Weren’t we told that attendees would be outted? Weren’t we told we would hear about the names of those showing up? Weren’t we told it would be a large protest?

To make matters worse, the most vile anti-gay comments I have seen on the comments section of some blogs (check out Ben Smith’s Politico column, for example) come from African-American straight Democrats, who are incensed that gays have the audacity to challenge Obama. As if there are no African-American members of the glbt community who might be affected, as well.

The reason that the Dems no they can give it to the glbt community is that they know we have no leaders and will take it.

I, for one, have really had it.

(The power went out here right after I posted my comment, and didn’t come back until just now.)

Sufilizard pretty much hits it on the head, as does RevBev. The Old Testament has a very strong pacifistic/non-violent/love your neighbor bent to it. One of my favorite passages is from Isaiah where the prophet has a vision of the end of history as one grand feast. All the best food, all the best wine, and at which ALL people are welcome. Not just the Jews, not just the “perfect,” not just the folks who are nice, but everyone.

Imagine Rush Limbaugh dancing with Hilary Clinton, or Sean Hannity and John Aravosis. Now THAT would be a miracle.

(Yes, there are also some very violent episodes in the Hebrew Scriptures as well — many of which take on a different meaning if you read the whole story.)

But back to your question. It’s very hard to read the Sermon on the Mount and listen to the parables of Jesus and come to a conclusion that justifies violence as a religious act. Defensive protective acts, perhaps; offensive preemptive “beat the living daylights outta your enemies and torture your prisoners”, not so much.

After all, in Luke’s gospel Jesus said that his mission was to “proclaim liberty to the captives,” not to torture them until they told him where the Romans kept their weapons of mass destruction.

Of course once Constantine co-opted the faith things changed dramatically.

for you will heap burning coals on his head

Heap? Was that a typo? Sounds like a rather scorching experience.

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Prov. 25:21,22), or “Seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14).

And who could forget the classic, often quoted via MLK – “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)

’cause he can do cool tricks ?