If I remember my old Sunday school lessons, didn't Jesus drive the money changers out of the Temple? Seems to me that in today's world, that story would apply to the lobbyists who barrage the halls of our Temple - the Capitol building - with their contant barrage of money to influence "our" Representatives and Senators to vote in favor of their corporate masters. Maybe Mr. Speaker should read that again, along with the Sermon on the Mount.
If there is any doubt that the GOP (Greedy Old Party) has lost any right to govern, it's the fact that their new speaker makes even Kevin McCarthy look (sort of) good. This guy is in more than one deep pocket. We should keep a close watch on that mild-mannered little "Christian". He probably hasn't read the Sermon on the Mound even once. Too uncomfortable for him and his ilk.
I'm a history buff. In my opinion, from the start of recorded history, more people have suffered and died in the name of a god than for any other reason. Something to note, both Israelis and Palestinians are theocratic societies.
We now have a hybrid system which privatizes profit and socializes risk, particularly in regards to pharmaceuticals. It's outrageous that big pharma has sky high prices for drugs developed in whole or in part by NIH, the Pentagon, et al at taxpayer expense. This amounts to sky high returns for campaign contributions.
The subtitle of Mary Shelly's famous book is "A Modern Prometheus." Epimetheus is his brother, the foolish one, whose name means afterthought. Johnson and co. are hucksters for the "Gospel of Prosperity." The older term for which is the much more revelatory "Gospel of Wealth." An unpalatable mash-up of American self-centered greed and biblical passages so twisted and out of context they resemble Christianity the way Frankenstein's monster resembles a human.
There's history behind this horror story. One thread is out of Calvinism. A delightful theology; since God is radically in control of everything and humans of nothing, then all one can do is accept Jesus, pray, and submit to authority. Since God decides everything, people must be born either saved or damned and there is no way to know which group you're in. An interpretation particularly favored by right wing Americans is that God shows favor to his elect. Therefore his faves get rich.
Add to that the biz version, so well covered in One Nation Under God (How Corporate America Invented Christian America) 2015 by Kevin M. Kruse. Primarily as a reaction to the New Deal; not at all some old time Americana. Kevin Phillips, the one-time Republican strategist, saw what was coming: American Theocracy (2006.) As did Chris Hedges: Losing Moses on the Freeway (2005) and this powerful voice calling in the wilderness: American Fascists (The Christian Right and the War on America.) (2006)
As is said on late night TV ads, here is something THEY don't want you to know!!! From the NT, Acts 4:32-35--"They were all of one heart and mind. None said that any of their possessions were their own but they shared all things in common... There were no needy persons among them for those who had lands and houses sold them, bringing the proceeds and laying them at the feet of the apostles. Who gave to each as any had need." {(shhhhh. That's /gasp/ socialism!)}
What a thoughtful and intelligent/informed response. If more voters used their God-given brains and faced the truth, the orange savage would now be wearing a matching orange jumpsuit instead of leading the pack. Beautiful, Rafi! And for another deep dive into Christian teachings, try the wonderful "Witness to the Truth: Christ and His Interpreters" by Edith Hamilton. She is best known for "Mythology" and her scholarship on ancient Greece - the cradle of democracy. Nothing preachy about her writing. You can find it on Amazon (bookstores are disappearing, it seems, and libraries generally do not keep older works). Well worth reading, and more relevant than ever today!
Is this holier than thou nut job just a back up plan for the Orange man’s incarceration?l get very bad vibes from this guy ,looks and sounds like a Jim Jones clone,and he’s an unknown character to most of the country,came out of nowhere,no real record,except for his treasonous backing of fat boy,Gods his other mentor in all things.Puts me in mind of The Manchurian Candidate,when does the Queen of Hearts drop in?
No one expected the Spanish Inquisition either. One can find justification for about anything in the Bible, which l view as an ancient sort of general guidelines for survival on the planet. Lord spare us from suffering with yet another Imperialist!
I believe that life is the miracle on Earth, a gift from God ( all spirit no thing) and that the present moment is always the center of eternity. If it is written then it's the Lord. Jesus and Lucifer are duking it out for your soul but God put them both up to it. God is too vast to fit into only one religion. Some things have to be believed to be seen and money holds power because people believe in it. Look at the story of Martin Luther. The corporate structure is deadly greed and all life is of no value and in its way.
As Lutherans, we really appreciate your comment! Luther was up against the same wordly powers (in medieval dress) and the Pope, head of the only Christian religion at the time, was as bad as any of them. We need Luther's courage and strong faith!
Jim I can’t help it,the guys a walking talking character out of a movie,just a step away from being the President,maybe all the conspiracy theorists have infected my brain over the past 6 years, but this screwy bastard is not quite right,it’s a perfect scenario for a line of session bag job,you can’t make this crap up,it’s really scary!Jan 6th didn’t do the job,is this Plan B!?
I'm a stickler for correct spelling and grammar. Plus I often edit a post to improve the wording. But not everyone is good at spelling or fabulously articulate. Doesn't mean what they have to say isn't worth hearing or reading. The quiet guy in the oil stained coveralls at the back of the room may think of something no one else does. Especially not the smug Best and Brightest.
If I remember my old Sunday school lessons, didn't Jesus drive the money changers out of the Temple? Seems to me that in today's world, that story would apply to the lobbyists who barrage the halls of our Temple - the Capitol building - with their contant barrage of money to influence "our" Representatives and Senators to vote in favor of their corporate masters. Maybe Mr. Speaker should read that again, along with the Sermon on the Mount.
in Canada anyone can walk into a drugstore and get insulin FREE. my grandson pays $400. a vial.
Mike johnson is a dangerous man. 2nd in line for the Presidency and a straight up traitor to our country.
Biden and Harris need to beef up their security even more, There’s a reason the GOP chose him and it’s not to benefit the country.
Look Tony the Red Queen,act now,it’s time!
If there is any doubt that the GOP (Greedy Old Party) has lost any right to govern, it's the fact that their new speaker makes even Kevin McCarthy look (sort of) good. This guy is in more than one deep pocket. We should keep a close watch on that mild-mannered little "Christian". He probably hasn't read the Sermon on the Mound even once. Too uncomfortable for him and his ilk.
I'm a history buff. In my opinion, from the start of recorded history, more people have suffered and died in the name of a god than for any other reason. Something to note, both Israelis and Palestinians are theocratic societies.
These (so called) Christians have no relationship to Jesus, they just use that cloak to push their extreme agendas.
Why is nobody calling this man on separation of Church and State?
What is the point in having a law which is subverted!
You rock, Hightower! Keep drawing back that curtain!
We now have a hybrid system which privatizes profit and socializes risk, particularly in regards to pharmaceuticals. It's outrageous that big pharma has sky high prices for drugs developed in whole or in part by NIH, the Pentagon, et al at taxpayer expense. This amounts to sky high returns for campaign contributions.
Postmodern Epimetheus
The subtitle of Mary Shelly's famous book is "A Modern Prometheus." Epimetheus is his brother, the foolish one, whose name means afterthought. Johnson and co. are hucksters for the "Gospel of Prosperity." The older term for which is the much more revelatory "Gospel of Wealth." An unpalatable mash-up of American self-centered greed and biblical passages so twisted and out of context they resemble Christianity the way Frankenstein's monster resembles a human.
There's history behind this horror story. One thread is out of Calvinism. A delightful theology; since God is radically in control of everything and humans of nothing, then all one can do is accept Jesus, pray, and submit to authority. Since God decides everything, people must be born either saved or damned and there is no way to know which group you're in. An interpretation particularly favored by right wing Americans is that God shows favor to his elect. Therefore his faves get rich.
Add to that the biz version, so well covered in One Nation Under God (How Corporate America Invented Christian America) 2015 by Kevin M. Kruse. Primarily as a reaction to the New Deal; not at all some old time Americana. Kevin Phillips, the one-time Republican strategist, saw what was coming: American Theocracy (2006.) As did Chris Hedges: Losing Moses on the Freeway (2005) and this powerful voice calling in the wilderness: American Fascists (The Christian Right and the War on America.) (2006)
As is said on late night TV ads, here is something THEY don't want you to know!!! From the NT, Acts 4:32-35--"They were all of one heart and mind. None said that any of their possessions were their own but they shared all things in common... There were no needy persons among them for those who had lands and houses sold them, bringing the proceeds and laying them at the feet of the apostles. Who gave to each as any had need." {(shhhhh. That's /gasp/ socialism!)}
What a thoughtful and intelligent/informed response. If more voters used their God-given brains and faced the truth, the orange savage would now be wearing a matching orange jumpsuit instead of leading the pack. Beautiful, Rafi! And for another deep dive into Christian teachings, try the wonderful "Witness to the Truth: Christ and His Interpreters" by Edith Hamilton. She is best known for "Mythology" and her scholarship on ancient Greece - the cradle of democracy. Nothing preachy about her writing. You can find it on Amazon (bookstores are disappearing, it seems, and libraries generally do not keep older works). Well worth reading, and more relevant than ever today!
Is this holier than thou nut job just a back up plan for the Orange man’s incarceration?l get very bad vibes from this guy ,looks and sounds like a Jim Jones clone,and he’s an unknown character to most of the country,came out of nowhere,no real record,except for his treasonous backing of fat boy,Gods his other mentor in all things.Puts me in mind of The Manchurian Candidate,when does the Queen of Hearts drop in?
Where’s Frank Sinatra when you need him?
Do Be Do Be Do
No one expected the Spanish Inquisition either. One can find justification for about anything in the Bible, which l view as an ancient sort of general guidelines for survival on the planet. Lord spare us from suffering with yet another Imperialist!
Amen!!!
Sounds like Ayan Rand slipped in the back door after about 50 years of not being visible. Used be one but decided I liked people more.
I believe that life is the miracle on Earth, a gift from God ( all spirit no thing) and that the present moment is always the center of eternity. If it is written then it's the Lord. Jesus and Lucifer are duking it out for your soul but God put them both up to it. God is too vast to fit into only one religion. Some things have to be believed to be seen and money holds power because people believe in it. Look at the story of Martin Luther. The corporate structure is deadly greed and all life is of no value and in its way.
As Lutherans, we really appreciate your comment! Luther was up against the same wordly powers (in medieval dress) and the Pope, head of the only Christian religion at the time, was as bad as any of them. We need Luther's courage and strong faith!
Jim I can’t help it,the guys a walking talking character out of a movie,just a step away from being the President,maybe all the conspiracy theorists have infected my brain over the past 6 years, but this screwy bastard is not quite right,it’s a perfect scenario for a line of session bag job,you can’t make this crap up,it’s really scary!Jan 6th didn’t do the job,is this Plan B!?
Spelling atrocious
I'm a stickler for correct spelling and grammar. Plus I often edit a post to improve the wording. But not everyone is good at spelling or fabulously articulate. Doesn't mean what they have to say isn't worth hearing or reading. The quiet guy in the oil stained coveralls at the back of the room may think of something no one else does. Especially not the smug Best and Brightest.
No worries about the spelling, mate. The heart's in the right place.
And pray tell, what would Jesus say? One way ticket to hell, you naughty boy.