Can bush loving born again Jesus zombies be de-programmed?

[Philosoraptor]

I'm not referring to the harmless, benevolent Christians, I'm referring of course to the Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell crowd that's given Christ a war makeover.

I'm talking about his crazy, deluded base who love the important issues, gays marrying, helping sick folks with stem cell research, protecting the flag, the ones who've been voting assholes in since Reagan.

Can they be de-programmed like they do with other cult members? Have you ever tried to get through to any of these types? I have, and its frustrating if not pointless.

Are they devotees of a dangerous, brain washing cult? Can they be reached or reasoned with on any level?

How can you show them the obvious, that bush is NOT a Christian? Will they always be fooled by a few verses and scriptures in a speech? Why is it so easy to manipulate them to the voting booth? Why don't they see through this shit?

[ck4829]

1. It takes time

When they say the horrors that Bush are committing, they do turn.

For example, Pat Robertson admitted that he believes in Global Warming now after seeing this year's horrible heat wave.

[On the Road]

2. Short Answer: Yes

Maybe not the way you're envisioning it. But people change over time.

[Philosoraptor]

4. My own bro. voted for W twice, now hates him,

So, it does happen, but it certainly wasn't because of my urging him. Now his daughter is going to Iraq. his wife still supports bush for religious reasons.

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. No. In order to change someones mind they..........

have to have a thinking brain to begin with. They are believers and will not let the facts get in the way. All part of that same twenty-some percent.

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. I think it's worth a try

I go around sticking these on fundie bushbot cars. I hope it blows their little minds.

?adasdgf

[cgrindley]

6. No

I think that when a religious viewpoint is held in conjunction with a political one, especially from an early age, it's impossible to ever change that person's mind except through education.

[Slaughtermeyer]

7. Portray Bush as a false prophet

Matthew 24:11 warns against false prophets. Also point out that Bush appointed more homosexuals to public office than Clinton, that he supported the pro-abortion Arlen Specter when he was running against an anti-abortion candidate, and that he mocked and ridiculed a Texas death row inmate after she became a born again Christian. Matthew 7:20-23 is appropriate for people like Bush.

[Joanne98]

12. Those are good ideas.

[silverojo]

8. They can't be deprogrammed

Because they think like him. They hate gays, hate foreigners, just hate, hate, hate. And Bush encourages their hate, so they love him.

[Joanne98]

9. Actually, that's a good question. I think the "christians" are going

to crack first. Of all the Bush christians I've talked too in the last 4 years, one thing has always stuck out. They actually, really believe Bush has moral values. I've always said, that if you can prove to them Bush is a phoney, they will give him up quicker than the other Repub voters. The "leader preachers" are the only thing standing in the way. Just keep telling the christian voters, Bush is a liar, a thief and a murderer and they will "at least" stay home. they don't have the stomache for the fight.

The two groups to forget wasting any time with. "I WANT ANOTHER TAX CUT" and "I HAVE A FLAG TATTOOED ON MY FOREHEAD".

The christian voters are do-able IF you can get them away from the influence of the PREACHERS.

[Lerkfish]

11. yes, it's the leaders that are the problem, like I said in my post.

the people themselves WANT to do the right thing for the most part. They are just woefully mislead as to what the righ thing is.

[Joanne98]

15. They have been mis-led. It's a shame too..

I have this friend who voted for Bush in 2000. He became a christian after he got divoriced. A really nice but lonely guy. He prays before he votes. He so afraid of making the wrong choice. One thing you can say about these people is that they CARE about the country's problems. Most of them are serious people. I would LOVE to have them on our side. BUT the abortion and gay marriage issues are a problem.
I've been telling them abortion and divorce go up during Republican terms. (which is true) but the Preachers are such a problem. They UNDO everything I say every Sunday. This guy BTW didn't vote at all in 2004. He wouldn't vote for Kerry but couldn't bring himself to vote for Bush. I'm hoping that will happen this November. You can't tell want they will do. They're real quiet about it. The problem I see for this year is that bastard John Haggee and his Jerusalem Countdown book. It's making them pro-Israel and pro-war again. If we get a massive END DAYS vote we're fucked.

[Lerkfish]

10. its possible, but not likely

unfortunately they have to want to change, they have to reach their own moment of crystal clarity where they question what they believe.

the reason that's such a rare event among "evangelicals" is that sunday after sunday (sometimes wed and sat nites, too!) its drummed into their heads to never question what they are told, or what they believe. They are told that anyone who tells them different is evil and trying to seduce or corrupt them.

That's why it has to come from within before they change, because they're taught to distrust any outside influence except their current manipulators.

Liberal christians, on the other hand, are usually invited to explore their doubts and to openly think about how their religion applies to the world around them. At least they were when I was little. Unfortunately, now the fundie influence is infiltrating even liberal churches.

People here have often tried to put liberal christians to task to "change" fundie christians, but frankly its even HARDER for us to penetrate that shell they live in, because they consider us heretics, so they listen even LESS to what we have to say.

tis a sad thing, and in my belief, I think many are going to be surprised come judgement day, and I would love to see their "leaders" get their comeuppance then.

[Javaman]

13. Yeah, it's call foot in the ass de-programming. nt

[T Wolf]

14. For 99.99999% of them - no way in hell.

For the one or two with minimal brainpower, it really is not worth the effort. Better to just rid your life (and the world) of them.