Every day in America

[The Straight Story]

Churches big and small are helping feed the homeless, families in distress, giving shelter, blankets, etc and so on.

They get little to no main press (see usnpl.com for all the papers in the US - small towns cover it pretty well).

Raising money or getting food donations is at times a struggle.

http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=church+helps&cf=all&start=10

The churches are run and attended by members of the community, who like the rest of us are human and imperfect.

---Thought I would post something positive about churches and those evil believers who are stupid because they believe in a sky fairy. We vote, we help others, and oh yeah SOME people who believe are dicks. Some dems are dicks too who hate guns and like nanny-state laws and I get tired of hearing the idiots on the right say that all dems are the same on all issues.

I'll keep calling out the idiot christians when I see them, and hopefully I can post things about the decent things some do as well without getting the old 'yeah, well some christians burned witches at the stake, thus any help some other person gives now is negated and tainted' type BS.

[Uben]

1. No doubt, since the beginning of civilization......

....religion has manipulated people with food. In the middle east, thousands of years ago, food was scarce, so people gravitated towards the places where they could get food. They would adopt the local religion as long as it kept the food flowing. But, when the food wagon went belly up, they split, and went to the next food haven.

So, religions have used food as a tool to amass followers and gain power forever. And, why not? What person would not be willing to sit and listen while filling their empty stomach? Food has been the most influential tool of all time. That is why religious organizations use it. We all need it. We don't need religion, but are willing to accept it, as long as it provides food.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

5. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY

:evilfrown: :evilfrown: :evilfrown: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[RandomThoughts]

2. I feel that way sometimes also.

Everyone has flaws, I feel that way so much, that I like to challenge the perspectives people never thought about.

I really do like this picture.




Do you see the strength in that photo, the dignity. It is a really beautiful photo.

You know what some would say, the shows name is Babylon5, and that is in some text somewhere. And that is all they would think about that show. Literally the name of the show, keeps people from seeing what it might actually say. I agree there are many ideas in many shows that are worse, and many that are better, but the point is there is a way some think that has nothing to do with the content of some multi level thought that has many perspectives and viewpoints. Some good, some bad.

That is what is the biggest problem, that and those that want people to be that way, and actually foster those things.

So anyone that might think some comment I make about defending the persecuted accused witches of long ago, or even today, or defending those that are thought to be to flawed to be loved, you know what, if they think I am tainted for such thoughts or comments, what are they going to do, take my beer and travel money they haven't sent. LOL.

Anyways, I understand your post and am glad to read it, it is comforting to hear of the better thoughts that is most people of most faiths, even if just in a post.

[elocs]

3. K&R, and fair enough. The broadbrush seems to be the preferred tool here

when it comes to tarring Christians and other religions. It seems to be forgotten that there are DUers who are religious and likely most are Christians and that their faith is an important part of their lives.

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. You had me up til "some dems are dicks too who hate guns and like nanny state laws" -1

[LiberalLoner]

6. K&R thank you for this. It bothers me that people don't recognize any

difference between, say, the Episcopal Church/ELCA Lutheran Church, and the Westboro Baptist Church or Harold Camping. It bothers me that the priests who have molested, and the leadership who has covered it up, has tainted and negated the good deeds that so many Catholic people and clergy have done.

I really like that "Coexist" bumper sticker that urges tolerance.

I just wish I could say, the zany Xtians who make the news, don't represent all of us.

[Horse with no Name]

7. One of the problems is

The government gives funding to these faith-based initiatives (think Hurricane Katrina) and then the church turns around and has the power to deny people based on random criteria (Gays, Atheists, etc).

Many of the churches utilize these funds to beat Christianity over heads of those that believe differently (think the missions to foreign countries).

ALOT of these things are done with OUR money.

Now, I will grant you that not ALL churches do this--but there are a goodly amount that do.

We have a local Mennonite church community that is ALWAYS there to serve our community in a disaster.

They provide help regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. No questions asked, as it should be. Pretty much the ONLY way that you know they are Mennonites is how they dress.

I am thankful for these types of "quiet" Christians. Very thankful because they do the work of God as God intended.

But I am not thankful for government money being funneled into certain churches "to do the work of God" and then having some of our citizens who do not fit their "Christian Living Standard" not finding a "room at the inn".

[RKP5637]

8. +1000 +++ n/t

[Zorra]

9. Here +:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=951506&mesg_id=951791

The only thing I'd like to add to this is: I believe that a whole lot of the of us that don't adhere to the teachings of christian churches would really appreciate it if y'all would put major serious time and effort into converting the dangerous RW wacko phony christians that are making y'all look bad, are voting for evil men that crush the poor and make war, and are preventing people from being able to marry the person of their choice. Etc, etc...

These people are flat out scary/dangerous/crazy. Deadly, in fact.

If you want to save somebody, I for one would greatly appreciate it if you'd please start with, and focus on, them.

peace