Going After the Money Ministries
On the website for their ministry based in Newark, Texas, Kenneth
and Gloria Copeland commit to "teach Christians worldwide who they are
in Christ Jesus and how to live a victorious life." And they appear to
be victorious in theirs, with books in 22 languages, a global crusade
schedule and a TV show reaching millions. No less a luminary than
presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is advertised to appear on the show
for six days straight to discuss "character in the Bible."
Huckabee
might want to opt out. On Nov. 6 the Copelands got a saw-toothed, 42
point questionnaire inquiring into their own character from Republican
Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Committee on
Finance. Grassley wanted to know how Kenneth Copeland--who as a church
leader pays no taxes but is expected to plow revenue back into the
public welfare--got a private plane and whether flights to Hawaii and
Fiji qualified as business trips. Grassley sought credit card receipts
and the numbers of the church's offshore bank accounts."
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1684552,00.html
Values Voters Pick Huckabee
By Michael Luo
For all those wondering whether Mitt Romney can break through among
Christian conservatives, add this data point: he was the only candidate
who received zero votes in a straw poll after last night’s Values
Voters Debate, an event he and the other leading Republican contenders
decided to skip.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was the runaway winner with
64 percent of the vote, raising anew the question of whether Christian
conservative leaders and voters might be able to coalesce around him as
a longshot candidate and propel him to the first tier in the Republican
race."
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/18/value-voters-pick-huckabee...
"Throughout the campaign, Huckabee has made clear his views on
evolution, abortion, and marriage, all rooted in his fundamentalist
reading of the Bible, which apparently -- who knew? -- lays out God's
plan for governing America. But appearing with Copeland, Huckabee felt
even more free to talk about how at age 15, he first understood "that
[God] owns me, that my life doesn't belong to me... And we have to look
at our lives as a matter of what does He want me to do because after
all, he's the master, I'm the servant. I'm not here to please me, I'm
here to please Him.""
http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=11&year=2007&bas...
And religion does not matter in the elections in the U.S.
I wonder if these folks in public office like Huckabee would put the Constitution ahead of the Bible?
but I loved it last night when MH was asked What would Jesus do in terms of running for the presidency (i believe) and his response was: "Jesus would not run for public office" He recieved a round of applause and laughter. Touche!
It was a good moment, and Huckabee had a strong night. I wonder why they never included him in any of the Iraq questioning (unless I missed it). I'm sure he'll be someone's VP candidate if he does not win the primary. Although unless someone puts the Constitution ahead of the Bible, they shouldn't be running for President. And this includes both parties.
It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” George Washington, First United States President.
“The Bible is the Source of Liberty.” Thomas Jefferson, Third United States President, Prmary Author of The Declaration of Independence.
“Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.” William Penn, Founding Father of The United States
Oh no, we're not going to start cherry-picking quotes now, are we? The problem with cherry picking quotes, is that they are often taken out of context. Or they are just made up, like your Jefferson and Washington quotes. The 3rd quote isn't by one of our Presidents.
I disagree with the implied assertion by Chris that believing fully in the Bible necessitates placing the Constitution in the back seat. I believe you can hold both in the utmost esteem and place each at the forefront of one's philosophy while President. Of course being a Christian will affect decisions made while in the Oval Office, but so does an almost inifinite number of other influences. This influence, however, does not mandate that the Constitution be forgotten.
As I guess that almost all the presidents have been Christian of what ever branch, how does or why does the faith seem to be so important for a candidate to have?
Does the flock want a religious leader or a leader that leads all the people.
It seems more and more to me, that the religious groups want more of a say so they can mold the country the way they see it needs to be.
http://toledoohioneighborhoodconcerns.com/blog
While they turned to the bible for inspiration they are not the same as the present day followers and believers.
The candidates use their faith as a way to win office, as a campaign tool.
http://toledoohioneighborhoodconcerns.com/blog
The electorate can use whatever qualifications it deems important to choose its representatives. We commonly choose to support candidates based (at least partially) on their education, previous success in business or careers, public service, and even physical appearance. Whether you agree with it or not, in a country that is largely Christian it is expected that this electorate would also consider a candidate's religious beliefs. This stems from the fact that religious beliefs and worldviews are inextricably linked, so Christians choosing Christians is, in effect, choosing an indivdual with a similar worldview. Despite this, most people (even devout Christians) don't desire a president that will function as a religious leader in the sense that many countries' religious leaders, both past and present, are one in the same.
It's my contention that Christians have increasingly called for more vocal religious dialogue among candidates as secularists have called for increasingly more secularism in the government. For example, as large issues like abortion and gay marriage and smaller issues like Christmas political correctness are increasingly pushed by secular factions of the United States, Christian factions are increasingly pushing for Christian values to be maintained.
The candidates and special interest groups are those that I was referring too.
Sure the majority of people, now may be of the greater Christian family but just as you point out not all of the family share the same beliefs so the people pulling the strings behind the scenes do not represent all of the people and their goal seems to be to make this country a Christian country especially after September 11.
What I would like to see is a return by the televangelists back to the traditonal values of a preacher and not one of a money making business.
http://toledoohioneighborhoodconcerns.com/blog
I think lumping all Christians into one group limits the understanding of what is actually happening. As I have said before, we are experiencing major shifts in our thinking worldwide. Currently, these shifts are occurrung on the leading edge. Also, as I have stated before, polititions and mainstream media are usually the last ones to "get it" when cultural shifts occur.
What is actually happening? There is a rapidly growing movement of "progressive" Christians thst appreciate the phrase "We are all one" with a deeper understanding that incorporates leading edge science. This group is less willing to judge others of different beliefs and are actively seeking ways to unify all people.Also, more and more "fundamantalist" Christians are realizing that the Religious Right political movement is misrepresenting their core beliefs.
For example, as more information about Blackwater comes to light many fundamentalists will not want to be associated with the political movement. Billionair Erik Prince, CEO of Blackwater, is a major player in the Religious Right political movement These are just two examples. l.
As in towards one faith versus another? Worldwide?
If we look at Europe many centuries older that we, they are quite content with the systems they have and there is not a major push by a block of faith based people to elect people who see things there way and then the voters and groups expect something in return, as in a return to traditional values, what they may be.
"There is a rapidly growing movement of "progressive" Christians thst appreciate the phrase "We are all one" with a deeper understanding that incorporates leading edge science."
Read a lot about them. They appear to be more open minded.
"Also, more and more "fundamantalist" Christians are realizing that the Religious Right political movement is misrepresenting their core beliefs."
Yup some are waking to the fact that the ones who shout the loudest and have the most airwaves time are also the sames one for a donation of $29.95 will get your prayers sent to heaven.
http://toledoohioneighborhoodconcerns.com/blog