A lesson for the liberal elite

Boston Globe ^ | November 30, 2004 | Bernard Moon

[Cincinatus' Wife]

IN A recent speech at Tufts University, Andy Rooney reflected on the election and said, according to The Tufts Daily, that Christian fundamentalism is a result of "a lack of education. They haven't been exposed to what the world has to offer."

Those comments as well as the identification of the "bigoted Christian redneck" after Election Day in various editorials left me wondering: Where do these "liberal elites" get this fictional image of Christians? When did this distorted perspective begin in our cultural history? How can I work to bridge this gap?

Rooney is reflective of the "liberal elite" in America that suffers from an odd disconnect with much of America and those who voted for President Bush. With respect to Isaac Asimov, I have decided to create "The Three Political Laws of Christian Fundamentalists" for the confused "liberal elite":

A Christian is a human being capable of independent, logical reasoning to the highest order.

A Christian is not a mindless entity seeking to obey public religious leaders, such as Pat Robertson, John Paul II, or Ralph Reed, when voting on the future of America.

A Christian must protect his own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the Bible.

These laws might serve a good base as these elites attempt to reach out to those in "Jesusland" over the next four years and work to correct their lenses that only allows them to see "homophobic knuckle-draggers."

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

well said. Any references available to Hillary's favorite writers and particularly useful quotes from her? Let's build an index of these to have handy as she seeks to arrogate herself to POTUS, or Queen.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

The idea of Christians as Rednecks, hicks, unwashed masses, etc. is part of not intelligence but spiritual wisdom, or the lack thereof. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Those who don't 'get it' are spiritually blind to such truth, because of hardness of heart spiritually; preconceived paradigms preclude considering God, Creation, the Resurrection--as well as the practical implications of the Ten Commandments. What is obvious to some, is literally incomprehensible to others. It's a God thing....we change hearts by loving our neighbors, with strong healthy boundaries--and as St. Augustine said, 'preach the Gospel to everyone--and when necessary, use words.'

[ThirstyMan]

"It's a God thing....we change hearts by loving our neighbors,..."

It most certainly is a God thing and yes, love is our message, not power. And I notice that Christ's message of love contrasts strongly with the Islamic message of power and intolerant violence.

I am grateful that we, the US, still hold a military advantage over these beheading savages. But, if that advantage is ever tipped, won't we be incredibly vulnerable? Can you imagine that day? I can't. It would truly be the end of the world.

[ThirstyMan]

"The intoxicating vision of a social redemption achieved by Them-this is what creates the left, and makes the believers so self-righteous."

Phew! You sure put a lot of thinking into that post!
I was up earlier and had to retreat back to bed so I'm just reading your post now. I agree, there is a Tower of Babel mentality to the Left's movement that man can solve his own problems. The mantra seems to be John Lennon's theme song "Imagine"....imagine there's no God, is it in a nutshell.

Well, we must keep our eyes focused on the Light and trust He will guide us through these perilous times. We need to maintain the 50% plus advantage, that's for sure, to keep America on the right path.

[Emmett McCarthy]

What I find with my leftist friends and acquaintances (I refuse to call them "liberals") is that they cannot in any way defend, explain or promote their positions with anything even remotely resembling logic. Many of these people consider themselves intelligent and well-educated, but when I've utterly laid waste to their ideas and the consequences of their ideas, their fall-back defense is to say, "Well, you're very good with words".
I have a theory as to why logic escapes the lefties: Genesis tells us that (I'm paraphrasing here) "In the Beginning, was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.." Well, the Greek word "logos" is the root of our word "logic" and, since they're completely removed from God (the Word), they are utterly devoid of the logic which proceeds from Him.
So, they're left with name-calling, false accusations and screeching.
I don't look for any change in any of the lefties I know, though. I just use logic on them for my personal amusement.

[chs68]

"IN A recent speech at Tufts University, Andy Rooney reflected on the election and said, according to The Tufts Daily, that Christian fundamentalism is a result of "a lack of education. They haven't been exposed to what the world has to offer.""

Dear Andy Rooney:

I am a Magna Cum Laude Graduate of Dartmouth College.

I have a Masters Degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (located at Tufts University)

I am a Christian. An Elder in the Presbyterian Church. I believe in the fundamentals of what Christianity teaches about who God is, who I am, and God's gracious offer of reconciliation.

I voted for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.

Any questions?

[rocknotsand]

Thx for a great post.

Religion must seem so messy to the libs...

A favorite 1996 sermon fits in well here as a 5 minute primer (especially for any DU trolls). Here are some bites...

"In summary they would admit "Morality is important to us only in that it marks transgressions of our customs and our feelings." In their view, immorality is not a debasing act in itself. It must threaten their tradition or their health…. Ask them "What effect does this have on your soul?" …the question remains unimportant and irrelevant to them.

"Now this word "virtue" is used in association with man … so what is the proper fulfillment of man? Peter is saying that "the proper fulfillment" of man is to reflect the character and the morality of Jesus Christ.

"God has called us to a standard of morality, and a standard of knowledge, and a standard of self-control, and a standard of perseverance, and a standard of Godliness, and a standard of brotherly kindness.

"He has called us to a standard. And what is that standard? His son. Jesus Christ is that standard.

[rocknotsand]

• A favorite 1996 sermon

link fixed...
apologies

[rocknotsand]

bttt

[princess leah]

It's funny because when I read the article I remember thinking back to my college/career class at church and there were so many "intellectuals" in that group that when we discussed things like pre/mid/post millenial rapture, dispensationalism, etc. I felt alot of these brainiacs were just scratching the surface of God's depths!

[Californiajones]

That was one of the most eye opening posts I have EVER read in on Freeper. I will have to sit and stew over this for the next few months as there is a new subtlety involved with the true believers on the Left. It is a new subtlety that must be rooted out and challenged in a firm and sophisticated manner by us on the right.

In fact, I would pose that this is a spiritual battle as well as being an intellectual battle of ideas.

The old media has been mortally wounded because people have seen through the veils of the Left - it is up to us now to replace the MSM.

[rocknotsand]

bttt

[TChris]

...their seething hatred is so illogical and so totally without reason, but it has been clearly foretold.

Amen. The Destroyer will not leave truth and righteousness unchallenged. Those who follow the Lord have come to expect the opposition, even relish it to a degree, once the source is properly understood.

[ChicagoRighty]

reading later