We here at DKos come from varying backgrounds, religions and socioeconomic standing, but we share one vision for the future. We should no more berate others belief systems than we should repudiate that vision. I generally hold my cards (as they pertain to religion) close to my chest. I feel now that I must explain myself to those who I may have offended with an off hand remark in an earlier diary. I am a Christian. My grandfather is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. They are an offshoot of the Presbyters, having split over the idea of predestination. In most cases I try to ride the fence, but sometimes it becomes necessary to disavow what I see as the misappropriation of religion. That is, to use religion to achieve a goal outside the truth of Christ's teachings, or to completely pervert the bible into some mythos that cannot be recognized as Christianity. This is what the Assembly of God has done. This is what the Pentecostals and Seventh Day Adventists have done. I do not know the motivation, but their dogma is as obscene to me as Atheism is to them.
That is the end of my ranting portion, and if you have continued to read this far, I commend you. Perversion of faith... That is the topic of discussion. I was listening to Catholic Radio in St. Louis today, and a caller posed the question, "I've always voted Democratic, but I have trouble reconciling my faith with ABORTION (Caps intended as emphasis was his not mine)." The priest counseled him that abortion was the one great issue of our time, and he basically said it was the only issue of import in the election. Tell me, does the party of war value life? Do they turn the other cheek? Do the clothe the naked? Feed the hungry? No! They use religion to further their own agenda, which is so counter to the teachings of Christ that it is unequivocally heresy. Oh, but we don't live in a theocracy. Whilst this is technically correct, I submit to you the fact that the first amendment has already been subverted. There is now a religious test for office as evidenced by the Muslim smears against Obama.
People, listen closely, religion can be a weapon against evil. It can turn the blackest hearts pure, but in the wrong hands, and with a bit of propagandizing, it can destroy all that which it purports to protect. I am cynical, but I am a believer. Be that as it may, more have been killed in the name of god than any other cause in human history. Religion isn't the answer, it's the crutch we use until we find that answer.