two men enter, one man leaves!

Not according to The Family. To them, Jesus is an empty vessel which they can imbue with whatever qualities they choose. That old, pre-American Christian morality is quaint in their view.

You must submit unconditionally to American Jesus. They get to tell you what He wants.

Procedural Texture: Diogenes: Not according to The Family.

Link?

I'm reading the book.

Well, this should be a fun thread filled with all sorts of rational debates.

Procedural Texture: Juicy quotes galore here:
http://AmericanValuesNetwork.org/AynRandVsJesusMemo/ (pops)

I have no words. Defending a child rapist and murderer?

There [the Family] forge "relationships" beyond the din of vox populi (the Family's leaders consider democracy a manifestation of ungodly pride) and "throw away religion" in favor of the truths of the Family. Declaring God's covenant with the Jews broken, the group's core members call themselves "the new chosen."

[Source]

I don't know if this is the full book online but it's pretty lengthy. So is the book. It's taking me forever to get through it.

Diogenes: I don't know if this is the full book online but it's pretty lengthy. So is the book. It's taking me forever to get through it.

I was tempted to read it, those farkers are batshiat

SnakeLee: Diogenes: I don't know if this is the full book online but it's pretty lengthy. So is the book. It's taking me forever to get through it.

I was tempted to read it, those farkers are batshiat

It's scary shiat.

Prosperity Theology is how the culture warriors square the circle of mixing Randian philosophy, which is an antithesis to Christian altruism, with Christian values.

They are adopting a kind of extreme Calvinist philosophy that states that they are the new chosen people of God (hence why they are gifted with riches and success). They believe it to be their responsibility to impose strict biblical law upon the lesser people, because they need it. But they of the chosen are above such biblical morality because they are already loved by God.

It is a morally bankrupt philosophy that they practice, and unfortunately a good number of them stalk our nation's halls of power. Read: The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power by Jeff Sharlet for some good nightmare fuel, and to understand how many members of the Christian right so easily ignore the ideas of Christian charity.

Can we do without both? I'm tired of people believing in impossible fantasy worlds running the country.

GAT_00: Can we do without both? I'm tired of people believing in impossible fantasy worlds running the country.

Does this mean that I don't have your vote because of my strict adherence to Star Trek philosophy?

Code_Archeologist: They are adopting a kind of extreme Calvinist philosophy

Precisely what I came here to say.

/now i'll just come here
//...
///*spunk*

When someone talks to me about the AntiChrist, I reply that John Calvin has come and gone, but the damage continues.

I'm going to start pointing out how close Randian Objectivism is to Laveyan Satanism. Maybe it'll sink in to some people.

Jesus Christ!

No WAIT. that wasn't my choice it was a curse.... you know blasphemy.



Christians: Telling other people how to live for over 2000 years...

Are you kidding, just to be a Republican you have to believe 6 different contradictory things before breakfast. Two is a cake walk.

This mythical discussion doesn't even work in mythical land.

If you believe in Jesus but don't believe in 'swords to plowshares' then how can you have a rational conversation with not only irrational but ever changing viewpoints.

Code_Archeologist: Prosperity Theology is how the culture warriors square the circle of mixing Randian philosophy, which is an antithesis to Christian altruism, with Christian values.

They are adopting a kind of extreme Calvinist philosophy that states that they are the new chosen people of God (hence why they are gifted with riches and success). They believe it to be their responsibility to impose strict biblical law upon the lesser people, because they need it. But they of the chosen are above such biblical morality because they are already loved by God.

It is a morally bankrupt philosophy that they practice, and unfortunately a good number of them stalk our nation's halls of power. Read: The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power by Jeff Sharlet for some good nightmare fuel, and to understand how many members of the Christian right so easily ignore the ideas of Christian charity.

Came to say something like this, glad you said it much better than I would have.

Majick Thise: Jesus Christ!

No WAIT. that wasn't my choice it was a curse.... you know blasphemy.



Christians: Telling other people how to live for over 2000 years...

...or several thousand years after other people were telling other people how to live. I don't deny Christians do it, but I'm pretty sure it's because they're people and not because they're Christians.

(that said, Jesus is a better choice than Ayn Rand)

bossuniversalAA: like ayn rand? then this should be right up your alley

*shakes fist* you beat me to it. But I'll just leave this here anyway:
"I give people Ayn Rand with trappings" - Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan (new window)

bossuniversalAA: Rev. Skarekroe [TotalFark] Quote 2011-05-27 06:04:59 PM
I'm going to start pointing out how close Randian Objectivism is to Laveyan Satanism. Maybe it'll sink in to some people.
(new window)

wow....we're weird

I was just reading a book on the history of Satanism last night, and whilst reading the LaVey chapter the connection occurred to me.
Then at the end of the chapter there's an interview with Kenneth Anger and he says exactly the same thing.

Uncanny.

Counter_Intelligent: They do not need to choose at all. They can still give their god lip service and worship the golden calf.

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."

Aside from dealing with the retort 'the devil can cite scripture for his purpose' (to which you can point out comes from the Merchant of Venice and not the Bible, although I guess know maybe it's in Maccabees)

I believe that this (the using of the bible on hypothetically bible belt persons) is actually going to be the most effective way at trying to actually break apart the republican coalition.

Simply yelling epithets is going to be cathartic but not going to actually be helpful. Pointing out flaws within the philosophy while actually using the philosophy they adhere to is the only constructive way to do it.

(Hooray! I've finally crossed the line from being ashamed of my political party to actively pointing out the best ways to defeat it from the inside out!)

SamFlagg:
Aside from dealing with the retort 'the devil can cite scripture for his purpose' (to which you can point out comes from the Merchant of Venice and not the Bible, although I guess, I don't know know maybe it's in Maccabees)
FTFM

Captain Dan: Since I'm probably the only Republican in this entire thread.... let me say in defense, this is a false dilemma.

Christianity is not a political doctrine. Or it shouldn't be. While it's funny to watch Democrats theatrically denounce Republican legislators as un-Christian for not supporting more welfare, we all know they'd be horrified if Republicans started acting like Christians by prohibiting adultery or abortion.

Please, Republicans and Democrats alike: stop pretending that "my political beliefs are holier than yours."

American government is secular. All the Republican talk about morality ("gays!") and Democratic talk about morality ("social justice!") are just contrivances to sell a secular political platform to voters.

*waves as other republican in the thread*

10-15 years ago I would've agreed it was a false dilemma. We have reached the point where it is requiring an extreme amount of cognitive dissonance to believe it is not effectively an actual dilemma the party is having right now.

Rev. Skarekroe: I'm going to start pointing out how close Randian Objectivism is to Laveyan Satanism. Maybe it'll sink in to some people.

It is remarkably similar. Lavey would be a conservative hero today.

animal color: That headline is an astonishing distillation. Perhaps the best political commentary I've seen in years.

//not kidding
///not at all

Its pretty good, this one.