How do MODERATES get a message of love into public view when FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIANS capture the headlines?

Question

From the TIMES OF INDIA:

CHRISTIAN ACTIVISTS DISRUPT HINDU PRAYER IN US SENATE

WASHINGTON: Christian activists briefly disrupted a Hindu invocation in the U.S Senate on Thursday, marring a historic first for the chamber and showing that fundamentalism is present and shouting in the U.S., too.

Invited by the Senate to offer Hindu prayers in place of the usual Christian invocation, Rajan Zed, a Hindu priest from Reno, Nevada, had just stepped up to the podium for the landmark occasion when three protesters, said to belong to the Christian Right anti-abortion group Operation Save America, interrupted him by loudly asking for God's forgiveness for allowing the ''false prayer'' of a Hindu in the Senate chamber.

"Lord Jesus, forgive us father for allowing a prayer of the wicked, which is an abomination in your sight," the first protester shouted. "This is an abomination. We shall have no other gods before You."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Christian_activists_disrupt_Hindu_prayer_in_US_Senate/articleshow/2199387.cms

Answer 1

I think that moderate Christians have a hard time getting their message out because Christianity itself (as opposed to some Eastern religions) encourages extremism. How Jesus' death was the MOST painful and humiliating death possible. How sin is the MOST grave affront to God, who is the MOST wonderful and awesome being in the universe. How God deserves the MOST important place in our lives.

It's all about regularly pushing yourself to the limits of your mental and emotional capacities, to feel overwhelming joy and heartwrenching sorrow and shame.

One really has to take a tremendous step outside the box in order to question all of that and adopt more moderate stances on certain issues.

Answer 2

I think moderate Christians are going to have to go head-to-head and challenge the fundamentalists publicly. Demonstrate at the headquarters of the organization that you find most offensive in this regard, make public statements denouncing extremism, use some of your most articulate speakers to renounce the interference with science classes in schools. Go public with your distress that these people are indeed giving Christianity a black eye.

Personally, I'd do worse than that, but then I'm not a Christian. Too much tolerance can be a problem, you know. Like tolerating evil, when you come right down to it. Does it really come down to denouncing the whole concept of fundamentalism: that there is only one way to read the Bible? Because that clearly flies in the face of all reason.

Answer 3

Certainly, All Christians should be concerned with how others view our Religion I have heard that a person who does not stand for something will fall for anything. We should be strong in our faith, quick to defend, only if we can do in a spirit of Love. We should not try to force anything upon those who clearly object, but we should make every effort to convert those who will listen. In so doing, we should be careful as to the impression we give others. It is of little comfort if we win the battle, but lose the war.

Answer 4

Thanks for the web site.

Fundamental Christians get the message that we are to love God with all our heart, mind, soul & strength. If that isn't love, what is it? And to repent for going to other gods in our nation.

Christians are warning of the conscequences to put a religion before the Lord Jesus in our country. Jesus Christ is Lord & is the One who blesses this country.

Though Rajan Zed did say a beautiful sentiment. Sounds Christian even. So? I think God moved on Rajan's heart.

Answer 5

Pope Benedict, in the first formal message to the media of his pontificate, said the media cannot be self-serving or profit-driven but must be accountable for the common good and promote human values.

"Authentic communication demands principled courage and resolve," the Pope said in the message for the Roman Catholic Church's annual World Day of Communications
.
"It requires a determination of those working in the media not to wilt under the weight of so much information nor even to be content with partial or provisional truths," the Pope said.

"Instead it necessitates both seeking and transmitting what is the ultimate foundation and meaning of human, personal and social existence," he said.

"In this way the media can contribute constructively to the propagation of all that is good and true."

In a message issued on the feast of St Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists, Pope Benedict said the media had to avoid oversimplifying things and undervaluing cultural differences and religious beliefs.

These are distortions that occur when the media industry becomes self-serving or solely profit-driven, losing the sense of accountability to the common good," he said.

He said the media was always obliged to report events accurately, fully explain matters of public concern, and give fair representation to diverse points of view.

"The need to uphold and support marriage and family life is of particular importance, precisely because it pertains to the foundation of every culture and society," he said.

The Pope also said the media should help rather than hinder parents in bringing up their children.

"Do not our hearts cry out, most especially, when our young people are subjected to debased or false expressions of love which ridicule the God-given dignity of every human person and undermine family interests?" he said.

Contemporary media shapes popular culture, but it must not manipulate, especially the young, and instead pursue the desire to form and serve, he said.

"In this way they protect rather than erode the fabric of a civil society worthy of the human person," he added.
Several days after his election in April, the new Pope stressed the importance of the role of the media by granting journalists who had converged on Rome to cover his election the first audience for non-clergy of his pontificate.

Answer 6

great question, I would really love to know the answer...

Love is all we need to do, we are not to judge Matt 7 etc...