Thank you. What I spluttered and yelled, you were able to eloquently express.
The first time I saw a comment featuring Iryna Zarutska "reduced to a talking point," I was shocked. By the 10th time, the 20th time...I realized how insidious and organized the white supremacist response would be, and my heart broke just a little bit more.
That’s called “cognitive dissonance”. You were mad because you had no reply or counter to it. So you hiss and spit and dismiss it as a talking point. Regular people can’t do that, they have to consider facts.
I’m thankful for your voice, Rev. Cramer. You speak truth into the swirl of lies. Please continue. We all need practice in recognizing truth when we hear it!
I would add, "The perpetrators of racial hatred bear God's image. The perpetrators of violent crime bear God's image." We must remember that our ideological enemies are also fellow humans and even sometimes brothers and sisters who have not yet come to a full knowledge of the truth. Let us extend to them the same grace that God in Christ extended to us.
All of them wearing white masks (thus coordinated) and marching in DC on the 4th of July is meant to send a message: they are in the shadows waiting for permission to strike out against "the adversary" whom were named, as a class, by Trump in his speech. It's no secret that historically, a greater percentage of Black citizens have voted for Progressives - now branded Communists by Trump. It's no secret that before 1967, Jim Crow laws "kept" Black citizens in their place. It's no secret they were not considered people under the concepts of the Constitution. The message is clear: They want their racist, Nationalists, "Christian", country back, simply because Black and Brown folk have made too much progress according to their vile hearts. They wish to put the collars back on and hold the leashes.
We definitely need more Christ in Christianity. And in this abhorrent Christian Nationalism “thing.” Fortunately I have a solution. Well, actually Thomas Jefferson figured out the solution over 200 years ago - I’m just passing it on.
1. Take a bible and a razor blade. 2. Cut out ALL the bits of the bible that aren’t Jesus’s teachings in his own words. 3. Chuck all the pages you’ve removed into to rubbish bin. 4. Take all the pages you saved and collate them into a book. And 5. READ THE BOOK. It is nothing like what you think it is or what people think it is, because it’s all about living modestly, loving all people and helping the poor, ill and dispossessed. NOT about getting rich or hating people who don’t look, worship or screw like you do.
I have heard something similar. Christians = followers of Christ, disciples who seek to transform into the likeness of Christ🌱
Too many 'Christians' concentrate on the Old Testament and barely touch the four Gospels! In the Anglican Church lectionary, every day includes a reading from one of the four Gospels.
Yes, "We should be able to hold complexity without surrendering conviction." I believe that is the challenge of all Christian faiths today. To do that individually takes a willingness to see things from all sides. Even our selves. Which Scriptures teach us to be open minded, that lift us up out of small mindedness?
I generally enjoyed this article as I do most of your articles. One part, however, seemed overly generalized and thrown in the mix the other way. What happened at Ruby Ridge was a tragedy and a disgrace for government law enforcement and practices against a potential white nationalist. Randy Weaver's standoff had nothing to do with white nationalism nor his alleged affiliation. (He was a self-proclaimed white separatist.) It should not have been included as evidence nor an example of white nationalism in your article. The OKC bombing, sure, those criminals said it as much, but Ruby Ridge...that's a stretch.
The reason I write this is not because I defend or share beliefs held by Randy Weaver but because of what you wrote in your article. "What is true? Not what helps my side."
Thank you. What I spluttered and yelled, you were able to eloquently express.
The first time I saw a comment featuring Iryna Zarutska "reduced to a talking point," I was shocked. By the 10th time, the 20th time...I realized how insidious and organized the white supremacist response would be, and my heart broke just a little bit more.
That’s called “cognitive dissonance”. You were mad because you had no reply or counter to it. So you hiss and spit and dismiss it as a talking point. Regular people can’t do that, they have to consider facts.
I’m thankful for your voice, Rev. Cramer. You speak truth into the swirl of lies. Please continue. We all need practice in recognizing truth when we hear it!
YES and AMEN!
I would add, "The perpetrators of racial hatred bear God's image. The perpetrators of violent crime bear God's image." We must remember that our ideological enemies are also fellow humans and even sometimes brothers and sisters who have not yet come to a full knowledge of the truth. Let us extend to them the same grace that God in Christ extended to us.
An excellent article. Thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
All of them wearing white masks (thus coordinated) and marching in DC on the 4th of July is meant to send a message: they are in the shadows waiting for permission to strike out against "the adversary" whom were named, as a class, by Trump in his speech. It's no secret that historically, a greater percentage of Black citizens have voted for Progressives - now branded Communists by Trump. It's no secret that before 1967, Jim Crow laws "kept" Black citizens in their place. It's no secret they were not considered people under the concepts of the Constitution. The message is clear: They want their racist, Nationalists, "Christian", country back, simply because Black and Brown folk have made too much progress according to their vile hearts. They wish to put the collars back on and hold the leashes.
I am strengthen by your words. Thank you.
This agnostic is thankful for your thoughts and words.
I’ll add another thank you.
“The path forward is found in defending the humanity of everyone!”
…sums it up beautifully!❤️
We definitely need more Christ in Christianity. And in this abhorrent Christian Nationalism “thing.” Fortunately I have a solution. Well, actually Thomas Jefferson figured out the solution over 200 years ago - I’m just passing it on.
1. Take a bible and a razor blade. 2. Cut out ALL the bits of the bible that aren’t Jesus’s teachings in his own words. 3. Chuck all the pages you’ve removed into to rubbish bin. 4. Take all the pages you saved and collate them into a book. And 5. READ THE BOOK. It is nothing like what you think it is or what people think it is, because it’s all about living modestly, loving all people and helping the poor, ill and dispossessed. NOT about getting rich or hating people who don’t look, worship or screw like you do.
I have heard something similar. Christians = followers of Christ, disciples who seek to transform into the likeness of Christ🌱
Too many 'Christians' concentrate on the Old Testament and barely touch the four Gospels! In the Anglican Church lectionary, every day includes a reading from one of the four Gospels.
Amen!
You have so clearly articulated this issue. Thank you!
Yes, "We should be able to hold complexity without surrendering conviction." I believe that is the challenge of all Christian faiths today. To do that individually takes a willingness to see things from all sides. Even our selves. Which Scriptures teach us to be open minded, that lift us up out of small mindedness?
I generally enjoyed this article as I do most of your articles. One part, however, seemed overly generalized and thrown in the mix the other way. What happened at Ruby Ridge was a tragedy and a disgrace for government law enforcement and practices against a potential white nationalist. Randy Weaver's standoff had nothing to do with white nationalism nor his alleged affiliation. (He was a self-proclaimed white separatist.) It should not have been included as evidence nor an example of white nationalism in your article. The OKC bombing, sure, those criminals said it as much, but Ruby Ridge...that's a stretch.
The reason I write this is not because I defend or share beliefs held by Randy Weaver but because of what you wrote in your article. "What is true? Not what helps my side."
Thank you Rev. Cramer for speaking truth.