Bernie Sanders reminds Liberty U that God hates greed... and the crowd went wild

[Catherina]

Bernie Sanders reminds Liberty University that God hates greed

9/14/15 12:37pm by Jon Green 0


In one of the most unexpected campaign stops that any candidate has made this election cycle, Bernie Sanders went to Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University to remind God-fearing Christians that God hates greed.

It went over incredibly well.

Quoting the Bible’s invocations for justice and against unfettered capitalism, Sanders — speaking to a packed house at the school’s weekly convocation — earned applause lines at practically every turn, despite acknowledging that he doesn’t exactly see eye to eye with the school’s politics when it comes to its founder’s pet social issues.

Sanders needled the Republican field about who’s really for “family values.” He asked students if they think it’s moral for the United States to be one of the only countries in the world without paid family leave. He invoked the Pope — who Jerry Falwell would likely consider something close to the antichrist — to rail against the “idolatry” of pursuing money for money’s sake.

And the crowd went wild.

Watch the video here. Sanders starts speaking 46 minutes in:

(More)

http://americablog.com/2015/09/bernie-sanders-liberty-university.html

"Do you think it’s moral that 20 percent of the children in this country — the wealthiest country in the history of the world — are living in poverty? Do you think it is acceptable that 40 percent of African-American children are living in poverty? In my view, there is no justice, and morality suffers, when in our wealthy country, millions of children go to bed hungry. That is not morality. And in my view, that is not what America should be about."

[reformist2]

1. The problem isn't their values, it's their fear of using government to do anything about it.

Conservative Christians are still taught that the government is a hostile or an alien entity at best, something you pay tribute to, as in "give unto Caesar what is Caesar's". The best that can be hoped for is for government to leave them alone to live their lives.

There is almost no real tradition in conservative Christian circles of rethinking the role of government when Christians live in a democratic society, when, presumably we are all participants in making the rules. We need to reach out to them with language that makes them realize that, in a way, a democratic government can be very much like a family where we do look out for each other, and even redistribute the wealth a little.

[dreamnightwind]

24. Seems pretty closse to wht Sanders was doing, no?

"We need to reach out to them with language that makes them realize that, in a way, a democratic government can be very much like a family where we do look out for each other, and even redistribute the wealth a little."

Whether you think that's what he was going or not, and whether that's even the appropriate lens to view this through, seems to me that this appearance by Sanders was a great step reaching out to people, many of whom sincerely want to make this world a better place.

I'm guessing that most of these kids are just continuing the path they were raised in, and don't hear other views too often.

The government point you make is a good one, I can't stand how all that is supposed to be done by the churches, it's a way of recruiting for them, and then of course only those willing to deal with the churches get services. But I'm pretty anti-church in general.

[SMC22307]

2. Damn, he's like the Energizer bunny.

And he's putting Clinton to shame on the issues.

[HooptieWagon]

3. Wow.

So much for Hillary supporter's 'concern'.

[Ed Suspicious]

4. Seriously, I am moved to tears. This reflects so well on Bernie, but also on Liberty and especially

the students at Liberty. Good for them for keeping an open mind and accepting alternate views (although they don't sound terribly different after all).

[Cheese Sandwich]

11. This was a very moving speech.

For some reason.

Something about the setting and the topics I found just very moving.

[Ed Suspicious]

15. It was a good speech, but my emotion springs up simply by virtue of Bernie showing up and by Liberty

being open to the conversation.

[ChazInAz]

30. I agree.

It was also a brilliant move by Bernie. He has pre-empted the Right-wing Republican campaigner's favorite speechifying destination. Let's not forget how many GOP candidates stop there early in their campaigns to lock down the Southern religious voters: Romney, Bush, etc.. Bernie got there fustest with the mostest!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

58. I wasn't moved to tears, but LU comes off well for inviting him and

for giving him such a good reception. Two thumbs up.

I'd say Go, and do thou likewise, but someone would probably alert on it.

[aidbo]

5. The young are going to drag this country back to the left. Kicking and screaming if they have to.

[mountain grammy]

6. yes, yes and yes!!!

[wendylaroux]

8. absolutely aidbo! nt

[appalachiablue]

13. All signs point to that and it's so encouraging and wonderful!

~ If here must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. ~ Thomas Paine.

[groundloop]

19. Only IF (and it's a mighty big IF) our young will get off their ass and vote

They have traditionally been extremely finicky about going to the polls. When there's a cause-of-the-day they'll show up, otherwise it's not worth their effort. That's one of the big reasons we always lose ground in the mid-term elections, they're not high profile enough to bother with.

[azmom]

26. I'm confident they will this election.

They will come out for Bernie.

[DinahMoeHum]

45. But what if Bernie DOESN'T win the nomination??

Are they going to piss, moan, and stay home come the general election? Would be a
BIG MISTAKE if they do that.

Will they pledge among themselves to vote for the Democrat in the general election, no matter who he/she is? Because they (along with the rest of us) are fucked if they stay home and don't vote next November.

[arcane1]

52. Hopefully people are aware that there are other important votes besides for president.

And I'm sure he will remind us if he was to end his campaign. The political revolution isn't about Bernie Sanders, it's about us getting off our assess and becoming engaged and involved, at every level.

[Catherina]

22. They're the biggest voting bloc this election

And this chart is a beaut

[Marty McGraw]

33. I have good vibes

That the SC Tally for Bernie will Jump significantly in short order. Give it a month and let us check again.

[salib]

44. Again, this points to why we have to run in the primaries now

Not wait the midterms. It will be the wrong timing by then. If we want a political revolution, electing Bernie is not enough. We need to primary the DINOs now and win the PRIMARIES following on Bernie's PRIMARY coat tails.

[azureblue]

55. the young

are waking up to the fact that it's not right vs left, conservative vs liberal, but the rich and powerful vs the rest of America.
This is Sanders' frame and people are buying it because they see that it is the truth

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Catherina.

[Catherina]

23. You are always welcome Uncle Joe

[Uncle Joe]

25. Likewise.

[Vinca]

9. I only caught bits and pieces of it, but he seemed to be very well received.

[beam me up scottie]

10. As an evil atheist I'm not real big on God .

But I'm going to kick and rec this for...

HELL FUCKING YEAH, BERNIE! CALL OUT THOSE CHRISTIAN HYPOCRITES IN THEIR OWN HOUSE!!!

[CTyankee]

12. His deeply moral view is rooted in his Jewish heritage and I think these young Christian

students are deeply respectful of that. I see a lot of religious tolerance in both Bernie and those listening to him speak.

It brings tears to my eyes and I am not at all religious...

[Barky Bark]

35. I'm just glad he's an irreligious Jew

and not a haredi.

[Agschmid]

38. Why?

Do you consider yourself a Modern Orthodox Jew?

[LiberalArkie]

14. A lot of kids heard things there that they had never heard before. Bernie talked to them

as did another did when that man gave the sermon on the mount. There will be some changed lives there.

[Fawke Em]

17. I knew that would happen and got called

"full of shit" on this board for it.

[Bohemianwriter]

43. Something tells me...

That the Sermon on the Mount is NOT taught at that college or at the churches they attend....

It was a novelty for them. Having a Liberal Jew speaking to them about greed.

[hifiguy]

16. When you have real convifctions, and the courage of them

being fearless is second nature.

Bernie is fearless.

[Android3.14]

18. Bernie in the Lions Den

There's a lesson here.

[Owl]

20. Bernie is in all ways spectacular!

[Zorra]

21. K&R nt

[Enthusiast]

27. K&R! This post deserves hundreds of recommendations!

[L0oniX]

28. +101 recs

[Autumn]

29. It went over incredibly well.

Indeed it did.

[rhett o rick]

31. I would challenge Clinton with this same question, "Do you think it’s moral that

20 percent of the children in this country — the wealthiest country in the history of the world — are living in poverty? " Will you do something about it other than working to "grow the economy"? Growing the economy doesn't bring the poor out of poverty. In the last 30 years it has only made the 1% wealthier.

[Octafish]

37. That's a heckuva question.

Those who appreciate what government can do, can relate.

Year 34 of Reaganomics isn't cutting it for the 99%.

[rhett o rick]

40. I find it interesting that it's almost imposible to engage a Clinton supporter in any

discussion on issues. Ask them if they think she will work to reduce poverty levels, or increase jobs, or anything.

[PosterChild]

50. Are you kidding ? Clinton...

.... will work to reduce poverty levels and increase jobs. And the work she will do will actually work.

[ChiciB1]

32. This Country Had Better WAKE UP & Soon...

MOST of our own Democratic Party ARE NOT LISTENING to "we the people" while on the other side is a man who almost surely roll all over this country, and I fear it's not going to go well for us.

I am very, very afraid! You can disagree, but with people like the DNC Leader Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in charge we may find ourselves in deep trouble. Maybe I'm tired because I had very little sleep last night, but I can't stop worrying.

[fadedrose]

34. He had the courage to say that he believes in

a woman's right to choose what to do with her body. And it is difficult for a woman to make decisions...

Some applause - but I bet most were shellshocked....

I only heard that little bit as I was on my way out the door..

I wanted to stay and see the rest of it and wondered if he made it to his car okay...

[Octafish]

36. Young people just know.

Truth.

[AgingAmerican]

39. 3/4 of the audience looked mortified

You could see the brainwashedness in them. The other 1/4 were cheering.

[Stevepol]

42. Fallwell mentiioned that LU allowed about 500 Bernie supporters from the area to sit in the front

That explains some of the cheering, but he got some polite applause and even some fairly enthusiastic response from a few of the students thru-out the auditorium.

A wonderful speech I think.

[AgingAmerican]

47. If he can sway 20%

Then he has done a bang up job

[azureblue]

56. I would say they look like the had been slapped in the face

by the hand of reality. My guess is they showed up with a head full of ideology, and ran into reality, plainly spoken.
I saw faces of "this does not compute"

[AgingAmerican]

59. yep, there was a whole lotta cognitive dissonance goin' on in there

It's pretty obvious they have never heard undeniable truth before.

[Live and Learn]

41. That was an absolutely wonderful speech. I am sure it touched many hearts. nt

[mopinko]

46. the applause really took me by surprise.

starting to believe in crossover.

[markpkessinger]

48. One of the things much of the Christian right has lost sight of . . .

. . . is that morality -- and indeed, "sin" -- is something that exists not only at the level of individual choices and behavior, but also collectively and systemically, in the choices we make as a society. This is not a new idea in Christianity. (Indeed, what is new, relatively speaking, is the kind of me-and-my-Jesus mentality that confines any consideration of morality to the realm of personal behavior, to the exclusion of any concept of collective morality. I think it is fair to say that those branches of Christianity that are grounded in the (small-c) catholic tradition (which includes most of the mainline protestant traditions as well as Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions) have, on the whole, done a much better job of keeping the notion of collective morality in view than has much of the religious right, which long ago became unmoored from the wider body of Christian moral discourse. What is ironic here is that it takes a Jewish atheist to remind these folks of that wider teaching.

[azmom]

51. Bernie doesn't identify himself as

An atheist does he?

[markpkessinger]

54. I had understood that he does...

... but I could be wrong about that.

[azmom]

57. I found an old thread with just this question.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/123040814

[blm]

49. Value FAMILIES.

.

[DiehardLiberal]

53. It was incredible for me, but..

I saw a lot of/too many stone cold faces in that crowd. They are too rooted in their beliefs to open their minds for the most part. And I saw a post that said he got a standing ovation, but what I saw was them all getting up to leave as soon as it was over. I don't want to be negative as I want Bernie elected more than anything but the audience response (except for the Berners) wasn't very positive. Except when the host mentioned protecting the unborn - then they went wild.

But good for Bernie for going in there and stating his views clearly and thoughtfully. Proud to be his supporter!

[KoKo]

60. Recommend!