Where Christianity went wrong

[bow-tie]

http://www.alternet.org/rights/87665/

Did you know that the National Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by a shadowy cabal of elite Christian fundamentalists? Jeff Sharlet's new book, "The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power," offers a rare glimpse of this remarkable network, which is known variously as the Family, the Fellowship and the International Foundation.

The Family was founded 70 years ago by Abraham Vereide, a Norwegian immigrant evangelist based in Seattle. In 1935, Vereide said, God appeared to him in a vision and revealed where Christianity had gone wrong: preoccupation with the poor, the weak and the suffering.

The down-and-out were in no position to bring about the Kingdom of God, Vereide realized. Some Christians believe that the rapture is imminent, but not the Family. They're convinced that Jesus won't return until we get our collective house in order. If they were to wait for the down-and-out to remake the world in God's image, we could be here forever.

Besides, in Seattle in the 1930s, union agitators were making a play for the down-and-out. Christianity promised rewards in the hereafter, but workers in the Pacific Northwest were starting to wonder why they had to wait so long. Instead of competing for market share with the Industrial Workers of the World, Vereide sought a different niche.

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[Fredda Weinberg]

1. I realize you fear what you don't understand, but I've seen both sides

The loathing is mutual. Seriously, stop demonizing others ... they're already doing it to you and in public, you're fulfilling expectations.

[atreides1]

2. Please explain it to us

What exactly is it that people don't understand and why are they afraid of it?

I didn't see it as demonizing it was more like providing a historical view based on one man's belief that the poor were unable to bring about the right circumstances that would create a reason for the return of Christ.

[Terran]

4. WTH are you talking about?

A common experience with you: your post makes no sense whatsoever.

[Canuckistanian]

7. Did you actually read the article?

Or is this just a knee-jerk reaction to an imagined attack?

[Bake]

3. That reflect a seriously flawed theology of the Kingdom of God.

Seriously flawed.

Bake

[underpants]

5. Rec'd

no real comment. Very very interesting read though. Thanks

[HockeyMom]

6. Easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle

than a rich man to get into heaven. Something like that. Remember that from Catholic school, but we didn't spend very much time reading the bible though.

[papapi]

8. Wrong Forum. This belongs in Religion.