Morals, ethics, fundagelical christianity, and why extreme righties are such hypocrites.

[arbusto_baboso]

Broadly defined, morals are what you believe, and ethics are what you actually do.

Thus, it is possible for a person to have extremely strict morals, but be extremely unethical in their behavior (yes, Diaper Dave, I'm looking at YOU!). Likewise, it is possible for someone to have situational morals (by societal standards) but be utterly ethical in their conduct.

This is complicated when one throws fundamentalist religion into the mix. According to christian doctrine, we are "saved by grace". The less intelligent or more fanatical of "christians" even interpret that as meaning you only have to believe and "confess" Christ, and what you actually do doesn't matter so much. By this same thinking, a person could conversely eschew christianity entirely and lead an exemplary life, but be consigned to Hell.

So, it can be stated that current religious rightism is about the triumph of morals over any kind of ethics. They feel justified in ANY behavior that furthers their goals. ANY behavior. Some so-called "christians" have even told me that would commit murder if it furthered the "kingdom of heaven".

Let's make no mistake that today's current Teabaggers are pretty much the same folks that were part of the Moral Majority and the "values voters" of the recent past. THEY ARE THE SAME PEOPLE!

Thus it doesn't really matter what any of their preferred candidates actually do. It only matters what they say and believe (or say that they believe). Facts are sadly inadequate things in dealing with such persons. We will not sway them. Ever. We can only grit our teeth and fight them.

And fight them we must. For they will never stop, and never completely go away. They will never rest until they have the kind of "freedom" that they can only get from a fascist theocracy. We must never let them have it.

[Laf.La.Dem.]

1. Hold the phone!!!!

Are you saying that my beloved David Vitter is a hypocrite??

Those are fighting words :evilgrin:

[arbusto_baboso]

2. Oh, sorry then. Let me find another example.

Larry Craig for instance.

Sorry to offend you. :evilgrin: :hi:

[SpiralHawk]

9. "Back off of Larry Craig (R)." - Jeff Gannon (R - Official Bush White House Male Escort)

[lapislzi]

3. Point of theology

Not every Christian denomination ascribes to Arminian theology. Mainline Presbyterians, descended from Reformation Calvinists, for example, believe in an Elect. Salvation is pre-determined. It is true, however, that most of the more extreme evangelical/fundamentalist sects accept some degree of Arminianism. They vary, however, in their approach to Good Works. According to Arminian theology, salvation cannot be attained through good works alone, although they are encouraged as a sign of God's favor.

This message brought to you by the Know Thine Enemy Branch of the Atheist Agenda.

[arbusto_baboso]

4. Choosing from one brand amongst the many brands of crazy.

I was raised Catholic, so take it with a grain of salt.

[Kievan Rus]

5. The only thing seperating our fundies from the Taliban is 8,000 miles

[Taverner]

6. +1000

:thumbsup:

[checks-n-balances]

7. So they actually believe in "moral relativism" after all...

...something they have denounced non-righties for in the past, and something they should be called on now.

[malaise]

8. If you consistently do the opposite of what you claim to believe

You are certifiably mad. Ask Newt!!