Every once and awhile I like to check-in with bloggers and read e-mails to see how people are responding to my site. As always, the reviews are mixed.
This site was one of the first to comment on the story that the Republican National Committee had sent out flyers claiming Democrats wanted to ban the Bible. United Methodist Bishop William Boyd Grove also responded on this site to the news. Here is a sampling of what people have written in response:
A UMC Bishop has responded through Chuck Currie’s blog to an advert claiming that electing John Kerry would lead to the banning of the BibleThe Republican ad being distributed in West Virginia, implying that the election of John Kerry would lead to the “banning of the Bible” is outrageous, and represents demagoguery of the worst sort. No one connected to the distribution of that ad could possibly claim fidelity to the Bible for themselves!
Say it brother!
I wonder if I could get a bishop guest-blogging?
I've been in a bit of a news blackout since arriving here, so it was just in perusing my bloglist this afternoon that I discovered the preposterous news out of West Virginia: The Republican National Committee is now suggesting that if liberals are elected, we'll up and ban the Bible.I'm still in the sputter-and-flap-hands-wildly-about phase regarding the absurdity and sleaziness of this groundless allegation, so I'm unable to address it with any kind of skill. For that, I point you toward Chuck Currie and Becky Klemme. Good lord, ban the Bible?? Gimme a break!
West Virgina Republicans have sent out a mailing claiming that Democrats will take away their Bibles if they win the election. Wow! Congratulations to the Republican National Committee for being a voice of reason and integrity in this election. Oh wait. This campaign is dishonest fear-mongering. What was I thinking?Read Chuck Currie's comment on this campaign. Chuck is much more calm and insightful than I.
I just wonder - how far will the Republicans go to convince voters that God is on their side? Campaign ads featuring W and Jesus?
- The Faithful Skeptic
Just this week I commented on a new report out by a conservative group which claimed that the National Council of Churches and other mainline Christian groups concentrate their advocacy efforts against Israel. This, they argued, showed that progressive Christians are anti-Semitic. My response came under fire from one group (UCCtruths) whose only mission is to attack the United Church of Christ and from one blogger (who reads my site nearly every day and comments on almost everything).
September 28, 2004 - The National Council of Churches has responded to the blistering report by the Institute on Religion and Democracy on "Human Rights Advocacy in the Mainline Protestant Churches". But it's not much of a response... it doesn't challenge any of the facts that IRD is reporting. Instead, it tries to dismiss the report by painting the IRD as a politically motivated group - which it could very well be - but so is the National Council of Churches. Politically motivated or not, at least the IRD report is rooted in an analysis of facts - something which is completely missing from the NCC response.As usual, this point is completely missed by denomination cheerleaders like Chuck Currie, whose purely political blog (if you consider a site that's full of recycled copy that lacks any original thought a "blog") doesn't refute any of the points made by IRD.
Blogger and UCC seminarian Chuck Currie (from whom the Edgar statement is taken–I couldn't find it on the NCC site) piles on with some holy whapping of his own:IRD “monitors” church bodies and ecumenical groups and uses their resources to point out what they see as flaws. Their major domestic issues include opposition to same sex marriage and support for the war in Iraq. Their board of directors is made up of anti-abortion activists and other well known conservative political activists.
This organization does nothing more than attempt to malign the faith of good Christians working to promote justice as called for by God. Their report is a sham issued during a tense political campaign to give theological cover for the political right.
I'm sure it makes Chuck feel better to know that he's opposing the forces of anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage evil here, but he makes no effort to come to grips with the actual substance of the report. My suspicion is that there will be a lot of whining and weeping and gnashing of teeth on the left over this report, but very little substantial response.
- Ecumenical InsanityMost days I get more e-mail than I do posts on the blog. Some is great and some people really dislike what they find here and love telling me about it. Here are a few recent examples:
Dear Mr. Currie,I just wanted you to know how pleasantly suprised to find you website. I am a Christian supporter of the Kerry/ Edwards 2004 campaign. I live in Georgia and I am completely surrounded by very judgemental President Bush supporters and that is why it is nice to know that I am not the only Christian who is concerned about George Bush and what he is doing to our country and our world. Keep up the good work and I will pray for you and your efforts to make a real difference in people's lives.
May God bless you,
Rebecca
Chuck,After reading the opinions of Prof. Wink in your article, may I suggest a book to you that might provide some clearer insight into homosexuality and God's word. The title is The Gay Agenda by Dr. Ronnie Floyd. I challenge you to read this and allow our Savior Jesus Christ to open your eyes to this immoral and destructive behavior.
Sincerely,
Michael Sears
Chuck,Having visited your web page on the subject, I decided to write to you.
You cannot be a true "Christian" believer in Christ Jesus as your savior, and be for same sex marriage. It just is not possible...
The homosexual life style is no different than a person who chooses to commit adultery. It is a life style choice. It is a sin, and it is an abomination to God! No homosexual looses anything by not being permitted to marry another homosexual. It has been said that they loose property rights. Not true. It is said that they loose other rights, not true! They have every right afforded to any other citizen. It is not normal human nature for a man to lay with a man or a woman to lay with another woman. We as a people cannot make something that is an abomination become a legal pastime....
I pray for you and others that believe that homosexuality is a "normal" behavior. I pray that you would be given the wisdom from God to know that it is wrong to practice or condone such behavior.
May The Lord forgive you!
daw.
The good news is that for one reason or another people keep visiting this site. Just today I received my 85,000 hit. That’s not bad for a little blog like mine. Keep those hits (and the feedback) coming!
