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Apr-28-2011 19:32printcomments

Truth vs. Fiction

I guess the Republican Party of Jesus speaks with one voice, if their voting as a block is any indication, and that is disturbing if not down right dangerous.

Republican religion

(PASO ROBLES, Calif.) - The Republican Party’s political agenda is founded on Christian beliefs that are firmly rooted in the minds, if not the souls, of those who embrace it, and seems to affect about one third of the people of these United States who fail to understand that their religion is not, as Rev. Huckabee says, “totally relevant to politics.” He’d make politics subject to religion!

Some Representatives in Congress have not kept pace with scientific advancement the evidence of which has trumped emotional insistence on Biblical lore and left it in its dust. The Republican Party of God [Jesus] adamantly opposes arguments which believers consider contrary to religious tenets buried in the pages of Judaism’s Torah, Christianity’s New Testament, and Islam’s Koran, the three Religions of the Book, each of which follows in order beginning with Judaism.

All profess to worship the same God, but the symbol of each differs Judaism and “Jehovah;” Christianity and “Jesus;” or “Mohammed” and Islam. Jehovah is an invisable God, the invisible One God of the Jewish Nation; Jesus, as Christ, followed as, the Son of God, the Word, and the One God of All Nations; Islam is a creation of the 7th Century, A.D. and Moslems consider Mohammed the last of God’s Prophets and therefore, God’s last word; Jesus is relegated to the role of a lesser prophet, setting the stage for religious wars of dominance for centuries, similar to the Iraq war when Rev. Rod Parsley of Cincinnati preached it was “God’s will that American Christians destroy Islam,” and Geo. W. Bush, with his Evangelical Holy See and its disciples falsely persuaded the U.S. to move preemptively to invade Iraq, an innocent Islamic nation.

This same Evangelical mentality pit’s the Party of Jesus against the Democratic Party in which some members raised in strict conformity to a fundamentalist Christian faith preached in the South, the rural Midwest, the Upper Northwest and parts of New England, embrace the concept of rugged individualism as a matter of Protestant pride and human dignity. The concept of individualism is not to be disparaged, but Republicans seem determined to return America to the18th Century and beyond when rugged individualism was a necessary way of life from which Americans today have mostly escaped because times and circumstances have changed dramatically.

Orthodox Christianity’s Schism occurred in the 11th Century when Orthodox Leaders loosed the ties that bound them to a common brotherhood with Rome which, though it resorted to rude and deceitful, not to say un-Christian maneuvers, failed to establish its primacy over Orthodoxy. That break was quiet compared to the Catholic Church’s loss of its Counter Reformation against Protestant Reformers in the 18th Century after three centuries of agonized suffering and gruesome loss of ten million lives. The Protestant victory culminated in the Second Great Schism that freed Protestants from Rome’s cruel and dominating rule. Why Protestants, some Democrats but especially the Republican Party of Jesus should want to replicate Rome’s religious authority and dictate how we should live, and sometimes die, is beyond me, but it seems as if that is exactly what the Republicans hope to do.


Following the break with Rome, Protestants were free to establish Christian churches of their liking; the basic tenets of the faith were retained, but elaborate Catholic ceremony and architectural grandeur were reduced or eliminated. The Eucharist remains, of course, but the Bible’s printed word, printed in volume following the invention of the press in Germany in 1525, replaced dogma and Latin used by the Vatican, its popes and Catholic clergy for centuries. Protestant sermons were preached in the vernacular of each nation for its members.

The Mayflower Pilgrims who brought with them the religious habits from Europe in the 16th Century killed their last so-called witch in Salem, MA in 1621, the same century our Founding Fathers provided for Separation of Church from State to protect us from excessive church conduct; should we wonder why?

In the late 20th Century Mega Churches became all the rage as the concept of communal villages under the control of individuals began to lose popularity; Jone’s Town in Guyana, S.A., is the most prominent community because of the voluntary massacre of its members and the killing of an investigating Congressman and of members who tried to opt out at the last minute.

There is little difference really between communal villages and Mega Churches where multitudes gather more for the emotional experience which comes from listening, often to made-up homilies than from the truth and understanding of the deeper relevance of the Evangelical partnership that moves the Republican Party’s thinking; Evangelicals teach that its members are true Christians who don‘t question, and intellectuals are instruments of the Devil because they do; just the sort of fodder which appeals to the Evangelical Holy See, a power that looms in the political background of the Republican Party, but can be decisive. The Holy See decides how Party members should behave in order to regain the Political Power it lost.

Russ Limbaugh is a personality who has invited criticism at times even from the ranks of Republicans who mysteriously suffer a sheepish change of heart, and issue a public apology to Russ before avoiding the subject thereafter. John McCain felt the force of the Holy See’s wrath when, as the Republican candidate, he indicated he would select a person as his running mate who was soft on abortion. Evangelists assured him if he did he would not be elected President. They offered him Sarah Palin as his running mate because, if they could not control McCain who they considered a maverick, they knew they could control Sarah Palin who as a Pentecostal was cleansed of effects of witchcraft by an African Pastor in a ceremony broadcast nationally.

Sarah Palin was the darling of the Holy See, but a poor candidate when it came to political interviews. On stage, John smiled his quiet smile, bit his lip, blinked a lot and put up with what he certainly didn’t like while confessing for the record that Sarah was just what his ticket needed. She turned out to be a grander maverick than John McCain ever was. The election was lost, big time.

Karl Rove was recalled from exile to take over where he left off after Geo. W. Bush cut him loose. Karl, as is true of many Republicans, has not declared his religion publicly to my knowledge, but he gets along well with the Evangelical Holy See which convinces me he is one of them. He criticizes the Tea Party contingent that recently was elected to the House of Representatives that, although fundamentally Christian, possesses a mind and design on politics of its own that Karl Rove finds unsettling.

As the architect of the Party, Rove may object to any dilution of the power he has established over the years. But the old guard is simply that, the “old guard,” while the newly elected see themselves as the leaders of the new generation of leaders, but with a lot to learn, if only they will. One’s religion, and how it is viewed, should not be the deciding factor when it comes to politics; these youngsters are adamantly opposed to the logic and reasonableness of the democratic process. It reminds me of a syllogism: The national debt is too high; it is an unhealthy situation; therefore the debt must be reduced now! While the first two premises are true, the conclusion is a specious argument, a piece of reasoning that seems logically true but is actually deceptive all things considered. Yet their point is well taken.

Stranger than fiction Order Now

Paul Ryan ran into trouble when he proposed to constituency in his home state of Wisconsin cuts in Social Security and Medicare adding that by reducing taxes on the wealthy jobs would “trickle-down,” and the economy pick up; a conclusion tried in the past that only made the rich richer at the expense of the middle class. Paul Ryan, and others of the Tea Party persuasion, were booed by their own people who hopefully sent them back to the drawing board to develop a more mature solution. Geo. W. Bush and his Evangelical Holy See are to blame for the state of the American economy; about that there can be no reasonable doubt.

The American Military is so advanced of other nations that we can afford to cut back without serious detriment to our National Security. Our troops in Iraq should not remain there beyond the commitment made to us to remove them all this year, come what might. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina stated just this year that the U.S. should have “an enduring presence in Afghanistan, where America should build military air bases,” for what purpose I can only imagine. And he and John McCain would have the U.S. become more militarily involved in Libya. How would this contribute to reducing the National debt? Shouldn’t the U.S. get out of Afghanistan first? Is it any wonder the debt ceiling needs to be raised temporarily?

I guess the Republican Party of Jesus speaks with one voice, if their voting as a block is any indication, and that is disturbing if not down right dangerous. Evangelists have proven to be charlatans, just as have some of our politicians who preach what they do not control. Both need to be watched so America does not lose our democratic example that Arab nations now seem eager to emulate. Ours is an opportunity not to be missed.

_________________________________________________________

Kenneth G. Ramey is a member of Salem-News.com's original team of writers, he generates provocative articles on the subject of religion and world affairs. We are pleased that Ken's "lone wolf" presence as a writer in the world has been replaced by a spot on our team of writers at Salem-News.com. Raised in Minnesota and California during the dark years of the Great American Depression, Ken is well suited to talk about the powerful forces in the world that give all of us hope and tragedy and everything in between. You can write to Ken at: darken1@sbcglobal.net




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qui vivi May 1, 2011 2:16 pm (Pacific time)

ANON and anon Even your last words fail to convince; they lack cohesion because they spill from your mind in random and obscure the truth you will not see. Pity


Anonymous April 30, 2011 6:14 pm (Pacific time)

Are you aware that the idea of separation of church only meant that the United States would not establish a church where citizens would have to pay taxes to support it? This country was founded on the basis of belief in God, but we did not want a state religion like all the rest of the world, even to this day. Religion and church are two different concepts. Historically our form of government is designed to work for those with Christian beliefs. Observe what is happening in europe when a saturation level is reached by those of different faiths that argue for their own specific laws and values to be on equal footing, or to even superceed the indigenous laws and values. See what is happening in other parts of the world for those people who observe Christian beliefs, and how they are literally being decimated. Maybe we simply cannot mix certain belief systems? History clearly shows that violence is the end result when that saturation point is reached. As far as certain political groups here in America arguing to start wars over Christian beliefs, that's a non-starter.


qui vivi April 30, 2011 2:25 pm (Pacific time)

Of the 10 comments to this artical, SIX are by ANON. Who or what is this guy? His last post places him squarely in the camp of the Party of God, and explains why he writes like one. His knowledge is without wisdom.


Anonymous April 30, 2011 12:16 pm (Pacific time)

To those who call for the separation of Church and state, I would like to inform them that the Bible was the foundation on which America was built. The US Constitution, as John Adams noted, was an instrument that would enable Bible-believing people from different Christian denominations, to govern themselves. The first ammendment and the second ammendment of the US Constitution are very dangerous, if they are in the hands of a people who are not bound by Christian morality. If America rejects Bibilical Christianity, the widespread gun ownership would turn America into a nation of bandits, such as Somalia and Afghanistan. Are you aware that the early American pioneers did not need a police force, judges, the FBI, the DEA, the IRS, or a huge and "growing" prison system as we do now? Ordinary people were able to govern themselves successfully, with the lowest crime rates in American history. Imagine the freedoms they enjoyed, not having to support government bureaucracies? But food for thought: It has been, in my opinion, our Christian principles working in tandem with the US Constitution that set us on our illustrious path, for the simple reason that there are other countries that have the Bible as their cultural as well as legal foundations, but none comes close to America when it comes to protecting our freedoms. So our Christian principles, the Constitution and our Bill of Rights developed by those who had incredible foresight who gave us this gift called America. Now we need to remove those from power who are so overtly attempting to alter us from our designated path. They are the ones who tell you a big and growing government is the answer to your problems. Big difference between fostering dependence by handouts, and independence by a hand up. The biggest charity givers are the Christians, and now we see a movement to start taxing that charity-giving by who? Well, who else!


second coming propaganda April 30, 2011 6:11 am (Pacific time)

http://gracethrufaith.com/ikvot-hamashiach/seven-major-prophetic-signs-of-the-second-coming/


70 million ? April 30, 2011 5:59 am (Pacific time)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/03/60minutes/main524268.shtml "American Christian Zionists say they are now a more important source of support for Israel than American Jews or the traditional Jewish lobby. “It is my belief that the Bible Belt in America is Israel’s only safety belt right now,” says Rev. Jerry Falwell, one of the leaders of the Christian Right. That’s the bulk of Evangelical Christians; Falwell claims to speak for all of them. “There are 70 million of us,” he says. “And if there’s one thing that brings us together quickly it’s whenever we begin to detect our government becoming a little anti-Israel.” Falwell began to detect just that in April 2002 when President Bush called on Israel to withdraw its tanks from Palestinian towns on the West Bank. So Falwell shot off a letter of protest to the White House, which was followed by a hundred thousand e-mails from Christian conservatives. Israel did not move its tanks. Mr. Bush did not ask again." “There’s nothing that would bring the wrath of the Christian public in this country down on this government like abandoning or opposing Israel in a critical matter,” Falwell says. The “Christian public” is, he says, Mr. Bush’s core constituency."


Anonymous April 29, 2011 8:00 pm (Pacific time)

I am CERTAIN that many people who consider themselves republican do so for reasons completely UNRELATED to religion.


Anonymous April 29, 2011 6:30 pm (Pacific time)

Eileen Fleming much of what you said is valid, but in regards to the above article, my below 2:35pm post is responsive to the article's thesis. In addition we are now witnessing some mission creep in Libya, which was a unilateral decision to engage in via CIC Obama, not some Jesus following Republican. I do agree with Mr. Ramey, and others of common sense coupled with experience, we need to pull our forces out of all combat theatres, for our people do not have the kind of support they need. It is a real morale buster not to have full American support, as was Vietnam in a most horrible way.


eileen fleming April 29, 2011 5:15 pm (Pacific time)

Two thousand years ago, there was lively debate about who Jesus was, and why he came. Churches before Emperor Constantine legitimized Christianity were hot beds of individuality and not the institutions that have become big business today. Jesus also was never a Christian; in fact the term 'Christian' was not even coined until the days of Paul, about 3 decades after Jesus walked the earth as a man. Jesus was a social justice, radical revolutionary nonviolent Palestinian devout Jewish road warrior who rose up and challenged the job security of the Temple authorities by teaching the people they did NOT need to pay the priests for ritual baths or sacrificing livestock to be OK with God; for God already LOVED them just as they were: sinners, poor, diseased, outcasts, widows, orphans, refugees and prisoners all living under Military Occupation. What got Jesus crucified was disturbing the status quo of the Roman Occupying Forces, by teaching the subversive concept that God preferred the humble sinner, the poor, diseased, outcasts, widows, orphans, refugees and prisoners all living under Military Occupation above the elite and arrogant. The early followers and lovers of Jesus were called members of THE WAY-being THE WAY he taught one should be; Nonviolent, a Peacemaker and one who did the will of the Father. "What does God require? He has told you o'man! Be just, be merciful, and walk humbly with your Lord." -Micah 6:8 IMAGINE when we who claim to be Christian do that; what a wonderful world it could be!


Anonymous April 29, 2011 2:35 pm (Pacific time)

It appears that the writer of this article has not noticed whose been in power for the last several years. In fact other than the innitial response to 911, all the wars of significance that we have been in the last 100 years, democrats have been in power. Regardless of what people like Sen. Graham, or anything any Republican, regardless of faith, says, they are not making policy for CIC Obama. This hit piece on republicans has failed, as usual. When I went into combat, a democrat was president, as was one in WWI, WWII, and Korea. Let's be intellectually honest.


Anonymous April 29, 2011 11:27 am (Pacific time)

Who is this guy? I just spent several minutes going over this article, and this guy has no clue what is going on in the real world. Is there truth in the article about republicans? yes, but he doesnt see the overall picture. Such as, the democrats have done nothing different than bush, and the only thing the republicans and democrats fight about are small nothing things, that the media exploits and shoves down our throats, making us believe we actually have a two party system. I urge you to check out the following..
Alex Jones, but he can be a bit much, but great info.
I came across a new person about 6 months ago, who is now my favorite..Alan Watt..
David Icke started off a little strange, but his current info is awesome. I suggest the author broaden his horizons, he is living in the past.

Editor: Ken has been writing for many years about this and similar subjects.  Your Republican party has made an abomination out of everything and you want what, for us to ignore it?  There is not a bigger pile of BS in the US than the redneck fake right wing Christians who believe in mixing blood and war and guns with Jesus bumper stickers.  Of course Alex Jones is a closet Republican anyway, of course you think he's OK.  I'm just glad you can find writers who fit your needs, the truth after all is a real bitch isn't it?


Vic April 29, 2011 10:43 am (Pacific time)

Great article, Ken...Thank You !


Anonymous April 29, 2011 10:03 am (Pacific time)

Which political party do people like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton identify with? How about the majority of those associated with the Catholic religion? They have a pretty good party split going on. I could go on with other examples, but it appears to me that there exists a pretty good mix between political party ID and the Christian faith. I am an independent, and though I believe in God, I do not ID with a specific Christian church, nor political party. Statistically, people similar to me are pretty common. In fact many different churches do promote one party over another, even at the risk of losing their IRS deferment. It would be interesting to expose some of these churches, and other religious organizations.


jimmie c boswell April 29, 2011 9:39 am (Pacific time)

true to any religion of evil men not here in TheTorah, or true to G-D of Only TheTorah here in TheTorah. pick one!

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