Progressive Revival

Progressive Revival

The Supposed Fraudulence of Liberal Christianity

posted by Paul Raushenbush | 1:12pm Monday August 4, 2008

Former Senator Rick Santorum described Obama’s faith as “phony” and went on to challenge the authenticity of liberal Christianity in general:

“When you take a salvation story and turn it into a liberation story you’ve abandoned Christiandom and I don’t think you have a right to claim it.”



Previous Posts

Why Jews Around the World are Praying for the Victory of the Egyptian Uprising
Originally appeared on Tikkun Daily BlogEver since the victory over the dictator of Tunisia and the subsequent uprising in Egypt, my email has been flooded with messages from Jews around the world hoping and praying for the victory of the Egyptian people over their cruel Mubarak regime.&nb

posted 1:48:39pm Feb. 01, 2011 | read full post »

When Generosity, Love, and Kindness are Public Policy, the Violence We Saw in Arizona will Dramatically Diminish
The attempted assassination of Congresswoman Giffords and the murder of so many others in Arizona has elicited a number of policy suggestions, from gun control to private protection for elected officials, to banning incitement to violence on websites either directly or more subtly (e.g., Sarah Palin

posted 2:44:04pm Jan. 19, 2011 | read full post »

The Spiritual Messages of Chanukah and Christmas -- and Their Downsides
Christmas and Chanukah share a spiritual message: that it is possible to bring light and hope in a world of darkness, oppression and despair. But whereas Christmas focuses on the birth of a single individual whose life and mission was itself supposed to bring liberation, Chanukah is about a national

posted 12:59:53pm Dec. 02, 2010 | read full post »

Obama (and Biden) Have No Clue About What's Bothering Their Political Base
Shortly before the California Democratic primary in 2008, the San Fransisco Chronicle invited me to write a short article explaining why I, chair of the interfaithNetwork of Spiritual Progressives, was supporting Barack Obama. Like most other progressive activists, I understood that a pres

posted 1:44:11pm Sep. 30, 2010 | read full post »

Values or Partisanship? TV Ad calls out Graham for caving on climate
by Keely Brewster It was disappointing that Lindsey Graham changed his mind, values, and opinions surrounding climate legislation. Lindsey Graham was right when he discussed the need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil for reasons of national security, economic security, and job loss. Lindsey

posted 2:32:58pm Jun. 16, 2010 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(7)
post a comment
jestrfyl

posted August 4, 2008 at 11:22 am


From Matthew 11, ” When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’
Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’”
Apparently Santorum has yet to actually READ the New Testament. It is all about liberation. And Jesus said, whoever gives efen a cup of water to these little ones in th name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of them will lose their reward”. (Mt 10:42) Santorum needs to go give some kids cups of cool water, and then come back to argue theology. The only thing this statement did (other than highlight the mna;s hypocracy and ignorance) is to keep his name in the news – which was surely his only real goal.



report abuse
 

ds0490

posted August 4, 2008 at 1:07 pm


Senator Sanitorium needs to clean up his own ethical pig sty. He needs to explain the sweetheart deal he got on a mortgage. He needs to explain to the taxpayers of his state why his children, who were living in Virginia, had their education paid for by their former Pennsylvania school district.
Once he takes the log from his own eye, maybe then he will be able to critique the specks in others’.



report abuse
 

Rob

posted August 4, 2008 at 1:33 pm


I see the Reverend Wrights of the world as charlatans who do very well for themselves by advocating and agitating for the poor. But Reverend Wright’s apparent hypocrisy by no means justifies Santorum’s position that Obama “took a salvation story into a liberation story.” Everything I’ve seen suggests Obama had no personal experience of Christ and found one, even if it was at Trinity UCC. Senator Santorum boldly criticizes the action of Christ in Senator Obama’s life–just who put Santorum in charge of deciding who is saved?



report abuse
 

stuthehistoryguy

posted August 4, 2008 at 2:04 pm


Anyone who has followed American politics over the last ten years knows exactly what Rick Santorum is. This man has shown no concern with making the world a better place, places no premium on compassion in public affairs, and has been an enemy of intelligent inquiry in all its forms. This does not mean he is not a Christian – I am in no better place to judge him than he is to judge me – but it does place his credibility in spiritual matters in serious doubt.



report abuse
 

James

posted August 4, 2008 at 2:09 pm


Yeah, everyone knows Christianity isn’t about liberation; it’s about making money!



report abuse
 

Heretic for Christ

posted August 4, 2008 at 2:18 pm


Rick Santorum is one of the legions who cry “Lord! Lord!” in vain. I doubt that Jesus would recognize anything of value in his loud religiosity.



report abuse
 

Paul, seeking wisdom

posted August 4, 2008 at 3:26 pm


Rick Santorum’s Sanctimonious statement shows why the Far Right has no clue as what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. Being in Christ means that I am “Free” to do good works for the Love that Christ places in me.
Obviously, he is not a candidate for the Matthew 25.net. If fact, he watch carefully as the America grows a cleansing heart and starts thinking of the real reason for helping others, that is to show others the Christ that is in us.
Paul, wholly for Christ.



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.

Share this story


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.