Disturbing News Article

[shari]

So I was reading my International Herald Tribune as usual, and then I came across this article: A New breed of US Christian (http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/22/news/class.php) .

Now, I don't have problems with Christianity. And I don't even have (much) of a problem with Evangelicals....but this article really, really creeped me out. I love my country, but the one thing that would make me give up my citizenship is if the Christian Coalition gets into power (yes, I know Bush has ties to them....but it's not the same). *shudder* They don't even think Catholicism is Christian, so there's no way I'll survive. I think it's neat that Buddhists chant in the chapel, and I love what Brown's biggest campus activity is, but the idea that these people are using their money to force their interpretation of Jesus on people is beyond disturbing. Ugh.

[greenwitch]

it is slightly disturbing yes I'll admit that, but the mere fact that if they do come into power it is unconstitutional, and there are members of congress who will hopefully recognize that there must be a separation of church and state. so I'm not incredibly worried.

[bladeraven]

That's a new form of Nazism there....what's scary is who in Congress is going to stand up against "Christians" that's the keyword there....how many in there say they are Christians while never setting foot in a church.

[bladeraven]

ooooooooo..just realized...I hit 600

[Epona44]

So I was reading my International Herald Tribune as usual, and then I came across this article: A New breed of US Christian (http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/22/news/class.php) .

Now, I don't have problems with Christianity. And I don't even have (much) of a problem with Evangelicals....but this article really, really creeped me out. I love my country, but the one thing that would make me give up my citizenship is if the Christian Coalition gets into power (yes, I know Bush has ties to them....but it's not the same). *shudder* They don't even think Catholicism is Christian, so there's no way I'll survive. I think it's neat that Buddhists chant in the chapel, and I love what Brown's biggest campus activity is, but the idea that these people are using their money to force their interpretation of Jesus on people is beyond disturbing. Ugh.

I grew up half way between the 1960's and the 1970's so that makes me a real old timer here. The only way that we will all keep our freedoms is to stand up for them, even take it to the streets.

But, pagans have a long history of secrecy and silence during times of persecution and in doing so we've managed to keep our beliefs alive, and now those are blossoming into new paths.

I read an article recently, maybe the link was even posted here, that said paganism is the fastest growing religion in the world.

I'm not sure the many paths of paganism could be called a "religion" or how the writer of the article defined "religion" but the other religion that is growing fast is Buddhism.

Neither tends to be aggressive or outspoken and so we will probably see many more articles written by Christians than anything by us.

[Pandoras]

I think people really misunderstand the First Amendment. It doesn't say there is to be a separation of church and state. It says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

The federal government cannot establish religion in America. That doesn't mean that government officials can't openly practice or promote their religion or use it politically. For example:

National Day of Prayer is popular, but why is government in the prayer business at all? Why are there priests at Presidential inaugurations? Why was Cynthia Simpson, a Wiccan, denied an opportunity to give an invocation at a board meeting (inappropriate to begin with, if you ask me). Because she was told that only prayers “consistent with the Judeo-Christian tradition” would be allowed. Why are Florida public high schools conducting graduation ceremonies in churches? There are always debates about the role of the Bible in public schools. Conservative Christians are at the forefront of issues involving homosexual marriage, abortion, etc.

To say that Conservative Christians have no power in America and that they will never have it because of the First Amendment is naive. Christianity is a powerful force. They are organized, well funded, volunteer efforts are large, teamwork and dialogue abound, organizers trust and empower their volunteers, and members trust their leaders -- important things that are sadly missing in most other groups, religious or not.

Some links that might be of interest:
When government prays, no one wins. (http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=15252)
First Amendment Center (http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/)
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (http://www.au.org/site/PageServer)

[Karma Chameleon]

The article itself wasn't all the scary however, the idea of the fundie Christians turning the USA into a theocracy surely is

I quote: "Dominion theologians ... preached ... that it was Christians' job to take over the world and impose biblical rule. Christ would not return, they said, until the church had claimed dominion over all of the world's governments and institutions ..." From http://www.theocracywatch.org/