Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Christian Coalition's 2009 Legislative Agenda - Corporate Christians Perverting The Gospel In 2009

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Religion/Theology Donate to DU
 
TomCADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-11-09 01:08 AM
Original message
Christian Coalition's 2009 Legislative Agenda - Corporate Christians Perverting The Gospel In 2009
If you are a real Christian, and by that, I mean actually read the bible and know that has very, very few actual references to the unborn, but many, many references to our obligations to help the poor and less fortunate, then you will probably be sickened to read the Christian Coalition's 2009 Legislative Agenda.

Tax cuts? Domestic oil drilling? Opposing healthcare reform? What Bible are they reading? The one with the gospel of Milton Friedmann?

http://www.cc.org/print/1546

###

2009 Legislative Agenda
Christian Coalition's Agenda for the 111th Congress


Preventing Passage of the "Freedom of Choice Act"

Barack Obama promised Planned Parenthood that he would sign FOCA, and we have to take him at his word and work to prevent its passage. FOCA would actually abolish such federal laws as the ban on the abominable practice of partial-birth abortion, in addition to voiding hundreds of state and local laws and regulations on abortion. It is the most radical piece of pro-abortion legislation ever proposed in our country.

It will be a top priority of the Christian Coalition of America to stop the “Freedom of Choice Act” and continue our fight to defend the unborn. Click here <1> and join our campaign to “Stop FOCA” today.

---------

Oppose liberal judicial nominees
We support the nomination and confirmation of judges that will uphold and apply the Constitution as it was originally written by our Founding Fathers – not seek to re-write it to their own ideological ends, or make law from the bench.

Christian Coalition will be monitoring all of the judicial nominations sent to the United States Senate by President Obama. We will be happy to support nominees that abide by a philosophy of applying the original understanding of our Constitution. And we will stand in firm opposition to the confirmation of all who do not.

----------

Protect the Defense of Marriage Act
It seems that everywhere you look, the traditional definition of marriage is under attack as liberals seek to radically redefine an institution that has existed for thousands of years. In recent years it has come under attack by left-wing judges who have sought to redefine marriage by judicial decree. And now, Barack Obama has indicated that he favors repealing the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

The Defense of Marriage Act is a federal law that prohibits the federal government from treating “same sex” relationships as marriage, and prevents states from being required to give legal recognition to gay marriages performed in other states.

Christian Coalition will aggressively oppose any efforts to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. Click here <2> and join our campaign to defend marriage today.

----------

Oppose any Re-introduction of the "Fairness Doctrine"
Christian Coalition will fight to prevent any re-introduction of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" from taking effect, (whether in the form of Congressional legislation or government regulation).

The "Fairness Doctrine" – which would have the practical effect of forcing radio and TV stations to broadcast an equal amount of time for liberal programs to match that of each conservative program – was abolished in the 1980’s by former President Ronald Reagan.

If it is allowed to come back, it would effectively end conservative talk-radio and put Christian television programming at risk. Click here <3> to join our Save Talk Radio campaign to oppose the "Fairness Doctrine".

----------

Oppose Expansion of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
With so many promising new developments in the area of adult stem-cell research, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever for the government to continue to allow – much less expand – funding for research and destruction of embryonic stem-cells. Despite this fact, the Obama administration and the Democrat leadership in Congress have made plain that they will attempt to do just that.

Christian Coalition will work to defeat any measures that expand embryonic stem-cell research and spotlight all members of Congress who support using taxpayer dollars for this abominable practice.

----------

Energy Independence and Reform
America's economic growth, national security and the health of our environment are all intertwined with our country's energy policies - and we need a better plan. We can better ensure our national security, strengthen our economy and protect our environment at the same time by developing American energy resources and investing in clean, renewable energy technologies that create American jobs.

In other words, we need an all-American "all of the above" approach to our energy needs. A solution that allows for the development of American resources to lower our gas prices, but also recognizes we must work towards a much more diversified energy future.

Delays increase the negative impact that climate related issues may have on the world's poor, who have less resources to cope with the impact of changing climate. Even as we work to reduce emissions, we need to be leaders in helping the most vulnerable deal with dwindling supplies of clean water, coastal flooding, and prolonged drought and famine. We believe that we have a scriptural obligation to care for what Matthew 25:40 refers to as "the least of these". As a result, helping the world's poor adapt to these circumstances, and preventing such circumstances where possible, with the introduction of new technologies, is a responsibility we should be willing to bear.

----------

Defend the 2001 Tax Cuts
Christian Coalition worked to help former President Bush pass legislation that lowered federal taxes for virtually every family in America by a total of $1.3 trillion, (a bill which passed by a large bipartisan margin in the 107th Congress).

Unfortunately, the tax cuts are set to expire in 2010. Christian Coalition will work to defend those tax cuts and protect the income of America’s family’s from rising taxes under Barack Obama’s administration.

----------

Oppose Nationalization of Health Care
With a new Democrat in the White House and a larger Democrat majority in Congress, many liberals can’t wait to push for nationalization of our nation’s health care system. Such a program would put government in control of another huge chunk of the American economy, not to mention give bureaucrats a place between you and your doctor. And make doctors beholden to the government, not their patients.

Even countries with nationalized systems such as Germany, Sweden and Australia have begun establishing some free-market alternatives to their government run programs, as the problems with these programs have become more obvious.

We believe doctors should have the flexibility to practice medicine according to the needs of their patients, not government mandates. We don’t believe government has a track record of success Americans can trust to run a quality health care system. The solutions to our health care problems lies with more patient and consumer control, not more government control.

----------

Protecting Religious Programming
As government seeks to modernize the laws and regulations concerning America’s telecommunications industry, it is important the needs of religious programmers are not left out of the discussion.

The issue of protecting religious television programming includes the important issue of "Multicast/Equal Access". Without a "Multicast/Equal Access" law, the cable and satellite companies would probably not add new Christian channels and the influence of current Christian channels will be diluted.

We believe it is important that this programming continue to be offered to all television subscribers, and passing such legislation will go a long way to preventing discrimination against religious broadcasters.

----------

Prevent Discrimination on the Internet by Passing "Net Neutrality"
"Net Neutrality" is an issue that is extremely important to America's grassroots organizations and those who want to ensure that cable and phone companies don’t discriminate against groups like Christian Coalition of America.

Without this legislation, cable and telephone monopolies will begin dividing the Internet into a "fast track" and "slow track." Given that many people and groups at the grassroots level cannot afford additional fees, they will be relegated to the “slow track” – which will mean their websites and emails will load and be delivered slowly. And this means fewer visitors and decreased effectiveness in an increasingly digitized world.

Even worse, if a board member on an Internet Service Provider (cable/telephone monopoly) doesn’t care for the content of certain website or their emails, they would simply be able to block them entirely from service. We cannot allow cable/telephone monopolies to control the Internet and its content.

Christian Coalition activists need to encourage Congress to pass "Net Neutrality" to prevent such discrimination. Click here <4> and join our campaign to defend net neutrality.

----------

Ending religious discrimination against Christians in the military
Even though a federal court during October 2006 dismissed gadfly Mikey Weinstein's infamous lawsuit which accused the United States military of promoting Christianity, he filed yet a new lawsuit less than two months later, wasting American taxpayer dollars yet again. He is trying to force the Pentagon into wasting more time to check into his allegations. Undoubtedly, another federal court judge will strike down his latest exercise in futility and harassment of Christians in the United States military.

Christian Coalition of America will fight to ensure that evangelical Christian military chaplains and other personnel are not discriminated against as they have been during the past number of decades. In the closing weeks of the 109th Congress, Republican congressional leaders got involved in this culture war and forced the Navy and the Air Force to repeal regulations the two services had adopted earlier this year which forbade military chaplains from praying in the name of Jesus during military functions other than worship services. The provision agreed to on September 25, 2006 by the House and Senate conferees debating the final Defense Authorization bill rolls back the current Air Force and Navy regulations which had overturned 200+ years of tradition allowing military chaplains to pray in the name of Jesus and according to their faith requirements. The Air Force had adopted restrictive guidelines on February 9, 2006 and the Navy had adopted similar restrictive guidelines on February 21, 2006. The Air Force and Navy had surrendered to atheist activists and left-wing Members of Congress in adopting these ill-advised regulations.

According to the September 25, 2006 agreement signed by the House and Senate conferees, the Secretary of the Air Force must reinstate the policy that was set forth in Air Force Directive 52-1 dated 1 July 1999 and the Secretary of the Navy must reinstate the policy set forth in Secretary of Navy Instruction 1730.7B dated October 12, 2000.

###
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
TomCADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-11-09 01:11 AM
Response to Original message
1. The Biblical Quotes That The Christian Coalition Does Not Want You To See
If a crazy right winger starts reading you the Christian Coalitions talking points on healthcare and tax cuts, you may want to suggest that they actually crack open a bible once in a while.


"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered."

-Proverbs 21:13

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

-Proverbs 31:8-9

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

-Matthew 6:24


"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'"

-Matthew 19:23-24

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.'"

-Matthew 25:41-45

"He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished."

-Proverbs 17:5

"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty."

-Proverbs 22:16


"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"

-Matthew 19:21

"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses."

-Proverbs 28:27

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

-1 Timothy 6:9-10

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

-1 Timothy 6:17-19

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."

-Ezekiel 16:49

"Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all."

-Proverbs 22:2

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God."

-Proverbs 14:31

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."

-Proverbs 22:9

"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse."

-Proverbs 28:6

"A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished."

-Proverbs 28:20

"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."

-Proverbs 29:7

"Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."

-Proverbs 11:4

"Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them."

-Proverbs 22:22-23

"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."

-Proverbs 23:4-5

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless."

-Ecclesiastes 5:10

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

-Proverbs 22:1

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."

-Deuteronomy 15:11

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have."

-Hebrews 13:5

"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge."

-Psalm 14:6


"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done."

-Proverbs 19:17

"A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him."

-Proverbs 28:11


"A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare."

-Proverbs 21:6


"The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall."

-Proverbs 18:11

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tsuki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-11-09 04:21 AM
Response to Reply #1
5. God gave us Reason; man gave us religion. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
47of74 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-11-09 01:11 AM
Response to Original message
2. There is little that is Christian about these people
To them Christianity is a tool to be used to dominate and control other human beings. And as far as they are concerned the poor can go fuck themselves.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
elleng Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-11-09 01:33 AM
Response to Original message
3. Couldn't read your post; thanks, tho.
Glad I've never 'been' Christian, or essentially of any other so-called religion.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
OHdem10 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-11-09 02:12 AM
Response to Original message
4. They are a political force in this country. It is their organizational
skills which keep them affecting much in this country.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
rrneck Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-11-09 09:43 AM
Response to Original message
6. It's been a long time
since I've seen such blistering hypocrisy.

It's possible to be a fascist and not know it. In fact, most of the rank and file fascists don't find out until it's too late.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laconicsax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 12:52 AM
Response to Original message
7. So...you get to decide who does and doesn't belong to a religion?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
TomCADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 01:50 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. If that's your opinion, you're entitled...
Edited on Wed Aug-12-09 01:50 AM by TomCADem
As for me, I think what the Christian Coalition call christianity bears no relationship to the gospel as I understand it. If you believe the Christian Coalition's 2009 Legislative Agenda accurately reflects the teachings in the bible, you certainly are free to make that argument.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laconicsax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. I think that membership in a religion is based on self-identification, not your personal beliefs.
If the members of the Christian Coalition call themselves Christian, then they're Christians. It isn't up to you to decide if they're 'real' Christians just like how it isn't up to them to decide if you're a 'real' Christian.

You're all Christians. Deal with it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
TomCADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 02:04 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. Your Point Is That You Get Define Who Is A Christian? Makes No Sense.
I wonder whether you can see the irony in making the strawman argument about no one having the power to decide who is a real Christian. You conclude by declaring:

"You're all Christians. Deal with it."

Am I missing something? Is your point that I can't express an opinion on Christian doctrine, because you apparently have the power to decide who is and is not a Christian?

Well, shoot, I apologize. I did not understand that the point of your argument is that you are the person who gets to define who is, and is not a Christian.

Me, I was just expressing an opinion on Christian doctrine. I apologize if you misunderstood that point.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laconicsax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 02:33 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. You made that definition in the first sentence of your post.
If you are a real Christian, and by that, I mean actually read the bible and know that has very, very few actual references to the unborn, but many, many references to our obligations to help the poor and less fortunate...
(emphasis mine)

By making this definition, you are taking a group of people who self-identify as Christian and exclude them from your definition of Christianity. Ever hear of the 'no true Scotsman' fallacy?

Self-identification is the only just way to determine someone's religious adherence. If someone honestly says that they're a Christian, then they are. The members of the Christian Coalition honestly (we presume) say that they're Christian, so they are.

I'm not deciding who is and isn't, I'm letting them decide that they are. If you aren't a Christian, I apologize for making a wrong assumption.

If you are a Christian, then you just need to deal with the fact that the members of the Christian Coalition have just as much right to call themselves Christian as you do.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
TomCADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 03:27 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. Okay, Fair Enough, You Are Referring To The Right Of People To Call Themselves What They Want
Edited on Wed Aug-12-09 03:28 PM by TomCADem
"The members of the Christian Coalition have just as much right to call themselves Christian as you do."

You have no argument with me on this point. Heck, if the Christian Coalition wants to refer to themselves as Martians, that's fine with me, as well. However, if they want to argue that their legislative platform is reflective of the gospel, then we have an a legitimate debate. I really can't think of any Biblical references that support the 2001 tax cut or opposing healthcare reform.


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laconicsax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 06:24 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. That debate is with them, not me.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
rd_kent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 01:39 PM
Response to Original message
10. Oppose the fairness doctrine but support multi-cast/equal access TV
The sheer hypocrisy is staggering.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Sun May 05th 2024, 03:22 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Religion/Theology Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC