tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post7346224033173283104..comments2024-03-19T00:26:30.753-07:00Comments on The Jesus Blog: Christianity's Power Problem: Trump and Lack of Self-awarenessAnthony Le Donnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282792648606976883noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-22798964981481970502016-02-01T14:24:38.745-08:002016-02-01T14:24:38.745-08:00I agree Sanders would probably seek to follow Chri...I agree Sanders would probably seek to follow Christlike values better than perhaps any other candidate. But he wouldn't be pushing all of any religion per se. Just taking a few of the best religious views. While using also regular, secular justifications.<br /><br />So I think he (and you) are a significant step back from violating the Establishment of religion clause in the Constitution etc..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-64197926911446975022016-02-01T11:39:47.246-08:002016-02-01T11:39:47.246-08:00Anonymous, I disagree with almost everything you w...Anonymous, I disagree with almost everything you write here. But I'll just correct you on one matter: I am a Christian and have been quite open about this here and in several of my publications.<br /><br />I do quite like the image of Zacchaeus here. So are you inviting me down because you're playing the part of Jesus? Are you going to come to my house? Are you asking me to redistribute government funds?<br /><br />-anthonyAnthony Le Donnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282792648606976883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-40656549264286012662016-02-01T11:28:23.793-08:002016-02-01T11:28:23.793-08:00"Trump is appealing to the Republican lower m..."Trump is appealing to the Republican lower middle class. Which hasn't thought it all through yet."<br />Wow, get off your high horse, son.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-77370251271408343152016-02-01T11:27:16.798-08:002016-02-01T11:27:16.798-08:00Nonsense. Christians don't want to be made &qu...Nonsense. Christians don't want to be made "great". <br />We just want to stop the constant insults and attacks, including, unfortunately, from some NT scholars.<br /><br />Whether you like it or not, America was built by a majority of Christians. They had an influence everywhere, from the building of schools and hospitals, to leading scientists being followers of Jesus. America has turned about pretty well thanks in large part because of that.<br />We are not asking for a theocracy. We are asking for recognition of the good millions of Christians have done. You certainly bleat on about the bad enough times. And we are asking for the right to be involved in politics and vote based on our beliefs.<br /><br />And as a non-Christian, who seems to have an axe to grind sometimes, who are you tell us what we should believe and do? <br />Oh that's right, you're smarter than us because we are not lettered. <br />Come down from that tree, Prof. Zacchaeus. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-33137915695050625642016-01-29T17:47:42.425-08:002016-01-29T17:47:42.425-08:00Anthony, I'll use myself as an example. I sup...Anthony, I'll use myself as an example. I support Bernie Sanders and hope he becomes our next President, largely because I think he comes closest, in personal character and in policies, to what Jesus would want us to be like and want us to value in a government. <br /><br />So, in a sense, I am exercising my vote as an attempt to enforce Christian values. And I find myself doubting whether such a course of action is right. <br /><br />Bilbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06231440026059820600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-42908163245816454832016-01-28T03:28:55.995-08:002016-01-28T03:28:55.995-08:00At the same time, even minority ethnicities say, a...At the same time, even minority ethnicities say, are partially constrained. If they violate some more universal rights.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-41104005688838970102016-01-28T03:25:56.286-08:002016-01-28T03:25:56.286-08:00An example: our Texas neighbor may feel he has th...An example: our Texas neighbor may feel he has the right to shoot his 45 pistol into the sky, on his own property. But what happens when the bullet comes down in someone else's house, next door.<br /><br />Often the free exercise of one's own apparent rights, infringes significantly on the rights of others.<br /><br />Likewise, the establishment of Christianity as the defacto state religion of America, would give Christians lots more freedom, or power. But that would deny freedom of religion to say, agnostics and Buddhists.<br /><br />In this matter we allow the broader, more widespread phenomenon, religion or lack thereof, a certain freedom. Though for that matter, that too can be restricted somewhat. If your religion day, demands human sacrifices for instance, then even religion can be restricted.<br /><br />So we have a a series of checks and balances on competing powers. Somewhat favoring the majority. But somewhat protecting minorities, at least to a degree.<br /><br />In this scenario, few rights are as simple and absolute as the punch drunk Trump likes to think. Trump is appealing to the Republican lower middle class. Which hasn't thought it all through yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-49003277639343689592016-01-27T14:25:57.793-08:002016-01-27T14:25:57.793-08:00Well said Anthony. Thank you! I'm thinking of ...Well said Anthony. Thank you! I'm thinking of Rodney Stark's work on the social background to the rise of Christianity before Constantine ...Ferdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05256970442344390831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-58311429904487362272016-01-27T05:27:18.217-08:002016-01-27T05:27:18.217-08:00There is in fact a legal, constitutional restraint...There is in fact a legal, constitutional restraint on a majority absolutely mandating its ideas for everyone. That restriction on the "tyranny of the majority" is called the Bill of Rights. The amendments. Which tell us that even minorities have certain inalienable rights. That cannot be taken away. Even by a majority vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-13643114649594935112016-01-27T04:26:52.949-08:002016-01-27T04:26:52.949-08:00I suppose that this depends on where, how and for ...I suppose that this depends on where, how and for whom you vote. <br /><br />Being human comes with innate power of varying shapes and sizes, forms and functions. Even self-emptying is an act of power if you look at it in a particular way. Loving one's enemy can carry a kind of subversive power, e.g. For me, a guiding question is this: as I exercise power, whom do I disempower in the process? <br /><br />-anthonyAnthony Le Donnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282792648606976883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-82970031095115608902016-01-26T18:17:10.482-08:002016-01-26T18:17:10.482-08:00I agree that your article is very insightful, Anth...I agree that your article is very insightful, Anthony....but then it raises, for me, at least, the question of whether followers of Jesus should be voting at all. Isn't voting just an attempt to exercise power? Juliannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-10056640907138459842016-01-25T12:28:31.156-08:002016-01-25T12:28:31.156-08:00Amen to that.Amen to that.Mike Grondinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11488296481232433553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637125351921336084.post-45305038858975382852016-01-25T09:56:39.613-08:002016-01-25T09:56:39.613-08:00Totally insightful, Anthony. A perfect analysis of...Totally insightful, Anthony. A perfect analysis of Christianity and power Can't remember the last time I read anything that so completely spoke the truth.<br /><br />Gene Stecher<br />Chambersburg, Pa.<br />(United Seminary Grad 1968)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com