Intersection of religion and politics

[Anonymous]

I belong to a Conservative/Masorti synagogue; you're way off base in where you put that denomination (it's far, far more liberal politically than you think). Orthodox Jews might be closer to your label. The underlying theology is almost nothing like fundamentalist Christianity, for obvious reasons.

[Anonymous]

Catholics don’t worship saints; they venerate them. There is a big difference between latria, or worship, and dulia, veneration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Catholics don’t worship saints; they venerate them. There is a big difference between latria, or worship, and dulia, veneration.

Maybe to you, or other Catholics there is, but to most people the difference between worship and veneration may not be so obvious.

[Anonymous]

That’s actually the proper understanding of the Catholic Church’s teaching on veneration of the saints. If someone is making a statement about worshiping saints, that’s not something Catholics do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s actually the proper understanding of the Catholic Church’s teaching on veneration of the saints. If someone is making a statement about worshiping saints, that’s not something Catholics do.

Correct. Catholics don't worship saints. But sometimes to an outsider from another religion, it can appear that Catholics worship the saints, because they seem to expect so much from them and say that they receive so much from the saints that they "venerate." I had a friend, who swore that whenever she called upon St. Anthony for help in finding something, she would find it!

Imagine -- a saint who just waits to have his name called to find something! She figured it worked for her because she was such a good Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s actually the proper understanding of the Catholic Church’s teaching on veneration of the saints. If someone is making a statement about worshiping saints, that’s not something Catholics do.

Correct. Catholics don't worship saints. But sometimes to an outsider from another religion, it can appear that Catholics worship the saints, because they seem to expect so much from them and say that they receive so much from the saints that they "venerate." I had a friend, who swore that whenever she called upon St. Anthony for help in finding something, she would find it!

Imagine -- a saint who just waits to have his name called to find something! She figured it worked for her because she was such a good Catholic.

Praying to Saint Anthony when trying to find something is a classic. I think many (most?) Catholics do this, not a niche thing or thinking it's only for good Catholics.

[Anonymous]

I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet. There is other hypocrisy but this one I find fascinating especially with OP’s reference to Sodom and Gomora. The GOP is the modern day version of S&G! It’s a drunken, guilted orgy of greed, grifting, abuse, all while embracing anti-Christian core values.

OP how can you not see that you are following the wolf in sheep’s clothing? Is your hate so strong that you have twisted your faith to follow evil? Are you so weak that you can not resist temptation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet. There is other hypocrisy but this one I find fascinating especially with OP’s reference to Sodom and Gomora. The GOP is the modern day version of S&G! It’s a drunken, guilted orgy of greed, grifting, abuse, all while embracing anti-Christian core values.

OP how can you not see that you are following the wolf in sheep’s clothing? Is your hate so strong that you have twisted your faith to follow evil? Are you so weak that you can not resist temptation?

You say, "I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet."

Me too, but it's not just fundamentalist Christians who do it. Lots of people are susceptible. THat's probably why there is a commandment about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet. There is other hypocrisy but this one I find fascinating especially with OP’s reference to Sodom and Gomora. The GOP is the modern day version of S&G! It’s a drunken, guilted orgy of greed, grifting, abuse, all while embracing anti-Christian core values.

OP how can you not see that you are following the wolf in sheep’s clothing? Is your hate so strong that you have twisted your faith to follow evil? Are you so weak that you can not resist temptation?

OP here.

Trump is not a prophet. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worship a prophet. All of the prophets said to repent and worship God only.

The Democratic party is the voting base of the queer, the communist, the proud slut and immoral woman who uses abortion as birth control who says the fetus is not a human, just a clump of cells in order to assuage her guilt of murder.

The American political scene is a huge circus tent with parades of freaks led by carnival barkers, “Come see the show! Vote for ME! Hope and change! MAGA!”

Some people think they can make the circus not a circus if they vote enough times, cause the Fat Lady to become thin, the Wolf Man to shave.

I look at politics and see an acre-sized swimming pool, noisy, crazy. People are screaming and throwing turds at each other. Over there in the corner is a man with a queer grin moving his hand back and forth near his crotch under the filthy water. A woman over there has a smirky grin as the water turns bright yellow where she pees, and pinkish-red as her friend menstruates in the water thinking it funny people will swim in her blood.

Some of them I cringe to look at, both Democrat and Republican.

I am told I should exercise my right to pick a side and vote. What do I do? They are all in this dirty pool screaming. Well, I should vote, so I do what everyone else does: I try to pick a side that most closely aligns with my beliefs and values, knowing the politicians in most cases represent only their own values and the values of people with millions of dollars to make their values count more than mine.

As a Fundamentalist Christian, I do not see the president as an embodiment of my values but as a means to hopefully slow down the “Slouching Towards Gomorrah” (R. Bork)

So which ones are clean? They all look dirty in that pool. Who in their right mind would want to jump into that pool? Not me! And good Lord, they have access to nuclear weapons which the Bible hints will be used one day:

”And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. “

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet. There is other hypocrisy but this one I find fascinating especially with OP’s reference to Sodom and Gomora. The GOP is the modern day version of S&G! It’s a drunken, guilted orgy of greed, grifting, abuse, all while embracing anti-Christian core values.

OP how can you not see that you are following the wolf in sheep’s clothing? Is your hate so strong that you have twisted your faith to follow evil? Are you so weak that you can not resist temptation?

OP here.

Trump is not a prophet. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worship a prophet. All of the prophets said to repent and worship God only.

The Democratic party is the voting base of the queer, the communist, the proud slut and immoral woman who uses abortion as birth control who says the fetus is not a human, just a clump of cells in order to assuage her guilt of murder.

The American political scene is a huge circus tent with parades of freaks led by carnival barkers, “Come see the show! Vote for ME! Hope and change! MAGA!”

Some people think they can make the circus not a circus if they vote enough times, cause the Fat Lady to become thin, the Wolf Man to shave.

I look at politics and see an acre-sized swimming pool, noisy, crazy. People are screaming and throwing turds at each other. Over there in the corner is a man with a queer grin moving his hand back and forth near his crotch under the filthy water. A woman over there has a smirky grin as the water turns bright yellow where she pees, and pinkish-red as her friend menstruates in the water thinking it funny people will swim in her blood.

Some of them I cringe to look at, both Democrat and Republican.

I am told I should exercise my right to pick a side and vote. What do I do? They are all in this dirty pool screaming. Well, I should vote, so I do what everyone else does: I try to pick a side that most closely aligns with my beliefs and values, knowing the politicians in most cases represent only their own values and the values of people with millions of dollars to make their values count more than mine.

As a Fundamentalist Christian, I do not see the president as an embodiment of my values but as a means to hopefully slow down the “Slouching Towards Gomorrah” (R. Bork)

So which ones are clean? They all look dirty in that pool. Who in their right mind would want to jump into that pool? Not me! And good Lord, they have access to nuclear weapons which the Bible hints will be used one day:

”And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. “

It sounds like you reluctantly voted for Trump, right? because you see him as the lesser of two evils. Are you happy with your choice? Sounds to me like you're trying to justify, not only your vote, but his actions since taking office, some of which horrify you, but which you still perceive as the lesser of two evils.

Thanks for the insight into some of Trump's Christian voters. I've wondered how Christians could vote for an obvious atheist like Trump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet. There is other hypocrisy but this one I find fascinating especially with OP’s reference to Sodom and Gomora. The GOP is the modern day version of S&G! It’s a drunken, guilted orgy of greed, grifting, abuse, all while embracing anti-Christian core values.

OP how can you not see that you are following the wolf in sheep’s clothing? Is your hate so strong that you have twisted your faith to follow evil? Are you so weak that you can not resist temptation?

OP here.

Trump is not a prophet. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worship a prophet. All of the prophets said to repent and worship God only.

The Democratic party is the voting base of the queer, the communist, the proud slut and immoral woman who uses abortion as birth control who says the fetus is not a human, just a clump of cells in order to assuage her guilt of murder.

The American political scene is a huge circus tent with parades of freaks led by carnival barkers, “Come see the show! Vote for ME! Hope and change! MAGA!”

Some people think they can make the circus not a circus if they vote enough times, cause the Fat Lady to become thin, the Wolf Man to shave.

I look at politics and see an acre-sized swimming pool, noisy, crazy. People are screaming and throwing turds at each other. Over there in the corner is a man with a queer grin moving his hand back and forth near his crotch under the filthy water. A woman over there has a smirky grin as the water turns bright yellow where she pees, and pinkish-red as her friend menstruates in the water thinking it funny people will swim in her blood.

Some of them I cringe to look at, both Democrat and Republican.

I am told I should exercise my right to pick a side and vote. What do I do? They are all in this dirty pool screaming. Well, I should vote, so I do what everyone else does: I try to pick a side that most closely aligns with my beliefs and values, knowing the politicians in most cases represent only their own values and the values of people with millions of dollars to make their values count more than mine.

As a Fundamentalist Christian, I do not see the president as an embodiment of my values but as a means to hopefully slow down the “Slouching Towards Gomorrah” (R. Bork)

So which ones are clean? They all look dirty in that pool. Who in their right mind would want to jump into that pool? Not me! And good Lord, they have access to nuclear weapons which the Bible hints will be used one day:

”And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. “

It sounds like you reluctantly voted for Trump, right? because you see him as the lesser of two evils. Are you happy with your choice? Sounds to me like you're trying to justify, not only your vote, but his actions since taking office, some of which horrify you, but which you still perceive as the lesser of two evils.

Thanks for the insight into some of Trump's Christian voters. I've wondered how Christians could vote for an obvious atheist like Trump.

OP here. You have it correct: I voted for what I considered the lesser of 2 evils. I would say that is what most voters do. I cannot think of a time I went to the voting booth jumping up and down believing I have finally found America’s savior. No, I hold my nose and vote like everyone else.

I am indifferent about my choice because my single vote did not decide the outcome. It is God who puts leaders in their positions and according to what the people deserve.

However, I think Trump was far more qualified to lead America than either Hillary or cackling Kamala.

I may not agree with other people’s political beliefs but I will see these people as Jesus sees them: made in the image of God and to be treated with respect and dignity, even when they call me stupid and uneducated for believing in God or voting Republican.

One of the reasons I made this post is to bring some clarity on how Christians vote. I made some errors, such as putting Masorti Jews as Republican because they say Conservative which I equate with Republican. I should have said Orthodox, not Masorti. I did not know the Jews have so many factions within their religion.

I learned some things making this post, which is good. The saying comes true for me: the more I learn the more I see how little I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet. There is other hypocrisy but this one I find fascinating especially with OP’s reference to Sodom and Gomora. The GOP is the modern day version of S&G! It’s a drunken, guilted orgy of greed, grifting, abuse, all while embracing anti-Christian core values.

OP how can you not see that you are following the wolf in sheep’s clothing? Is your hate so strong that you have twisted your faith to follow evil? Are you so weak that you can not resist temptation?

OP here.

Trump is not a prophet. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worship a prophet. All of the prophets said to repent and worship God only.

The Democratic party is the voting base of the queer, the communist, the proud slut and immoral woman who uses abortion as birth control who says the fetus is not a human, just a clump of cells in order to assuage her guilt of murder.

The American political scene is a huge circus tent with parades of freaks led by carnival barkers, “Come see the show! Vote for ME! Hope and change! MAGA!”

Some people think they can make the circus not a circus if they vote enough times, cause the Fat Lady to become thin, the Wolf Man to shave.

I look at politics and see an acre-sized swimming pool, noisy, crazy. People are screaming and throwing turds at each other. Over there in the corner is a man with a queer grin moving his hand back and forth near his crotch under the filthy water. A woman over there has a smirky grin as the water turns bright yellow where she pees, and pinkish-red as her friend menstruates in the water thinking it funny people will swim in her blood.

Some of them I cringe to look at, both Democrat and Republican.

I am told I should exercise my right to pick a side and vote. What do I do? They are all in this dirty pool screaming. Well, I should vote, so I do what everyone else does: I try to pick a side that most closely aligns with my beliefs and values, knowing the politicians in most cases represent only their own values and the values of people with millions of dollars to make their values count more than mine.

As a Fundamentalist Christian, I do not see the president as an embodiment of my values but as a means to hopefully slow down the “Slouching Towards Gomorrah” (R. Bork)

So which ones are clean? They all look dirty in that pool. Who in their right mind would want to jump into that pool? Not me! And good Lord, they have access to nuclear weapons which the Bible hints will be used one day:

”And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. “

It sounds like you reluctantly voted for Trump, right? because you see him as the lesser of two evils. Are you happy with your choice? Sounds to me like you're trying to justify, not only your vote, but his actions since taking office, some of which horrify you, but which you still perceive as the lesser of two evils.

Thanks for the insight into some of Trump's Christian voters. I've wondered how Christians could vote for an obvious atheist like Trump.

OP here. You have it correct: I voted for what I considered the lesser of 2 evils. I would say that is what most voters do. I cannot think of a time I went to the voting booth jumping up and down believing I have finally found America’s savior. No, I hold my nose and vote like everyone else.

I am indifferent about my choice because my single vote did not decide the outcome. It is God who puts leaders in their positions and according to what the people deserve.

However, I think Trump was far more qualified to lead America than either Hillary or cackling Kamala.

I may not agree with other people’s political beliefs but I will see these people as Jesus sees them: made in the image of God and to be treated with respect and dignity, even when they call me stupid and uneducated for believing in God or voting Republican.

One of the reasons I made this post is to bring some clarity on how Christians vote. I made some errors, such as putting Masorti Jews as Republican because they say Conservative which I equate with Republican. I should have said Orthodox, not Masorti. I did not know the Jews have so many factions within their religion.

I learned some things making this post, which is good. The saying comes true for me: the more I learn the more I see how little I know.

You should know that many people do not go to the polls voting for the lesser of two evils. In fact, you can't know that that is factual. I'd say the opposite, but I don't know what's in people's minds either. It certainly seems like a cop-out to think that God decides everything. In fact, it makes your presidential vote seem irrelevant. It seems like you use your religion as an excuse for not being totally in control. Meanwhile, I accept personal responsibility for not being totally in control and also did when I was religious.

Shame on you and your false humility for using religion and God in this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed how fundamentalist Christians conveniently set aside the commandment to not worship a false prophet. There is other hypocrisy but this one I find fascinating especially with OP’s reference to Sodom and Gomora. The GOP is the modern day version of S&G! It’s a drunken, guilted orgy of greed, grifting, abuse, all while embracing anti-Christian core values.

OP how can you not see that you are following the wolf in sheep’s clothing? Is your hate so strong that you have twisted your faith to follow evil? Are you so weak that you can not resist temptation?

OP here.

Trump is not a prophet. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worship a prophet. All of the prophets said to repent and worship God only.

The Democratic party is the voting base of the queer, the communist, the proud slut and immoral woman who uses abortion as birth control who says the fetus is not a human, just a clump of cells in order to assuage her guilt of murder.

The American political scene is a huge circus tent with parades of freaks led by carnival barkers, “Come see the show! Vote for ME! Hope and change! MAGA!”

Some people think they can make the circus not a circus if they vote enough times, cause the Fat Lady to become thin, the Wolf Man to shave.

I look at politics and see an acre-sized swimming pool, noisy, crazy. People are screaming and throwing turds at each other. Over there in the corner is a man with a queer grin moving his hand back and forth near his crotch under the filthy water. A woman over there has a smirky grin as the water turns bright yellow where she pees, and pinkish-red as her friend menstruates in the water thinking it funny people will swim in her blood.

Some of them I cringe to look at, both Democrat and Republican.

I am told I should exercise my right to pick a side and vote. What do I do? They are all in this dirty pool screaming. Well, I should vote, so I do what everyone else does: I try to pick a side that most closely aligns with my beliefs and values, knowing the politicians in most cases represent only their own values and the values of people with millions of dollars to make their values count more than mine.

As a Fundamentalist Christian, I do not see the president as an embodiment of my values but as a means to hopefully slow down the “Slouching Towards Gomorrah” (R. Bork)

So which ones are clean? They all look dirty in that pool. Who in their right mind would want to jump into that pool? Not me! And good Lord, they have access to nuclear weapons which the Bible hints will be used one day:

”And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. “

It sounds like you reluctantly voted for Trump, right? because you see him as the lesser of two evils. Are you happy with your choice? Sounds to me like you're trying to justify, not only your vote, but his actions since taking office, some of which horrify you, but which you still perceive as the lesser of two evils.

Thanks for the insight into some of Trump's Christian voters. I've wondered how Christians could vote for an obvious atheist like Trump.

OP here. You have it correct: I voted for what I considered the lesser of 2 evils. I would say that is what most voters do. I cannot think of a time I went to the voting booth jumping up and down believing I have finally found America’s savior. No, I hold my nose and vote like everyone else.

I am indifferent about my choice because my single vote did not decide the outcome. It is God who puts leaders in their positions and according to what the people deserve.

However, I think Trump was far more qualified to lead America than either Hillary or cackling Kamala.

I may not agree with other people’s political beliefs but I will see these people as Jesus sees them: made in the image of God and to be treated with respect and dignity, even when they call me stupid and uneducated for believing in God or voting Republican.

One of the reasons I made this post is to bring some clarity on how Christians vote. I made some errors, such as putting Masorti Jews as Republican because they say Conservative which I equate with Republican. I should have said Orthodox, not Masorti. I did not know the Jews have so many factions within their religion.

I learned some things making this post, which is good. The saying comes true for me: the more I learn the more I see how little I know.

You should know that many people do not go to the polls voting for the lesser of two evils. In fact, you can't know that that is factual. I'd say the opposite, but I don't know what's in people's minds either. It certainly seems like a cop-out to think that God decides everything. In fact, it makes your presidential vote seem irrelevant. It seems like you use your religion as an excuse for not being totally in control. Meanwhile, I accept personal responsibility for not being totally in control and also did when I was religious.

Shame on you and your false humility for using religion and God in this way.

You are something else. I am glad I do not have to interact with someone like you often.
It is because of people like you I avoid going anywhere near a Democrat rally. The hate is like a cloud of evil.

he removeth kings, and setteth up kings—Daniel 2:21

God is ultimately in charge of things.

Certainly, I am aware some people vote enthusiastically for
a candidate, believing their vote is do-or-die. My vote, as yours, is largely irrelevant. I am not responsible for who wins elections any more than I am responsible for who wins a ball game: I am not on the field playing or coaching. I am not even the Water Boy.

I am responsible for my own actions. Sure, my action of voting can indirectly nudge the country my way, just as perhaps cheering in the stadium might give a small morale boost for the home team to give that extra bit to win the game.

You seem to think that my vote is a religious expression. In some ways it is: I think abortion and homosexuality are evils that should be stood up against. The Republican party is the only party doing that so they get my vote even if the presidential candidate is flawed (they all are).

If you live your life through the roller-coaster of elections, you are going to become emotionally unbalanced with few friends: “Oh dear, the Republicans did something, here comes an avalanche of shrieking and finger-jabbing at anyone who might be responsible. Quick, let’s hide. “

[Anonymous]

It is unbelievable to me, in this day and age, that people believe there is a god in any way involved in our lives. Just totally unfathomable. Not to mention, the god most of these people worship, looked at objectively, is a monster if this is what he is "in charge of"

Also, do people really use those types of bible quotes and think they mean only what THEY have interpreted them to mean? Quite a stretch, and goes as evidence for the fact that people indoctrinated into a religion like this have lost the ability to use their prefrontal cortexes.

[Anonymous]

OP- I am a religious person who also follows the teachings of Jesus. However, I have come to a different decision regarding who earns my vote. I like the candidates that vote for programs that help the poor and vulnerable and I do not vote for candidates who want to cut or eliminate those programs.

Programs like Head Start, W.IC., and Pell Grants, are good programs that help. I also vote for candidates that want to preserve our environment. I look for candidates who are kind and not vindictive. I look for candidates that live good moral lives. They do not have to be perfect.

Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.