I agree! I would make one change, though. Instead of "serving America first" I would say "serving Trump first." It's all about serving the cult leader, NOT the people of our country!
Does this cult worship stem from so many of the evangelical churches being ungoverned by a larger organization that might see through congregants "almost" worshiping the pastor of the church they join? Is that where it begins? Is it a need for someone to tell them what they need to think, like the proverbial lemmings? I've watched all of this grow throughout my lifetime and I still can't believe the mentality. I have friends who go to Bible studies with 150 people in it which should sound wonderful, but I just grow suspicious.
Same experience. My husband and I searched for a church we felt comfortable in, lots of Sundays of ick. (Mimosas afterwards and laughter). We settled on one with an ex professional football quarterback who "found the light", no judgment please, and it was all about appearances, the beautiful people, and Bible weekends with the girls, and with the guys. No mixing. We quit organized religion after that and haven't looked back. Amen.
I was in a very large, well-known Bible study. A woman who I understood to be a fairly new Christian was struggling with the idea that God was just going to “smite” her for something she had done or thought. I was chastised by the leader for saying that God is a loving God who doesn’t smite people but forgives. The leader said I was teaching theology, and that was against the rules. !!! I quit going not long afterwards. I’m an Episcopalian now where the motto at the church is “ you don’t have to check your brain at the door.”
I went to an Introdominational, Women's Bible Study at a very large church before. After a short greeting, you are divided into small groups, only meeting back in Chapel for a light Spirtual sermon. It was quite nice actually.
No mincing of words here, John. Thanks for drawing the sharp contrast between the two branches of Christianity: the "Nationalist, Evangelical/Fundamentalist, American right wing Empire" crowd and the "Progressive, Liberal, Social Justice Christians". It's been a bifurcation of Christianity soon after Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire, introducing money, greed and hierarchial power into Jesus' simple message of God's inclusive, unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness.
I’m grateful everyday that I had quit attending Southern Baptist Churches due to my divorce. I learned years later then my ex husband, who wasn’t wanting the divorce was punished by not being accepted after the divorce. What ignorance! He was a leader, teacher & gave his all yet they wouldn’t accept him because of the divorce. That is not Christianity. I wonder what will happen over the next 20 years to evangelical churches.
Thank you Pastor John. I’m so thankful that I have your assurance and guidance that we must have the Servant’s Hands of Jesus to keep our egos in check. Humility, kindness, inclusion, selflessness, compassion.
Can you believe that I have the tv set to the Kirk’s big memorial service? Just wanted to see it for myself. It’s on MUTE. Very heavy on the advertisement of Turning Point USA. Must not ever miss the chance to make more money. Uff-dah! As the Norwegians in Montana say when expressing dismay 😧😩. Many speakers. We’re told that nearly the entire US Cabinet plus Vance and Trump will be speaking. Trump has to be napping now. They will awake him sometime this afternoon when it comes his turn to speak.
Look at all those white faces. Definitely a goal is to canonize CK to sainthood. Make him a martyr. If Trump has his way, it will be a Reichstag Moment.
Oh my God. Speakers are encouraging Trump’s cabinet there to wield the sword of justice to get rid of leftist perversity. Dr. Ben Carter.
I read a newspaper this morning that said that Charlie got his start from Jerry Falwell, Jr. Had not heard that.
Good lord. Thank you for taking it for the team Shirley. The last playbook of authoritarianism is finding martyrs. Kyle Rittenhouse and now the horrible CK. Yes, a Reichstag Moment indeed.
How long is this thing? Hours and hours. Brings to mind the saying “The mind can only absorb what the rear end can endure.” Too long of a church service.
John, congratulations on the success of a wonderful week of fantastic guests and videos! The conversations you had with your guests lifted me up and reminded me I am not alone. I have been adrift lately, wondering where were the people who believe like me, believe in the love of Jesus. It's okay to talk about the power, forgiveness and love of Jesus. I'm re-reading the Gospels and look forward to immersing myself in the wonder, power, love and forgiveness of Jesus and His word.
Thanks again for your thought provoking and encouraging messages. Stay safe and well!!
I remarked on Facebook today that I considered no one a Christian who did not at least attempt to follow the directions of Jesus. Someone came back at me with "Charlie Kirk is with our saviour in heaven today because he accepted Jesus as his saviour and was born again." The man spewed hate out of his mouth for anyone who is not white and male every day.
You Tube is putting up old videos of CK and I'm so glad. I don't know who will see them, their algorithms are all on foxy propaganda, but it's a reminder of how vile he was, at the ripe age of 18, to indoctrinate so many of the young men in America. Whose lives are broken because of him.
I showed this to my son and unfortunately he very quickly pointed out the full videos. He said as much as I want to hate CK after watching the full videos this video you shared seems to be missing much needed context. If annyone else can share a specific video from CK that demonstrates his hateful rhetoric and not sound bites I would greatly appreciate it.
So tell me Jenna (if that is indeed your real name), what context did you discover that explains away the "sound bite" that neither Joy Reid, or Michelle Obama, or Ketanji Brown have the brain processing power to have gotten where they've gotten without affirmative action. I'll wait. In the meantime, good news for you, John. Evidently you're now considered weighty enough by the opposition that they've enlisted trolls to drop in on your chat. Congratulations, my friend.
I've no idea, Jeff. I have no idea what the medal is awarded for, and in any case it's not going to be of much use to him in his current state. No, I just couldn't listen to what he was saying, I found it so repugnant.
Sorry Tony.....I guess it was a less than stellar attempt at being facetious. Just trying to point out how totally upside down this country has become. :-(
Who can these people be called christians. They follow the Old Testament - wrath and destruction - stone the infidels - maybe abrahamists, not christians.
And women who wear purple cloth should be stoned. Hmm, and women who are having their period are unclean and must be avoided like the plague. And so it goes.
There is risk in elevating someone other than the leader to martyrdom. CK can now be elevated above DJT who is vulnerable with every word or action he takes. His polls are rapidly falling, while a dead CK can be glorified as the perfect christian youth leader.
Truth matters to none of these people. And religion has a stronger grip on those jumping on the martyr wagon than the man whose economy is starting to hurt everyone. A dead person is always perfect, the living, not so much.
So many ministers in these churches have never been to seminary or taken a theology class. They were “called” in some fervor of personal experience, and their message is based on their own interpretation, which they use to guide others. My ex-husband’s father probably hadn’t finished eighth grade (Depression era) and was a cruel, misogynistic man. He tried to be good, but his own upbringing and the hardships of his life coupled with the fact he had no background in religious history or philosophy made him loud and accusing in the pulpit. I always felt he was the cause of my ex’s substance abuse. Actually a sad, sad story. He wanted to serve God and did so much harm. He could sure cause a guilt-trip.
Exactly right there. I know people enamored with the history and theology who completely miss the spirit (Jesus complained about this often). Faith evolves and sometimes even devolves, sort of like the seasons change and burst into new growth. Times when God is far away often lead to new understanding if we can let ego go. Most of us can’t. I think these constant emotional stresses are meant to keep us in our egos so that we can’t make sense and get beyond. We only react— often meanly, sometimes violently. I am praying we really reach for God in these times. I’m reading the prophets. Pretty relevant. Surprisingly so. It’s helping.
I agree! I would make one change, though. Instead of "serving America first" I would say "serving Trump first." It's all about serving the cult leader, NOT the people of our country!
Sloth mentality. It’s easiest to just follow without having to think critically.
Does this cult worship stem from so many of the evangelical churches being ungoverned by a larger organization that might see through congregants "almost" worshiping the pastor of the church they join? Is that where it begins? Is it a need for someone to tell them what they need to think, like the proverbial lemmings? I've watched all of this grow throughout my lifetime and I still can't believe the mentality. I have friends who go to Bible studies with 150 people in it which should sound wonderful, but I just grow suspicious.
Same experience. My husband and I searched for a church we felt comfortable in, lots of Sundays of ick. (Mimosas afterwards and laughter). We settled on one with an ex professional football quarterback who "found the light", no judgment please, and it was all about appearances, the beautiful people, and Bible weekends with the girls, and with the guys. No mixing. We quit organized religion after that and haven't looked back. Amen.
I was in a very large, well-known Bible study. A woman who I understood to be a fairly new Christian was struggling with the idea that God was just going to “smite” her for something she had done or thought. I was chastised by the leader for saying that God is a loving God who doesn’t smite people but forgives. The leader said I was teaching theology, and that was against the rules. !!! I quit going not long afterwards. I’m an Episcopalian now where the motto at the church is “ you don’t have to check your brain at the door.”
Very apt point! 😇
I went to an Introdominational, Women's Bible Study at a very large church before. After a short greeting, you are divided into small groups, only meeting back in Chapel for a light Spirtual sermon. It was quite nice actually.
I’m glad to hear that.
No mincing of words here, John. Thanks for drawing the sharp contrast between the two branches of Christianity: the "Nationalist, Evangelical/Fundamentalist, American right wing Empire" crowd and the "Progressive, Liberal, Social Justice Christians". It's been a bifurcation of Christianity soon after Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire, introducing money, greed and hierarchial power into Jesus' simple message of God's inclusive, unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness.
I’m grateful everyday that I had quit attending Southern Baptist Churches due to my divorce. I learned years later then my ex husband, who wasn’t wanting the divorce was punished by not being accepted after the divorce. What ignorance! He was a leader, teacher & gave his all yet they wouldn’t accept him because of the divorce. That is not Christianity. I wonder what will happen over the next 20 years to evangelical churches.
Hopefully they will go the way of the dinosaurs!
Thank you Pastor John. I’m so thankful that I have your assurance and guidance that we must have the Servant’s Hands of Jesus to keep our egos in check. Humility, kindness, inclusion, selflessness, compassion.
Can you believe that I have the tv set to the Kirk’s big memorial service? Just wanted to see it for myself. It’s on MUTE. Very heavy on the advertisement of Turning Point USA. Must not ever miss the chance to make more money. Uff-dah! As the Norwegians in Montana say when expressing dismay 😧😩. Many speakers. We’re told that nearly the entire US Cabinet plus Vance and Trump will be speaking. Trump has to be napping now. They will awake him sometime this afternoon when it comes his turn to speak.
Look at all those white faces. Definitely a goal is to canonize CK to sainthood. Make him a martyr. If Trump has his way, it will be a Reichstag Moment.
Oh my God. Speakers are encouraging Trump’s cabinet there to wield the sword of justice to get rid of leftist perversity. Dr. Ben Carter.
I read a newspaper this morning that said that Charlie got his start from Jerry Falwell, Jr. Had not heard that.
Good lord. Thank you for taking it for the team Shirley. The last playbook of authoritarianism is finding martyrs. Kyle Rittenhouse and now the horrible CK. Yes, a Reichstag Moment indeed.
🤣. Thank you Lisa! Your comment is exactly what my daughter said!
How long is this thing? Hours and hours. Brings to mind the saying “The mind can only absorb what the rear end can endure.” Too long of a church service.
Trump’s having the audacity to bring up the firing of Jimmy Kimmel.
Right on target, as usual!
So true! Thank you, John. 💜
John, congratulations on the success of a wonderful week of fantastic guests and videos! The conversations you had with your guests lifted me up and reminded me I am not alone. I have been adrift lately, wondering where were the people who believe like me, believe in the love of Jesus. It's okay to talk about the power, forgiveness and love of Jesus. I'm re-reading the Gospels and look forward to immersing myself in the wonder, power, love and forgiveness of Jesus and His word.
Thanks again for your thought provoking and encouraging messages. Stay safe and well!!
I remarked on Facebook today that I considered no one a Christian who did not at least attempt to follow the directions of Jesus. Someone came back at me with "Charlie Kirk is with our saviour in heaven today because he accepted Jesus as his saviour and was born again." The man spewed hate out of his mouth for anyone who is not white and male every day.
Faith without works…
More like faith without faith. Confessing with their lips but not believing in their heart.
So completely well described. Will we ever return to a “real Jesus” faith as the more universal application of Christianity?
Thank you for your fine writing and for so clearly articulating the problem.
You Tube is putting up old videos of CK and I'm so glad. I don't know who will see them, their algorithms are all on foxy propaganda, but it's a reminder of how vile he was, at the ripe age of 18, to indoctrinate so many of the young men in America. Whose lives are broken because of him.
That’s why I’m hoping for a trial. The guy said hate speech was his motive
Can you point me to one of his videos that is hateful. My son claims that I am not fact checking and I want to share it with him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oVcnGg1w2Y
I showed this to my son and unfortunately he very quickly pointed out the full videos. He said as much as I want to hate CK after watching the full videos this video you shared seems to be missing much needed context. If annyone else can share a specific video from CK that demonstrates his hateful rhetoric and not sound bites I would greatly appreciate it.
So tell me Jenna (if that is indeed your real name), what context did you discover that explains away the "sound bite" that neither Joy Reid, or Michelle Obama, or Ketanji Brown have the brain processing power to have gotten where they've gotten without affirmative action. I'll wait. In the meantime, good news for you, John. Evidently you're now considered weighty enough by the opposition that they've enlisted trolls to drop in on your chat. Congratulations, my friend.
Thank you for pointing this out. Perhaps my son will listen to this. This sounds horrible. Do you have the CK video where he said this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOLdN9U_gyg
Hell's bells. I could only watch the first two minutes before I had to close it off.
So do you think that makes him unworthy of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
I've no idea, Jeff. I have no idea what the medal is awarded for, and in any case it's not going to be of much use to him in his current state. No, I just couldn't listen to what he was saying, I found it so repugnant.
Sorry Tony.....I guess it was a less than stellar attempt at being facetious. Just trying to point out how totally upside down this country has become. :-(
Who can these people be called christians. They follow the Old Testament - wrath and destruction - stone the infidels - maybe abrahamists, not christians.
And women who wear purple cloth should be stoned. Hmm, and women who are having their period are unclean and must be avoided like the plague. And so it goes.
There is risk in elevating someone other than the leader to martyrdom. CK can now be elevated above DJT who is vulnerable with every word or action he takes. His polls are rapidly falling, while a dead CK can be glorified as the perfect christian youth leader.
Truth matters to none of these people. And religion has a stronger grip on those jumping on the martyr wagon than the man whose economy is starting to hurt everyone. A dead person is always perfect, the living, not so much.
Unless the dead person is Jimmy Savile. He became a pariah only once he'd croaked.
Hmmm, maybe that might happen to Trump.... <here's hoping> <sorry not sorry>
So many ministers in these churches have never been to seminary or taken a theology class. They were “called” in some fervor of personal experience, and their message is based on their own interpretation, which they use to guide others. My ex-husband’s father probably hadn’t finished eighth grade (Depression era) and was a cruel, misogynistic man. He tried to be good, but his own upbringing and the hardships of his life coupled with the fact he had no background in religious history or philosophy made him loud and accusing in the pulpit. I always felt he was the cause of my ex’s substance abuse. Actually a sad, sad story. He wanted to serve God and did so much harm. He could sure cause a guilt-trip.
I'm not sure seminary helps either. What is important is a humble, servant heart tuned to the heart of Christ. Having the 'mind of Christ' (1Cor 2:16)
Exactly right there. I know people enamored with the history and theology who completely miss the spirit (Jesus complained about this often). Faith evolves and sometimes even devolves, sort of like the seasons change and burst into new growth. Times when God is far away often lead to new understanding if we can let ego go. Most of us can’t. I think these constant emotional stresses are meant to keep us in our egos so that we can’t make sense and get beyond. We only react— often meanly, sometimes violently. I am praying we really reach for God in these times. I’m reading the prophets. Pretty relevant. Surprisingly so. It’s helping.