I knew it was over for Pat Robertson when he said we should assassinate Hugo Chavez.
It's not so much that moderates do or say nothing it's that (as the author points out) they have no platform. You can now turn on any radio or TV and only hear right wing talk. Only one progressive station here and it is political and I doubt would take a religious spot.
How has the religious right pulled its act together? Certainly, they have the platform because it is owned and controlled by the right, religious or otherwise). Is the Left (Christian or otherwise) always fractious simply because of the nature of people who believe in diversity as opposed to strict uniformity and discipline? Whoever said the world is run by the people who show up, had it right. Commitment is the key and fanatics (those who believe in something VERY strongly)are always the most committed.
Also, the moderates are not terrified of those who are different and don't want to destroy them. 'Lets stop playing frisbee in the park with our families so that more families can play frisbee in the park' is not as compelling as 'Lets destroy the people who I imagine want to destroy me before they can do it (or prove that they don't want to)'.
Moderates may not want to destroy the religious right but the reverse is not true. If the right sets the agenda unopposed, people will think that is all Christianity is. See AFCG comment below.
The progressive Christian is almost an oxymoron to me nowadays...they are not allowed according to the conservative Christian and like Seryndipity says it is just not that important to them to fight. They believe what they believe and they don't have to convince anyone..as the way it should be. Like Christopher Hitchens once said "I don't want to fight...I just want to be left alone about what I believe". We won't even get started on the new born-again Christian...who I think are the ones really taking over unfortunately.
Just one more comment and then I am done...conservative Christian has become a big big business...the air waves...the book stores...the lecture circuits. It is much easier to have someone tell you what to believe than thinking things through and being responsible for your own thoughts and actions. There really is no talking to the born-again conservative "Christian".....and almost no being friends with one I am sorry to say. Their only purpose in life is to "convert" you..the whole thing just makes me sick to my stomach really....not how life is supposed to be.
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I knew it was over for Pat Robertson when he said we should assassinate Hugo Chavez.
ReplyDeleteIt's not so much that moderates do or say nothing it's that (as the author points out) they have no platform. You can now turn on any radio or TV and only hear right wing talk. Only one progressive station here and it is political and I doubt would take a religious spot.
How has the religious right pulled its act together? Certainly, they have the platform because it is owned and controlled by the right, religious or otherwise).
DeleteIs the Left (Christian or otherwise) always fractious simply because of the nature of people who believe in diversity as opposed to strict uniformity and discipline?
Whoever said the world is run by the people who show up, had it right. Commitment is the key and fanatics (those who believe in something VERY strongly)are always the most committed.
Also, the moderates are not terrified of those who are different and don't want to destroy them. 'Lets stop playing frisbee in the park with our families so that more families can play frisbee in the park' is not as compelling as 'Lets destroy the people who I imagine want to destroy me before they can do it (or prove that they don't want to)'.
ReplyDeleteModerates may not want to destroy the religious right but the reverse is not true. If the right sets the agenda unopposed, people will think that is all Christianity is. See AFCG comment below.
DeleteThe progressive Christian is almost an oxymoron to me nowadays...they are not allowed according to the conservative Christian and like Seryndipity says it is just not that important to them to fight. They believe what they believe and they don't have to convince anyone..as the way it should be. Like Christopher Hitchens once said "I don't want to fight...I just want to be left alone about what I believe". We won't even get started on the new born-again Christian...who I think are the ones really taking over unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThe moderates are certainly being marginalized by those who push that only THEY speak for God.
DeleteWhat moderate would be so arrogant as to assume only THEY speak for God?
ReplyDeleteJust one more comment and then I am done...conservative Christian has become a big big business...the air waves...the book stores...the lecture circuits. It is much easier to have someone tell you what to believe than thinking things through and being responsible for your own thoughts and actions. There really is no talking to the born-again conservative "Christian".....and almost no being friends with one I am sorry to say. Their only purpose in life is to "convert" you..the whole thing just makes me sick to my stomach really....not how life is supposed to be.
ReplyDelete