MUST READ!!! John Pavlovitz: "I'm a Christian Pastor. Evangelicals Have to Be Defeated in 2022"

[Tommymac]

https://johnpavlovitz.com/2021/06/05/im-a-christian-pastor-evangelicals-have-to-be-defeated-in-2022/

I’m a Christian Pastor. Evangelicals Have to Be Defeated in 2022.
JUNE 5, 2021 / JOHN PAVLOVITZ

I’ve been a pastor in the church for over two decades, much of that in predominantly white churches in the American South. I’ve spent countless hours in church staff meetings and men’s Bible studies and youth pastor conferences. I’ve stayed connected on social media with thousands of people still there in those churches. I read what they share and post and amplify and I know how they think and what they believe. I need you to understand something and I say it without any hyperbole: white Evangelicals need to be stopped, now.
...
This is not alarmist, sky-is-falling histrionics, it is the clear and sober forecast from someone who knows these people better than anyone. Over the last decade and a half, as my theology shifted and my beliefs grew more and more progressive, I’ve been a kind of undercover Liberal in an increasingly extremist movement, that while once relegated to minor fringe noisemakers is now at the precipice of Roman Empire-level power. They are less than two years away from having a dominance that they will wield violently and not relinquish.
...
Yet, they were still a largely powerless, dying dinosaur until 2016, when Donald Trump acquired the presidency and gave the Evangelicals the perfect amoral partner to serve as the biggest bully pulpit they’ve ever had. Combine that with a fragmented Left, a general fatigue by the larger population, a ceremonial victory in Congress (thanks to Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema), and Republican attacks on voters’ rights— and we are now a hair’s breadth from the subjugation of diverse humanity here.

These are not followers of Jesus despite the trappings and window dressing. They are Jesus-less extremists: blind zealots for nothing but power. They have been conditioned by decades of polluted theology and FoxNews alternative facts to see diversity as a threat, to see progress as attacks on America, and to interpret more people being treated with dignity as oppression of white people.
...

A lot of really good articles on his site, but that one highlights the evil Elephant in the room.

Here is one more:
https://johnpavlovitz.com/2021/05/25/i-dont-care-about-bipartisanism-i-care-about-humanity/

Humanity is More Important Than Bipartisanship
MAY 25, 2021
For months I’ve been hearing about pursuing a bipartisan America; about this nation needing to forge a new spirit of political collaboration if we ever hope to bridge the massive divides here.

I’m tired of hearing that.

We all know how we got here.
We’ve all lived through the past five years.
We saw the “both sides” rhetoric in Charlottesville.
We saw the George Floyd murder.
We saw the violence against the BLM protests.
We saw the support for Kyle Rittenhouse.
We saw the conspiratorial pandemic denials.
We saw the anti-mask defiance.
We saw the legislative attacks during the election.
We saw the terrorism at the Capitol.
We saw the lack of response by the Government.
We can’t apologize for seeing it and we can’t be gaslit into thinking that we didn’t see it and we can’t be guilted into forgetting that we saw it.
....
The idea of bipartisanship suggests that there are two very different but equally valid sides represented at a given moment. This is inaccurate in this version of America.

Knowingly perpetuating a dangerous lie of election fraud, is not a valid side.
Fighting a thorough, objective examination of the deadly attack on Congress intended to overturn an election, is not a valid side.
Legislatively cancelling the votes of people of color is not a valid side.
Justifying the murder of unarmed people of color by law enforcement, is not a valid side.
Voting unanimously against COVID aid while opposing masks and vaccines in the wake of 500,000 deaths, is not a valid side.
Taking away the rights of women to have autonomy over their own bodies, is not a valid side.
Demanding that teachers no longer teach about racism in America, is not a valid side.
...

BTW found this site looking for the link to the image in this post:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215499942



(My bold in quotes)

[ms liberty]

1. To the greatest. K&R. n/t

[Tommymac]

2. Thank You very much.

I'm flattered but more important then that is the exposure.

You rock!

[malaise]

3. I'm an atheist but he's right about the deplorables

Rec

[Tommymac]

4. Me too. But he has given me a bit of hope that Evangelicals CAN see the Light of Reality

Only a bit mind you, but if he can sway them I am willing to promote his words.

[malaise]

6. The tallest oak begins with a single acorn

[Volaris]

15. Agreed. But it will take ALL OF US.

As a collapsed catholic, maybe it's time to go back into the Lions Den, and be Publicly UNAFRAID of the Liberal Church that I was raised in. Because fuck these Opus Dei types.. they're WRONG.

[shrike3]

30. There are plenty of Social Justice Catholics around.

I'm one of them. AOC's another.

[wnylib]

33. Don't forget Joe Biden in that list of

social justice Catholics.

[JHB]

45. See my #44 below

Plenty of evangelicals don't think Catholics are Christians. Put that where Catholics can see it and get pissed off.

[alwaysinasnit]

5. k&r for visibility

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. K&R

[zipplewrath]

8. Christians will have to do it

Quite honestly, those who declare themselves Christians, especially evangelical and/or born again Christians will have to rise up and confront this. They are really the only ones who can expose the total lack of moral authority of these politicized church attendees.

[Volaris]

16. REAL born-again Christian's are INHERENTLY LIBERAL, as legit forgiveness and EMPATHY

Are their touchstones.

[zipplewrath]

29. And unfortunately

Not prone to being judgmental nor confrontational, especially about others beliefs.

[Mariana]

36. Then let's see them DO something to oppose their RW co-religionists.

Liberal Christians shrugging their shoulders and saying, "Well, those people aren't real Christians" has done exactly nothing to solve the problem. Lets see their colleagues call the RW preachers out, publicly and BY NAME, for their disgusting beliefs and behavior. Let's see demonstrations and signs and picketing against the churches where all this hateful preaching takes place. Let's see some action.

[shrike3]

31. You're right. We will.

[ItsjustMe]

9. A few of my favorites from his site

https://johnpavlovitz.com/2018/01/24/white-evangelicals-people/

https://johnpavlovitz.com/2020/11/05/we-were-wrong-about-america/

https://johnpavlovitz.com/2021/04/07/the-cruelty-sickness-of-kind-people/


You cannot have a rational conversation with some of these Christians, It's impossible to have a rational conversation with some of the Christians on this forum.

[SunSeeker]

10. Yeah, I wish all Christians would actually follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

But most seem to be following Mammon.

[ItsjustMe]

14. This

Mammon

Many of my Hispanic friends have now become big Trump supporters, they give credit to Trump for all those checks they received.

[Volaris]

17. Lol ya because christianity is TOTALLY about the checks haha!

[ItsjustMe]

20. It seems to be

For these Catholics.

[Elessar Zappa]

19. Most Hispanics aren't trending toward Trump though.

He’s as unpopular as ever in states like CA, NM, NV, and AZ. It is true he’s gained Hispanic support in TX and Fla.

[ItsjustMe]

21. Agreed

Biden won the votes here in Fresno California.

Fresno typically votes Republican.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN / KAMALA D. HARRIS - 193,025 (52.90%)

DONALD J. TRUMP / MICHAEL R. PENCE - 164,464 (45.07%)

https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/departments/county-clerk-registrar-of-voters/election-information/election-results/results-of-november-3-2020-presidential-general-election

[FoxNewsSucks]

23. That support will increase

Radio stations have been converted to spanish language Hannity & Limbaugh clones.

They are using the same tactics that were successful on Fox "news" and Clear Channel stations, now they're going after the next large voting demographic.

That's why there is increased hispanic support in TX and FL, and that's just the start.

[Elessar Zappa]

28. Maybe, maybe not.

I’m not seeing any evidence of it here in NM and I live in a predominantly Hispanic community.

[SunSeeker]

22. OFFS. Seriously? Do they think Trump is still president?

[wnylib]

34. What are the topics you would like to

rationally discuss with the Christians on DU? If, by "rational discussion," you mean convincing them that they should become atheists, you probably won't succeed. But if you mean rational discussions about Democratic issues like women's rights, LGBTQ rights, the rights of minorities and POC, BLM, science education, opposition to RW fascism, holding the seditionists accountable, etc., I don't think you will find opposition from the Christians on DU. The promotion of the Democratic (big D) platform is why they are here in the first place. I have not encountered any RW Evangelicals on DU.

[keithbvadu2]

48. Barry Goldwater on 'rational conversation'.

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”

[ItsjustMe]

49. Barry Goldwater

Was Spot On.

[elleng]

11. 'The idea of bipartisanship suggests that there are two very different but equally valid sides

represented at a given moment. This is inaccurate in this version of America.

Knowingly perpetuating a dangerous lie of election fraud, is not a valid side.'

[I_UndergroundPanther]

12. I call them evilgelicals

[Tommymac]

24. Nice. Sad but true. nt

[wnylib]

35. Good descriptive term. Will have to remember it.

[h2ebits]

13. I "found" John Pavlovitz Years Ago

I have a jaundiced eye for all religion because they all--without exception--attempt power over everyone, they all have their own "man made" rules, and they all want you to believe that you will go straight to hell when you die if you don't follow their particular path.

John Pavlovitz strikes the right note with me and I signed up to receive his postings in my email. He understands that words have meaning and is very adept at putting them on a page. I regularly post his writings on my FB page.

[Tommymac]

27. Wish I had found him sooner.

Been reading his stuff today...he is a persuasive writer. We need a million more like him.

[h2ebits]

38. I agree--We need millions more like him

[stillspkg]

32. Excuse Me

I take exception to being put in the same category as the Hucksters I thought were being described. As an Ordained Clergy,
(category given to indicate four year Masters Degree- mine from Northwestern),
and as a woman, I’ve been “thrown in” with a lot of groups or people with whom I have little in common.
I think it is important, not just on this site, but in all conversations to be mindful of
ways we connect and disconnect

[wnylib]

37. Agree completely and thank you

for your post. However, you're spitting into the wind with that post on DU, where religion bashing is a favorite pasttime by people who speak in generalities and know very little about the people they bash in sweeping terms.

[stillspkg]

39. well...

I haven’t been a member of DU that long:
about 6 mos as member and a visitor for year before that. I have not noticed “religion bashing being a favorite pasttime.” I can assure you if that was my experience, especially where openness, kindness truthfulness, and integrity are guiding principles, I would not have become a member.
One thing we all need to ask ourselves,
“Am I any different than the ones I am criticizing?” If we expect to make a difference in this world, it will only come by
bringing people to a higher level of discourse, not being the kind of people
who profess to care about the planet, equal rights etc. while we bash aspects of it, and
stay locked into assumptions that not only betray, but limit hope and possibility because we really don’t care that much.

[wnylib]

40. Your profile says that you have been

a DU member since 2018.

The post that you responded to about being lumped into a group that doesn't apply to you was not an uncommon post here. There are a number of people who express strong, angry feelings about religion in general, and Christians in particular. They make no distinctions between the religious right and other Christians. That's not bashing them. It's just a statement of how it is.

The ones that I have tried discussing it with have said that they grew up in religious environments that were very negative and harmful to them. I understand that their experiences have made them bitter about religion. I don't understand why they feel that it's necessary to spread their bitterness to others. I can understand that many people have no interest in being part of any religion and regard themselves as too rational and evidence based to accept any religion. It is their choice that I understand and respect. But I don't see that respect for the right to make a choice being returned from them.

[stillspkg]

41. And so,

Hi-
Profile not completely accurate. Not sure if that matters here.
You lost me with the everbody else does it.
Keep aiming high

[wnylib]

42. You lost me when you

1. Claimed that your profile is inaccurate.
2. Inferred an "everybody else does it" message in my post.

Have a nice day.

[housecat]

18. somebody please tell Joe Manchin asap

[Tommymac]

25. Don't forget Kristen.

In my mind she is WORSE.

But...she can be primaried, Joe M cannot.

[Wounded Bear]

26. K & R...nt

[ck4829]

43. K&R

Last edited Tue Jun 29, 2021, 11:14 AM - Edit history (1)

Critical Race Theory

[JHB]

44. Get evangelicals talking about how Catholics aren't Christians, and film it.

Put that footage in front of Catholics. Upend the rhetorical shell game where evangelicals talk about "Christian values", which Catholics assume includes them but it doesn't.

Put politicians that depend on evangelical voters on the spot about it: "Are Catholics Christians? Yes or no."

Make it an issue.

Make their bigotry work against them, on all fronts.

[keithbvadu2]

46. Religion and politics use each other to gain power and wealth.

[keithbvadu2]

47. When Christians get their theocracy, which Christians will be in charge?

We had a discussion about this.

When Christians get their theocracy, which Christians will be in charge?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215483345

[BobTheSubgenius]

50. This fringe first became noticeable (at least to me) in the Nixon years, but they didn't

really bother me then. It was just posturing, for the most part, and no serious threat from Falwell and the Moral Majority. A voting bloc, for sure, but not a powerful one, at that point.

Come the Reagan years, and the movement really gained traction, at the very least, in the form of pandering during the campaign. That was annoying, and more than a little troubling. I felt a certain amount of fear, at that point.

They were more or less in a holding pattern during the Bush 41 and Clinton years, but were revitalized significantly in the Bush 43 years. They are REALLY emboldened now, their numbers have grown, and they seem to have no real, reasonable boundaries when it comes to their rhetoric and demands. Definitely a significant and malignant force today.

That juggernaut needs to be derailed, but I don't see it happening, other than by a repudiation from the more secular part(s) of the public. Most secularists don't have anywhere near as fervent a grasp on their ideology, though.

[Blue Owl]

51. Don't be Duped by the Diapered Diablo