Articles on the Christian left from this week

Finally progressive Christians getting some press -
snip:

This from today's Boston Globe:
From left, religious figures make a push
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/11/27/from_left_religious_figures_make_a_push/

And a nice cover article from this week in the Anchorage Press:
snip:
No Christian Left Behind
Lost in all the noise are another group of Christians who also believe in God, but offer a more inclusive set of values, ones that appeal to everybody from gays to wealthy Americans. You don't hear as much about them as their evangelical brothers and sisters, perhaps because their voice is not as loud - their horns not blaring, their sense of righteousness not quite as strong, their moral mission not as clear to the average American. They used to be called the Christian left, before the word “left” became a dirty word. Now they're mostly called progressive Christians. Had Democrats tapped progressive Christians more during the presidential election, perhaps they'd shown up in numbers, too, just as the evangelicals did for the Republicans.

http://www.anchoragepress.com/archives-2004/coverstoryvol13ed46.shtml

is that, I believe, they are following the teachings of Jesus, who said not to make a big show over your religion but to practice the teachings. I meet a lot of progressive Christians-Quakers, Unity, Unitarians, etc-while leading the Dances of Universal Peace, which is a great practice that can lead to more tolerance and understanding of others and of one's self.

ourselves. But as a member of the Christian left, I believe we have got to get out there and reclaim Jesus. This isn't about drawing attention to ourselves, but rather it is about letting people know that those on the right professing Jesus are not professing the Jesus spoken about in the Bible. Their beliefs and actions stand the Bible on its ear. Jesus hung out with drunks and prostitutes. He had women followers (disciples) which was TOTALLY unheard of - men weren't even to speak to women except their wives in that culture. Jesus preached loving your enemy, turning the other cheek, forgiveness, self-examining instead of judging others, feeding the poor, taking care of those who can't take care of themselves. He opposed the money changers in the Temple - those who would use religion to turn a profit (boy that sounds familiar!). He opposed hypocricy and show-boat theology. He denounced the religious leaders of his day and instead took on common men as followers. Those on the Christian right are far more like the pharisees and hypocrits Jesus spoke of than Jesus himself. We have this huge movement in the US today, which is bastardizing who Jesus was. They claim to love Jesus - but they don't even know him.

I know that the Quakers in the area are always doing some sort of action, but it doesn't get the media attention of the preacher spewing hate and intolerance in the name of Jesus.

Are there any left wing Christian radio stations? Or TV stations? Or are they all held by right wingers? That seems to be a place where getting the real message of Christ out might have an impact.

1st Presbyterian of Atlanta. Problem is their services are SO boring. It's like I explained in my post on the Religion forum - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=214&topic_id=215&mesg_id=887

These evangelical churches are big business. They have lively, entertaining services, and it is a HUGE industry marketing their product. I know, I have belonged to two of these churches in the mega-church movement. I was on the worship team at both, and it was show business. We rehearsed and performed carefully orchestrated services meant to draw people in, and hook them. It was sickening. I am a professional musician, so at first for me it was no different than any other gig I have had, but GOD it got to me. Every movement on that platform was orchestrated from when to raise your hands in worship to when to clap, what colors to wear, etc. We would have video clips meant to tug at the heart strings going while we played and sang. Prayers were rehearsed as were "ad libs" meant to appear as prophetic utterances. These people are being sold a product and they are buying - thinking it is the genuine article.

I've experienced the real thing, and it isn't something you find in hucksterism or show business. Guess that's why I encourage as many folks as possible to try the Dances of Universal Peace-you get a real experience and the participation is voluntary and not choreographed.

They are from a tradition of quiet works. You will not find them thumping their chests. They need both hands for the good works they do.

I am in a raging debate in a local forum with a nutcase who is claiming that the religious left is no different from the religious right. It is a stance he is unable to provide evidence to back, but he keeps claiming it anyway.

Personally, I am glad the religious left is not as outspoken as the right. I believe religion is an individual choice and not something to be used as a tool for power as the right has done.

I really like this quote from the second article: Bess sees it differently. “As a minister” he said, “the Bible takes away from me any power of judgement or condemnation and then gives to me the responsibility of reconciliation. Everything in the Bible tells me to reconcile.”

The right uses religion as a divisive tool, which is totally the opposite of what Jesus taught.

religious left since the election. There are also a number of good web sites out there, including one by a DUer (Green Party Voter) here's that site:
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

I would welcome progressive Christians to be strident in "reclaiming Jesus" from the fundamentalists. While I do not practice any organized religion, I am very much a Christian, but, as a non-practicer, it would seem hypocritical of me to suddenly get strident in this kind of issue. That said, I would welcome hearing from progressive Christians how we on the left could support such an effort.

I am convinced beyond any doubt that Jesus was a liberal and that what the fundamentalsits are doing today is against everything Jesus stands for.

how relieved I was to realize I was not alone. I COULDN'T be the only "Christian" who thought it was weird that the public face of Christianity in America was vested in people like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Oral Roberts, and the rest of what Harlan Ellison calls the "sanctimonious hallelujah patriots."

This is a kind of political attack ad I came up with during the campaign, only to have MAD Magazine beat me to the punch:

"Jesus Christ. This is the man who took a hard-working shepherd boy's lunch, and gave it away to five thousand homeless layabouts.

The Temple of Solomon Small Business Association calls him "the most dangerous man in Jerusalem."

And Jesus Christ is soft on adultery.

This November, don't vote for a man who keeps raucous wedding parties well supplied with alcohol. Don't vote for a man who associates with tax collectors and known prostitutes.

I'm George W. Bush, and I approved this message."

edit: spelling

http://www.sojo.net/

Their main slogan is "God is not a Republican. Or a Democrat."

Here's a bit of the homepage. You can also get on their mailing list, if interested.

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