P.C. Principal said:

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chimpanzee said:

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Duncan Idaho said:

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I will sum it up with a meme that effectively reflects my interactions with the sub 30 crowd

Well here are the quotes fro. Franklin Graham

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Mr. Clinton's months-long extramarital sexual behavior in the Oval Office now concerns him and the rest of the world, not just his immediate family. If he will lie to or mislead his wife and daughter, those with whom he is most intimate, what will prevent him from doing the same to the American public?

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And

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And I think this thing with Stormy Daniels and so forth is nobody's business. And we've got other business at hand that we need to deal with.

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The overlap and conflation between and among religion and self serving politics is shameful and as predictable as the sunrise.

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Absolutely spot on.

I can't speak for everyone but I can speak for myself. This is a big reason--the incredible hypocrisy of the evangelical right. No, it's not everyone and yes, we're all hypocritical to a degree. But looking at the evangelical right's responses to Bill Clinton (torches and pitchforks) and Donald Trump (looking the other way, "I didn't elect a pastor I elected a president", etc.) speaks volumes. Religion IS a political tool for them. It's why they don't bat an eye at Trump bullying people, cheating on his wives, or unethical business practices, because he's part of the tribe and we stick together. If he says something sick and cruel to someone (e.g. the Dingell comments this week), the response is "well, I didn't wanna elect a nice guy. I elected an ******* who gets stuff done!"

What my big realization here was that these types of people aren't guided by principles or values. They're guided by tribalism and religion is their tool for moral high ground. They believe God is on their side so they can't be wrong. They'll go to church on Sunday and hear a nice sermon, and maybe they'll sincerely believe in what they're hearing, but if it's politically inconvenient for them, well forget about it.

And millennials like me, looking at big names like Robert Jeffress and Jerry Falwell Jr. I look at them and think about how they aren't really faith leaders, but bull**** artists using religion as a political tool to support their man/party. Lots of young people associate this attitude with the church as a whole and want no part of it.

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one MEEN Ag said:

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P.C. Principal said:

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chimpanzee said:

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Duncan Idaho said:

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I will sum it up with a meme that effectively reflects my interactions with the sub 30 crowd

Well here are the quotes fro. Franklin Graham

Quote:

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Mr. Clinton's months-long extramarital sexual behavior in the Oval Office now concerns him and the rest of the world, not just his immediate family. If he will lie to or mislead his wife and daughter, those with whom he is most intimate, what will prevent him from doing the same to the American public?

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And

Quote:

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And I think this thing with Stormy Daniels and so forth is nobody's business. And we've got other business at hand that we need to deal with.

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The overlap and conflation between and among religion and self serving politics is shameful and as predictable as the sunrise.

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Absolutely spot on.

I can't speak for everyone but I can speak for myself. This is a big reason--the incredible hypocrisy of the evangelical right. No, it's not everyone and yes, we're all hypocritical to a degree. But looking at the evangelical right's responses to Bill Clinton (torches and pitchforks) and Donald Trump (looking the other way, "I didn't elect a pastor I elected a president", etc.) speaks volumes. Religion IS a political tool for them. It's why they don't bat an eye at Trump bullying people, cheating on his wives, or unethical business practices, because he's part of the tribe and we stick together. If he says something sick and cruel to someone (e.g. the Dingell comments this week), the response is "well, I didn't wanna elect a nice guy. I elected an ******* who gets stuff done!"

What my big realization here was that these types of people aren't guided by principles or values. They're guided by tribalism and religion is their tool for moral high ground. They believe God is on their side so they can't be wrong. They'll go to church on Sunday and hear a nice sermon, and maybe they'll sincerely believe in what they're hearing, but if it's politically inconvenient for them, well forget about it.

And millennials like me, looking at big names like Robert Jeffress and Jerry Falwell Jr. I look at them and think about how they aren't really faith leaders, but bull**** artists using religion as a political tool to support their man/party. Lots of young people associate this attitude with the church as a whole and want no part of it.

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See, you've created an argument that someone who votes for a politician has to believe/condone everything that politician does. Christians are easy to attach to the republican party because democrats don't cater to the christian audience.

In a two party system, you don't get that. And while there are reservations with any candidate, people vote against the other candidate, not for a guy.

Don't really have a choice but to support Republicans if you don't want your 401ks raided and crippling medicar for all. Insert sweeping generalizations about previous generations and their political affiliations. Those heartless, vile republicans vs the cool, understanding democrats that just want a few cents extra out of your pocket.

Give me a break.

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UTExan said:

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Most young people in America take a leave of absence from organized faith groups while in their youth, I suspect. Later, when they no longer allow their elders to define their relationship with God, they return.

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PacifistAg said:

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UTExan said:

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Most young people in America take a leave of absence from organized faith groups while in their youth, I suspect. Later, when they no longer allow their elders to define their relationship with God, they return.

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This was me. Grew up in a cult. Once out of the house, went to a godless, violent world (Army). When I went to check off a box by visiting the church across the street, I felt loved in a church for the first time ever. Began taking His words seriously, and here I am today.

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MouthBQ98 said:

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I'd argue they are selecting different ideologies that effectively are religions. They have all the same basic structural components of religious practice: a code of beliefs and orthodoxy, forbidden behaviors and beliefs, the sacred, mechanisms for enforcement of conformity or punishment of nonconformity, faith in an idealistic or unknown future, a structural hierarchy.

People still search for purpose and meaning: they are just finding it outside traditional religion. The somewhat alarming part is that many seem to believe they are not still effectively engaging in a religious practice and think they are secular and therefore that the implementation of their beliefs in a political system is acceptable.

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Quote:

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This is a compelling work relating consumerism with religions. DeChant delves into comparisons between shaman, priests, etc., as they exist within today's religion of economy. (He says economy serves the same function as nature did in relgions of old--that is, it is an uncontrollable power that must be appeased.)

The main point--Christmas has not been desacrilized. Rather, it has become a sacred holiday of the emerging dominant religion, consumerism.

This is a splendid work for anyone interested in religion or consumerism.

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Aggrad08 said:

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You'd lose that bet. You can't be anti nuclear or anti GMO (this stupidity is split equally among parties) and be pro science. There is no pro science party, it's a shame.

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Troutslime said:

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Aggrad08 said:

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You'd lose that bet. You can't be anti nuclear or anti GMO (this stupidity is split equally among parties) and be pro science. There is no pro science party, it's a shame.

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If I oppose abortion am I anti science?

Your premise is false.

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Aggrad08 said:

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Troutslime said:

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Aggrad08 said:

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You'd lose that bet. You can't be anti nuclear or anti GMO (this stupidity is split equally among parties) and be pro science. There is no pro science party, it's a shame.

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If I oppose abortion am I anti science?

Your premise is false.

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I never said anything about abortion. Republicans aren't anti science for their abortion views

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Roots86 said:

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That's okay too I'm strong in my faith. Doesn't phase me. The ones that respond like that think they have life all figured out and think they need no help. They can't fathom what a relationship with God would be like. The Devil comes in disguise and they won't be ready - they won't be able to quote scripture to keep the Devil at bay.

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PacifistAg said:

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Roots86 said:

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Send every millennial you know videos of Billy Graham sermons . Don't wait. Do it now. That's what I do. It actually really works.

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I'm a GenXer, but this wouldn't have done anything for me. My personal view on it is that the witness of the American church has become extremely tainted among young people because they grew up in a heavily "church-oriented" society that came across as oppressive and angry that was more focused on behavior modification and hell-avoidance than heart modification and living out the red letters. I think people, especially younger people, long for something that Americanized Christianity hasn't offered, which is a radical love of others.

Just my 2 cents. I may be completely wrong though. I grew up in the independent fundamental baptist cult though, so my perspective may be skewed.

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