A follow-up on Pat Robertson
Someone actually posted some comments posted to Pat Robertson: Assassin for God, and given that they were made by a fellow bass trombonist, they were articulate and intelligent.
Although he and I have differing views on some matters, we did agree on a few things. Feel free to read our online discussion (but be forewarned that there is also bass trombone and Red Sox/Yankees talk included). Two days ago, I found a column that echoed our points of agreement, and, somewhat surprisingly to me, that column was written by Cal Thomas. For those who do not know, Cal Thomas is a Christian evangelical and very conservative politically. I rarely find myself in agreement with Thomas, but his August 30, 2005, column made some points that everyone should heed. Here are some excerpts:
Although he and I have differing views on some matters, we did agree on a few things. Feel free to read our online discussion (but be forewarned that there is also bass trombone and Red Sox/Yankees talk included). Two days ago, I found a column that echoed our points of agreement, and, somewhat surprisingly to me, that column was written by Cal Thomas. For those who do not know, Cal Thomas is a Christian evangelical and very conservative politically. I rarely find myself in agreement with Thomas, but his August 30, 2005, column made some points that everyone should heed. Here are some excerpts:
Robertson has made other remarks over the years about all sorts of things that have nothing to do with the gospel in which he says he believes. He is not alone. On the right and on the left, ordained and self-proclaimed "reverends" and honorary "doctors" appear to spend more time trying to reform a fallen and decaying world through politics and earthly power than they do promoting and proclaiming the ultimate answer to that fallenness.(emphasis added). Bombast and hypocrisy do not promote open discussion and open-mindedness, and that applies to everyone.
*******Too many Christians think if they shout loud enough and gain political strength the world will be improved. That is a false doctrine. I have never seen anyone "converted" to a Christian's point of view (and those views are not uniform) through political power. I have frequently seen someone's views changed after they have experienced true conversion and then live by different standards and live for goals beyond which political party controls the government.
Repeatedly in the Scriptures, which TV ministers regularly and selectively quote, are teachings, admonitions and commands that are antithetical to the high-octane rhetoric spanning the ideological and theological spectrum - from Pat Robertson to Jesse Jackson.
*******Pat Robertson eventually apologized for his remarks about assassinating Hugo Chavez. His penance should be to retire and to take his bombastic conservative and liberal colleagues with him.
posted by WCharles @ 9/01/2005 10:23:00 AM
1 Comments:
This post, WCharles, would qualify you to appear on Fox News - fair and balanced. Hey, you and I could be the Hannity and Colms of the bass trombone world.
Christianity actually comprises a wide spectrum of world views. From those of the far right with Fascist leanings to those on the far left who advocate a liberation theology so extreme it embraces Communism. Not everyone who speaks as a so-called Christian speaks the truth or speaks judiciously. Thomas made some excellent points and in this article takes a reasonable path somewhere toward the center of the spectrum.
I agree, as a Fundamentalist and a political conservative, I will not win anyone over to my point of view by out shouting them. Use the example of Paul at Mars Hill. He stated his position and reasoned with those who disagreed. He did not shout, nor abuse, nor did he threaten. He let the message speak for itself.
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