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The Obama Watch
Obama’s Theology
Santorum channels Thatcher: the shambles in the United Church of Christ — and America.
“It’s not about you. It’s not about your quality of life. It’s not about your jobs. It’s about some phony ideal, some phony theology. Oh, not a theology based on the Bible, a different theology, but no less a theology.” — Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum on President Obama’s agenda
“What I’m saying is that someone must force the point, say the unsayable. None of these men have the guts.” — Oscar winner Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
Not so fast.
Yes, Rick Santorum really is talking a great deal about economics and foreign policy. The man has been both congressman and senator and has an extensive record in both areas.
Yet his critics want to zero in on Santorum the social conservative. And they may well be in for the uncomfortable surprise of their 2012 life.
The shenanigans of the American Left since the 1960s are catching up to them. And by the sheerest of political accidents, President Obama is on the verge of becoming the very symbol of — as his ex-pastor Jeremiah Wright used to say — chickens coming home to roost.
Rick Santorum is right. More than right. And Santorum has struck what could become the equivalent of a major political oil field.
He is right when he says what President Obama is about is a “phony theology.” Santorum was also right to say “I accept the fact that the president is a Christian.” But the consequences of this “phony theology” are now well beyond religion — although religion is an excellent place to begin the analysis of exactly what kind of beast Obama’s “phony theology” really is.
President Obama is indeed a Christian. While there are many accounts of a Muslim heritage (father, grandfather, step-father) Barack Obama famously selected to join the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. While the church is now immutably identified with its controversial (and now retired) pastor, Jeremiah Wright, in fact the key to Santorum’s accurate description of Obama’s “phony theology” lies not in the Trinity UCC per se but rather in the larger denomination of the United Church of Christ which Obama elected to join. Indeed, in 2007 the UCC welcomed then-Senator Obama to its General Synod gathered in Hartford, Connecticut where the liberal presidential candidate was hailed as a favorite son up from the pews.
It is thus no accident that when Senator Santorum says “we look at the shape of Mainline Protestantism in this country and it is a shambles. It is gone from the world of Christianity as I see it” he is saying this at the same time he is referring to President Obama and a “phony theology.” The media tried to paint Santorum into a corner by suggesting this was an attack on Obama’s religion. To which Santorum quite specifically answered “I’ve repeatedly said I don’t question the president’s faith. I’ve repeatedly said that I believe the president’s Christian.”
But in fact, in a very interesting fashion that has major political implications Santorum was attacking a specific religion — the “phony theology” of which he spoke. And that phony theology is not only the President’s, it now sits atop or plays a major role in a number of American institutions including academia, the law and, in religion, the bureaucratic structure of Mainline Protestant churches. In the latter case this “phony theology” is directly culpable for leaving these one-time pillars of American religion in what Santorum again correctly says is “a shambles.”
One of those Mainline Protestant denominations is Obama’s United Church of Christ — a denomination that, wonder of wonders, happens to be my own.
For the record, I have served for six years on the Council of my own local UCC church, five of them as president, and another three years as a member of the UCC’s Penn Central Conference Board of Directors. The Penn Central Conference represents over 200 UCC churches in 19 Pennsylvania counties running from the Maryland state line to the New York border. And in accordance with the polity of our denomination, it is important to note here that in writing this I have no authority — as no member or officer has — to speak for the denomination.
So let me speak plainly. Under no circumstances do I believe Senator Santorum has somehow slighted my religion, much less insulted it. To the contrary. While he is a Catholic, I believe Senator Santorum has done the United Church of Christ an important service.
Perhaps the best way to say it was expressed in the now-current film The Iron Lady, the film version of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s life. In the film, actress Meryl Streep, who won an Oscar Sunday night for her portrayal of Thatcher, says these lines as Thatcher makes up her mind to challenge the entrenched male leadership of the British Conservative Party:
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (107) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Jeffrey Lord
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spike59| 2.28.12 @ 6:29AM
ObaMao's 'church' is the "Church of He Who Caused the Oceans to Stop Rising and the Planet to Heal" and he is the Messiah of that Church...in terms of what he has stated in interviews about his PERSONAL beliefs, what he espouses is nothing more than Universalist/Unitarian 'kumbaya' goulash-and he can believe it wholeheartedly as is his unalienable right, but to call it 'Christian' is a complete mistake
PL| 2.28.12 @ 6:36AM
Mr. Lord just penned the best article of the day. He is 100% on the mark. What Rick Santorum is doing is what the country needs to hear and face up to. Our moral failings that hurt us with jobs, with businesses, with work ethic, with students who take 20 years to pay back student loans, and, yes, with corrupt politicians that give us the greatest Depression since the 1920's.
Obama has no faith. He certainly is not a Christian. When I have travelled abroad, I am astounded at the number of times that my foreign colleages bring this up. The point out to me the dichotomy of a U.S. President that is so radically anti-American and anti-faith. (And some of them are not at all believers! Yet they all see it and shake their heads in wonderment at how Americans chose him 4 years ago.)
Time to dump Obama -- real fast.
And time to chose leaders -- all across our land -- who not just espouse (easy to do) but also live as morally upright as one can. Without solid moral leaders who will do what is right all the time, we fail.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.28.12 @ 9:58AM
PL, If Obama is a Christian, he is a poor excuse for a Christian since he does not understand the Bible, or at least chooses not to represent it as intended.
The message intended from "from those who much is given, much is expected" is giving the opposite message than Obama's "Social Justice."
A master leaves his estate and gives the most capable ten coins, an average servant five and the last one. The man with ten returns another ten, and the man with five returns five more. They were ambitious, enterprising and productive. The master rewarded them for their work.
The man with one coin buried it in the ground. He returned the coin but accomplished nothing with his life during the master's absense. These are the people who collect welfare, unemployment and refuse work or get EBT cards rather than earn a meal. The master threw him out in the road.
But in the Obama and the "social justice" crowds analysis, They should split up the approximately 30 coins and each get ten. This rewards the sloth and laziness of the third servant that the master in the Parable is denouncing.
Or in the real Obama world, The government gets 15 coins for their trouble for being the rulers, and each of the men get 5 each. Of course this leaves the master out (G-d) Who's coins it was in the first place.
So like the Chrysler bailout, the bondholders got 30 cents on the dollar, and the servants split the booty evenly in their pension and benefits. Good grief, doesn't anyone read the Bible anymore?
PL| 2.28.12 @ 11:11AM
I'll say it more clearly, more succinctly: Barack H. Obama is NOT a Christian.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.28.12 @ 1:13PM
I am agreeing that he is not a true Christian that believes the Bible as written. His religion is socialism.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 5:28PM
The New Testament is more socialist than Debs ever was.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.28.12 @ 7:04PM
Apparently you don't understand it, or choose not to. It basically says take care of yourself and don't be a loser.
I guess you don't want to hear it.
perlcat| 2.28.12 @ 9:15PM
No, the New Testament largely records its abject failure. A large portion of Acts deals with getting the other churches to help clean up the mess in the Jerusalem church when they tried setting up what passed for socialism in those times. As usual, the solution to socialism was OPM (Other People's Money).
perlcat| 2.28.12 @ 9:07PM
I do not believe that most mainline religions remember what it is truly all about. I get this "Social Justice" in my church and like what Mark Levin said once (don't have the exact quote), I know what justice is -- and if you put a word in front of it, it isn't justice any more -- it's something else.
Timothy L. Pennell| 2.28.12 @ 8:19AM
"President Obama is indeed a Christian."
Really? By what standard is he a Christian? His "Church"? His "Pastor"/ "Mentor" /Member of my Family"?
It's a Marxist Church. Think about that. He belongs to a Marxist Church. That would be the equivalent of Pork Chop Night at the Synagogue, or Mini Skirt Night at the Mosque. It's an Oxymoron.
Black Liberation Theology. Hate. Violence. Anger. I must have missed those teachings in the CHRISTIAN Bible. That sounds more like Muslim talk, to me. But, then, Jeremiah Wright is a "Former" Muslim. How apropos that our Muslim Boy King, the Son of an Atheist / Communist and a Muslim / Marxist, would gravitate to a "Church" run by such a man. If anything, Wright resembles Barabus, much more than he does the Son of Man.
"And I saw the BEAST rise from the Sea. And he was given a MOUTH, to speak Haughty and Blasphemous words. And he was allowed to exercise authority for forty two months." Revelation 13-5.
Since we're talking Religion, here.
He is the Prince of Lies. "How do you know when he's Lying?" You already know the rest.
He's a Racist. He writes Books about his African Marxist Muslim Father, who abandoned him, and his Mother (Typical Black Man) when he was a child, to Chase Whores and Die, DRUNK. and with AIDS, in a Kenyan Gutter. He never mentions his White Mother. He never mentions his White Grandparents, who raised him, and gave him EVERYTHING, except to label his Grandmother as a "Typical White Person.
He has a BLACKS ONLY Justice Department, where they Vacate Convictions for Black Radicals threatening Whites at a Voting Place. Where Civil Rights Cases brought in by White Victims, against a Black Perpetrators ( Like in the Black Panthers Case) are REFUSED.
He has just launched an "African Americans for Obama" Web Site, for BLACKS only. Like his Justice Department, and the BLACK Caucus, and his BLACK so-called "Church".
That doesn't sound very Christian, to me.
He Divides us at every turn. At every level. He Flaunts the Law and the Constitution. He is a Champion of DEATH. His 3 Votes on a BORN ALIVE Bill, in Illinois, put the lie to his words. He uses Threats and Intimidation, to get what he wants. He makes Alliances with the Rioters, and the Anarchists. Those who's only purpose is to Shatter Glass. Look at the faces of his followers. Their Clenched Fisted Placards. The Clenched Fist of the Socialist/Communist Parties. He picks up the phone and his followers - ACORN, SEIU, AFL-CIO - load up the buses and take to the homes of HIS enemies, where they RIOT, and TERRORIZE their Families.
He has been immersed in the teachings of Darkness, his entire life. Communism, Marxism, Fabian Socialism, Maoism, Anarchy, Cop Killers and Bomb Throwers. READ HIS BOOKS! There is nothing Christian about him.
Louis Farrakhan, Khalid Rashidi, Andy Stern and Michael Lerner.
His Shadow Government of Czars is packed with people who look to MAO, when they need "Guidance". They want to put Sterilants in to our Drinking Water. They long for a Communist China ONE CHILD POLICY because, in their minds, the only Good Baby, is a DEAD Baby. And they seek a Top Down/Bottom Up Society, run by their Theology, whereby The STATE is all powerful, THEY decide who Lives and who Dies, and we will have only ONE MESSIAH at a time.
And it ain't the JEW one.
Back in 2009, just after being elected, he was invited to speak at Georgetown University. He agreed to speak, but on the condition that every Christian Religious Object in the room, be REMOVED.
"President Obama is indeed a Christian."
And, you are indeed a Coward and a Fool.
1ConservativeUSA| 2.28.12 @ 10:01AM
Tim,
I believe the point Santorum makes is that it is not for us humans to ultimately judge another's faith. A person's faith will be judged by God.
Most of us share your frustration with the phony theology, lies, disingenuousness and hypocrisy of Obama. Our best course is to keep making arguments like the one Mr. Lord makes above, and live our lives with courage and dedication to our conservative principles.
I'm in the fight with you, brother.
Timothy L. Pennell| 2.28.12 @ 10:17AM
I think that, on this one, GOD would want us to Judge the Hell out of this POS's "Religion".
You can take the Pacifist High Road, if you like. I believe that the WAR on Evil is always a Just War. And, this THING, in the White House, is gonna take more than just Living a Good Life, to be rid of him.
What Santorum, or any other Politician says, means NOTHING to me. I TRY and Follow GOD'S teachings, and the teachings of CHRIST. And I live a Christian life. But I will not stand by, IN SILENCE, and wait for the RARTURE, while my Country, and my Children's Futures are being Laid to Waste.
If that's your plan? More power to ya.
I'm just not Wired that way.
Russel| 2.28.12 @ 11:19AM
TP , I got an e-mail which proves Zero was indeed born in Kenya . A Kenyan resident has the exact same birth certificate ( which was soon replaced by a newer model ) . This resident has spoken at length about the hospital and in particular , the religion of those in the area - it sure isn't Christian . It's muslim . The town where zero was born even has a statue of him erected . Nah , I'll eat your shoe if he's anything BUT a muzzie .
Occam's Tool| 2.28.12 @ 11:47AM
The Social Justice Theology that I have seen is just another way to support scum that will behead 14 month old babies over decent folk living in a Democratic society. Like all Leftist crap, it is tinged with evil.
Bob Grant| 2.28.12 @ 1:22PM
Agreed!
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 11:05AM
Santa-torum has a weak stomach if he wants to "throw up" about separation of church and state.
CONSERVATIVE REALITY| 2.28.12 @ 12:59PM
Your bigotry against those of us who lack the constitution to digest the utter lack of integrity and crediblity of liberal prattle is galling. It is staggering the quantity and quality of readers that battle the gag reflex every time they read your reiterated bile.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 1:05PM
" those of us who lack the constitution"
Then you are a weakling. Yiou fancy yourself tough, but you, as Santa-torum, are weak-stomached and prudish. Just say you were in the Service at one time-- today you couldn't hack it because you have become soft and used to fancy restaurants, and the good like in general.
VOMITUS| 2.28.12 @ 2:04PM
Genius,
You just made ME throw up a little in my mouth.
It takes a thoroughly pathetic and despicable piece of excrement to reply to a clever play on words with a comment that causes ME to retch.
Of course, a staggering quantity and quality of readers after reading your comments are acutely aware of how difficult it is to be able to hack resisting the urge to hock.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 3:36PM
Santorum has one thing going for him: charisma, and lots of it. But that is IT- nothing more.
RANCID| 2.28.12 @ 4:25PM
I call bullshit. Santorum is not Obama. That is a LOT going for him. A veritable Washington or Reagan type level of LOT going for him.
Of course, a staggering quantity and quality of readers after several years of Obama are reconsidering what truly constitutes what is truly rancid.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 5:30PM
There is a slight chance you will elect another Reagan:
.000000000000000000000000000009999999999999999 chance.
PUTRID| 2.28.12 @ 5:35PM
Where's my invite? I can invoke the gag reflex every bit as easily as VOMITUS or Alan Brooks or RANCID or Obama. Worried I'll contribute more than my fair share?
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 5:42PM
2.Should it come down to a brokered convention, which of these potential dark horses would you like to see emerge?
Chris Christie
Marco Rubio
Paul Ryan
Jeb Bush[!]
Mitch Daniels
OBSCENE| 2.28.12 @ 6:19PM
Most Gag Reflex Inducing*:
Obama
Alan Brooks
RANCID
PUTRID
OBSCENE
VOMITUS
* based on preliminary reports of a staggering quantity and quality of readers
TrueBlue | 2.28.12 @ 1:25PM
Tell us all the line in the Declaration or Constitution that mentions a "separation of church and state" please. I always love to hear where people pull this one from.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 3:44PM
You are right.. either way, it doesn't matter; what matters is keeping demagogues out, not separating church and state. If Pat Robertson were a demagogue, then I would want to use 'separation of church and state' to maneuver him from getting close to power, even if none of the Framers mentioned 'separation of church and state' anywhere. But Pat Robertson is no demagogue-- he was just meant to be a clergyman, not a politician.
TrueBlue | 2.28.12 @ 4:02PM
I knew we'd agree on something eventually. Nice to see you don't think the country should have ever elected FDR or Obama too.
Santorum is far from a demagogue though, he doesn't pander to individual groups by changing his opinion every 6 hours like Romney and Obama do. He doesn't attempt to try and make people believe he sees things from their point of view, that he is one of them, he just says what he believes. If people agree, does that make him a demagogue, or does that mean people actually agree with him?
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 5:35PM
Santorum is not a demagogue per se,
he is a cornball, and if you want tyo vote for him, who is to say you are wrong? but I will vote for Obama. For starters, if Obama wins, the chances of you ever running another Bush are nil. Look at the choices on the AS pop up poll: one of the names is Jeb Bush! 'Course, it is a remote possibility, but the fact Jeb's name is listed there as a choice at all is surprising.
Russel| 2.28.12 @ 5:51PM
Vote for him ? . Ha , you WORK for him ! . The socialists' are throwing eveything within reach towards the wall , and yes , some of it is sticking , as foul smelling as it is . And no , another ankle bruising moderate blue- blood such as Bush will no longer be on a ticket . Adios to the likes of Lugar .
Alan Brooks| 2.28.12 @ 5:44PM
Here it is:
2. Should it come down to a brokered convention, which of these potential dark horses would you like to see emerge?
Chris Christie
Marco Rubio
Paul Ryan
Jeb Bush [!]
Mitch Daniels.
Dark horse? more like night-MARE
Pete| 2.28.12 @ 4:14PM
I give him credit for exposing Kennedy as not the great hero the press makes him out to be. He was a total scumbag who would have group sex with his interns. No wonder he did not want to be surrounded by any person of faith.
trw| 2.28.12 @ 6:47AM
Please, Simpson is an old coot.
Decency in this life is to know when to just fade away. Ego is to hang on when you've nothing to say and your know that your faculties are long gone.
Simpson's shelf life is long since expired. It is a shame that the Simpson-Bowles commission during 2010, and its follow-ups last year resuscitated him a little.
Simpson should be doing no more than viewing antelope in the late mornings and gazing out a window at shy prairie dogs -- somewhere in an obscure house south of Cody, waiting to just pass away completely.
His views on gays, his very liberal views and his anti faith commentaries, are not in concert with the people of Wyoming. He is a true embarrassment. He is but one more example of a weak man who let his views change due to Washington, D.C., East Coast liberalism, and the craving to be wanted and sought -- by the media.
Stormzeye| 2.28.12 @ 8:13AM
Simpson has always been a "nominal" Republican at best. He, like Lugar, Anderson, Rockefeller and countless others, are always the darlings of Democrats who love appointing them to their commissions for no purpose other than to show their "bi-partisanship". Kabuki theater practiced by idiots for the benefit of idiots.
Appleby| 2.28.12 @ 7:17AM
I attended a local United Church (Timothy Eaton [the wealthiest man in Canada at one point] Memorial) briefly and found it basically an extension of the Yacht Club. My Southern Granny referred to churches of this sort as the kind of church where "People can strut sitting down." The people were unfriendly to the point of hostility, and the pastor was outrageousy and vocally anti-American. And the invitation to join their club assured me that I only had to believe 80% of the Creed in order to belong.
There are some churches that impel one to get up and leave quickly. This was one. It is the church of We Are The World, where buying a t-shirt or a record equals Doing Something. I joined the Catholic church because it requires something more of me -- changing my own heart and my own ways and remembering "I was a stranger, and you Did Not Welcome Me" is one of the bits that separates the sheep from the goats when the crunch comes. Not everyone who says "Lord Lord" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Lawrence D. Cannon| 2.28.12 @ 7:24AM
Very much like the United Methodist Church, which is hemmhoraging members for decades (including me, my wife, and four children).
Darin| 2.28.12 @ 7:28AM
Obama does say he is a Christian, and while I don't know his heart, I do have my doubts. The Bible says we can know someone by their fruits, and Obama's fruits do not look to line up with the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Helping the poor is a personal mandate. Not a mandate to take from your neighbor and give to the poor.
Jesus loved children, while Obama supports killing them in the womb or letting them die after a botched abortion.
Nancy in NC| 2.28.12 @ 7:41AM
Amen!
albert constantine jr.| 2.28.12 @ 8:05AM
I think it was Marx who said "God is the State; the State is God".
donserge| 2.28.12 @ 8:11AM
"President Obama is indeed a Christian".....The characteristics of a Christian are not what WE say they are but what the Bible says, so with all due respect Mr.Lord, Obama is not a Christian.
And please, none of this "...judge not...." which is not specifically about judging someone but that passage is referring to carping criticism.
Darin| 2.28.12 @ 12:28PM
Christians actually are to "judge" their brothers and sisters in Christ if those brothers/sisters are not following the Bible. This is first done in private (one on one), then with a group confronting the offending party, they with church leadership, and finally in front of the entire congregation. The structure is designed for use within a specific church, but it's equally applicable to the believing community. Believers have an obligation to point out where (and why) a professed believer is incorrect. This has been done with regards to Obama (though not elevated to top levels as it's not clear how this can be done outside a church).
donserge| 2.28.12 @ 4:36PM
You are mixing interior church discipline of member of the body of Christ with someone who is outside the body of Christ. The two scenarios are not compatible.
Alice Moore| 2.28.12 @ 8:34AM
Mr. Lord, why are you still a member of this denomination? I am not trying to be a churl. It seems the UCC's views differ from your own personal stances.
Not all mainline Protestant denominations are social justice clubs. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod traces its roots to the German Lutheran Church and has not merged with UCC.
I also have a disagreement with you and Senator Santorum. I think Obama joined UCC to satisfy that sector of the electorate that has that cursory voter checklist.
cuban pete| 2.28.12 @ 8:55AM
Good call, Alice. BHO knew he had to belong to some church for political reasons. He shopped around and joined Rev. Wright's because it made political sense.
donserge| 2.28.12 @ 9:05AM
The possibility exists that because Wright's church teaches black liberation theology which has roots in socialism/Marxism attracted Obama.
Jeffrey Lord| 2.28.12 @ 9:17AM
Alice....
The UCC's Congregational heritage - and I was baptised as a Congregationalist - provides that each local church runs itself.
Unlike, for instance, the Catholic Church, we have no Pope, no top down authority.
Which is to say, my local church is it's own boss. We don't do politics. We do Christian love, Bible study, mission work (a group of our members went down to New Orleans to personally help rebuild homes devasted by Katrina) and the like. And you know what? Wonder of wonders, a church that focuses on the Gospel of Christ thrives. Imagine that!
Ed| 2.28.12 @ 12:56PM
Mr. Lord, I agree with you. I belong to Bath UCC (in suburban Akron), and it is the largest congregation in NE Ohio. It preaches the Gospel, without being fundamentalist, and it is growing by leaps and bounds. In many ways, it what Mainline Protestant churches used to be in the 40's, 50's and early 60's.
UCC churches are congregational, and each congregation can tell the national denomination to take a hike. Bath Church started out as a Congregational Church, and joined the UCC so our pastor and employees could get health insurance and a retirement plan.
Bath UCC ignores the national denomination in most matters, and it tends to its own affairs.
Layne S| 2.28.12 @ 1:22PM
So, are you saying that your local congregation has no affiliation with the national organization? No dues that go to them? If so, why claim any affiliation with them then?
Chris| 2.28.12 @ 3:12PM
I grew up as a Congregationalist too. We have since moved and are now Presbyterian. My parents' church is collapsing under the weight of its political correctness. I don't understand why they tolerate the bad preaching and the UCC.
They should quit the UCC and hire an actual Christian Pastor yesterday.
Mike Rogers | 2.28.12 @ 9:37AM
It would be reasonable to suggest that BHO joined TUCC as a checkbox item, if he joined it around the time he became a state senator. The problem is that he was a member for over twenty years!
FakeEagle| 2.28.12 @ 8:42AM
I recall R. C. Sproul asked Francis Schaeffer in the 1970s what was his greatest political/cultural concern, and Schaffer's simple reply: "statism."
taxedtexan| 2.28.12 @ 8:58AM
I guess I am thankful for articles which so clearly [albeit unintended] point out what happens when you base your ideology on "standards" other than the Bible.
My family left a mainstream denomination years ago, and years later I searched and found churches where the Bible is the sole standard. You can, too, and nothing will be the same [btw, the 'Holy' one, not a socially edited "bible"]
Mike Rogers | 2.28.12 @ 9:39AM
"It is often the case in American politics that there is always someone who, to get a little Star Trekky, dares to go where no one has gone before."
Exactly: http://granitegrok.com/blog/20.....enterprise
Bruce| 2.28.12 @ 9:48AM
My Church believes in "social justice". The first Sunday of each month, we are asked to fast and pray. We are also asked to donate the money that would have been used on the meals that would have been eaten during the fast to the Church so the poor and needy can be cared for.
Vern Crisler| 2.28.12 @ 10:04AM
Social justice is not personal charity. Social justice is state-enforced charity -- i.e., baptised Progressivism.
Vern Crisler| 2.28.12 @ 1:03PM
Sorry, I see you were being ironic.
Vern Crisler| 2.28.12 @ 10:03AM
In fact, in early America the penalty for sodomy was harsher than the penalty for bestiality, as Harry Jaffa pointed out. This was because corruption of a beast was not deemed as vile as the corruption of another human being.
The fact is, both mainline Protestant denominations and Roman Catholicism are in the tank for social liberalism. They may disagree on one or two moral issues, but in the main "social justice" (socialism) has infected almost all sectors of the institutional church.
David T| 2.28.12 @ 10:45AM
Social justice, as taught by the Catholic Church, is not socialism. The social teaching of the Church recognizes the priority of marriage, family, work, and private property. As social beings created in the image of God, we have a responsibilty to love our neighbor, care for the poor, and tend the earth. The Gospel of Christ and the principles of solidarity and subsidarity govern our social actions, not the state.
Vern Crisler| 2.28.12 @ 11:35AM
Piffle. The Roman Catholic denomination is just as committed to baptized Progressivism as are the Protestant denominations.
David T| 2.28.12 @ 2:08PM
There are a few radical priests from the 60's still hanging around, but the RCC has been firm in its social teaching for over two millennia now.
Vern Crisler| 2.28.12 @ 2:41PM
Please, spare me the infallible church riff. See, http://mises.org/misesreview_d.....ontrol=291
David T| 2.28.12 @ 3:24PM
Thanks for the link. It confirms my point that Catholic social teaching explicitly denounces socialism and endorses the right of private property and the freedom of men to work out their own economic affairs. As the book's author states, "a profound philosophical commonality exists between Catholicism and the brilliant edifice of truth to be found within the Austrian school of economics."
Vern Crisler| 2.28.12 @ 3:27PM
You failed to note the negative comments by the reviewer. Progressives also denounce socialism and endorse private property and human freedom in economic affairs. The devil is in the qualifications, whether by a William Jennings Bryan or by a Pope.
David T| 2.28.12 @ 5:18PM
The Catholic Church simply says people have rights that trump purely economic considerations, and if an employer violates these rights, he stands in ethical judgment. The Church, in its social teaching, may side with progressives on issues such as minimum wage, but that's not socialism.
Ryan| 2.29.12 @ 8:33AM
It depends on the means by which the RCC believes such measures should be enacted. If by government mandate, then, yes, it's socialism. If by conscience, then that may very well be Christianity.
David T| 2.29.12 @ 12:05PM
Are social welfare laws socialism? Not in the pure sense, but I understand your point. I reiterate that in all its social teaching, the Church has consistently supported private property rights over government control and domination of the economy.
Citizen Jerry| 2.28.12 @ 10:47AM
Whether Obama is indeed a true Christian, I'll leave between him and God. But the Bible also said "by their fruits you shall know them." And I sure haven't seen any fruit, unless it's the weed of crime that bears bitter fruit (The Shadow).
Occam's Tool| 2.28.12 @ 11:15AM
Without faith, a Community dies. And the thin gruel offered by mainline Protestant Congregations today doesn't cut it.
Santorum has an excellent point.
RichTex| 2.28.12 @ 11:32AM
Like Jeffrey Lord, I too am a member of the United Church of Christ, although I almost always refer to myself as a Congregationalist. The merger which created the UCC occurred while I was in elementary school, but I have never really accepted it. I don’t believe that I’ve paid attention to anything coming out of the national office in the past 40 years or so. If Mr. Lord can serve on the Penn Central Conference Board of Directors, he is a better man than I. There’s no way I could put up with any of that.
But not only is each church congregation free to govern itself, each individual member may also find his own pathway to God. Yes, there’s often a bunch of hooey heard during services, but I simply tune it out just like I tune out the rantings from the mainstream media.
george horner| 2.28.12 @ 11:38AM
Jeffrey
One of the four denominations you allude to in the history of the UCC is the Reformed Church in the United States, which originated (early 1700's) in Pennsylvania via German immigrants of the Protestant (reformed) faith. In the earlier 1900's it was involved in the move away from the protestant orthodoxy toward the "social gospel" kind of theology prevailing in the UCC. But, thanks be to God, a small segment of the RCUS determined to hold to the gospel as it is so faithfully summarized by the 16th century Protestant (reformed) confessions, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession of Faith. This RCUS is alive and well today, continuing to proclaim the biblical gospel unto salvation to the glory of God.
Check us out at www. rcus.org
The RCUS holds fast to the scriptural theology that defines true faith this way:
"True faith is not only a sure knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also a hearty trust, which the Holy Ghost works in me by the Gospel, that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits." (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A #21)
Patrick| 2.28.12 @ 11:58AM
Yep. Just what voters are thinking about right now,"Who has the purest theology".
Darin| 2.28.12 @ 12:34PM
Religous ideals have a direct impact on worldview and policy decisions. It defines who they are and what they support/oppose. Voters should be thinking about this.
ronlsb | 2.28.12 @ 12:23PM
Superb analysis!!
Patrick| 2.28.12 @ 12:29PM
The 50 plus years of effort to have more understanding between protestants and Catholics and Santorum says this crap?
Layne S| 2.28.12 @ 1:14PM
There are many evangelicals (of Protestantism) that would completely agree with Mr. Santorum. The leaders in the UCC with whom I have had exposure are heretical - they believe in a god of their own making, and that god has become the federal gov't. I agree with Mr. Lord; even if Santorum doesn't win, he will have raised some very important issues in the electorate.
Nick| 2.28.12 @ 12:38PM
I'm Greek Orthodox. Where do I fit Father Santorum?
Mimi| 2.28.12 @ 1:32PM
Universal...Nick ! The Eucharist !...?
Tim| 2.28.12 @ 1:18PM
And then there is the Democratic Party candidates who live in the Black churches and who get to ask for their votes and organize them to get out the vote All Santorum is saying is what is good for the goose is good for the gander
Mimi| 2.28.12 @ 1:50PM
Santorum doesn't have to do a thing....The Catholics have just borne the ...pain of force, the theft of Liberty of Conscience...Unexpectedly a betrayal of historical rights ...the type the martyrs died for, and the saints went to their death for...PURE PERSECUTION something of OLD .....now resurrected by the "ONE".
They know by every fiber in their beings what they must do....We will never need a church captain...believe me....The election was settled the day the Former Bishop now Cardinal Dolin told OBAMA "WE cannot do this.. sin against our God the LAW will never be obeyed"..,..The Bishop Of Chicago will close hospitals and schools. That was on the news today...
Obama's final OUTRAGE.....like before and always....He will account for this one...INDEED!!
Hardy Core| 2.28.12 @ 1:28PM
Religion---[[ME religioun < OFr or L; OFr religion< L religio, reverence for the gods, holiness, in LL(Ec), a system of religious belief < ? religare, to bind back < re-, back + ligare, to bind, bind together; or ? re- + IE base *leg-, to collect > Logic, Gr legein, L legere.]]
That’s what my dictionary has as the etymology for “religion”.
I’ve long thought “religion” was close to “re-line” or “realign”. The key part of that word may be “re-“, meaning “back” or “again”.
So, “religion” is essentially all about getting back in line, being bound, again, to the Truth, a re-gathering.
Who, exactly, is “religion” for? Who, precisely, re-gathers, is re-bound, is back in line? Why, it’s YOU---that’s WHO!
All the branches of the “Jesus” religion tree---how many distinct self-defined churches are there, any and ALL ways?---have long ago lost their own connection to what Jesus’ esoteric Teaching was. It’s not about being washed by the blood of Jesus!
Life is supposed to be about God Realization, even for YOU. There is only God, the All, the one without an other, Who is pervasive AS Reality and even immanent AS It.
As far as the unorganized “religions” known as the Democratic and Republican parties, from the point of view of God-Only, why, they’re Absolutely no more deluded than all the conventionally “organized” religions, including the UCC. Here’s a double dare---spend as much time as you need to list just the NAMES of as many different sects or churches or mosques or whatever, of all the religions since just the time of, say, Buddha. Why, each major religion has probably a hundred distinct branches, or more!
What is God Realization?
Here’s a parable for our desperate times---
We humans go through various stages of life, as time passes by. Just-born babies bliss out on the nipple in the connection with their mother, taking physical sustenance in a steady---or not!---stream of milk. When reaching puberty, before long sexuality becomes the next blissful stage, and most of us get to enjoy orgasms, randomly, until the body becomes too withered.
Now, to a prepubescent human, a grownup could say, “Just you wait. There is this bliss you will get to enjoy, called sex and orgasm, when the body matures.”
Just so, a God Realizer can say to a sex and orgasm addict, “Hey, psst---I have something that is MUCH more blissful than sex. Want to try it?”
Indeed, what a True Guru, of the Realization that a Buddha, a Krishna, a Jesus, et al attained, has to offer is what True “religion” is supposed to be about.
Even now.
Ryan| 2.29.12 @ 8:36AM
Ummm....what?
Tim| 2.28.12 @ 1:41PM
We have tried the God Less experiment
during the past forty plus years or fifty plus years.
Are we better off as a country because we kicked God out of the Schools and the Public Square?
My guess is that those that view K Street as the New Vatican love the new religion and those that don't don't.
Patrick| 2.28.12 @ 1:48PM
Santorum always takes it too far. It is not the job of a president or a candidate to be debating the merits of different denominations vs.another. Or to say what is good and bad about each. Many Catholics are of the far left,probably more than mainline protestants. Blacks are usually Baptist. Are they following their teachings?
It is correct and right to talk about values.
It is wrong to have a candidate and serious contender to be our nominee debating about denominations.
sotto voce| 2.28.12 @ 4:46PM
Santorum was talking about Obama's adherence to the "Church of Climate Change". It was a tongue-in-cheek comment. He wasn't debating the merits of actual religious denominations. Look up the whole context of his remarks. The media spun it to make it sound like Santorum was questioning Obama's religious beliefs, because that's what they do.
Jimbojet| 2.28.12 @ 2:15PM
This is a very thoughtful article and one that hits the essence of the current debate regarding contraception and whether a person has a right to be a conscientious objector to it. For that matter, it addresses the issue of why it is taboo to state the fact that contraceptives are killing our women.
Bob S| 2.28.12 @ 2:24PM
Hate to break the bad news to you, Mr. Lord, but Santorum ain't saying the unsayable and neither are you
Yeah, the UCC's forte is social justice and it's not the gospel, but the real problem that nobody wants to talk about is that Black Liberation Theology is an aberrant racist construct.
BLT's denial of original sin necessitates drinking the kool aid of the Enlightenment myth touting the perfectability of man. Yes, We Can build the kingdom of God here on earth, if only we could get - in this case, the white man - out of the way. For the Nazis, it was the Jews, the Bolsheviks, the kulaks .. . . Are we starting to get the picture? Man does not live but by politics alone, whether Chicago ward style or Mao's little red book. It's all Enlightenment hubris.
Further, there is no way a genuine Christian could be as pro homosexual and abortion as Obama is.
Even Mother Theresa, who wasn't sold on Christ being the only way into heaven, could figure that out.
But evidently Santorum can't figure that out either.
Neither can the neo-con media.
A pity that.
cicero| 2.28.12 @ 2:33PM
"Render to Ceasar. . . " The problem arose when the churches all thought they could delegate their responsibilities to a central government, thereby savings themselves the effort and expense of ". . . render to God . . . " Until they reassume their responsibilities, and tell the governemnt that it is not needed to do their work, we will keep treadding the path to perdition. Maybe Santorum is on to something. If the government would get out of all the non-consstiutional functions, and leave the money in the communities to be distributed by the people through their own institutions, the economy will expand enourmously, and those in need of charity will recieve it in the spirit in which it was intended.
Joe D.| 2.28.12 @ 3:12PM
Santorum should not forget their own controversy in the Catholic Church. There is leadership that agree with social justice and illegal immigration, and yes contraceptives.
Lets also not forget the Homosexual priest and bishops scandles (the reason for most of the rapes in the Church the last few years). About 95% were men on boys. People is glass houses should not throw rocks.
However, I do agree with his assessment of Barack. And I will go a step further. I do not think Barack is a Christian. If is only knowledge of Christ is Rev. Wright, I do not think he knows what it means to be a Christian (Christ like).
Purp| 2.28.12 @ 3:24PM
When we need to vote for a Preacher-in-Chief or a Theocracy, I guess Santorum would first in line. Now, that would make me throw up in my mouth.
Pete| 2.28.12 @ 4:15PM
And I hope you choke on it.
Purp| 2.28.12 @ 5:56PM
Another kind Republicant ... true to form and meets my expectation of your tolerance, compassion and heart. jerk.
Controse| 2.28.12 @ 3:31PM
This is a masterpiece of an exposition on the dog in the manger known as social justice.
EqualTime| 2.28.12 @ 3:38PM
"Because what Rick Santorum has accurately and concisely identified -- the "phony theology" of President Obama -- is in fact increasingly presenting itself as a major political issue in the 2012 campaign and beyond. " and "Perhaps it's best to first say how theology is defined. Webster's calls it "the study of divine things or religious truth."
How is it a "former political director" does not comprehend that a theological discussion is constitutionally mutually exclusive from a "major political issue." Debate what Obama has done all you want, but not from a theological perspective. This may play well in the GOP primary, but it will be a loser in the general election.
danshanteal| 2.28.12 @ 3:54PM
Each of us has a spiritual life; Mr. Obama has one and tries to practice it. His early life, however, never gave hm sufficent grounding in religion so he, unfortunately, tagged along after Reverrend Wright until the godamn statment by the reverend shook the church rafters. Being smart and coaxed by Ax and Gibbs he skedaddled down the road after a speech about the reverend and his wonderful grandmother. There's a reason they say don't argue politics and religion. This instance is a good exmple. I do applaud Mr. Lord standing up for for Rick Santorum.
Orygun| 2.28.12 @ 4:04PM
That was a spot on article about Santorum and phony religion in particular. I belong to no organized religion but consider myself a believer in God. The history of churches is not always a golden one but that doesn't tarnish the true believers of whatever denomination. I started reading the American Spectator because I realized I was truly the epitome of the namesake by standing on the sidelines watching politics and religion but not finding any one thing to motivate me to be anything more than a spectator. Until now. I see Santorum as being one of the last decent politicians to have ever run for office and his goals are as always to make this nation better morally and financially. It seems like a simple task to support someone that only wants to help. Thanks once again Jeffery for printing what people need to hear. You and others like you provide an invaluable service for all of us.
sotto voce| 2.28.12 @ 4:36PM
Mr. Lord's essay makes important points about the socialist usurpation of Christian doctrine, but he didn't make it clear that Santorum's "phony theology" comment was actually referring to Obama's adherence to the creed of climate change and not to Obama's religion (whatever that may be).
The media predictably seized on Santorum's use of the word "theology" to bolster their claim that he's a right-wing nutcase obsessed with religion who believes Obama is a Muslim, but when you hear what he actually said it's clear he was talking about the left's obsession with the environment to the exclusion of common sense.
If voters who've formed their opinion of Santorum based on sound bites listened to the actual context of his comments they'd quickly realize that, more often than not, he makes good sense.
Doctor Right| 2.28.12 @ 5:37PM
Actually, Santorum was referring to Obama's radical-environmentalist policies...
...which, to it's adherents, IS a "religion".
Doctor Right| 2.28.12 @ 5:57PM
Nice article, Mr. Lord, but what I don't understand is WHY you would continue to attend a congregation whose views are far outside your own AND Biblical Christianity???
In all honesty, if the UCC (or any denomination, for that matter) chooses to elevate the "the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Evangelical Catechism, the Augsburg Confession, the Cambridge Platform and the Kansas City Statement of Faith", along with the UCC's own 'Statement of Faith' to equal status with the Bible, then why is anyone surprised that they would go awry and buy into the nonsense known as "social justice"???
Jeffrey Lord| 2.28.12 @ 9:23PM
Dr. Right....
The UCC is descended from my original denomination, the Congregationalists. Thus, each congregation is the boss of itself. Mine studies the Bible, does mission work, cares for each other. We don't issue political statements or present ourselves as the Church of Politics, and hence have all kinds of folk...God's children one and all...in our Congregation....and we do OK.
OncealwaysaMarine| 2.28.12 @ 8:13PM
Obama is trying to drive a wedge b/t us and God-given rights. He leaves out “by their Creator" when reciting that passage from the Declaration of Independence, not because he doesn't know it, but because he doesn't want to say it. He doesn't believe it. And, if he does, he rejects it.
Obama’s a usurper. He is determined to destroy the foundations of America. Our Christian tradition is to be demeaned and rendered meaningless. This is not just Obama. This is Liberalism. Just look at the comments coming from Liberals. They have been brainwashed into self-loathing.
Obama “The Christian” even leaves out "by their Creator" when reciting that passage from the Declaration of Independence. On at least 2 occasions (one, before the Hispanic Caucus) he said it, "All men are created equal and endowed _ ___ _______ with certain inalienable rights." I guess, by Obama.
First they separate from the protections in our Constitution. Then they separate any influence of Christian faith in the political realm. When they have accomplished that, they have separated us from our freedom. That was the plan. Santorum is exposing them, and they're fit to be tied.
Obama alone has been getting a to profess Christianity, and using that to distort the meanings of Jesus' teachings. He got a MSM pass to preach Matt: 25 ("Brother's keeper" & “The least of these") during his ‘08 campaign.
His brother lives in Kenya on $1.00 a month. And the "least of these" are innocent unborn babies he slaughters in the womb.
Socialism is the antithesis of Jesus' message. Jesus taught personal responsibility, time and again. He told Andrew to leave all behind and follow him. He told Peter to feed His sheep. He was speaking to the individual. He never advocate his disciples petitioning government (or collected taxes) to take care of "the poor." He instructed them to do so out of brotherly love. Socialism is worship of totalitarianism. That's Marx; not Christ.
thomas| 5.3.12 @ 12:35AM
you do realize you're stupid right? i'm sure you're a nice guy, and you have common sense and care for your fellow citizens. but you are stupid, and i'm not going to spare your feelings or soften the language in telling you so. i am no genius myself, there are many people smarter than me. but you are stupid, and if you would only admit it you could begin to educate yourself. you could take some of that 'personal responsibility' that you talk about and educate yourself. i don't hate you people, i feel sorry for you. but the things you write are completely ignorant and demonstrate your complete lack of any understanding of the things you talk about. and when someone talks about something they don't know anything about we call them ignorant. the world ignorant means uneducated. look it up. and while you're at it you should actually look up the book and people you talk about. read the bible, don't just listen to some who has read it. read a book by marx, so you will learn for yourself what he said. don't just listen to what other people say about it. right now you are just talking about things you know nothing about. you think because you know the title of the book or because you'e read quotes that you know what marx, or the bible, or liberals say. but you don't and it's obvious. we are being polite by not calling you an idiot to your face, but it's completely obvious to everyone you talk to about this that you have not read any of these things and that you have no knowledge on the subjects. so do yourself a favor and actually read some of the stuff you criticize.
Tony in Central PA| 2.28.12 @ 9:30PM
The " Social Justice " virus is also to be found in the Catholic Church. I'm sponsoring an adult candidate for Confirmation and the discussion schedule for the process included " Social Justice ". Thankfully, it never came up. The discussions remained focused on the Gospels, the Sacraments and the reality of sin.
Had the issue of " Social Justice " actually arisen, at minimum I would have asked for a definition of the term before the discussion began.
POST American| 2.28.12 @ 10:14PM
----------------BOTTOMLESS LINE--------------------
Rick Santorum BACKED the ANTI-Constitutional,
chillingly North Korean NDAA 1021
----and IS getting AWAY with it.
BEHOLD! -----'TTTT-Rick Sanitarium'.
And in that sanitarium the EUGENISTS
rule ---and the mandatory shots are
manufactured in RED China.
-------------YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED-------------
ella8| 2.28.12 @ 11:08PM
The Holy Book of the Left is science czar John Holdren's "Ecoscience". The book makes the case for changing institutions, specifically religious institutions, makes the case for forced population control, and outlines the "Health" initiatives to impose such things upon us. I think I am going to have a holy book burning. Yee haw. Do you think the eco-jihadists will throw a fit if I burn their holy book?
Jacob F| 2.29.12 @ 9:52AM
The only problem is that Catholics then were much more sophisticated about how they understood indulgences than leftist Christians are about anything.
Leftists Christians are the equivalent of that ultra conservative teenager who goes around calling for everyone who has ever committed a crime to be executed to make the country safe again. They don't reckon with logic, they just demonize and gang up.
Catholics understood indulgences to mean that because they were doing something good for God, (by donating to the Church, which to this day is the only major institution that consistently does a significant amount of true charity) they would be making up for some of their sins from the past. Very few if any made the mistake of believing that they could buy Christ's forgiveness.
Because you've been hanging out with so many leftists you believe their lies about people from the past all being simple and stupid. None of these people have the slightest idea about history because they think they're too smart for it yet they make these sweeping claims like they have intimate knowledge of how things were in the past.
This is what's known as imposing modernity onto the past--or imposing modernity's self satisfying idea of the past onto the past. If Catholics were all backward heathens responsible for the Dark Ages (and denied their true credit for lifting humanity out of them) and they were so stupid that they thought they bought salvation, then it's pretty easy to justify abortion and everything else because, "are you gonna be a religious nut and follow heathens who caused the Dark Ages?"
For the same reason condemning the Inquisition is like condemning all American judges, lawyers, cops, probation workers, etc. because they're a part of something that sentences (sometimes innocent) people to death. And I guarantee you that our American judges are at least as corrupt as Torquemada or any other inquisitor. Just notice how those piously Catholic societies built modernity and we're ripping it apart when it's easier than it's ever been.
"No more worries about starvation?!! OK, WELL THEN IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE NEXT THING TO DO IS MAKE ENOUGH FREE CONDOMS FOR EVERYBODY!"
Edna | 3.1.12 @ 4:12PM
This is a most honest and excellent article. I once
was a very dedicated Episcopalian but walked away from it when I was forced to accept that it no
longer was honoring Christ. I do think you are kinder to Mr. Obama than is deserved. I have read
extensively in to his life and can't find one place where he would have ever encountered Christ or
have been inspired to profess Him as Lord. His is such a phony Christianity to be no Christianity at all.
God bless,
Edna
Shawn Cooley| 3.3.12 @ 11:18PM
Great article by Mr. Lord. I have a friend who is a minister in a UCC church and he lately has congratulated states that have passed gay marriage laws as if this is something that Jesus would have approved. His whole theology seems not on the Bible but on government.