Scott Walker says he talks to God. Well, God's talking back.

[Scuba]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/120413394.html


<snip>

Gov. Scott Walker knew he was going to the mat with unions when he announced his budget-repair bill, but he probably didn't know he was picking a fight with ministers, rabbis and priests when he released his two-year budget.

Over the past several weeks, however, faith leaders in Wisconsin have been stepping up and speaking out against the proposed budget, motivated by a moral tradition requiring that they advocate for the poor and most vulnerable among us.

The messages conveyed by clergy vary, but they share a common conviction that the proposed budget, with its cuts of more than $1.6 billion to education and social services combined with tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy, is unethical and immoral. Six Wisconsin Lutheran bishops urge Walker to "act with compassion in your decisions allocating state funding" and create "policies that provide hope." They especially decry proposed cuts to the Earned Income Tax Credit, Medicare and childhood nutrition programs.

<end snip>

[Scuba]

1. ...and this beautiful blog comment....

"Teach Educate Advocate is not the tea party, its the bible. From the national ad campaign of the values people our many thanks to Wisconsin faith leaders for putting it all together and stepping up. Teaching to Educate less and Advocating to enlarge poverty is morally bankrupt.

[Brickbat]

2. It's not clear from the article, but if by "Wisconsin Lutheran" the writer means Wisconsin

Evangelical Lutheran Synod, or if there's one of them in the six "Wisconsin Lutheran" bishops, then damn, I'm impressed.

[Scuba]

3. Beats me. I'm just glad to see religous leaders calling out the GOP. n/t

[Volaris]

13. I've been thinking about this topic a bit lately, too...

Christianity as it relates to American political positioning seems to be in a state of transition. And it seems like a good many adherents are moving in the direction of a kind of -you-will-know-them-by-their-works mentality. I know that this message has been touted for a good long while, but more and more of late, I think a lot of them are actually starting to understand what it means to have it actualized in a way that is humble rather than self-aggrandizing.
I think the reason is that without a Jerry Falwell type to lead them around by the nose and put hate into their heads, they are free to actually practice the core values of their Christian Faith, rather than being beholden to Snake-Oil, Faith-Healing, and Political Victory. I personally think we should encourage the behavior, as a TRUE understanding of the life and works of Christ can ONLY lead to a much deeper respecting of our brethren Humans, and the Natural World we all get to live on. And those things all happen to be tenants of the Democratic Party Platform, right=)?

*disclaimer*---I understand that to many here, any discussion of Faith (and organized religion) as they apply to politics is tantamount to a discussion on the nuances of Stamp Collecting (an interesting hobby only to a distinct minority, and largely irrelavant to the conversations of things like Nat. Defense and Taxes..)

[mysuzuki2]

12. the term Lutheran covers a multitude of sins

as far as I know the ELCA is the only Lutheran group that has bishops. They are pretty liberal. The Wisconsin evangelical lutheran church are very conservative. They have been described as baptists who've learned to read (but aren't really sure it's a good idea). The Missouri synod are kind of in the middle. I'm sure it was the ELCA folks this story is talking about.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

4. Yeah, he talks to Koch, Inc., his lord and master -nt

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

6. +1

[HereSince1628]

5. Walker is the son of a S. Baptist minister...

and he has lost support from leaders of Evangelical Lutherans? Wow. I always thought that Evangelical Lutherans served that segment of our population that was most like S. Baptists. Maybe time to rethink that.

[madrchsod]

9. oh god no.......

evangelicals can actually question their relation to god and the world around them. instead of condemnation they seek to find common ground and work for the betterment of all.

nope ..nothing like the neo southern baptists

[SpiralHawk]

7. 11th Commandment: Thou shalt not embrace Republicon Family Pharisee Values

you Republicon reprobates...get thee behind.

[dkofos]

8. Another prank call??

[madrchsod]

10. i think our revcheesehead is either a lutheran or a methodist

[crickets]

11. Well, there's a welcome surprise.

I bet it was a surprise to Walker, too. Oopsie!