Mainline Christian Leaders Urge Congress to Reject Bush Budget

[pelagius]

Leaders of five Mainline Protestant denominations will call on Congress to reject-"as unjust"-President Bush's 2006 federal budget at a press conference on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 3:30 p.m. in the West Room of the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor.

Participating in the press conference will be the Most Reverend Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church USA, the Right Reverend Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Reverend Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reverend Ron Stief for the United Church of Christ and Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society for the United Methodist Church.

The leaders will offer a joint statement followed by individual statements on specific areas of concern regarding the President's 2006 federal budget. The leaders will speak from the context of the teachings of Jesus Christ on matters of economic justice. The leaders will also illustrate how the Churches are doing their part to serve the working poor of the nation and reject the notion that faith-based organization can alone turn back the rising tide of poverty at home and abroad. After the press conference, the leaders will be available answer questions from media.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=43829

[liberal N proud]

1. What is this I hear? Christian's speaking out against the

Christian president?
That can't be! What can we expect next?

I did notice these are not the Reich Wing so-called Christian leaders like Falwell. Those guys are only in for the money they can rake from the sheep.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

31. There's a world of difference between a Christian and

a "fundie" (as mocked regularly here). For example, I am a Christian, although I am NOT a Falwell/Robertson/etc. fundie.

[RedEarth]

80. I agree.....there' an enormous difference between a Christian

fundie.....there's no comparison at all. Great to see the mainstream Christians leaders speaking out against Bush......we'll see if their voice is heard over the hatred the fundie's spew.

[tsuki]

47. Falwell is a Moonie, bought and paid for.

[Tigress DEM]

68. I thought it was moon pies he bought and paid for. Young ones.

Hypocrisy. Even if his message were less awful, it is still hard not to say, "Hey, you walk the walk, preacher man, then maybe I'll listen to you talk."

[tsuki]

75. Considering the small investors he cheated out of his Liberty

University Bonds using Moon's 2.5 million dollar gift so he could evade bankruptcy and the end of his lifestyle, he is bought and paid for.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. This is a significant act, and, I hope, a sign...

that others will begin to take back our country's institutions from a minority on the extreme right, which the press, and right-wing Republicans, falsely portray as mainstream America.

[pelagius]

3. Here's the text of the statement:

Joint Statement: Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian,
Church of Christ and Methodist Churches


We are preachers, and so, in explaining our opposition to the 2006 Federal Budget that President Bush has sent to Congress, it seems only fitting that we should begin with Scripture.

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames"

The passage comes from 16th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, and it contains a warning that should deeply trouble those of us who live in a wealthy nation. As the story continues, the rich man implores Abraham to raise Lazarus from the dead and send him to the house of his brothers so that they may be spared his torment.

"They have Moses and the prophets," Abraham replies. "They should listen to them." The rich man says, "No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent." And Abraham answers, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. In telling this story, Jesus makes clear that perpetrating economic injustice is among the gravest of sins. Yet self-interest is so deeply ingrained in each one of us, he says, that we will not renounce it, even should someone rise from the dead. Jesus was right about that. It was he who rose from the dead to save us from greed and myriad other sins. Yet those who have much continue feasting, even as those who have little remain at their gates.

Like many Americans, we read our daily newspaper through the lens of faith, and when we see injustice, it is our duty to say so. The 2006 Federal Budget that President Bush has sent to Capitol Hill is unjust. It has much for the rich man and little for Lazarus. According to the White House's own numbers, this budget would move 300,000 people off food stamps in the next five years. It would cut the funds that allow 300,000 children to receive day care. It would reduce funding for Medicaid by $45 billion over the next ten years, and this at a time when 45 million Americans-the highest level on record-are already without health insurance.

These cuts would be alarming in any circumstances, but in the context of the 2006 budget, they are especially troubling. For even as it reduces aid to those in poverty, this budget showers presents on the rich. If passed in its current form, it would make permanent tax cuts that have bestowed nearly three-quarters of the "relief" on one-fifth of the county. If passed in its current form, it would include whopping new cuts that would benefit, almost exclusively, those with household incomes of more than $200,000 per year. If passed in its current form, it would take Jesus' teaching on economic justice and stands it on its head.

Some contend that these cuts will stimulate the economy and improve life for all Americans, but we believe that stocking the rich man's larder is a peculiar strategy for getting Lazarus more food. Not only does this policy rest on dubious economic assumptions, but it asks the poor to pay the cost for a prosperity in which they may never share.

Some contend that works of mercy are not the business of the government but of private citizens. But in what other area of our national life do we formulate policies uninformed by our deepest values?

Some contend that with the proper support faith-based charities will step forward to fill the gap created by the government's retreat. But this flies in the face of the lessons that we, as religious leaders, have learned first hand. Our churches operate thousands of charities from the parochial to the international. Believe us when we tell you that neither we, nor our Evangelical brothers and sisters, nor our friends of other faiths have anywhere near the resources to turn back the rising tide of poverty in this country. We know that programs, whether governmental or non-profit, can change people's lives for the better. New situations challenge us to respond to new conditions and to support those who are in transition out of poverty. Sadly, the 2006 budget will send more people searching for food in cupboards that, quite frequently, are bare.

Our churches will continue their ameliorative ministries. But it is not enough for us as a Church or a society to be merciful. We must remember the admonition of the prophet Micah. "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah's choice of verbs is instructive. We are not to love justice or preach justice, we are to do justice-to act, and, when necessary, to struggle.

We urge the members of our churches, of other churches and other faiths, and all whose conscience compels them to do justice to join us in opposing this budget. Write to your representatives. Write to your local newspaper. Join the organizations working to obtain justice for the 36 million Americans living below the poverty line, the 45 million without health insurance and the unknown millions struggling to keep their families from slipping into these ever increasing ranks.

Together, let us pledge ourselves to creating a nation in which economic policies are infused with the spirit of the man who began his public ministry almost 2,000 years ago by proclaiming that God had anointed him "to bring good news to the poor."

Signed by:

The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, USA

The Right Reverend Mark Hanson
Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American

The Reverend Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.)

The Reverend John H. Thomas
General Minister and President, United Church of Christ

Mr. James Winkler
General Secretary, General Board of Church and Society,
United Methodist Church

[Ariana Celeste]

15. That is beautiful.

Finally some good news, this makes me truly happy to read.

[The Stranger]

16. Link, please.

[pelagius]

21. No link available until after the press conference. Will post then. n/t

[pelagius]

55. New link with quotes from press conference...

...from USNewswire:

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=44011

I'm still not able to find a link to the actual statement yet. My source (who works directly with one of the signers of the statement) now tells me it was "embargoed" until after the press conference. In other words, no one was supposed to publish it -- oops! sorry! my bad! -- and, since this all took place on the East Coast at the end of work day, it probably won't appear until tomorrow on the various websites.

I will post the link to the statement ASAP.

A Newswire subscriber could do this, too. Feel free, if you have access, to throw the link up.

[The Stranger]

82. Still awaiting the link to the text of the statement from the churches.

This should be fairly simple to do.

[pelagius]

85. The statement will be up on the Presbyterian Church USA site...

...before the end of the day, according to their news service person, who I just spoke to.

They can be found at www.pcusa.org

I also spoke with a person in the Episcopal Church USA main office who will be forwarding me an official copy of the statement via e-mail. Their webmaster is out of town until next week, hence no timely update.

The United Methodists, UCC, and ELCA have not responded yet to my voice mail messages, but I only left them a few minutes ago.

While it is indeed simple to link to a web page, it is difficult to link to something not on the web yet. :-)

[pelagius]

98. Link to statement

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_59750_ENG_HTM.htm

[pelagius]

95. Link to statement

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_59750_ENG_HTM.htm

[pelagius]

99. Link to statement

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_59750_ENG_HTM.htm

[Hamlette]

26. This is powerful stuff. Almost enough to make me believe in God.

Religion, when it is used for good, is profound and beautiful.

[DebJ]

38. Please, do you have a link, for my 'nonbeliever' friends?

[pelagius]

56. Coming shortly. See post 55. n/t

[pelagius]

96. Link to Statement

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_59750_ENG_HTM.htm

[DebJ]

39. Fabulous. I'd like to pass this out to everyone in my community

[The White Tree]

84. I am saddened that I see no Catholic representation

on this list. As a Catholic I find that somewhat discouraging. Do you have any info on whether they just weren't part of this initiative or if they refused for any specific reason. I'd be interested to know either way.

Thanks for this post. I am passing this on to friends and family.

[pelagius]

103. I suspect logistics were more the problem...

...than unwillingness. The US Catholic bishops have some fair strong statements about economic justice on their website at www.usccb.org.

[chomskysright]

87. I see there are no god-fearing Baptists signing it....what

hypocrites they are.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. Where were they during the election,

oh yes.....they were TRASHING KERRY at every turn and "pimping" it for Bushco because abortion was their big issue. Nothing else matters and now it does.

Thanks, but it's a little too late.

:eyes:

[DeepModem Mom]

6. I don't think these denominations were involved in the abortion issue...

or were they actively anti-Kerry.

[LittleWoman]

7. You are wrong here

The mainline protestant churches were not pimping for Bush, that was the evangelicals and the Southern Baptists. For example, the United Methodist Women marched in the Pro-Choice rally in Washington, D.C. in January. All of the above named churches were also against Bush's oil war in Iraq. You need to learn the difference between the churches who kiss up to Bush and those who don't. Some of us have been fighting these battles probably since before you were born. We do not have to agree in matters of faith, but try to pay attention to who your real friends are.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

8. As a Catholic, the church that I am disenfranchised with...

pimped for Bush during this election. I am very cold to the idea of any religion at the time being. Maybe I'll warm up in a few years. I've seen how religion is being used to manipulate the political process for evil. I've had enough of it! :argh:

[adigal]

12. I am trying to find a United Church of Christ

in my area, or a Unitarian Universalist church. I, too, am a disgusted Catholic who went to Catholic school for 13 years and actually used to teach in a Catholic school. The Church has abandoned the poor for the aborted and the gay-hating.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

19. I used to go to a Jesuit College and they are....

nothing like the rest of the Catholic Church. They are true to their beliefs, the REAL teachings of Christ.

The rest of the Catholic Church can rot for all I care. I agree that they have sold out to become hate merchants.

[Sapphire Blue]

40. Find a congregation

Find a Congregation (UCC)

http://www.ucc.org/find/index.html


Find a Congregation Near You! (UU)

http://www.uua.org/CONG/index.php


And if your near Seattle, check out Trinity United Methodist Church (& the pastor's essays on the website)

http://216.197.101.64/trinity/page1.cfm

[Lizzie Borden]

49. If you can't find either of those, Presbyterian would

be the next closest thing to them.

[0007]

79. The Round Church has it all!

[pelagius]

63. If you like the liturgal and sacramental life of...

...the Catholic Church, you might be interested in checking out the Episcopalians. "All the theater, none of the guilt," laughs one of my recovering Catholic friends.

www.episcopalchurch.org

[JerseygirlCT]

67. One rector jokingly called us "Catholic lite"

I was just going to post what you said. There are many former R. Catholics in our pews each Sunday morning.

[Laurab]

65. I call it "recovering Catholic"

I left the church years ago - there was way too much hypocrisy and big business for my liking. It didn't lessen my belief in God, I just believe in a loving God, not an always punishing God. My son is 22 and just started attending Catholic church on his own. He was more than a little put off when they strongly suggested people in the church should vote for the shrub.

I'm not surprised the Catholic church isn't involved with that letter. It's all about abortion, I guess, not the fact that there's war, death, destruction, poverty, et al.

It IS nice to see that there are some churches still doing God's work - or at least what I consider to be God's work. Bushit and his friends know nothing about God's work.

[LittleWoman]

20. Sorry I was so focused on Protestants

that I forgot about the Catholic Church turning its back on the poor etc. to boost the "pro-life" Mr. Death Penalty.

[pelagius]

13. This isn't the Roman Catholic Church we're talking about...

...here. Nor is it Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson or others of that ilk. There are other types of Christians beside radical reactionary clerics who have the media's ear.

(BTW -- many of the social policy statements of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops read like a liberal's dream. Check out www.usccb.org for more info. And, no I'm not a Roman Catholic, just a liberal looking for allies wherever I may find them.)

[kliljedahl]

30. I'm an agnostic but:

I'm reading the new book by Jim Wallis called "God's Politics." Gives me some hope that there are some "real" Christians out there. I highly recommend it.

[pelagius]

32. "Mega-Ditto" that!

Excellent book! And I got a chance to say "Mega-ditto"!

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

69. Just bought the book at Costco

Can't wait to start reading!

[chomskysright]

88. COSTCO is a BLUE company! AMAZON is a Repug comp...

go to buyblue.com to get more detail info

[kliljedahl]

100. I couldn't put it down

Enjoy!!

[Bridget Burke]

36. A few grandstanding Bishops & Priests came out for Bush.

Not officially--but they ignored all Church doctrine to focus on the sexy bits.

I've been lapsed for many years but I read the sermon our Bishop gave when he was promoted to Archbishop. (Texas is now split between the Archdioceses of Galveson/Houston & San Antonio.) Archbishop Fiorenza is still against Abortion (surprise!). But he's also against Capital Punishment & War. And he's for Social Justice.

However, the politicized Catholics got the media coverage. So did the nuttier Protestants--not just Evangelicals/Fundamentalists, but the Dominionist gang.

[adigal]

54. The Catholics of 2004/2005 don't give a damn

about poverty, immoral wars or torture - although our Pope does. Most Catholics I know only give a damn about abortion and gay marriage. They don't see poverty, hence, in their teeny minds it does not exist.

[Kolesar]

22. The United Church of Christ...

...is the church who ran those commercials showing bouncers excluding gays from the conservative church. The message was "you are welcome at the UCC".

Enough to make even an atheist love them.

[pelagius]

24. The UCC also ran a hilarious story on their website...

...welcoming Sponge Bob Squarepants to their church.

http://www.ucc.org/news/r012405.htm...

Be sure to look at the photo diary of Sponge Bob's visit!

[Kolesar]

27. Oh, that is sweet!

I am still chuckling.

[Lizzie Borden]

50. Good old UCC. A church with

a sense of humor!!! It's what we all need in this age of zealotry.}(

[XemaSab]

57. My Methodist pastor

told the congregation to go see Fareinheit 9-11. My church is also *very* queer friendly. It really depends on the pastors.

[pacifictiger]

71. Most of the commercial media

is bought and paid for by the likes of Pat Robertson, which is why you never hear from anyone but Falwell and other wolves in sheeps clothing.

Check out the Interfaith Alliance website for religious leaders who are truly trying to help this country return to sanity. They try to advocate their viewpoint whenever and wherever they can, but unfortunately the for-profit media mostly shuts them out so few people know they exist.
edit: for website link http://www.interfaithalliance.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=258308

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Maybe they're reading "God's Politics" by Jim Wallis and finally

starting to take back Jesus as their own!!

[pelagius]

33. Great book! But these particular churches...

...have been fighting the good fight for a long time. They just don't rate the same media coverage as the radical clerics of the religious right do. This "peace" and "justice" stuff is soooo boring when you've got a truly meaningful issue like "Sponge Bob Squarepants is Gay" to cover. :-)

[tsuki]

48. The Right-wing media won't even allow their commercials on TeeVeeee.

[Larkspur]

9. Will Bush call these churches a "focus group" or a "fringe element"?

[elehhhhna]

17. Yes. Or just "Terrists".

[bunkerbuster1]

52. um... he calls one of them his own

the Methodists, that is.

[XemaSab]

58. Cheney's a Methodist too.

Dean's UCC. :-)

[Dulcinea]

93. So is Senator Hillary Clinton. eom

[adigal]

10. I just emailed the speech to 5 people

including two very religious relatives/friends of mine. Send it around - it is very refreshing to see true Christianity.

[DebJ]

43. I just sent it to 6 family/friends and 20 Dem Committee people.

[beyurslf]

11. I suppose it is nice that moderate and liberal clergy won't let the far

right wing-nuts be the only ones in the religious debate...but I really wish they would stick to preaching to their congregations and leave the poltical arena altogether. I don't give a damn WJWD.

[pelagius]

18. Take your friends where you find them, please.

If someone believes Jesus wants them to oppose the Bush budget and someone else believes rigorous logic leads them to oppose the Bush budget, do you really care -- if your goal is to oppose the Bush budget -- how your natural allies arrived at their commitment?

[JerseygirlCT]

74. Many people DO care

and they have a right and an obligation to speak out against injustice. As do we all.

[Wilms]

14. Yep. Some Christians get it.

Bush and Blair are banned for life from the Church of Nativity

http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2003/Bush-Banned-In-Bethlehem1apr03.htm

[DUgosh]

23. Didn't Hagee, Falwell and Robertson

Joyce Meyer, Rod Parsley, the Priest at my Texas Catholic Church, and other radical rightwingers, etc, say that it was sinful be critical of the President because he was a man of faith and in authority...and didn't they also say that it would be sinful be critical of them because they were persons of faith and spiritual authority.

But maybe I will take the advice of these brave outspoken Mainliners and speak up. Maybe I should speak up about my Priest who is the DEAN of the HONDO DEANERY. Maybe I should report to someone the he is violating the 501c3 rules for endorsing political figures. Maybe our new Archbishop Jose Gomez formerly of Colorado should be notified immediately. Maybe I should tell * about all this crime, oh, I forgot, he'll just say...."WHO CARES WHAT YOU THINK"

[pelagius]

28. Your priest is not only violating 501(c) rules...

...he's stating his personal position, not that of the Church. The famous "Ratzinger Letter" issued by the Pope's right-hand man made it clear that Catholics may vote for pro-choice candidates if they are in substantial agreement with the rest of candidate's position. Catholic voters should not vote for a candidate solely because a candidate hold pro-choice views.

In other words, the Catholic teaching is, as a "good Catholic", one should be opposed to abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, etc, but ultimately you must vote your conscience.

I haven't heard any Catholic right-wingers express much concern about how a "good Catholic" can support a pro-death penalty candidate, have you? Or one who wages unjust wars? Or worsens the lot of the poor?

It's partisan politcs, pure and simple.

[HockeyMom]

29. New York

NEVER heard any of the churches here come out looking to deny Communion to Pataki, Rudy, or any of the other pro choice politicians. Was at Mass a while back and a visiting priest from Boston with a very heavy brogue was performing Mass. When it came to the part about praying for the unborn (yawn), he added, "Pray for the BORN (he emphasized it) and the unborn. I almost fell out of my pew. Well, Hallelujah! It's about TIME.

By the way, the Council of Churches (MAINSTREAM Christian Churches) came out loud and clear about calling Iraq an immoral and unjust war.

[Ariana Celeste]

25. I sent this, and the statement,

to my aunt. I'm not sure of her politics, but she is a very religious woman, and loves her Jesus. So, I am hoping she will pass it on to others. She is the only religious person I know, so, I'll just have to cross my fingers.

This is awesome, and soooo refreshing.

[w4rma]

34. Big media only listens to Fallwell and Robertson on religious issues.

And Bob Jones.

[pelagius]

35. Pretty sad, but true. n/t

[blondeatlast]

37. Jim Wallis/SoJourners: "A Budget is a Moral Document"

Indeed it is..

Author of "God's Politics"

http://go.sojo.net/campaign/budget_06

[msongs]

41. Bush & CO will stage a phony event to counter this ___>

or cook up some other kind of trick to get the media off it??...and that assumes the MSM will actually send anyone to cover this story or actually report it.....a really big "if".

Msongs
www.msongs.com/liberaltshirts.htm

[realFedUp]

42. Alrighty. n/t

[GoddessOfGuinness]

44. "Mainline Christian Leaders"

I love this phrase. It's about time people figured out that the "Mainliners" aren't fundies.

[GOPBasher]

51. I just hope that the mainliners start getting more

organized and more media attention. We need a religious left in this country.

[Joanne98]

45. Thank God some real Christians finally standing up

I thought it would never happen.

[Sapphire Blue]

46. God's Politics: A Better Option

An excerpt....

Why can't personal ethics and social justice - together - become a real political choice?
by Jim Wallis


Why can’t we talk about religion and politics? These are the two topics you are not supposed to discuss in polite company. Don’t break up the dinner party by bringing up either of these subjects! That’s the conventional wisdom. Why? Perhaps it’s because these topics are too important and too potentially divisive, or because they raise issues of core values and ultimate concerns that make us uncomfortable.

All over the country I feel the hunger for a fuller, deeper, and richer conversation about religion in public life, about faith and politics. It’s a discussion that we don’t always hear in America today. Sometimes the most strident and narrow voices are the loudest, and more progressive, prophetic, and healing religion often gets missed. But the good news is about how all that is changing.

Continued @ http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0502&article=050210

[bunkerbuster1]

53. I've enjoyed pointing out to Bush voters who are creationists

and who don't want to see evolution taught in public schools, that Bush's own church thinks they're full of horsefeathers.

Or words to that effect.

http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1025

http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1820

[pelagius]

61. Catholics don't believe in creationism, either...

...nor do most Protestants. It's only the Biblical literalists who do.

[Selteri]

76. AKA 'fundamentalists'

We need to start making sure we refer to them what they are.

Radical priest, Pat Roberts
Religious Zealot George W. Bush...
Cult Leader James C. Dobson

See how much more clear that makes things sound

[bunkerbuster1]

78. I always prefer "radical clerics"

that's the term we've reserved previously for radical Islamic clerics, but really, what's the diff?

[pedestrian]

59. Hallelujah!

Now, if I weren't an atheist, I'd say "Praise God for these people"...

There are lots of devout Christians driving social justice movements in other countries. US Christians could, for example, pay more attention to the Liberation Theologies developed in South America.

Here's another nice scriptural passage that should make certain groups of Christians quite worried about Judgement Day:

Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'
"Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
"Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'
"Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
Matthew 28:31-46

Charity and work for justice can hardly be considered optional deeds for bonus points if this passage is to be taken seriously!

The Pedestrian

[WatchWhatISay]

60. I'm confused

I just finished reading a story of 13 Democrats who turned their backs on economic justice (including Byrd and Conrad)and this is the next story I have read.

Is this how we get out of this mess? By forming coalitions with non-fundie regligious organizations? Remember, it was Bush's own United Methodist Church that tried to talk him out of rushing to war in Iraq, though he turned a deaf ear to them.

But where have they been before now? And what is bringing about this change?

[pelagius]

62. Good questions

My guess is that these churches were involved in their own affairs and issuing press releases about various things, but the bold passion to carry the message was lacking.

The outrageous claims by the Republican Party -- and the most socially atavistic part of the party at that! -- that they only possessed Christian "truth" galvanized me into action. Maybe these denominations are as outraged as I was.

The truth is, though, calls for social justice by religious leaders don't get much press. It's the nutjob radical clerics who grab the media attention.

For example, Fred Phelps and his "church" are nothing but ~30-member family cult holed up in a compound in Topeka. But when they venture out with their "God Hates Fags" signs, it appears in all the major media outlets. These aren't Christians, folks, in any commonly held meaning of the term.

It's like saying Lyndon LaRouche is represenative of the Democratic Party.

Anyway, this is pet peeve. Please excuse the rant.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

64. wait just one minute

i thought god was in the white house? ok now im confused because Fox told me that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Chimp.

[librechik]

66. wrong Christians

Shrub has no use for the non-Rapture kind of Christians, especially any Christians who make their disagreement with him public. These good folks will get zero attention and zero media time, more or less.

And that is very very sad.

[HockeyMom]

77. And No Faith Based MONEY

lol

[rukkyg]

70. I wish

there were more stories like this to give me a favorable view of religion.

[Tsiyu]

72. Kick

for those who say no Christians are speaking out.

I say, not enough are. But some are. Here is proof.

Thanks for posting this.

[JerseygirlCT]

73. I e-mailed this all over the place last night

this is just wonderful.

[shantipriya]

81. Reject Bush Budget

It would be nice if they publicly urged their followers NOT to vote for a Repug in any election at any level.
Their call to Congress is useless because most of the Congressmen are sheep--blind followers ,esp.the Repugs!

[Hamlette]

83. Did we find a link? Did the media report this?

I'm looking for a link to the full statement and wondering if (and if not, why not) the talking heads played this up the "liberal" media.

[WatchWhatISay]

86. I have looked all over and haven't found it anywhere else

Yesterday this story gave me hope.

But that was before I realized that it was one of those stories that I would only read about on DU.

[pelagius]

90. The link will appear on the Presbyterian Church USA...

...website before the end of the day, according to the denomination's news director, with whom I spoke earlier today. I told him folks on DU were anxious to see it and pass it on and he was pleased to hear so.

I also expressed my disappointment, too, that there was no MSM media coverage of this statement, as far as I could see. The news director confirmed what most of us know here on DU -- there is no mainstream media coverage of progressive Christians and all the time in the world for Fred "God Hates Fags" Phelps and his nutjob cult.

[Hamlette]

94. me too, would be nice if Olberman or someone would report this

[pelagius]

102. Salon covers this story!

It may gain some traction in the MSM over the next few weeks as a result.

Here's the link:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/03/10/religious_left/index.html

[pelagius]

97. Link to statement

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_59750_ENG_HTM.htm

[chomskysright]

89. FOX News: [e-mail],[e-mail],Foxnewsonline@fo

[Norquist Nemesis]

91. Hah! No "funding" for YOU!

*pun intended!!!*

It's great to see mainline, moderate religious leaders taking a stand like this. Even better that it's getting press!!!

[Dulcinea]

92. Most mainline Christians are good people.

It's the fundie whackos that get all the press & make people of faith look bad, & that's not the case.

[pelagius]

101. Salon covers this story!

"The Bush administration is going to hell. That, at least, could be the take-away message from a Tuesday press conference religious leaders from five major Protestant denominations held at the National Press Club. Clad in clerical collars, and invoking the Gospel story of Lazarus, a poor man ignored at the gate of a rich man's estate who went to heaven while the rich man was sent to hell, the leaders called on Congress to oppose what they called an "immoral budget" and staked a claim for moral values that don't have anything to do with abortion or gay marriage. "The 2006 budget that President Bush has sent to Capitol Hill is unjust," they charged. "It has much for the rich man and little for Lazarus." But while the press conference focused on calling attention to the need for truly compassionate policies that protect the most vulnerable in society, it had another mission as well: to assert the relevance of the religious left.

What's that, you say? The religious what?"

More at:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/03/10/religious_left/index.html

Here's a link to the joint statement:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_59750_ENG_HTM.htm

[pelagius]

104. The National Council of Churches announces their support...

...for this statement on the budget:

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/050308federalbudget.html

[Greylyn58]

105. It's good to see REAL Christians

finally speaking up against the Shrub. These are the REAL Christians. Not the fundies that support this murderer squatting in OUR White House.

Real Christians, don't support killing, stealing, and lying to make themselves richer.

Real Christians help the poor, feed the hungry, give hope to the hopeless, reach out to those who are in need, whether they are next door or on the other side of the world.

I'm praying that this is trend and that others will follow.

:eyes: