Obama's vs McCain's Evangelicals

[robin shepherd]

Church types were much at odds this election, no doubt.

There is a significant overlap. I am a bit evangelical, but I believe
a fairly open-minded one. Martin Luther King was apparently
(theologically) somewhast neo-orthodox, essentially what in the South
they referred to as Bible-beliving, or fundamentalist, at least some
of his traditional sermons indicate as much,. (See Andrew Young or
Ralph Abernathy)

Yet he was intelligent, and open-minded, and eager to learn from
outsiders, from other traditions. he was every bit as much a
"QUESTIONER" as some of the great skeptics of Ameerican history, in
the positive sense of the word.

In my opinion, MLK gives us evangelicals a good name, because of his
openness, his gentle inquisitive spirit. What a shame his life was
cut short.


King was not affraid to learn from other traditions, nor was he afraid
to question our own Christian tradition. ironically, his political
eminence in our history often eclipses his powerful witness on the
theological side. I realize conservatives try to co-opt him in this
realm, and claim him as one of their own, simply based on his
traditionalism, morally.

(Coretta emphasized time and again that the conservative strategem
overlooks that Martin was consistentl[y on the side of the oppressed,
the victims, those at the bottom, who had no voice.)

[d***@aol.com]

Post by robin shepherd
Church types were much at odds this election, no doubt.
There is a significant overlap. I am a bit evangelical, but I believe
a fairly open-minded one. =A0Martin Luther King was apparently
(theologically) somewhast neo-orthodox, essentially what in the South
they referred to as Bible-beliving, or fundamentalist, at least some
of his traditional sermons indicate as much,. (See Andrew Young or
Ralph Abernathy)
Yet he was intelligent, and open-minded, and eager to learn from
outsiders, from other traditions.

-snip-


=A0I realize conservatives try to co-opt him in this

Post by robin shepherd
realm, and claim him as one of their own, simply based on his
traditionalism, morally.
(Coretta emphasized time and again =A0that the conservative strategem
overlooks that Martin was consistentl[y on the side of the oppressed,
the victims, those at the bottom, who had no voice.)

What is your point? Do you find it impossible to believe that there
are conservatives, fundamentalists or even evangelicals who disagree
with you yet are intelligent, open-minded etc. Isn't it possible that
someone has considered your positions and rationally came to a
conclusion different from yours? Do you really think everyone that
thinks must think just as you do. I am not a fundamentalist, nor
actually an evangelical, preferring a mildly charismatic type of
worship, but I don't know very many of that ilk that are as you
portray them. I do not consider liberal theology or morality or
politics evil or stupid, though I think it gives itself too much
credit, I just think it is generally wrong, and does not coincide with
the God I deal with on an everyday basis. I would not ever think
people from "mainstream" churches, nor from any faith for that matter,
should stay out of political discourse. Why is there such an emotional
reaction to conservatives?

Of course I know the answer, media, movies and our schools portray
them as ignorant, bigoted, louts, and the brainwashed groups that
prefer not to do the work of thinking for themselves, simply accept
what they are told.

Daryl