not take victory in November for granted. No matter how silly the republican policies may seem to us.

Today Is A Very Special Day for Me

Frank Lynch — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:20:24 EDT

see why http:www.fluni.com

Watch the GOP Women Talk About Sarah Palin

Cato Meador — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:15:42 EDT

If you notice, every woman at the GOP convention that is singing the praises of Sarah Palin......of what I have seen EVERY ONE OF THEM......is MANY MORE TIMES MORE QUALIFIED THAN THE WOMAN THEY ARE TRYING TO SHOVE DOWN AMERICA'S THROAT!!

And yet....THEY were looked over for the runner-up Miss Alaska 1982!!

This goes so far beyond bizarre.............

The Church and the Council of Nicea

Rob-33704 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:38:45 EDT

At The Council of Nicea "The Church" accepted the overlordship of the Roman Emperor who retained his pagan title of High Priest.

Among the controversial issues which the council agreed to was permitting Christians to charge interest on loans. They agreed to this although the Bible expressly forbids it?

Why??? To gain worldly power.

An objective they continue in this day by hiding behind their 501-3-C tax exmpt - wealth enhancing -status which also permits them the luxury of not having to speak out against evil.

David Brickner - Jews for Jesus

Rob-33704 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:55:15 EDT

rjsnj wrote:

In my experience, many if not most mainstream Jews are deeply suspicious of Jews for Jesus - indeed, the group has been denounced by all four branches of Judaism - and it's easy to see why.

That link to wikipedia says:

On several occasions leaders of the four major Jewish movements have signed on to joint statements opposing Hebrew-Christian theology and tactics. In part they said: "Though Hebrew Christianity claims to be a form of Judaism, it is not ... It deceptively uses the sacred symbols of Jewish observance ... as a cover to convert Jews to Christianity, a belief system antithetical to Judaism ... Hebrew Christians are in radical conflict with the communal interests and the destiny of the Jewish people. They have crossed an unbridgeable chasm by accepting another religion. Despite this separation, they continue to attempt to convert their former co-religionists

To which I can only reply - none of that means that Mr Brickner is incorrect in his faith.

Resources for churches during political season

Mike W — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:40:53 EDT

Resources for churches during political season
Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Religion is in election news once again: Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church hosted the two candidates in a forum just recently. They discussed many things, and left many other things undiscussed. Like it or not, Rick established the frame: through the setting of the debate and the questions he posed, he molded the way we will judge the candidates based on religious criteria. Some religious people are grateful. Many are not. And over the weekend John McCain alarmed many through his choice of a running mate, one that lets us know that the Religious Right is not dead as so many pundits have proclaimed.

As a United Methodist pastor of eighteen years, I know this from first-hand experience: political seasons can be most some of the most divisive times in congregational life. People feel polarized in so many ways: we want to discuss the issues, but are afraid of harming long-time friendships. We want to hear a Christian perspective, but are hurt when challenged by opposing views. As a pastor or Sunday school teacher, you feel a moral obligation to engage your people, but are vulnerable when passion is expressed. How do you manage in such a time?

I developed the film, "Theologians Under Hitler," and its companion study guide "A Question of Power," as a way to talk about the role of the church in society. Through a look back into a mostly forgotten history, the film about three Protestant theologians who supported Hitler becomes a "parable" of sorts, a way to view our own time through the lens of history. The study guide was produced by a diverse group of religious leaders who seldom agree on anything, but felt that this history could help spark a vital discussion.

Joe Lieberman

Rob-33704 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:41:50 EDT

Jilting Joe Lieberman shoud be:

1. stripped of whatever "seniority" he has in the senate.

2. Removed from all committee chairmanship positions he holds.

3. Removed from all committees in which he is a member.

4. Barred from speaking in the senate.

5. Allowed to represent his state as long as they care to elect him.

6. Encouraged to join the republican party.

Why Sarah Palin Is The Perfect GOP VP Selection

Cato Meador — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:30:25 EDT

It would seem to me, that John McCain couldn't have found a running mate better suited for a GOP ticket, than Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska.
First, if it turns out that her youngest child is actually her daughter's.....then she is a LIAR.

Second, as someone who is an advocate for 'abstainence only' sex education and still believes that it works after her own daughter has been pregnant out of wedlock at LEAST once, if not twice....then she is a HYPOCRITE.

Third, being the type of VP nominee that scares the beejeesus out of people who contemplate her one heartbeat away from being the most powerful person on Earth.....following the likes of Dick Cheney, Dan Quayle and Spiro Agnew....she MEASURES UP.

And fourth, being a Republican politician who is under investigation for ABUSE OF POWER.....hell, she is just another "The Constitution and the laws don't apply to me" REPUBLICAN!!

Short of Ann Coulter......SHE IS THE PERFECT FIT!!

Exxon Ed Whitfield's Continued Corruption

RDillon — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:13:21 EDT

In 2006, we went a long way towards defeating corruption in the Congress. The former Republican Congress, led by such men as Tom Delay was shown the door by American voters. Despite this, we still have a long way to go towards defeating Corruption in the Congress. As long as men like Exxon Ed Whitfield are allowed to haunt the hallowed halls of Congress, we have work to do.

Another Reason We Need Change

Frank Lynch — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:04:27 EDT

One of our Party Builders, Robert Brooks, has written an excellent article on his blog at http://thewildernessvoice.blogspot.com/

I am not duplicating his excellent article, but making a major correction. As shocking as his article is, and with great respect to Mr. Brooks, he understates the problem.

He uses the example of the year 1967 for his computations that the dollar has lost 80 percent of its value in forty years, compared, among other things to the price of gold.

I beg to argue that the two most relevant benchmarks are the price of oil, and the median homeprice, since those two items determine the price of almost everything else we spend our money on.

In 1967 a barrel of oil was $2.90 a barrel. Today, Sept. 2, 2008 oil closed at a five year low of $105, which indicates a loss of 97 percent in the value of a dollar.

National figures on median home prices are subject to manipulation, so I will use my home.

My home was built in 1967, coincidentally the same base year used as a base by Mr. Brooks.

The current market value of my home indicates a 92 percent loss in the value of the dollar. People are mistaken when they think they have made money when a homeprice goes up. What you are really seeing is inflation: it takes more dollars to buy the same thing.

In the 39 or 40 years since 1967, Republicans have controlled the White House most of the time, but there is plenty of blame to go around for both parties.

What this really means is that our government has stolen 92 to 97 percent of the life savings that people had in 1967.

And every year they are stealing more of our life savings. Greenspan is a traitor who belongs in jail, because the statutory job of the Federal Reserve is to preserve a sound dollar.

Greenspan only missed the mark by 95 percent.

We need CHANGE

In case I did not state it clearly, WE NEED CHANGE

The Simple Truth

Rob-33704 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:54:45 EDT

1. McCain has a right to choose anyone he wants for his VP.

2. Palin's daughter is 17 years old and only a poltroon picks on a child.

Christianity and Right Wing Politics - II

Rob-33704 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:44:46 EDT

For far too long right wing politicians and advocacy groups have been virtually unopposed while spewing their distorted form of Christianity across our nation. The recent flap over comments concerning rain on the night of Senator Obama's acceptance speech is only one example of their misguided theology.

The obvious assumption behind the words which sparked the flap is that God is on their side. Much of the theology that the right wing bases this assumption upon is derived from what has come to be know as, "The Prosperity Gospel."

This false theology is basically a Twenty-first Century version of the Dark Ages practice of "trial by combat." The idea being that if you win then God is on your side and if you lose then obviously God is not on your side. This is the false theology which is behind much of the right wing economic policies which have destroyed 80% of the value of the U.S. dollar. Link

One of the Biblical problems with this philosophy is that even if God does permit you to "win" that doesn't mean that they are actually favored by Him. One example of this can be found in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 9, verses 15 - 16. The LORD has Moses to tell Pharaoh, "For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. And in every deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

It is obvious to anyone who reads this passage that the LORD permitted Egypt to prosper and to become great so that when He punished them people would know that only the LORD could have done these things to them. Being prosperous is, therefore, not and never has been an indication of the LORD's favor.

We must cintinually challenge the false theology of the right wing. They are wrong.

New Orleans Hurricane

Frank Lynch — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:15:44 EDT

Yesterday, watching those poor people lining up for buses to yet again flee a hurricane, my heart broke.

With all our riches how can there still be people in America who are so obviously so impoverished and helpless?

Unfortunately, it is because our system of education is broken, failed, shameful.

How can any politician believe that property taxes from impoverished areas can pay for world class schools and world class teachers?

A factor in our broken system of education is that first, teachers are underpaid so that schools for teachers "sometimes" fail to attract the most talented people.

Second, the curricula are not teaching prospective teachers how to really teach.

I want every teacher in America to receive the same starting pay as computer programmers and engineeers.

I want better curicula for preparing teachers.

And I want 3,000,000 more, high paid, talented, dedicated teachers who are fully prepared to teach THE LOVE OF medicine, bioscience, math and engineering, starting in the first grade.

Let us all work for an America where everey child has absolutely equal and excellent education, so that in the future no American is so unprepared for life that they end up helplessly standing in line for buses to flee for their lives.

Please donate, tax deductible, to these goals at http://www.fluni.com

I cannot think of anything more consistent with the core values of our Democratic Party.

Christianity and Right Wing Politics

Rob-33704 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:10:56 EDT

We must cintinually challenge the false theology of the right wing. They are wrong.