This week's Bill Moyers NOW - The Christian Left? Social Gospel, more...

http://www.pbs.org/now/thisweek/index.html

This week on NOW:

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, leaders of America's religious right have filled the airwaves with calls denouncing Islam as a religion, promoting a belligerent American foreign policy, and advocating closer ties between church and state. To much of the press and country, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and their fundamentalist brethren are the face of American Christianity and their drumbeat of Biblical literalism has become the most familiar refrain of the Christian gospel.

But a different Christian voice is challenging the monolith of the religious right and speaking to America and its leaders in language reminiscent of the Hebrew prophets and on behalf of a vision of social justice that many Christians trace to the teachings of Jesus himself. That voice belongs to an African-American son of Pentecostal parents who grew up in the segregated south and rose to occupy one of the most preeminent pulpits in the country Ñ the very church, as paradox would have it, started by John D. Rockefeller Jr.

ÒSpeaking to PowerÓ traces RiversideÕs theological roots and its history and architecture, revealing a church dedicated to the revolutionary notion that science, learning, and faith can co-exist happily under the same vaulted roof with a religiously diverse congregation. RiversideÕs commitment to its ecumenical mission was challenged when it hired Forbes to be its senior minister. Some church members were uncomfortable with a man whose style mixed fervor and learning, and they feared he would turn Riverside into a southern black church, or a Òholy rollerÓ church.

Under ForbesÕ leadership, worship continues unabated at Riverside. The services are packed and the 2400-member congregation carries on active lay ministries throughout the city and the world, from offering showers to the homeless every Monday morning to working for social justice in Central America. Operating from a tradition that has never fled from the conflicts of the time, ForbesÕ belief that religion does not stand above politics but should speak to politics offers a Christian view of public issues that is markedly different from the fundamentalist dogmatists often seen on television. And when they speak of religion as a polarizing force, Forbes sees a new theology of religion that strengthens, rather than divides, democracy.

more...
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/forbes.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/socialgospel.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/faithpolitics.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/churchandstate.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/faith.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/churchandstate2.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/compassion.html

Check your local listings.
http://www.pbs.org/now/sched.html

I've looked through my tv guide, and searched the pbs schedule (sorry, no results), and am too tired to keep searching. Could you please tell me what day it is usually on?

This not only sounds like a great program, but one I want to alert a couple of friends to.

Thanks for the advance alert!

Kanary

here's the schedule page if your area's different:

http://www.pbs.org/now/sched.html

n/t

Very good program -

I got it, thanks! Will be recording it.

Strange the search function didn't work.... sigh.... I think technology is out to get me. ^_^

This sounds like a great program... thanks again.

Hope this will start some good (flame-free) discussion.

Kanary

The United Church (largest Protestant denomination in the country) was front and centre at the anti-war protests this year.


And one of the founders of the leftist New Democratic Party was Tommy Douglas, a Baptist minister.

The right-wingers tend to get the most press, because they shout the loudest, but they don't represent all Christians, that's for sure.

and the Rev Dr. Forbes is one extraordinary preacherman.

He's not the only one-- he probably represents mainstream Christianity more than the TV preachers do, but he's the one on TV now.

Riverside Church's website:

http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/index.asp?id=200

Great show tonight and can only wish that a minister like Forbes was in my church. It was great to see a Christian like Forbes speak out against the crimes of the bush admin.

I'd like to burn this one on cd and send it to a few religious friends and relatives. It was a great segment.

Thanks.

I wanted to record this program for some friends, also, but.... the reception here tonight is miserable. If that would be at all possible, that would be great.

Kanary

a RealPlayer version online on Monday or Tuesday (I think). Follow the links above for the RealPlayer version. Check this thread later for mp3 and quicktime video versions.

"Poverty is a Weapon of Mass Destruction"

because I am a very committed christian and a staunch liberal democrat and it seems that there are very few on the web and in the media.

I started crying when I was watching this, because I was so touched by what he was saying and what he was representing.

I was tearing up less than 5 minutes into it....

I'm no longer a christian because of too much hurt..... I know that's why it affected me this way.

It's just too bad that there is so much rancor and uncaring, even in the churches.

He looks so happy... what a person.

Kanary

Might want to look at that... I think I willl

Kanary

I recognize the voice of spiritual revival when I hear it.

That man spoke words of healing and true love of others.

We need to heed it and embrace it.

we just don't feel the need to scream and beg for money to be heard.

And you are FAR from alone on DU, too.

For me, this viewpoint is why I still remain a Christian when so many have perverted and skewed it to fit their agendas. It's a must-see (as most Nows are) and gives a lot of hope.

Right on! Woo-hoo! :toast:

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I liked the part where he said the Devil showed Jesus all he would give Him, if Jesus bowed down to him. And the comparison to some in the maladministration!

2 :thumbsup:

Whether it is right-wing or left-wing Christians doing it. I've found that Christians who mix religion and politics tend to be too extreme in their political views. When you look at issues through the lens of religion they become too black and white and you tend to view the opposition as "evil."

I am 100% for the separation of the church and the State. I am hardly "extreme" in my political views. What, specifically, is the threat you see from the Christian Left?

I embrace my brethren of every belief, including those who have none. I don't try to convert.

Free your mind, and your heart will follow.

I don't even think GWaBby is evil, just horrendously misguided and stupid.

My Christian beliefs are deep rooted and as much a part of me as my Leftist leanings. I NEVER try to convert anyone, but if I feel my beliefs are challenged, I will defend them.

I find it tremendously disturbing that you isolate Christianity as you have--we are hardly the only ones making policy (check out the I/P forum if you have any doubts).

We Christians on the Left have a tremendous battle to fight with the zealots on the other side. Rest assured, if Christ were a US citizen, he would NOT be a registered Republican.

Because its the dominant religion in America. I found it interesting when as a Christian you said, "If Jesus were alive today..." My point is that mixing religion and politics is bad because religion is black and white while politics is not.

I have no problems with politically active Christians I just don't like when people say government should do this or that because "God says so."

Always looking to add more resources.