How, you ask, can a Christian be ignorant of one of the two or three most central Biblical passages underlying core Christian theology? He can’t, of course.

But very few of those who feel compelled to bring their religion into politics adhere to anything close to core Christian theology. Instead, they advocate a mix of neo-paganisms: the worship of Luck, Money, Family, and the State. They are startled to hear Jesus’ actual words on “family values” and shocked to know that worshipping the family (particularly fatherhood) was the core of Roman paganism. They are deeply offended by Jesus’ words to the politically and economically active: leave what is Caesar’s to Caesar. In fact, more than one of them has quoted me “the Lord helps those who helps themselves” in full confidence that it is Biblical (it’s actually Ben Franklin).

For the crypto-pagans of the “Religious” Right, religion isn’t a moral position at all. It’s a political and economic tool for achieving worldly success. Wealth, family loyalty, reputation, public piety, patriotism, and preservation of the social status quo are what they mean when they talk “values”. Morality doesn’t really come into it at all. The Book says that they have had their reward. But most of them haven’t read that part either.

Anything that liberals propose, conservatives automatically oppose, and try to kill, or defund, or expunge, or censor, or crucify.

Hmmmm, I wonder if this is what happened to Jesus Christ? Because he was definitely a liberal Jew, teaching and demonstrating peace, love, compassion, sharing, caring, tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance…which apparently upset a few conservatives during his lifetime…as the liberal message in the New Testament has apparently upset some conservatives today, who want to “Kill the Liberal” in the New Testament.

Go figure. The conservative “Kill the Liberal” mindset hasn’t changed in two thousand years.

those like Lincoln and Ross who choose not to care

I wouldn’t attempt to know what someone feels or cares and there are a lot of members of Congress. I’m sure there are a lot of different ideas of how to do their job and different priorities. Some just want a steady job to have the economic security we all crave. It would seem they could find that by doing their job, but they see the public as fickle at times. So, many become corporate employees — some after leaving office, some before.

Of course, there are some states where the corporate position isn’t so different from the electorate’s position. In those cases it’s hard to say the rep isn’t serving their electorate as needed.

Somewhere you have to wonder if they ever think of the nation’s interests or if that’s just too vague and distant. Not everyone can think that way.

Mo betta Dems!

The ball is in their court, as it were.

Jane hit it here the other day, but I haven’t seen anything elsewhere about it.

Tejana, I’ve had experiences here in Ohio with people of very opposite political views who helped me in hours of great need. I’m so grateful to them.

I firmly believe that it is key to keep moving the American people.

For example, the DFA/FDL/Credo resolution that the Nebraska Demaocratic Party easily passed last weekend calls for Senator Nelson to be notified of its passage. But doesn’t it have to be communicated to local newspapers and reporters who will then notify the people of Nebraska of its passage? Nelson will be moved by the passage of the resolution only if he knows that his constituents are aware of it because they start calling him to demand a strong public health care option.

I have a story of a man in upstate New York, a former carpenter who kept all of his unused carpentry tools in his garage, who when I met him just over 15 years ago was a minister of a small congregation, who had delusions of grandeur, and who was arguing against “HillaryCare” using the most twisted and evil interpretations of Scriptures. But I’ll just spare you the details.

Christian Scriptures seem so straightforward and clear, and yet all manner of rationalization and selective reading can twist the meaning of their teachings.

In the end, a well crafted analysis like this one – and it is very well done! – wins over those who can already see and will never move those like Lincoln and Ross who choose not to care.