May 3, 2008
The Facts
A document called “An Evangelical Manifesto” calls Christians “useful idiots”. It also says the word “evangelical” has lost its meaning. The manifesto was put together by some conservative Christian leaders that include Os Guiness and Richard Mouw, as reported by a CNN article. Supposedly over 80 more evangelicals have signed the manifesto, which is to be released next Wednesday, May 7 2008. A quote from the document says “All too often we have attacked the evils and injustices of others, while we have condoned our own sins”. Already some evangelicals are criticizing the document.
My View
According to the document, it accuses evangelicals of siding with one political party or the other. In other words, Christianity is being used as a political weapon. The last time history recorded such an act was around 300 AD when the Catholic Church started their rampage to force all citizens to profess the Catholic religion. If you are even remotely familiar with your history, you know what that led to over the next 1500 years. It was that history that caused our founding fathers to ensure a separation of church and state in the constitution.
Christians, no matter whether an evangelical or not, should participate in the political process. It is every American citizen’s right to do so. And I feel it is perfectly ok for them to express their beliefs. But that is where it should end. I know it’s a popular thing with our elected officials, but special interest should not be allowed to influence government policy, including religious organization. All one has to do is look at what’s happened to our government and know that it has all been brought about by the pandering of our officials to special interest.
A spokesman for the authors said the theologians and Christian leaders involved are seeking to “go back to the root theological meaning of the term evangelical”. And that just about covers what has happened to religion; it is being used too often these days to justify someone’s career or personal agenda. First they decide what they want, and then they justify it through the Bible or their religion. Just take a look around the world today with open eyes if you disagree with that.
Jeremy Abrams
// Dec 2, 2008 at 4:32 PM
And let us not forget the use of the Bible to justify slavery, keeping women in the kitchen, and banning same-sex marriage.