What can we do about the rising Evangelical problem that is facing the U.S. right now?

Question

Most evangelicals want to abolish our great tradition of Separation of Church and State and want to make the U.S. a Christian nation. They are fascists. They're not like the good ol' christians that believed in helping others and giving everyone equal rights, but instead, they focus on things like abortion and gay marriage, forcing their reliegious beliefs on everyone else. We already have an evangelical president.
What can we do to stem this horrible growth?

For more info on evangelicals you should watch the documentary "Jesus Camp"

1) I never accused all christians of anything, just Evangelicals.
2) I never said Separation of Church and State was in the constitution.
3) I never said I was atheist. Non-Christians are not the only ones that do not like Evangelicals.
4) I am against this movement because I don't want to have to look at the 10 commandments everytime I go to school or court. I don't want abortion to become illegal just because I'll "go to hell". I don't want to oppress people because they are gay. Learn the facts: Nobody "chooses" to be gay, so why oppress them and make them second class citizens?

C.J., the same thing can be said back to you. If you don't want to live as a homosexual and if you don't want an abortion, well then good for you. But don't push your 'lifestyle' on others.

Answer 1

I agree; there is an Evangelical problem. Not nearly enough evangelism.

BTW, no one needs to make the US a Christian nation; it was created as one.

.

Answer 2

The rampant church burnings which have been infamously associated with the Black Metal scene, began on June 6th of 1992. A historic Norwegian landmark, the 12th century Fantoft Stave church was burned to the ground. After several other church were burned, the public began a search for the the arsonists. It was found that the Norwegian "Black Circle" was responsible. The group was comprised of Black Metal bands Mayhem, Burzum, Emperor, and Darkthrone. Since then, hundreds of churches have been destroyed by fans of Black Metal. Although Norway's official religion is Christianity, only about 2% of its population regularly attends church.. The popularity of these burnings seem to rise and fall throughout different countries worldwide. The current hotbed for these burnings is Poland, a devout Catholic nation.

Answer 3

First of all, you have your facts all messed up.

There is NOTHING in the US Constitution that states anything about "Separation of Church and State", that was a comment made by Thomas Jefferson to a collegue in a letter. It is not anywhere in the Constitution. That is a gross misinterpretation.

Secondly, Christians are NOT facists. You're probably way too young to know what facism is. But if you're really open to learn, try researching Nazi Germany, and then you won't be so quick to call people "facists".

Yes, Christians focus on abortion. It's the taking of an unborn child's life. And Christians believe that life is sacred. If you are the kind of person who believes in dissecting a living being from the womb and killing it, then I certainly question your morals and values. In the Bible, God tells us that homosexuality is a sin. Christians believe the Word of God, so what do you expect from them?

If you are a deviant, and you think being a homosexual is right, killing babies is right, and living an immoral lifestyle is right, then that's your business. But you needn't condemn those who try to live their lives according to God's Word, neither do you need to compare them to "facists".

As far as your documentary is concerned, the "Jesus Camp" is no reflection on mainline Christianity. It's a cult, if you ask me, and you cannot reasonably associate that with anything taught by Christ. Get your facts straight before you write this inflammatory crap.

Answer 4

The Evangelicals should be sent to spread the good word among the Shia.
I am sure that they will rapidly convert the Al Sadre and the Mahdi Army and then there will be no need for the marines to be over there because all of our enemies will be christians.

Lizardmama, the evangelicals are ready to ask Ted Haggard to put his religion down their throats again. Or were you making a joke?

Answer 5

I think what might turn the tide the other way is a big sensational event - where the evangelicals do something wacky enough and big enough to sicken the majority. A huge sex scandal, maybe a Jims Jones thing or something similar to OK City Bombing.

With something like that, the culture might turn and revert to more of a 60s mentality.

Answer 6

You are wrong about most Christians. I am a Christian and have been for over 20 years. I don't know any Christians who want to make Christianity a state sanctioned religion, including myself. Yes, there are many Christians who are misguided and think that if they can just pass a law that it will magically fix the problem. I know that it won't and so I don't focus on the political aspect of issues that I feel strongly about. As for being fascists, I would strongly oppose taking away anyone's freedoms. I don't force my beliefs on anyone, either. And Jesus Camp is a film about one extreme example of one Christian denomination and is not representative of typical Christianity. Please don't be so close minded and narrow.

Update:

I know you specified evangelical Christianity in your question and you're still wrong to generalize about evangelicals. Evangelical means simply that we as Christians believe it is our responsibility to tell others about what we believe to be the truth, but not to force it upon them. Yes, some evangelicals do use harsh and pushy tactics to do this. And yes, many also try to simply pass a law to "fix" the problem as they/we perceive it, even though a lot of us know that is foolishness. You cannot legislate morality, right? So, again don't lump us all together.

Answer 7

I think Christians have in many cases become extremely legalistic, and have divorced themselves from the concepts of Christ's love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Also, they are trying to become great. Christians aren't supposed to be great. According to us, the only way to become great is to be small. They think that if the governmental laws prevent what are considered legalistic symptomatic "sins" than suddenly everyone would become Christian and Christians would be one great huge nation.

They have forgotten that this is not how Christ works. Christ came not as a mighty military ruler crowned in glory and heralded by the masses, but as a tiny human baby heralded by lowly shepherds and a young couple far from home.

I think also, that through the ages, people have wanted Christ to be military and governmental ruler. Though it is pernicious, it is certainly not new, and it is still heresy. Christ is the ruler of the heart, soul, and mind. Christ's rule is love, servitude, sacrifice, renewal and Resurrection. Though Christ was never explicitly anti-government, his interest was not in that kind of leadership. Because Christ did not want leaders and rulers, but servents to mankind.

I apologize. I'm preaching to the choir. I know. I just wish that more people would remember what Christ came for and wants for us.

Answer 8

Just exactly how is Christianity being forced down your throat? If you are still not a Christian than I can assume that you have valiantly fought off the marauding Christians running around trying to "stuff" faith down the throat of innocent atheists, such as yourself.
Christians tell other people about their faith because Christ told them to and because people have this life only to make a decision that, potentially, will save them from an eternity in a place that they will not like a WHOLE lot. And you consider this evil because? How is it making your life worse, in the least, because Evangelicals evangelize?
If you know ANYTHING about the history of Christian evangelism and, yes, Protestantism, you would know that wherever it has gone in the world education for everyone-rich or not, medical care for the poor and disenfranchised, freedom of thought and action, the teachings of a loving and forgiving God, have followed. How is it that you hate God so much that you would want this to stop? I think you need to examine yourself and find out why you are making these senseless accusations. Get yourself a little accurate information also.

Answer 9

It IS an issue! To make this country into a "Christian nation" is a blatant way of saying, "No Jews, No Muslims or anyone else unless you "repent" and be "born again". How ridiculous!

I think that various religious groups and non-religious groups need to mobilize and get them to understand that our country was founded on the very principle of Separation of Church and State and that many of our ancestors gave their very lives to gain this privilidge for us!

They also need to see that they are far too splintered amongst themselves to have any real clout. I mean...there's the Assembly of God, the Church of Christ of Prophecy and scores of other mom & pop churches -- none of whom agree with each other....otherwise they'd all be in the same denomination!

Answer 10

I think educating children and adults about tolerance and empathy is one of the best things we can do for society. If you tolerate different types of beliefs, and empathize with those that are not being treated well, you'll have a good citizen who won't condemn those who are different from themselves and will try to do what is best for all, not just do what is easiest for the most priviledged and wealthy in our society.

Answer 11

Education. Then insist on supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States.