Fellowship finances townhouse where 6 congressmen live

Tennessean ^ | 4/20/2003 | LARA JAKES JORDAN

[Gladwin]

WASHINGTON

[Gladwin]

Weird weird weird! Creeeeeepy!

[BlindedByTruth]

Hey, all power to them, they have a right to do this, I'm sure they're not the only bunch of elective officials sharing grounds with religious overtones, they're not doing any harm, just some good prayer services and companionship around fellow Christians

[LiteKeeper]

skeptical bump - any time Barry Lynn is involved, in any way

[Gladwin]

From last month's Harper's magazine print edition:

"They forge 'relationships' beyond the din of vox populi (the Family's leaders consider democracy a manifestation of ungodly pride) and 'throw away religion' in favor of the truths of the Family. Declaring God's covenant with the Jews broken, the group's core members call themselves 'the new chosen.' [....] At Ivanwald, men learn to be leaders by loving their leaders. 'They're so busy loving us,' a brother once explained to me, ' but who's loving them?'

A Quote: "People separate it out. Oh, okay, I got religion, that's private. As if Jesus doesn't know anything about building highways, or Social Security. We gotta take Jesus out of the religious wrapping."

In addition to the Senators outed by the AP, it also includes Sen. Nickles (R,Okla), Sen. Grassley (R, Iowa), Sen. Domenici (R, N.Mex), Sen. Inhofe (R, Okla), Sen Nelson (D, barely, FL), and Sen Burns (R, Mont). Also add Republican Representatives Wolf, Pitts, and Wamp.

Creeeeepy!

[eaglescout]

I think that all members of congress and their families should be given officers' housing (roughly the equivalent of someone of the rank of colonel) at a military base near Washington D.C.. Transportation to and from the Capitol should also be provided. That, plus their salaries and pensions, would provide for a reasonably nice lifestyle.

Anyone whose net worth increased significantly over the period of their national service would be subject to a serious frisk.

Of course, I also believe, in the interest of upgrading the average I.Q. of Congress, that our representatives should be chosen at random from the telephone book.

[My2Cents]

Why is it creepy? This would be like any group of Christians intentionally getting together to share rent on a house for purposes of furthering their own fellowship and growth in Christ. What's creepy about that? The Fellowship that owns the townhouse is probably a 501c3 religious organization, so they are not in this to make money (i.e., gouge their tenants). In fact, this organization has, if I'm not mistaken, been providing housing like this for members of Congress for well over 20 years. At least it's bipartisan. I think it's a positive thing.

Few in the Fellowship are willing to talk about its mission.

I can understand this too. Unbelievers get all bent out of shape when Christians are overt and vocal about their faith, and then think it's suspicious when Christians choose to keep their faith personal and private.

[My2Cents]

That secrecy is unsettling to the Rev. Barry Lynn, a United Church of Christ minister who heads watchdog group Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

Barry Lind...now there's a guy who embodies the characterization of "creepy" -- a religionist who thinks religion should have no impact on the business of our nation.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

The only thing that's "creepy" here is the anti-religious bigotry in the tone of the article and in your own tone.

[My2Cents]

From last month's Harper's magazine print edition:

"They forge 'relationships' beyond the din of vox populi (the Family's leaders consider democracy a manifestation of ungodly pride) and 'throw away religion' in favor of the truths of the Family. Declaring God's covenant with the Jews broken, the group's core members call themselves 'the new chosen.' [....] At Ivanwald, men learn to be leaders by loving their leaders. 'They're so busy loving us,' a brother once explained to me, ' but who's loving them?' A Quote: "People separate it out. Oh, okay, I got religion, that's private. As if Jesus doesn't know anything about building highways, or Social Security. We gotta take Jesus out of the religious wrapping."

I saw that article in the Harpers, and read part of it at the news stand, so I can't comment definitively on the author's statements. But, first...Why does he put quotation marks around the terms "relationships"? It's like he's saying, "They form relationships [wink wink, nudge nudge]..." Now, THAT's creepy. Are friendships now suspect?...Also, I know a little bit about this Fellowship group, because I was in a Bible study run by members of this organization in Sacramento (they promote fellowship, Bible study, encouragment, and outreach to members and staff of the Legislature) and there was nothing creepy about it, and nothing out of the Christian mainstream as the author of the Harper's article implies. Frankly, I think the author of the Harper's article had an agenda, and was trying to spin this organization and its work into something sinister. Since when should we put credence into leftwing journalists, particularly when they write about Christians?...

And now that I re-read the excerpt from the Harper's article, I don't think the author was referring to this particular organization that provides the housing for congressmen.

[Gladwin]

Because Jesus has lots to say on building highways. Ugh.

I'm not anti-religion, but I am anti-theocracy. In the bible, there is no separation of church and state, and the state should establish a religion.

Ugh. Creepy. Weird.

[My2Cents]

In the New Testament, the emphasis shifts from a nation called into relationship with God, to a people called, individually, to God, and built into a mystical entity called "the church" (not the building on the corner, but a "body" fit for God to reside in and express Himself through). I agree that Jesus would have little to say about federal highway legislation, or about farm subsidies. In fact, when he spoke of political matters it was with an air of indifference -- "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," as if to say that the two are distinct. But I do think Jesus would have something to say about how someone in government, e.g., a member of Congress, should conduct him- or herself when considering highway construction funding or farm subsidies. The erosion of civility and the general coarseness in politics is an indication, I think, of the lack of spiritual influence in the halls of power. Wouldn't you agree?

[My2Cents]

I agree with you regarding the theocracy issue. But let's be fair: I looked at the Christian Coalition website for information on their position and agenda. Nowhere there do they urge the establishment of a "theocracy." They do take positions on legislation, including: Abortion and Foreign Assistance, Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, Child Custody Protection Act, Education Legislative Issues, Education Reform, Family Tax Relief, Free Speech, Human Cloning, Human Embryo Killing, Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, Judicial Appointments, Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, Prescription Drug Benefit, Student Athlete Protection Act, Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and Women and Children's Resources Act. Considering all that the Federal government is engaged in, and considering all of the issues introduced in Congress, this list is relatively short. It's hardly an agenda for establishing a theocracy.

[mabelkitty]

Really?? And what about the creepy baby killers who congregate at Hillary's house. Do they have ritual sacrificing?

And what about fey lobbies that conregate with Barney Franks? Shall we guess what they do on their nights off?

[mabelkitty]

Thank you.

I would never disparage anybody else in this forum, and I resent the implications of Gladwins tone.

She needs to rethink her agenda.

[mabelkitty]

No, you are just an anti-Christian.

It's obvious.