Apocalyptic Christian Theology's Role in Gov Shutdown

[cali]

The Republican Party is out in full force at the Value Voters Summit in Washington D. C., serving up the traditional menu of “family values” and anti-government rhetoric. My personal favorite quote so far of the convention is Dr. Ben Carson’s assertion that “Obamacare is, really, I think, the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery...it is slavery, in a way, because it is making all of us subservient to the government.”

I’m also sure that anyone who was enslaved in America or anywhere else would disagree.

It’s this kind of loaded rhetoric, of course, that’s holding the Elephant hostage. The Bully Pulpit of The Values Voters Summit has always been a place for Republican “luminaries” like Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Tim Scott, Sen. Rand Paul and Dr. Carson to declare their allegiance to conservative religious values of limited government, opposition to reproductive rights, and Ayn Rand capitalism.

What’s different this year is that the government is closed, and the hard end times, apocalyptic political theology promoted by Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News and countless other groups has finally pushed the party over the edge of reasonableness. Moreover, the political leadership and the religious leadership are interchangeable. Both are holding fast to their political theology that amounts to: destroy Obamacare at any cost, including Armageddon.

<snip>

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/antheabutler/7352/apocalyptic_christian_theology_s_role_in_gov_shutdown/

[Berlum]

1. "Onward, Xtian Soldjars - to the Plains of Megiddo!" - SpewMeister, Inc. (R)

[frog64]

8. apocalyptic

As a Christian minister I hate to admit the legitimacy of this post, but it may be true. My tribe (denomination), by and large, does not preach/teach an apocalyptic view of the "End," but sad to say, many Christians understand it that way.

[Berlum]

2. Hard-core Repubbie True Beeleevers are certain Armageddon is happening now

A chillingly pointed quotation from the linked article by Anthea Butler:

"Many have written in the last few days about race being at the core of how the Republican Party came to this governmental impasse. Apocalyptic Christian Theology is just as much a part of this change.

"While pundits try to figure out if we are headed for financial destruction, faithful end time believers of the Republican Party have already decided that Armageddon is happening."

[sendero]

3. It is...

.... Armageddon for the GOP if the remaining sane members don't jettison these idiots and soon.

Frankly, I'm enjoyed the self-immolation of these kooks.

[Initech]

22. I have too which is why I've stocked plenty of butter.

[Rebellious Republican]

4. Well god bless their little fucking hypocritical christian hearts.

I guess we will be seeing some more of these soon.....

Cult suicide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_suicide

[TxDemChem]

5. These people have been saying the End Times are here

for how many decades now? It's getting really old.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Centuries old

For some fun, ask the believers if they are pre-millennialist, amillennialist, or post-millennialist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennialism

[cali]

9. older than that.

and if you're interested in the field, one of the best books on the subject (at least as pertains to medieval millennialism) is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Pursuit-Millennium-Revolutionary-Millenarians/dp/0195004566

[TxDemChem]

21. And I shall look into this as well

[TxDemChem]

20. I have never even heard of those terms before

Will definitely be doing some reading this weekend. Thanks for link.

[Berlum]

7. It's old alright, but it's also toxic and dangerous

[MineralMan]

10. Congratulations on a very good post.

I hope we'll see more posts like this from you in the future.

[cali]

11. I post many ops like this.

I'm sorry to see your condescending comment that adds absolutely nothing to the op in this thread, but as long as that is the route you wish to take, let me join you: I hope to see you post something of value here.

[lonestarnot]

12. Did you just kick his ass?

LMAO.

[Starry Messenger]

17. +1

[sulphurdunn]

13. According to the "subservient to government"

logic, not only Obama Care, but paying taxes, registering for the draft, acquiring permits and licenses, obeying civil and criminal law, not to mention fidelity to the Constitution, all make us subservient to government. By the way, someone might want to tell these stupid shits what power finally ended slavery, while people like this idiot Carson were preaching that slavery was God's will and any effort to end it was a usurpation of personal freedom by government and against the sacred rights of states and the owners of private property. You know, the sermon the Confederacy still preaches.

[Laelth]

14. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[Snake Plissken]

15. This is the GOP base

[farmbo]

16. As I read this post, the pop up ad is for "Emergency food rations--90 day supply!!"

... With 20% off coupon if you act now.
The end is nigh, DUers. Stock up now!

[Starry Messenger]

18. I hope this puts to rest the theory that these folks can be reached out to.

[jsr]

19. Exactly.

[Berlum]

23. Precisely exactly