how do we form a left-wing Christian Coalition?

[pstokely]

Pat Robertson did it from his old mailing lists, Sharpton could

[The Chronicler]

Sharpton is a joke

Robertson was once a legit force in politics. Sharpton never has been. He is a caricature.

[ClassWarrior]

51. Sharpton is an inspiration.

NGU.

[CitySky]

1. I've been thinking about this for a while.

There are a lot of good groups, websites... count me in.

"Another Proud Member of the Christian LEFT!"

[ArcRabbit]

4. Websites?

I'm of the christian left. Could you post some websites for me? Most christian websites are extremly right and always for bush.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Come visit my site! you will find a lot of helpful info there

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

(the link above will take you there, just click on the page for Christianity.)

[pelagius]

22. Kick for these links!

Very nicely done. Thank you.

[complain jane]

26. Nice site! Thanks.

[GreenPartyVoter]

31. Thanks! It's been the busiest I have ever seen it today.

Lots of people out there looking for some consolation just now.

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[CitySky]

29. one I can remember off the top of my head

is www.liberalslikechrist.org

Glad to meet you, ArcRabbit!

[HamdenRice]

45. Grandaddy of all progressive Christian groups: SCLC

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Martin Luther King's organization is still in existence:

http://sclcnational.org/

[Born Free]

17. We don't need a Christian Left

We need to get our message out, we need a way to overcome the propganda machine that destriys democrats every time. The right wing ownd the airwaves, and it reaches Americans every day to continue to brain wash them with the right wing propaganda. Yes, we have Air America, but it is too little to affect positive change. I suggest Mocve-On start collecting money to buy more stations - we need to reach out with a daily message that all can hear.

[KittyWampus]

46. This Is The Golden Thread! The Christian Left Must Stand Up & Say

ENOUGH!

But I think it should be the Religious Left or Spiritual Left.

So as to be inclusive.

[TimeToGo]

2. Just not sure Sharpton

[jlucu]

3. Jimmy Carter

Would be a good person to start this....

[shmendrick]

5. Sharpton?

Good way to rally the Jewish base.

[pelagius]

20. Care to explain what you mean by that? n/t

[shmendrick]

23. Sure.

self edited.

[shmendrick]

25. Oh sorry

I replied to the wrong person.

[pelagius]

27. It seemed like a non-sequitur. :-) n/t

[CitySky]

36. good idea

-- if not founder, then keynote speaker at our conference. :)

[MADem]

7. Take that BIBLE

...and smack those selfish bastards upside the head with it. Take the lessons contained within and "spin" them, just like the GOP does.

Whosoever leads this Democratic Christian organization needs to tell politicians as well as dumbo GOP voters that JESUS WAS A DEMOCRAT. He cared for the poor, the sick, the weak, the needy, the young, the old....he beat swords into plowshares, he shared the wealth...loaves and fishes for everyone!!! Tear your cloak in half and cover that beggar!!! All you rich bastards, you'll never get to heaven, you'll be stuck on the wrong side of the eye of the needle with a frantically dieting camel!!!

The truth of the matter is, these so-called Christians are not very Christian. They are a bunch of avaricious bastards who use the Bible to tell OTHER people what not to do...but they fail to live up to all of the rules--especially the ones that involve their wallets, the cheap fuckers, or THEIR personal behavior, which is often atrocious.

[SharonAnn]

60. Christianity is found in the New Testament, not the Old Testament.

It's in the NEW TESTAMENT!

[qanda]

8. Call it something like "Christians Unite"

And begin dealing with issues that have some members feeling alienated from their church. Some of these include tithes, Old vs. New Testament teachings, following Paul or following Jesus, never ending building projects/funds and an overall feeling that the "church" as we now see it is not what God had intended.

[0007]

64. Christians for America

[BayStateBoy]

9. You Mean the "Christian Saints" ?

I guess we form it the same way the wingers did, starting with church group bases in every state.

[gonefishing]

10. Your missing the point.

It's abortion/gay marriages stupid -:)

[pelagius]

19. Those two issues alone swung...

...the vote toward Bush.

[reeree]

11. On a related note,

(I can't post my own topics yet... I'm new!) How do we create a left-wing counterpart to Fox News? CNN just isn't doing it for me. We need talking points the way they have talking points. How many times did we hear "global test"? Why didn't "Got any wood?" become a rallying cry for us?

[pelagius]

12. There are already some groups in existence.

Episcopalians:
http://www.everyvoice.net/

Evangelicals (yes, you read correctly):
www.sojo.net

And nearly every other Christian denomination has some sort of "social justice" organization, except for the very conservative ones.

[diplomats]

49. Thanks for the information

I didn't even know there was an Episcopalian site. I just joined it.

I love this description of the Episcopalian church - WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR BRAIN AT THE DOOR.:think:

[pelagius]

57. I'm a happy Episcopalian...

...and highly recommend that church to any progressive who wants to worship in the Christian tradition.

Warning: not all Episcopal churches are progressive. Some are downright conservative. Ask around.

[jean]

13. Liberal Christians. Sounds way better than left-wing xtians. AND, did

you know that Liberal Christians far outnumber conservative Christians in this country? It's just that the CC's have been organizing for years and have their mouthpieces in place plus radio and tv at their disposal.

The Liberal Christians need to realize they are a force and have common values, rooted in the very value that founded out nation, and need to organize and develop some spokespeople and radio/tv exposure.

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. Spiritual left vs. Religious Right. Smackdown time!

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[jean]

24. hahaha - but, but, they'll say we're new agers

[GreenPartyVoter]

30. Nah, we're OLD agers and our time has come again!

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Michael]

32. Well said Jean,

The liberal Christians do outnumber the conservative Evangelicals, however they do not attend church every Sunday, and thus make an unreliable voting bloc.

[TroglodyteScholar]

38. Liberal and moderate Christians DO outnumber...

the evangelicals. Uniting these groups is incredibly important for democrats in the future. If any of you attend church, TALK to people. It's a free country. We need to not be afraid of religion as a political force; this is cynical, but religion is a force to be manipulated, as the right-wing is well aware.

Any such movement in this direction for the left and center will have to be a grassroots movement. Lots of work. Count me in.

[Nicholas_J]

14. The most important part of such a coalition would be to show

The complete lack of real morality on the part of the religious right. The obscene focus on two issue, homosexuality and abortion, which are both mentioned less than a handful of times throughout the entire bible, while ignoring poverty, and the more than doubling of the number of childre and adults who die of preventable poverty related conditions directly atributable to cuts made by those they support is a complete must.

A religious left MUST bring out the hypocrisy of the religious right, and in particular their insistance that they interpret the bible "literally". Such an organization must also be able to poit out how these people interpret literally when it is convenient, but wherever issues of poverty are converend, decide to do away with literal interpretation, such s the scriptural injuntion to take all that you have and give it to the poor. They really bend over bsckwards to NOT interpret thesocial injunctions of the bible literally.

One of the things I do, though my girlfriend goes nuts when I do it is spend a lot of time watching CBN. zI really became aware of how much real hatred exists there with their interpretation of the Quran as a hate filled document. I have spoken to fundamentalists who are absoltely filled with hate for Muslems and beleive that killing them in Iraq is totally justifiable.

A plavce to start might be where Al Franken Started. I think a radio network of the religious left might be a good starting place.

[CitySky]

33. Radio Show for Starters?

One of the (many) dreams I've had rolling around in my head the last year or so is to start a radio program called "The Christian Progressive" and air it on the community radio station. It would be a start to opening up the kind of dialogue we need.

Of course, I have no time to do this. But it's been one of those ideas that won't go away...

[Nicholas_J]

50. I think that that something like this, on a national basis

Would siphon off some of those evanglicls who felt they could not support Bush, and a good percentage of the mainstream churches.

The one thing that bothered me about the popes reaction to the war in Iraq, for example, was that he did notdeclare it an unjust war, but stopped at the edge of it by declaring the war unjustifiable. An unjust war would have excommunicated participants. The nature of Saddams regime made this problematic.

[Quill Pen]

59. When/If more stations start carrying Air America...

Right now, Air America broadcasts in limited markets. If it expands, especially in smaller or regional markets (say Portland, OR versus NYC), they may split the airtime in such a way that a station only devotes a portion of its daily broadcasting to AA, or only carries a syndicated broadcast, say just Randi or Al.

If that happens, stations may have time slots to fill with local shows. I think that local "Progressives of Faith" broadcasts would segue pretty well with AA shows, don't you?

You could...

• feature guest speakers, local pastors, musicians, representatives from various community ministries...


• feature new music/poetry/readings by progressive religious artists...


• invite community leaders and historical experts from non-Western faiths for interviews...
  
• have a little Bible study time in each broadcast, a Sacred-Space-style daily meditation, or a "Scripture of the day," in which you (and/or guests) discuss the meaning of the verses for a world that needs help, not judgment and ignorance...


• Offer cultural education about the world's religious traditions and observances: "We're live today from the annual Seder celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom, where we're going to be talking about the service and the significance of the rituals, etc."

But these are just a few ideas.

[Nicholas_J]

15. The most important part of such a coalition would be to show

The complete lack of real morality on the part of the religious right. The obscene focus on two issue, homosexuality and abortion, which are both mentioned less than a handful of times throughout the entire bible, while ignoring poverty, and the more than doubling of the number of childre and adults who die of preventable poverty related conditions directly atributable to cuts made by those they support is a complete must.

A religious left MUST bring out the hypocrisy of the religious right, and in particular their insistance that they interpret the bible "literally". Such an organization must also be able to poit out how these people interpret literally when it is convenient, but wherever issues of poverty are converend, decide to do away with literal interpretation, such s the scriptural injuntion to take all that you have and give it to the poor. They really bend over bsckwards to NOT interpret thesocial injunctions of the bible literally.

One of the things I do, though my girlfriend goes nuts when I do it is spend a lot of time watching CBN. zI really became aware of how much real hatred exists there with their interpretation of the Quran as a hate filled document. I have spoken to fundamentalists who are absoltely filled with hate for Muslems and beleive that killing them in Iraq is totally justifiable.

A plavce to start might be where Al Franken Started. I think a radio network of the religious left might be a good starting place.

[mumon]

18. see my post here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2587318

[CitySky]

34. read your other thread

you mention TRUTH as well as social justice. That's important. We (the Christian Progressives, or whatever we call ourselves) need to be willing to call out corruption & deceit wherever we see it.

This is not a project for EVERYONE at DU, so those of you in MA and NY who are throwing your shoes at this thread can go somewhere else. This is how we're going to advance progressive dialogue in red states, like Texas where I am.

Nice to meet you, Kanzeon.

-Sky

[Nicholas_J]

54. The problems with fundies

Is they have a bunch of guys like Pat Robertson who interpret the bible for them in ways that assuage their sense of right and wrong. A guy like Hal Lindsey who regularly attacks the Quran and Muslims as hat filled war mongers, whose scripture state that they must kill all jews and christians justifies their racial b\and religious bigotry. Many Americans who will not admit they are bigots eat this stuff up. I have heard it on right wing talk radio, on CBN and other networks.

The lengths I have heard them go to trying to interpret Christ as a born capitalist defy reason, but again, these morons eat it up because it simply twists things defined as sinful in the bible into virtues.Al Frankens "Supply SIde Jesus" must have been based on some of these arguments I hve seewn on CBN.

My favorite is how boldly Benny Hinn states that if you contribute to him, god will provide you with more money, and provides testimonails to this.

A far cry from Pope John Paul II's statement to American Catholics that they must give of their substance, not just of their to be a true Christian.

THe most interesting thing one is a guy called Creflo A. Dollar. A more fitting name for an evengelical has not been seen.

[mistertrickster]

21. That is a good idea. Who said dropping bombs on Iraqi children is

Christian? They left that part out of my Bible.

I'm sick and tired of getting out "Jesused" at the polls.

It's time to fight fake Christianity with real Christianity.

[CitySky]

39. exactly

Again, not that we'd withdraw from our athiest and Muslim and Jewish and whatnot members of the Democratic party. But we need a voice, and a forum, for exposing the liars in ways that people who self-identify as "Christian" will understand.

[Bombtrack]

28. I think it's kind of a stupid idea. The left is recognizing increasingly

how stupid organized religion is. I'd like a secular coalition instead. Now that is something that could spread like wildfire.

Dedicating to recognizing the overwhelming religious bigotry in this country, and also holding other religons to the same standard as Christianity (including of course the biggest religious problem in the world right now, Islamicism).

[The empressof all]

35. I don't think it's the only method of attack

I think getting some good "Bible" thumping Liberals on the radio and on the TV is a fantastic way to bring the south back into the fold. I believe that they are basically good people who have been led astray. They need salvation from their Churches. We need to reach out and lead them to the truth.

[GreenPartyVoter]

37. Ah, but the spiritual left is gung-ho for separation of church and state

that's part of what makes us difference from the Christian Taliban.

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
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[CitySky]

42. Amen to that, Sister!

or Brother!

The Founders got that one RIGHT.

[pelagius]

40. Self-identified non-religous/secularists are 13.2% of US population...

...according to www.adherents.com vs. 76.5% self-identified Christians.

By all means, organize secularists for Democratic candidates. If every single one votes Dem next time around, you still need to convince about half of the Christians to vote with you to get to 51%.

Whatever your personal philosophy (or lack thereof) might be, you're going to have to deal with Christians to make it happen politically in this country.

It's a simple numbers game.

[Bombtrack]

52. what I'm saying is that we need to stop just accepting religion

we should work towards making fewer and fewer people religious, by not being afraid to poke holes in it's idiocy and being vocal about it. And discouraging people to brainwash their children to be religious and to let them form their OWN opinions.

[pelagius]

55. I understand completely what you're saying...

...and you're welcome to go at it.

In the meantime -- say the next several centuries -- I want Democrats in office. We needn't pander to Christians and pretend to be something we're not, but we do need to speak their language while addressing the issues that concern them.

On a personal note, I and others in this thread no doubt came to our liberal convictions through our religious beliefs. So if I'm an idiot with an imaginary friend, please have the grace to humor me because I'm on your side voting along with you.

[Quill Pen]

58. Tolerance swings both ways, buddy.

>>>we should work towards making fewer and fewer people religious, by not being afraid to poke holes in it's idiocy and being vocal about it.<<<

Unh-hunh. The effect that usually has around people of faith is to piss them off, very like the effect it has on atheists if you took the exact same approach, replacing the word "religious" in your quote above with "atheists." I'm guessing that actually galvanizes atheists rather than makes "fewer and fewer people atheists."

>>>And discouraging people to brainwash their children to be religious and to let them form their OWN opinions.<<<

I've got an idea: how 'bout you raise your kids how you want, and let others raise their kids how they want? That's the whole point of being a progressive of faith: we want an America where each of us has the power and the right to decide how we'll live; where "family values" travel up from families themselves rather than from governments down.

If you don't want to accept religion then don't. Don't tell us we should stop accepting it.

[George 2]

41. some factual ammo for confronting right-wing Christians

http://www.right-wing-pseudo-christians.com/

[pelagius]

44. This is excellent!

"Bible-believing" Christians need to be brought around with specific proof texts.

[CitySky]

43. check out the "Liberals Like Christ" website too

www.liberalslikechrist.org

[Barbara917]

47. www.sojo.net

The best Christian organization I have found on the Internet which best represents my views (not 100% but is still a very good fit for me) is www.sojo.net I think this organization would be a very good starting place. If you like the political cartoons of Mark Fiore http://www.markfiore.com/ and his progressive slant on things I think you may also find a good fit with sojo.net

[pelagius]

48. The Sojourners organization...

...led me almost single-handedly from the reflexive wingnutism I was being taught in the thoroughly atavistic Assemblies of God (www.ag.org) into a larger understanding of the Gospel message. Jim Wallis has my undying love and gratitude.

[MissMarple]

61. Jim Wallis was on the News Hour tonight. He is very good.

He almost sounds like a Jebby. He is centered and focused on genuine Christian values that many espouse but don't live by. He is the real deal. :D

[regnaD kciN]

56. Call To Renewal

http://www.calltorenewal.org/

This is an organization founded by the people at Sojourners. At this point more concerned with anti-poverty efforts, but I think it can be turned into more of a direct challenge to the false god of conservative "Christianity."

[wicket]

63. Sojourners ROCKS

[Ladyhawk]

53. You liberal Christians GO!

I'm an atheist and as such, I can't help you. But I support your efforts 100%.

I get mailings from Ray Dubuque, who runs Liberals Like Christ. I have respect for him because he respects me, even though I am an atheist. I've never felt rancor toward Christian lefties. Anytime I go on a fundy bash, it's the religious right I'm targeting, not you good folks.

A Liberal Christian Coalition...may you bring it to pass. It's necessary.

[Cat Atomic]

62. Ah yes, the Jesus wing of the Christian faith.

Call it:

Actual Christians Who Are Not Fascist Motherfucking Bible-Thumpers

(An Organization of Hope)