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It’s not unusual for the religious left to ascribe “hate” to anyone who resists its big government agenda. But the chief United Methodist lobbyist on Capitol Hill, along with the head of the United Church of Christ, officially denounced the Tea Party movement for racist tendencies. Here’s my article.
Sadly, these church lobbyists have more condemnation for American conservatives than they do for totalitarian and genocidal regimes and movements around the world, including the persecutors of Christians. But for the religious left, unfortunately, advocating big government seems to be their chief religious focus.
A leading voice in Washington for big government is the Center for American Progress, founded by Clinton administration staffer John Podesta. Recently, the center recruited openly homosexual Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson as a senior fellow. Please read Jeff Walton’s article. It’s not clear what qualifications Bishop Robinson brings to this liberal think tank other than his homosexuality and his role in dividing the Anglican Communion.
Also check out Jeff’s article in Human Events about a labor dispute within the Episcopal Church. Fascinatingly, and amusingly, the Communist Party USA has a new religious liaison who is himself studying for the Episcopal priesthood!
Meanwhile, the religious and evangelical left are once again targeting Israel. Churches for Middle East Peace, which includes the United Methodist and other mainline lobby offices, exploited Lent to release an anti-Israel Lenten devotional. Here’s my article from The Weekly Standard.
Evangelicals are typically among Israel’s strongest supporters. The evangelical left is trying to neutralize them with a new anti-Israel film called “With God on Our Side,” endorsed by Tony Campolo and Brian McLaren. Here’s my article.
Recently, I joined with other religious figures to urge the appointment of a U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom. Here’s the letter to President Obama. Note a few signatures from some religious left fixtures, like the United Methodist lobbyist plus Jim Wallis, who typically do not show interest in global religious persecution. Maybe they are now turning a new page! Let’s pray so. Here’s a Washington Times story, in which I am quoted.
Meanwhile, Faith McDonnell has been helping organize a rally in New York for persecuted Christians in Nigeria. Here’s our news release.
As always, please give priority in your prayers to those who suffer for Christ’s sake. Remember that our problems in this country are small compared to theirs.
And please also pray for IRD’s ministry of church reform. Currently, I am in Nashville observing an official United Methodist meeting with bishops and others plotting another potential reorganization plan for our our denomination. Will their final proposals be positive or negative? We must watch them and other church groups, prayerfully urging faithfulness to biblical beliefs and to the church’s membership.
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