Here comes the religious left...

[Phlegm]

From CBS:


(CBS) At a church in Washington, hundreds of committed Christians met recently and tried to map out a strategy to get their values into the political debate.

But these are not the conservative Christian values which have been so influential lately. This is the religious left.

"Jesus called us to love our neighbor, love our enemy, care for the poor, care for the outcast, and that's really the moral core of where we think the nation ought to go," Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches told CBS News correspondent Russ Mitchell.

The National Council of Churches represents about 50 million Christians in America — the majority of them mainline Protestants.

"Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, never said one word about civil marriage or abortion," Edgar said.

He calls this movement the "center-left" — and it's seeking the same political muscle as the conservative Christians, a group with a strong power base in the huge Evangelical churches of the South.

But the left has its own Evangelical leaders, such as the Rev. Tony Campolo.

"We are furious that the religious right has made Jesus into a Republican. That's idolatry," Campolo said. "To recreate Jesus in your own image rather than allowing yourself to be created in Jesus' image is what's wrong with politics."

The Christian left is focusing on:

Fighting poverty

Protecting the environment

Ending the war in Iraq

"Right now the war in Iraq costs us $1 billion per week," said Rev. Jim Wallis, a Christian activist. "And we can't get $5 billion over ten years for child care in this country?"

To try to attract young voters and the attention of politicians who want their votes, leaders of the religious left are promoting issues like raising the minimum wage.

"Nine million families are working full time," Wallis said. "Working hard full time, responsibly, and not making it."

Three decades ago liberal religious leaders had a powerful influence on politics.

In the 1960s and 70s they led demonstrations against civil rights abuses and the war in Vietnam. But when those battles were over, the movement seemed to lose energy, while the Christian right had become well organized and committed to having its voice and concerns heard.

After years of sitting on the sidelines, it will take more than meetings and talking points to make the liberals into a political power again.

"The Christian right has a ground game," said Mark Silk of Trinity College's religious studies department. "Thus far the Christian left mainly has an air game: they want to throw positions, they want to talk to the media, but do they have the networks in place on the ground to get people out to vote?"

So, it remains to be seen whether there's any action behind the words. But there's no doubt they're on a mission.

"I've watched a generation die. And I watched them shift from idealism to a 'me' generation that was only orientated to consumerism and it hurt, and I wondered whether we ever would come back." Campolo said. "But the pendulum is swinging."

[Tossica]

They have my vote.

[Tikker]

religion and politics is just a foolish match

[leah]

They have my vote.

[Narrock]

They don't have my vote, and I think "Dr." Edgar is full of beans.

[brinstar]

finally, a group committed to teaching and practicing the things christ SAID, not the things rich white people tell you he said!

count me in!

[Captain Insano]

religion and politics is just a foolish match

So true.

Shitcan all religion and I mean ALL religion from politics and the world would be a better place.

[Narrock]

finally, a group committed to teaching and practicing the things christ SAID, not the things rich white people tell you he said!

count me in!

Jesus upheld and reinforced the commandments. Unless I missed the part where He said, "Thou shalt suck an unwanted fetus from thine womb."

[Yamori]

I just got off the phone with Jesus and he told me he supports the patriot act and NSA wiretapping and the War in Iraq 100%.

He also approves of torture of prisoners held without trial - but only if it's done by the US.

[Arlos]

I still don't approve of religion in politics at all, but at least these guys are spouting much much saner rhetoric than the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons of the Religious Right.

-Arlos

[Minrott]

God and I are text buddies. He has a sweet phone with 50000000 emoticons.

[brinstar]

finally, a group committed to teaching and practicing the things christ SAID, not the things rich white people tell you he said!

count me in!

Jesus upheld and reinforced the commandments. Unless I missed the part where He said, "Thou shalt suck an unwanted fetus from thine womb."

actually your bible doesn't ever mention abortion

what it does mention, is how the son of god went around telling everyone to love everyone else no matter what

[Lyion]

Arbitrary morality is worthless.

[Donnel]

I still don't approve of religion in politics at all, but at least these guys are spouting much much saner rhetoric than the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons of the Religious Right.

-Arlos

Please please please stop putting Pat Robertson in with real conservatives.

He is not our spokesman.

[Zanchief]

Arbitrary morality is worthless.

What morality isn't Arbitrary, Lyion?

[Lyion]

Rignt and wrong remain what they are. Perhaps you mean ethics versus morality?

[Zanchief]

Oh I see, right and wrong. That's not ambiguous in the least.

[The Kizzy]

finally, a group committed to teaching and practicing the things christ SAID, not the things rich white people tell you he said!

count me in!

Jesus upheld and reinforced the commandments. Unless I missed the part where He said, "Thou shalt suck an unwanted fetus from thine womb."

actually your bible doesn't ever mention abortion

what it does mention, is how the son of god went around telling everyone to love everyone else no matter what

He never shaid Thou shalt NOT suck unwanted fetuses from thine womb either

[Donnel]

finally, a group committed to teaching and practicing the things christ SAID, not the things rich white people tell you he said!

count me in!

Jesus upheld and reinforced the commandments. Unless I missed the part where He said, "Thou shalt suck an unwanted fetus from thine womb."

actually your bible doesn't ever mention abortion

what it does mention, is how the son of god went around telling everyone to love everyone else no matter what

He never shaid Thou shalt NOT suck unwanted fetuses from thine womb either

He did say "Thou shalt not kill"

[The Kizzy]

I gues that depends on how YOU decipher that message.

[Donnel]

"Reiterate right-wing anti-abortion message."

[The Kizzy]

Donnel, the fact remains that you were not alive when the ten commandments were written, so you had no idea wht was intended when Thou shalt not kill was written. It is your belief that the statement was to include abortion. YOUR belief. That doesn't mean that everyone should have to believe as you do.

[Donnel]

My word woman. Learn to follow a conversation!

Shall I repeat for you or can you scroll up?

actually your bible doesn't ever mention abortion

He did say "Thou shalt not kill"

I enjoy not paying attention and going on non sequitors

Yes it is very clear that ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, God thinks that abortion is killing. So in the context of the preceding conversation, I'm right, you are wrong.

Now whether you choose to agree or disagree is your own right. Just because it's YOUR belief that killing babies is a-ok and a woman's right to choose, doesn't mean I should. Stop trying to force your beliefs on me. (see what I did there?)

[The Kizzy]

What?

[Donnel]

Don't play a mage on lethon, play a warlock, you already have one of their <a href="http://www.thottbot.com/?sp=1010">spells</a> mastered.