The time for reckoning is here. We the People have reached our "Toxic Trump" moment. When a leader of a Democrat system collapses into a graveyard of unpopularity, formerly loyal voters start looking for alternatives and marginal allies begin to abandon him to save their own political skins. Rejoice! We are at that uplifting turning point.
Find Democratic candidates to work for and don't stop working until the day after the midterms. A landslide Blue Wave would be great first step to fixing America and ridding us of the Ghoul in Chief.
Devoted reader and supporter from Kansas here. Adam Hamilton is a force to be reckoned with. Smart, articulate, caring, genuine. He has built a huge following of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents at his suburban Church of the Resurrection, and he will build a similar coalition to win this Senate seat. I'm further left than Hamilton, but there is no denying this centrist appeal in our state. He's gonna win!
From Oregon I sent a donation to his campaign. This is something we all can do to offset some of the dark money corrupting our politics by right wing super PACs.
Not so long ago, the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was staunchly supported by people of faith, most famously by Martin Luther King, Jr., but also leaders like Father James Groppi of Milwaukee, Ralph Abernathy, Jesse Jackson, rabbis Joshua Heschel and Joachim Prinz, and many others. They were activists in the best Judeo-Christian tradition, working for the betterment of the oppressed no matter who they were. It is a debasement of American values to think and act otherwise. Trump, by embodying the absolute worst in us, has forced us to reclaim and live by "the better angels of our nature," as Lincoln so aptly said.
This could be the first strike in a "religious war". The right wing evangelicals, the main foundation of today's MAGA Republican party vs the religious center who chooses to use religion for the benefit of the masses. One finds it difficult to understand how the evangelicals can support a president who violates every christian religious principle you can find. To discover why, attend a born-again religious service and discover for yourself.
I am not an atheist however. I believe there is one universal force, one being who has many names. Don't forget Jesus is relatively late to the God game.
The Evangelicals actually follow mainstream Christian values quite closely. It's a religion based on male supremacy and the demonization of sex and women. All the Christians who claim otherwise haven't been paying attention. There is not a single Christian denomination that has renounced these principles.
Agreed. Never been about fairness, justice or compassion. All about power and patriarchy. Play the god card.
It's all dangerous nonsense. This god delusion.
Nietzsche had it right: The last christian died on the cross. And seeing that cross hanging in places of idolatry gives me the creeps. Sadomasochism at its finest. When will we finally free themselves from this sick delusion?
Right wing “Christianity” is based on patriarchy and hierarchy, in other words white supremacy and misogyny although they don’t see it as such. Children are inculcated in these ideologies from their church and family and do not question it. They are told it is the natural order. It’s a big part of why critical thinking is demonized in right wing education and blind obedience is emphasized. Individually evangelicals can be kind to one another while suspicious of outsiders. They are conditioned to be taken over by authoritarians. If ever there was a group that needed to be awakened it is them.
In my view, sincere, by which I mean taking the teachings of Jesus and sincerely contemplating their meaning, then putting them into practice as best they are able, have contributed and will continue to contribute a great deal to our country and culture. Ditto Jews re the deep teachings of Judaism, and Muslims who follow the unedited teachings of Mohammad and his successors in that faith. Christians who say yes to demonizing strangers are acting in exact opposition to such parables as The Good Samaritan. Christians who condemn unconventional women, to Jesus' advice "Let him without sin cast the first stone." They are not really followers of Jesus, but of charlatans and grifters. From our president on down, in government and evangelical churches that support him, it's charlatans all the way down.
Yes, so great to hear that a Kansas pastor is giving a choice to people who say they follow Christ. It’s a choice between individualistic, judgmental Christianity (“Old Testament Christians”) and Christianity where people live their faith by loving their neighbors (“New Testament Christians”).
In effect, he’s asking them to choose between worshipping Donald Trump (as Franklin Graham seems to do) and following the Jesus of the Bible, who taught us to love our neighbor, to do good to those who hate us.
The message to evangelical MAGAs is simple: “Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend,” as the song says. Stick with your Trump, but don’t pretend he was anointed when he was barely appointed. Love, not hate, is going to win.
Religious dogma should not be provided as "absolutes" for any political party because A) there is no "God" (capital G) and B) all "holy" books were written by people with agendas, not by people receiving "the word" from (a fictional) on high. People need to ask themselves what a sound, fair, policy/practice is and it never is "forcing my way on others."
A Christian who makes public professions of faith is not forcing his way on others, any more than you are by declaring that there is no God and expressing contempt for people who believe otherwise.
A Christian whose faith informs his actions, like Hamilton, or Dr. King, or millions of others, owes no apologies to you or anyone else for believing what he believes; not when it gives him the strength to face up to powerful oppressors.
Hallelujah and praise God, goodness and generosity and hospitality are the hallmarks of a faithful person. Articulate strong communicators are stepping up and it is not too soon.
I am a Unitarian Universalist. Four and possibly five of our former Presidents have been Unitarians. The fact does not escape me that it would probably be impossible for a Unitarian Universalist to run for any significant office today.
Think deeply about what it means to be Christian. Calls to post the 10 Commandments in school rooms aren't Christian. Those are from the Old Testament - the Covenant of Moses. In the Sermon at the Last Supper Christ dissolved all prior covenants and replace them with a new one containing exactly two commandments. I'd rather see those being discussed:
1. Love God with all your heart and soul.
2. Love each other as I have loved you.
All the rest derive from these.
Posting these in schools by government decree still violates the establishment clause but behaving this way in daily life does not. That's the point - winning by behaving, not by force of arms.
If your 2nd point can also be stated as "Love your neighbor as yourself", I have a hypothesis. If you don't love yourself, you cannot love your neighbor. I think a lot of MAGAts don't love themselves, and that's why they're drawn to Christian Nationalism because it's certainly not about loving your neighbor.
Again, I state this as a hypothesis. I'm not a psychologist, so maybe others with more authority can weigh in here.
Never forget who has increasing control of "media". They are distorting reporting to through doubt into the Democratic campaign strategy. The goal is to discourage effective coalition building.
"In other words, he argues that virtue in one’s private life should raise concerns about right-wing policies and politicians that inflict pain on communities and abuse vulnerable people." (Rev. Hamilton)
Is it not hypocritical to have one set of values in 'private live' and yet support the reverse (or worse) when it comes to public policy? When a man of religion has become critical of the ways that others have redirected religious belief, there is a definite problem. We now have those who profess religious beliefs and others who actually practice them. It's time to think and make a choice.
Why are we supposed to be happy about this? I don't want "Christian values" of any kind or denomination to be forced on me. I want a firm separation of church and state. Laws and Congress should never appear in the same sentence as religion. I will never vote for a pastor or priest of any religion, and if a political candidate can't keep their mouth shut about their personal religion, it's a firm NO.
I do see your point, but maybe right now what we need are people who actually DO believe in all that good stuff in the bible. Like turning water into wine...
People seem to forget this nation's founding documents included the separation of church and state for a reason, a good reason: the violence perpetrated on its population by rulers
From what I read and understand from the article is that Mr Hamilton is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, but I did not read he said his constituency must be. He said he will represent ALL people, not cram
His beliefs down their throats. But he will lead and argue the points of any proposed legislation based on his fellowship with God Almighty which is embodied in truth and on the fruits of the spirit. (Look them up in Galatians 5:22-23)
I am sorry you have such vitriol over this candidate. Just as God allows, that is your choice to make. Others are choosing to support this campaign, hoping that “We the people “ can make a difference in the dreadful politics of this nation. I believe strongly that is Mr Hamilton’s desire as well
Your voice is just as important as anyone’s in the debate. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint.
This is inspiring and hopeful. I shared it with my FIL who is a pastor in Texas. He’s said he works quietly to advance democratic ideals through faith and community. I’ve suggested it may be time to get loud. We are with you Kansas!
The time for reckoning is here. We the People have reached our "Toxic Trump" moment. When a leader of a Democrat system collapses into a graveyard of unpopularity, formerly loyal voters start looking for alternatives and marginal allies begin to abandon him to save their own political skins. Rejoice! We are at that uplifting turning point.
Find Democratic candidates to work for and don't stop working until the day after the midterms. A landslide Blue Wave would be great first step to fixing America and ridding us of the Ghoul in Chief.
Please consider NOT stopping work after the midterms and keep at it until after the presidential election in 2028!
No counting those chickens before they hatch! Save the crowing the day AFTER all the votes get legally cast and counted.
Devoted reader and supporter from Kansas here. Adam Hamilton is a force to be reckoned with. Smart, articulate, caring, genuine. He has built a huge following of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents at his suburban Church of the Resurrection, and he will build a similar coalition to win this Senate seat. I'm further left than Hamilton, but there is no denying this centrist appeal in our state. He's gonna win!
I hope so! Kansans deserve it!!
From Oregon I sent a donation to his campaign. This is something we all can do to offset some of the dark money corrupting our politics by right wing super PACs.
Not so long ago, the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was staunchly supported by people of faith, most famously by Martin Luther King, Jr., but also leaders like Father James Groppi of Milwaukee, Ralph Abernathy, Jesse Jackson, rabbis Joshua Heschel and Joachim Prinz, and many others. They were activists in the best Judeo-Christian tradition, working for the betterment of the oppressed no matter who they were. It is a debasement of American values to think and act otherwise. Trump, by embodying the absolute worst in us, has forced us to reclaim and live by "the better angels of our nature," as Lincoln so aptly said.
This could be the first strike in a "religious war". The right wing evangelicals, the main foundation of today's MAGA Republican party vs the religious center who chooses to use religion for the benefit of the masses. One finds it difficult to understand how the evangelicals can support a president who violates every christian religious principle you can find. To discover why, attend a born-again religious service and discover for yourself.
NO thank you, those people are scarey !
I agree. It is scary for atheists like you and me. But, Kansas has a different demographic. Let it play out.
I am not an atheist however. I believe there is one universal force, one being who has many names. Don't forget Jesus is relatively late to the God game.
My apology. I am from India. Jesus is indeed yesterday's child to the God game.
The Evangelicals actually follow mainstream Christian values quite closely. It's a religion based on male supremacy and the demonization of sex and women. All the Christians who claim otherwise haven't been paying attention. There is not a single Christian denomination that has renounced these principles.
That’s a sweeping generalization. Check out the progressive United Church of Christ (Congregational) and others.
Equality of the sexes was a very prominent feature of the Shakers.
yeah, but no sex no decendents...cabinet and chair making only
@Wendy B,
Agreed. Never been about fairness, justice or compassion. All about power and patriarchy. Play the god card.
It's all dangerous nonsense. This god delusion.
Nietzsche had it right: The last christian died on the cross. And seeing that cross hanging in places of idolatry gives me the creeps. Sadomasochism at its finest. When will we finally free themselves from this sick delusion?
sorta true...religion has a very violent past, and now present
Especially those Quakers and Shakers.
Vote for any Dem. We have a big tent. We don't need to undermine our candidates due to religious prejudice.
Right wing “Christianity” is based on patriarchy and hierarchy, in other words white supremacy and misogyny although they don’t see it as such. Children are inculcated in these ideologies from their church and family and do not question it. They are told it is the natural order. It’s a big part of why critical thinking is demonized in right wing education and blind obedience is emphasized. Individually evangelicals can be kind to one another while suspicious of outsiders. They are conditioned to be taken over by authoritarians. If ever there was a group that needed to be awakened it is them.
In my view, sincere, by which I mean taking the teachings of Jesus and sincerely contemplating their meaning, then putting them into practice as best they are able, have contributed and will continue to contribute a great deal to our country and culture. Ditto Jews re the deep teachings of Judaism, and Muslims who follow the unedited teachings of Mohammad and his successors in that faith. Christians who say yes to demonizing strangers are acting in exact opposition to such parables as The Good Samaritan. Christians who condemn unconventional women, to Jesus' advice "Let him without sin cast the first stone." They are not really followers of Jesus, but of charlatans and grifters. From our president on down, in government and evangelical churches that support him, it's charlatans all the way down.
Religion is not a political party and every fence needs a gate.
Yes, so great to hear that a Kansas pastor is giving a choice to people who say they follow Christ. It’s a choice between individualistic, judgmental Christianity (“Old Testament Christians”) and Christianity where people live their faith by loving their neighbors (“New Testament Christians”).
In effect, he’s asking them to choose between worshipping Donald Trump (as Franklin Graham seems to do) and following the Jesus of the Bible, who taught us to love our neighbor, to do good to those who hate us.
The message to evangelical MAGAs is simple: “Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend,” as the song says. Stick with your Trump, but don’t pretend he was anointed when he was barely appointed. Love, not hate, is going to win.
Religious dogma should not be provided as "absolutes" for any political party because A) there is no "God" (capital G) and B) all "holy" books were written by people with agendas, not by people receiving "the word" from (a fictional) on high. People need to ask themselves what a sound, fair, policy/practice is and it never is "forcing my way on others."
@ James White,
Hallefuckinlujah!
A Christian who makes public professions of faith is not forcing his way on others, any more than you are by declaring that there is no God and expressing contempt for people who believe otherwise.
A Christian whose faith informs his actions, like Hamilton, or Dr. King, or millions of others, owes no apologies to you or anyone else for believing what he believes; not when it gives him the strength to face up to powerful oppressors.
Exactly.
Hallelujah and praise God, goodness and generosity and hospitality are the hallmarks of a faithful person. Articulate strong communicators are stepping up and it is not too soon.
Thank you, Reverend Hamilton
I am a Unitarian Universalist. Four and possibly five of our former Presidents have been Unitarians. The fact does not escape me that it would probably be impossible for a Unitarian Universalist to run for any significant office today.
Think deeply about what it means to be Christian. Calls to post the 10 Commandments in school rooms aren't Christian. Those are from the Old Testament - the Covenant of Moses. In the Sermon at the Last Supper Christ dissolved all prior covenants and replace them with a new one containing exactly two commandments. I'd rather see those being discussed:
1. Love God with all your heart and soul.
2. Love each other as I have loved you.
All the rest derive from these.
Posting these in schools by government decree still violates the establishment clause but behaving this way in daily life does not. That's the point - winning by behaving, not by force of arms.
If your 2nd point can also be stated as "Love your neighbor as yourself", I have a hypothesis. If you don't love yourself, you cannot love your neighbor. I think a lot of MAGAts don't love themselves, and that's why they're drawn to Christian Nationalism because it's certainly not about loving your neighbor.
Again, I state this as a hypothesis. I'm not a psychologist, so maybe others with more authority can weigh in here.
Never forget who has increasing control of "media". They are distorting reporting to through doubt into the Democratic campaign strategy. The goal is to discourage effective coalition building.
"In other words, he argues that virtue in one’s private life should raise concerns about right-wing policies and politicians that inflict pain on communities and abuse vulnerable people." (Rev. Hamilton)
Is it not hypocritical to have one set of values in 'private live' and yet support the reverse (or worse) when it comes to public policy? When a man of religion has become critical of the ways that others have redirected religious belief, there is a definite problem. We now have those who profess religious beliefs and others who actually practice them. It's time to think and make a choice.
Why are we supposed to be happy about this? I don't want "Christian values" of any kind or denomination to be forced on me. I want a firm separation of church and state. Laws and Congress should never appear in the same sentence as religion. I will never vote for a pastor or priest of any religion, and if a political candidate can't keep their mouth shut about their personal religion, it's a firm NO.
You might be throwing the baby out with the bathwater....
I do see your point, but maybe right now what we need are people who actually DO believe in all that good stuff in the bible. Like turning water into wine...
How about a leader who doesn’t preach about his faith but simply lives it?
Then it's a good thing for Kansas Democrats and for democracy in Kansas that you're not a Kansan.
Wendy,
Hallefuckinlujah!
People seem to forget this nation's founding documents included the separation of church and state for a reason, a good reason: the violence perpetrated on its population by rulers
with god on their side.
From what I read and understand from the article is that Mr Hamilton is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, but I did not read he said his constituency must be. He said he will represent ALL people, not cram
His beliefs down their throats. But he will lead and argue the points of any proposed legislation based on his fellowship with God Almighty which is embodied in truth and on the fruits of the spirit. (Look them up in Galatians 5:22-23)
I am sorry you have such vitriol over this candidate. Just as God allows, that is your choice to make. Others are choosing to support this campaign, hoping that “We the people “ can make a difference in the dreadful politics of this nation. I believe strongly that is Mr Hamilton’s desire as well
Your voice is just as important as anyone’s in the debate. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint.
This is inspiring and hopeful. I shared it with my FIL who is a pastor in Texas. He’s said he works quietly to advance democratic ideals through faith and community. I’ve suggested it may be time to get loud. We are with you Kansas!