Almost every day on Facebook, Twitter, or some other social media, I see a conservative ranting away with how the Republican Party is the party of, ahem, “good Christian values”
Often someone will email me and ask why I’m waging some kind of fight against religion.
It’s funny.
The fact is, I don’t care what creed anyone follows. My problem with some people, especially conservatives, is their willingness to try to force their religion on others.
Here’s what gives me heartburn — many of these conservatives aren’t really Christian. Going to church doesn’t make someone a Christian. Following the Bible doesn’t even make someone Christian. Christianity is based on a belief in Jesus Christ and following him.
I don’t see much of that inside conservative ideology.
Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I don’t like your Christians.”
Gandhi, in my view, was spot on. Here are some reasons I think Gandhi was right.
1. Homosexuality. Many conservatives base their devotion to their religion on how strong their opposition is to homosexuality. Here’s the rub. Jesus never spoke — not even once — on the issue.
2. Helping the poor. I don’t understand how a person can call themselves “Christian” while supporting a political party that denigrates the poor as being moochers looking for a handout.
3. Greed. Isn’t the entire premise of “trickle-down” economics and unregulated capitalism based on greed? Conservatives seem to have no problem chastising a family on welfare, but they consider anyone who dares to call a well-off person a greedy bastard as “un-American.” Just for the record, Jesus DID talk against greet. Actually, he warned AGAINST greed.
4. Full of hate. If you’ve been to a tea party rally, you probably were amazed at the vile hatred.
5. Racism. Not all conservatives are racist. But, every state that’s currently “strongly Republican” also fought desegregation and stood against the Civil Rights Act. Mmmm….I can’t imagine Jesus endorsing racism.
6. Pro-life hypocrites. Conservatives will defend the rights of a fetus and then insist on cutting funding for welfare programs which feed those very children once they’re born. And what is this about the death penalty? I can’t comprehend how a person can be “pro-life” as they brag about how many people are executed in their state each year.
7. Gun obsessive. Does a conservative really know how mentally “off” they would have to be to honestly believe that Jesus would support semi-automatic rifles? Yet, many of them believe that JC would be standing next to them with an AR-15, ready to do battle.
8. Intolerance. Conservatives like to maintain the idea that it is really liberals who are intolerant of others. Guess when liberals — including me — become intolerant. When we’re dealing with intolerant people. I don’t care if you’re against homosexuality, abortion or other religions — that’s called choice. But don’t try to limit the rights of others — or force your views on others — because that’s when people get tired of your crap. Genuine Christianity speaks of acceptance and tolerance. You know, the whole “love thy neighbor” idea.
9. Paranoid and afraid. Aren’t Christians supposed to have faith. Didn’t Jesus talk about positivity and hope? Then what are conservatives so afraid of. Many conservatives live in a continuous state of fear and paranoia. They fear brown people, other religions, the government, liberals, and homosexuals. I’m not really sure how someone can say that have “faith in God” while being afraid and paranoid of almost everything.
Jerry Nelson is an American freelance journalist now based in South America. He turns his camera and pen on social justice issues globally. Contact him today at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter.