Re: [RC] The Religious Right simply doesn't get it

[David R. Block]

Title: ORourke1 Signature

Comrade Billy, No, actually we do get it. And we do see the "injustice." We would like to think that the "injustice" is caused by FAIR results of people with different skills in the work place and different values that the market places on those skills, and not cronyism. Somehow, the cronyism of this administration is something you credit to the "religious right" with as one says that they are on the side of "greed and corruption." To which I respond "WTF???" This administration is in that shit so deep that they need a submarine. We have Solyndra, which a Republican administration turned down and a Democratic administration favored, and now I am to believe that their giving to the Democratic party to get these taxpayer guaranteed loans and their bankruptcy is the fault religious right supporting "greed and corruption." We have GE, whose campaign contributions to Obama in 2008 are legendary and which did not pay 1 CENT in corporate taxes in 2009 (or was it 2010?). So I repeat, "WTF????????????????????" Who is on the side of greed and corruption?? President Goldman Sachs. And he and other Democrats "recognize" and "sympathize" with the complaints by being major causes of same. And they get a pass. Welcome to the O'Really?? Factor, the ALL spin zone. >:o What we are looking for on the religious right is something that does NOT look down that shop-worn and just about always failed Marxist road. That's where most of the protesters seem to want to go. We are looking for something that works better, not for something that has failed all of Eastern Europe, the USSR, and even China, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Nicaragua and more. Why did China implement "market reforms?" Because old "tried and true" Marxism was failing at every turn. I don't see the USSR as progress, unlike my progressive brethren. Capitalism, for all of its faults, still works better than the rest, but don't worry, these folks will be happy to screw that up for us and call it "progressive." Progress back to 1917, but progress!!! David   "Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine."--P. J. O’Rourke On 10/16/2011 1:00 PM, bil...@aol.com wrote: Worthwhile article that points out a number of shortcomings in the OWS movement. Personally, like Mark Tooley, cited in the essay, some of the "names" who have climbed on board the movement "train" make me unhappy ;   and the O-so--relevant wing of the Religious Left basically strikes me as more of a hopeless anachronism  than anything else.   Regardless, to not see the injustice of the current economic system, something demanding serious change, is worse than short sighted. Prayer may be a good thing for the soul, but the injustices of the economic system are not going to be "prayed away" Nor will they disappear due to criticisms of redistribution of wealth. As if, in an economy where there are 4 or 5 applicants for each job there is some sort of alternative. The Right comes off as uncaring, tone deaf, and on the side of greed and corruption.   To say the least, in politics this is not where you want to be.   Billy   ========================================================   Conservative Leader Tries to Distance Christianity From Occupy Wall Street Protests Fri, Oct. 14, 2011 Posted: 04:31 PM EDT Religious leaders who align themselves with the Occupy Wall Street crowd should not make claims that the nationwide uprisings have anything to do with Christianity, says the president of the Institute on Religion & Democracy. Mark Tooley, whose advocacy group works toward reaffirming the church’s biblical and historical teachings, said in a statement from IRD that the “Religious Left” has heaped too much praise on those whose “demands range from cancellation of all debt, open borders, government control of health care and free college education, among other expansions of Big Government.” Tooley aims his argument at leaders such as Sojourners’ Jim Wallis, who Tooley said “has lavished praise during a visit to the occupiers.” He is also weary of pacifist activist Shane Claiborne, who “has compared them to St. Francis of Assisi,” and Massachusetts clergy who have “joined them wearing saintly white robes.” He also stated that he has a problem with officials of United Methodist Women who “flocked to the occupiers with their own similar placards urging class warfare.” Tooley is only sympathetic toward some of the occupiers to a small degree. "The many college-age Wall Street occupiers concerned about college debt and real world responsibilities can be possibly excused for youthful naiveté,” Tooley stated in the IRD release. “But middle-aged church activists, some of whom may be trying to relive their street activism of 40 years ago, should show more discernment and wisdom.” Crowds of varying sizes occupying cities and town squares around the country seem to be part of a leaderless movement with many complaints, say observers. Many on the sidelines are having a hard time deciphering what message OWS is trying to send. However, emerging from protesters is the proclamation that "corporate greed and corrupt politics" must be stopped. At an interfaith gathering at Zuccotti Park in New York Sunday, the Rev. Michael Ellick of Judson Memorial Church promised that he and others in the faith community would support the occupiers for the long haul. "We will not tire. We will not falter. We will stand with you in every city, every state, every country," Ellick said. "And whatever [the protesters] need, the faith community of New York will be there to give it to them." Tooley disagrees with Ellick and others who share his sentiment. "Covetous battle cries for class resentment and even greater coercive wealth redistribution through an ever-expanding Big Government do not resemble traditional Christianity,” Tooley stated. "Unlike the Religious Left, voices who have hailed and even romanticized the Wall Street Occupation, wise religious leaders should call their flocks to the common good. They would know that in a fallen world, no government or system of laws can seize property or massively redistribute income without creating even greater injustice. "The Scriptures call for believers to put away childish things. Religious activists who have aligned with the Wall Street Occupation should model mature Christian discernment, not echo angry resentments that dream of a secular utopia," he added. In addition to working to reaffirm the church's biblical and historical teachings, the IRD strives to strengthen and reform the church’s role in public life, protect religious freedom and renew democracy at home and abroad, according to its mission statement. Contact: alex.muras...@christianpost.com Alex Murashko Christian Post Reporter Copyright © Christianpost.com. All rights reserved. -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <RadicalCentrism@googlegroups.com> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <RadicalCentrism@googlegroups.com> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org