Clipmarks | Pastors Clips

Republicans: Only Our Pastors Can Say Crazy Shit

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:12:33 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

As the wingnut chorus predictably disses Obama's eloquent speech, it's important to remember how completely ridiculous and manufactured this whole Wright "controversy" is:

Neither Jerry Falwell nor Pat Robertson ever retracted or denounced their view that America provoked the 9/11 attacks by doing things to anger God.

Well, yeah. Duh.

The Republican Party has tied itself at the hip to a whole slew of "anti-American extremists" -- people who believe that the U.S. provoked the 9/11 attacks because God wants to punish us for the evil, wicked nation we've become -- and yet there is virtual silence about these associations.

Once again, it's important to keep making the point that when you've built an entire political movement on the backs of a crazy mob of Dixiecrat Savonarolas who make outrageous hateful comments pretty much every day, you've sort of opted-out of your ability to throw stones.

Church Signs That Won’t Make You Go To Church

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:24:26 GMT

clipped by: ratilfar
clipper's remarks: Or are people this sick/stupid? I think most of got the photoshop treatment. Or at least I hope to God they did!

Clip Source: www.holytaco.com

Driving across the rural parts of America you’ll undoubtedly notice the large number of churches that use their signs to try and draw people into their church with a joke or a pun or some good old fashioned fire and brimstone fear. The problem is, the comedy stylings of most church pastors is kind of like a combination of Yakov Smirnoff and Rush Limbaugh. You either get the world’s crappiest puns or some sort of evil, hate filled message that’s supposed to scare you into attending, or a totally awesome unintentional double entrendre. Either way, these signs are the only interesting thing to look at when you’re driving from Pennsylvania to Colorado.

Tags: church, signs, wtf, for real, no way, sick, stupid, funny, scary

I was naked

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:34:57 GMT

clipped by: Rashid Malik
clipper's remarks: Now what was he doing naked in the garden in the first place?

Clip Source: jo-kes.blogspot.com

A new pastor moved into town and went out one Saturday to visit his community. All went well until he came to one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card, wrote on the back "Revelation 3:20" and stuck it in the door. The next day, as he was counting the offering he found his card in the collection plate. Below his message was a notation "Genesis 3:10." Upon opening his Bible to the passage he let out a roar of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 reads: (Pastors note) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me."

Genesis 3:10 reads: "And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked."

Tags: priest jokes, jokes, humor

An atheists experience

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 20:16:06 GMT

clipped by: drumladd
clipper's remarks: This is a quote from an atheist that visited 30 churches to study what impressions they would leave him with. Look at what he was left with....

Clip Source: www.internetmonk.com

Clearly, most churches have aligned themselves against non-religious people. By adopting this stance, Christians have turned off the people I would think they want to connect with. The combative stance I’ve observed is an approach that causes people to become apathetic—and even antagonistic—toward religion as a whole. Many evangelical pastors seem to perceive just about everything to be a threat against Christianity. Evolution is a threat. Gay marriage is a threat. A swear word uttered accidentally on television is a threat. Democrats are a threat. I don’t see how any of these things pose a threat against Christianity. If someone disagrees with you about politics or social issues or the matter of origins, isn’t that just democracy and free speech in action? Why do Christians feel so threatened?

You need to spread the message of Christianity—the message being what Christianity stands for—loving each other, helping the people around you. Those are things everyone can get on board with.

Tags: faith, theology, internetmonk, atheism, church, evangelicalism

Terrorist Attack on American Soil

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:49:38 GMT

clipped by: Maxwell_Smart
clipper's remarks: Would it surprise anyone that the republicans are behind this? That war machine doesn't know where or how to stop. They inflict false fear everywhere and now this. This is really bugging me.

This article is originally entitled...
Muslim Children Gassed at Dayton Mosque After "Obsession" DVD Hits Ohio.

If you like the movie Obsession, check out The Power of Nightmares.

Where did the fear that perpetrated this crime come from? Put down the remote and step away from the TV.

While pastors are motivating their flocks to come back to church next week they ought to throw in a message on 1 John 2:6

"the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked."

Clip Source: www.dailykos.com

"She told me that the gas was sprayed into the room where the babies and children were being kept while their mothers prayed together their Ramadan prayers. Panicked mothers ran for their babies, crying for their children so they could flee from the gas that was burning their eyes and throats and lungs. She grabbed her youngest in her arms and grabbed the hand of her other daughter, moving with the others to exit the building and the irritating substance there.

"The paramedic said the young one was in shock, and gave her oxygen to help her breathe. The child couldn't stop sobbing.

"This didn't happen in some far away place -- but right here in Dayton, and to my friends. Many of the Iraqi refugees were praying together at the Mosque Friday evening. People that I know and love.

"She tells me that her daughters slept with her last night, the little one in her arms and sobbing throughout the night. She tells me she is afraid

nothing less than terrorism, American style

Depression: It's Spiritually Incorrect

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:36:06 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: In the face of such ignorance I say this, a prayer a priest friend recently taught me: "Jesus, save me from your followers." (Or, my secular version: "I'm sorry. My fault. I forgot you were an idiot.")

Clip Source: www.beliefnet.com

There are lots of "spiritual" approaches to treating depression, each of which has a devoted following. There are "The Secret"-loving folks (and half of Oprah's viewers) telling me that all I have to do to feel good is think positive thoughts--to throw the intention of personal sanity and well-being into the universe and fetch it when it returns to me. Then there are the Tom Cruise disciples warning me about those toxic pharmaceuticals I'm putting into my body (they say fish oil and vitamins are enough). Then there are the New-Agers claiming that mental health is only one yoga class, acupuncture session, or hour of Tibetan meditation away.

And then, even more dangerous (in my opinion), I have intelligent, theologically-trained pastors, priests, and ministers of every denomination advising me that God alone is what I need--that if I read the Word, and lay my head on Jesus, then I can stop seeing both my psychiatrist and therapist.

Tags: depression, health, religion, prayers

Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except in a Game at Church

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:04:48 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

First the percussive sounds of sniper fire and the thrill of the kill. Then the gospel of peace.

Across the country, hundreds of ministers and pastors desperate to reach young congregants have drawn concern and criticism through their use of an unusual recruiting tool: the immersive and violent video game Halo.

Those buying it must be 17 years old, given it is rated M for mature audiences. But that has not prevented leaders at churches and youth centers across Protestant denominations, including evangelical churches that have cautioned against violent entertainment, from holding heavily attended Halo nights and stocking their centers with multiple game consoles so dozens of teenagers can flock around big-screen televisions and shoot it out.

Tim explained the game’s allure: “It’s just fun blowing people up.”

Tags: violence, peace, mixed, messages

Lesbian Ordained in Lutheran Church, Refuses Celibacy Vow

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:22:52 GMT

clipped by: wiccantexan

Clip Source: www.christianpost.com

A lesbian became the first homosexual minister to be ordained since the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gave leeway to churches in disciplining pastors who violate a celibacy vow requirement.

Jen Rude, 27, was ordained on Saturday at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Chicago despite her refusal to take a vow of celibacy. She was installed on Sunday.

Under church policy, homosexual – and not heterosexual – ministers are required to make a vow of celibacy before they can be ordained. Although not currently in a relationship, Rude called the policy discriminatory.

Rude is the first homosexual pastor to test a resolution that urges ELCA bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in "faithful committed same-gender relationships." The resolution was passed at a national assembly in August when members also rejected measures that would have allowed the ordination of non-celibate homosexual clergy.

Tags: church, religion, clergy, gay, lesbian, celibacy, vow

Comparison of Islam, Judaism and Christianity

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:59:58 GMT

clipped by: kwonsu

Clip Source: www.religionfacts.com

Comparison of Statistics and Basics

	Islam	Judaism	Christianity
adherents called	Muslims	Jews	Christians
current adherents	1.3 billion	14 million	2 billion
current size rank	2nd largest	12th largest	largest
major concentration	Middle East, Southeast Asia	Israel, Europe, USA	Europe, North and South America, rapid growth in Africa
sacred text	Qur'an (Koran)	Bible	Bible (Jewish Bible + New Testament)
other written authority	Hadith	Talmud, Midrash, Responsa	church fathers, church councils, papal decrees (Catholic only)
religious law	Sharia	Halakhah	Canon Law
clergy	imams	rabbis	priests, ministers, pastors, bishops
house of worship	mosque	synagogue	church, chapel, cathedral
main day of worship	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
church and state	integrated	separate	separate

Comparison of Origins and History

	Islam	Judaism	Christianity
date founded	622 CE	unknown	c. 33 CE
place founded	Saudi Arabia	Palestine	Palestine
founder	Muhammad	Moses or Abraham	Jesus
original language(s)	Arabic	Hebrew	Aramaic, Greek
early expansion	within 12 years, entire Arabian peninsula; within 100 years, Muslim world stretched from the Atlantic to China	little expansion; mostly confined to Palestine	within 60 years, churches in major cities in Palestine, Turkey, Greece and Rome (map); entire Roman Empire by end of 4th cent.
major splits	Shia/Sunni, c. 650 CE	Reform/Orthodox, 1800s CE	Catholic/Orthodox, 1054 CE; Catholic/Protestant, 1500s CE

Tags: islam, judaism, christianity, religion, spirit

Your Pastor Approves This Ad

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:51:05 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Call it an act of faith or call it a political ploy, but 33 ministers plan to endorse a presidential candidate from their Sunday pulpits in defiance of federal law.

The ministers and the conservative group organizing them know they are breaking a 54-year-old law barring tax-exempt organizations from using their sheltered status to support a political candidate. They want to be taken to court, quickly, in hopes of overturning it.

The pastors complain that the statute limits their free expression. We take any challenge to free speech very seriously, but this is not a challenge to free speech. This is about protecting the collection plate while using the power of the pulpit to influence elections. Shepherds are entirely free to tell their flocks whom to vote for. They just cannot expect taxpayers to subsidize turning their churches into campaign offices.

Obama Defends His Stance on Christian Right 'Hijacking Faith"

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:07:58 GMT

clipped by: zizzy

Clip Source: rawstory.com

Democratic Senator and 2008 presidential hopeful Barack Obama defended his criticisms of conservative Christian leaders in an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network reporter David Brody.

When you have pastors and television pundits who appear to explicitly coordinate with one political party; when you're implying that your fellow Americans are traitors, terrorist sympathizers or akin to the devil himself; then I think you're attempting to hijack the faith of those who follow you for your own personal or political ends

For my friends on the right, I think it would be helpful to remember the critical role that the separation of church and state has played in preserving not only our democracy but also our religious practice

American leaders who fought to include the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights.

Whatever we once were, we're no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of non-believers.

Tags: barack obama, christian right, faith, bill of rights, muslim, jewish, buddhist, non-believer, conservatives, campaiign 08

Young adults aren't sticking with church

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:29:24 GMT

clipped by: Oortcloud
clipper's remarks: Of those that returned or stayed : they grew up with both parents committed to the church (indoctrination), had charismatic pastors (entertained), and church members invested in their spiritual development (got attention) - doesn't this suggest that young adults that do return/stay are not doing it because the message of god is true, but because they simply like the idea of believing because of an emotional payoff?

Clip Source: www.usatoday.com

Protestant churches are losing young adults in "sobering" numbers, a survey finds.

Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30 — both evangelical and mainline — who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23, according to the survey by LifeWay Research. And 34% of those said they had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30. That means about one in four Protestant young people have left the church.

The statistics are based on a survey of 1,023 Protestants ages 18 to 30 who said they had attended church at least twice a month for at least one year during high school. LifeWay did the survey in April and May. Margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The survey found that those who stayed with or returned to church grew up with both parents committed to the church, pastors whose sermons were relevant and engaging, and church members who invested in their spiritual development.

Tags: religion, protestant, church, god, christianity

"Arming" for Armageddon

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:44:21 GMT

clipped by: dulios
clipper's remarks: Militant Joel's Army Followers Seek Theocracy under Christian Dominionism.

Clip Source: www.splcenter.org

'Arming' for Armageddon

Todd Bentley has a long night ahead of him, resurrecting the dead, healing the blind, and exploding cancerous tumors.

To contain the 10,000-plus crowds flocking from around the globe, Bentley has rented baseball stadiums, arenas and airport hangars

Many in attendance are church pastors themselves who believe Bentley to be a prophet and don't bat an eye when he tells them he's seen King David and spoken with the Apostle Paul in heaven. "He was looking very Jewish," Bentley notes.

Tattooed across his sternum are military dog tags that read "Joel's Army." They're evidence of Bentley's generalship in a rapidly growing apocalyptic movement that's gone largely unnoticed by watchdogs of the theocratic right. According to Bentley and a handful of other "hyper-charismatic" preachers advancing the same agenda, Joel's Army is prophesied to become an Armageddon-ready military force of young people with a divine mandate to physically impose Christian "dominion" on non-believers.

Tags: dominionism, joel's army, theocracy, militancy

Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 16:15:37 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. — Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing — and the church’s — to conservative political candidates and causes.

After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”

Tags: politics, religion

Fundamentalism and history

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:32:02 GMT

clipped by: enbar
clipper's remarks: An article by TheRevealer.org's Jeff Sharlet on the relationship between American fundamentalist Christianity and the country's history. His trademark rambling, ethnographic, personal style.

Clip Source: www.harpers.org

Through a Glass, Darkly

How the Christian right is reimagining U.S. history

Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2007. Originally from December 2006. By Jeff Sharlet.

The old theories have failed. The new Christ, fifty years ago no more than a corollary to American power, twenty-five years ago at its vanguard, is now at the very center. His followers are not anxiously awaiting his return at the Rapture; he’s here right now. They’re not envious of the middle class; they are the middle class. They’re not looking for a hero to lead them; they’re building biblical households, every man endowed with “headship” over his own family. They don’t silence sex; they promise sacred sex to those who couple properly—orgasms more intense for young Christians who wait than those experienced by secular lovers.

Intensity! That’s what one finds within the ranks of the American believers. “This thing is real!” declare our nation’s pastors. It’s all coming together: the sacred and the profane, God’s time and straight time, what theologians and graduates of the new fundamentalist prep schools might call “kairos” and “chronos,” the mystical and the mundane. American fundamentalism—not a political party, not a denomination, not a uniform ideology, but a manifold movement—is moving in every direction all at once, claiming the earth for God’s kingdom, “in the world but not of it” and yet just loving it to death anyway.

Tags: rels327, phil309, religion, christianity, evangelicalism, !toread, via:therevealer