Christian Propaganda Options

[*Libertie*]

I used the search, so I hope this isn't a repeat thread.

Today was my church's July 4th celebration service. The pastor took this opportunity to put George W. Bush on a pedestal, slam gay marriage, condemn abortion, and basically tell us all how to vote.

He also had the audacity to tell us that everything we've ever learned in the history books is absolutely wrong, and proceeded to explain how the U.S. *really* became a nation.

He threw outrageous percentages without citing his sources (ie., he told us that 90% of Americans believe in Christianity!), he went on and on with random facts that he couldn't prove. And the congregation flocks to him, because he's the PASTOR and that means they should do anything he says.

How many pastors, conservative and liberal alike, sway a majority of their congregations into voting the way they want - no, "the way GOD wants!" - every year? And there's nothing we can do about it, because it's the pastor, and he can say whatever he wants to say as long as the congregation doesn't have a problem with it.

My question - why are people so easily swayed? Why do people believe such nonsense without being given a reason to believe it? And why do pastors take advantage of their time behind a pulpit as an opportunity to spout propaganda to thousands and thousands every year?

.:edit:. Yes, yes, another religion thread. I apologize, but I'm not making any outrageous claims, I just wanted some input before I write a letter to my pastor. :P

[technicolour]

sadolakced acid Posted Jul 4 2005, 11:26 PM
  QUOTE(Libertie @ Jul 4 2005, 12:01 AM)

My question - why are people so easily swayed? Why do people believe such nonsense without being given a reason to believe it? And why do pastors take advantage of their time behind a pulpit as an opportunity to spout propaganda to thousands and thousands every year?

Are you saying that I am easily swayed? Pastor's aren't sprouting the "propaganda" you are thinking. They are simply reminding that the Bible DOES SAY THINGS about Homosexuality and Abortion. The reason that these people BELIEVE these things is because they have Faith. They believe that Jesus is real, and that his Teachings are worth their time and life.

now.

Why do you believe stuff that the WORLD wants you to believe. (Religion being organized and whatever. Saying Religion, in general, is crap.) Why are you so easily swayed into the Liberal (i'm guessing that you are.) ways of doing things.

Ok im going to quit posting tonight. I was working on a vexel and I would like to continue to work on it. I'll look at this later.

[*Libertie*]

To everyone who has started the argument over gay marriage: This is not a debate over whether gay marriage is wrong or not. There are plenty of threads discussing that topic, and this isn't one of them. Nor is it a debate over abortion. Yes, the bible condemns both of these actions, but for a pastor to say that it doesn't belong in our country? Not ALL of our country is Christian. Not ALL of our country believes that these actions are wrong. THAT'S the point I'm trying to make. People should stop trying to force morals on people that they don't have.

To the person/people citing the bible - that isn't a relevant argument here. I KNOW what the bible says. Read above paragraph. I'm talking about people who AREN'T Christians.

Are you saying that I am easily swayed? Pastor's aren't sprouting the "propaganda" you are thinking. They are simply reminding that the Bible DOES SAY THINGS about Homosexuality and Abortion. The reason that these people BELIEVE these things is because they have Faith. They believe that Jesus is real, and that his Teachings are worth their time and life.

No. I never said there was anything wrong with having an opinion. I said that having an opinion because someone TELLS you to have that opinion is a very ignorant way to live. You have obviously thought this through very well, so I would assume that you aren't one of the people to whom I am referring. And my pastor isn't "reminding" us. He's literally telling us that if we vote for any party other than the Republican party, we're going to hell. I'm not exaggerating; this is nearly an exact quote. And when he says this, he is met with thunderous applause. I don't think this is just a coincidence, that all these people are just Republicans to start out with. Many of these people can't even come up with a reason as to why they believe what they do. It's either "the bible says so" or "the pastor says so". I'm simply saying that their opinions would be much better supported if they would get rid of their security blankets and make educated decisions by themselves. If they stop to actually think about it without outside interruption and decide that they still have the same opinion, then so be it. At least it's their own opinion now, and not someone else's.

Why do you believe stuff that the WORLD wants you to believe. (Religion being organized and whatever. Saying Religion, in general, is crap.) Why are you so easily swayed into the Liberal (i'm guessing that you are.) ways of doing things.

You must have missed the post where I said that I've been to churches that don't shove opinions down your throat. Religion is not crap; I am a Christian myself, or I wouldn't be wasting my time in a church. I was not 'swayed' into the Liberal ways. I'm only being open-minded. Yes, it's true that a Christian would not INVOLVE himself in gay marriage or in abortion. I know I'm not getting married to a woman or having an abortion anytime soon. But I will definitely vote for acceptance on these two issues because I know that not everyone is a Christian; therefore not everyone has the same rules as Christians do. Call me a terrible Christian if you want, but I'm not giving up my beliefs in order to please someone.