“Agents of intolerance,” is how he labeled such people in his previous presidential bid. Now, in the hopes of shoring up support from the conservative wing of the GOP, we see John McCain cozying up to one of the foremost agents, Pastor John Hagee of Houston. So much for “straight talk.”
Hagee’s intolerance is legendary. Among the things he is noted for is declaring Catholics to be the “Great Harlot” of the Book of Revelation. That is not a new concept invented by Hagee, but he has been especially effective in slamming Catholics via his considerable television and media influence. Standing in front of his mega-congregation with a giant mural depicting his tidy explanation of how he imagines the end times will unfold, he lambasts everyone who sees things differently than he does. Followers consider him to be an authority on a 19th Century theological aberration known as Dispensationism with its emphasis upon a pre-Tribulation rapture of the “true” Church.
He is especially noted as a staunch supporter of the State of Israel. He has been honored in Israel for his support and is regarded by many Jews, such as a leader of the local Jewish Federation with whom I spoke recently, as an ally. Like McCain, they shrug off Hagee’s offensive side in exchange for political clout he brings to the table. I wonder how many of them have considered the anti-Semitic implications of his belief that Jews who fail to convert to Hagee’s Christianity before the rapture deserve to experience God’s wrath in a directed at them world ending holocaust that makes Hitler’s look like a Sunday School picnic?
Lately, Hagee has been making angry speeches calling for the United States to carry out a preemptive military strike against Iran. That’s right; Hagee wants the USA to blow up things and people in Iran. Forget peace making and turning the other cheek as Jesus advocated. “Bomb, bomb, bomb..., bomb, bomb Iran.”
Hagee has declared that Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment upon New Orleans for the wickedness that resided there. If that is true, then look out Houston! Because I can’t fathom greater wickedness than the bigotry and war mongering that Hagee celebrates in the name of God in Houston.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
TIDE, BREEZE, OR RELIGION TALK?
According to data compiled from interviews of 35,000 adults, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has documented that nearly half of Americans (44%) have left the faith tradition of their upbringing. Apparently, training up a child in the way he should go so that when he is older he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6) isn’t exactly working the way some of us have thought it would. The research indicates there is a large exodus underway out of historical, traditional Christianity, as represented by Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, into “independent” contemporary style churches, or, in increasing numbers, no organized religious affiliation at all. Interestingly, similar trends are evident in other religions, too. Americans en masse are departing from it.
What is one to make of this? One’s answer will depend in large part upon how he or she views the world.
On one end of the spectrum, some Christians point to this data as proof certain that Christ’s mission to save the world beyond their special group has been a colossal failure. They have or will soon declare themselves to be a chosen remnant that will be spared the damnation that is about to fall upon everyone else. Join them or get swept away in the tide of apostasy that will precede Satan’s takeover is their message.
Others see the trend away from traditional religion as a fresh breeze of God’s spirit blowing across the land to liberate and renew people of faith. For these folks it is a time of transition from old forms and power structures that long ago lost their vitality and relevance. Many are speaking of experiencing a spiritual awakening once they shed old religious habits of thought and practice.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are those who just don’t give a rip. All this religion talk has no connection to how they think and live.
I think the answer is somewhere in the middle.
What is one to make of this? One’s answer will depend in large part upon how he or she views the world.
On one end of the spectrum, some Christians point to this data as proof certain that Christ’s mission to save the world beyond their special group has been a colossal failure. They have or will soon declare themselves to be a chosen remnant that will be spared the damnation that is about to fall upon everyone else. Join them or get swept away in the tide of apostasy that will precede Satan’s takeover is their message.
Others see the trend away from traditional religion as a fresh breeze of God’s spirit blowing across the land to liberate and renew people of faith. For these folks it is a time of transition from old forms and power structures that long ago lost their vitality and relevance. Many are speaking of experiencing a spiritual awakening once they shed old religious habits of thought and practice.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are those who just don’t give a rip. All this religion talk has no connection to how they think and live.
I think the answer is somewhere in the middle.
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