Capitalism, Christianity and American televangelists?

Question

I grew up in a Christian home, but a rather liberal one, I suppose. My father is a biochemist and my mother has a career and votes NDP/Liberal (democrats for you Americans), definitely not that American stereotype. We're Canadian anyways...

In Canada we get a lot of those American televangelist programs, we get American networks. Well, ignoring the crazed look in the televangelists eyes, I always noticed not only a hatred towards women and feminism, but a sort of worship of capitalism and a fear of socialism and communism (communism being an unrealistic ideal in Canada)

I'm not exactly the bible living Christian, but I've studied it because of my upbringing. From what I understand, heaven is actually communist. There are many versus and quotes from Jesus that support this argument. I never once followed a feminist hating capitalist argument from an American televangelist.

How does one support a right winged government and remain Christian? What's with the "Christian right"?

It doesn't make sense to me to be a facist or a capitalist without going against Christianity. Refer me to books or essays if you like, but as of now...HOW???

Answer 1

Well, according to answerer Joshua, by definition, heaven IS Utopian Communist . which is fine with me.
as far as american televangelism and the christian right..... some (or most) of them are so thick headed and money grubbing and self righteous, they should be banned. Fred Phelps is the epitome of a "christian" who is so anti-christlike, he should be crucified.

Answer 2

I'm a christian and I support no political agenda. I had ideals once that my vote might matter and choosing a particular political affiliation made a difference but I no longer believe this. I am not compelled to vote or be a member of any party or faction of government except that I'm an American taxpayer and there's not getting around that. I'm a christain first and an American second. This means that they could take me out of America or remove "America" as it is defined now from the face of the planet and if I were alive I would still be a christian...and somehow still in my heart an American as it stood for once in its original sin. That's all America means...the right and option to choose. The problem is this...politics and religion do mix. However, for the true trusting Bible believing Christian all the elections, national boundries, and 'isms in the world don't apply. Heaven can't be classified as any kind of 'istic because these are human terms associated with human ideals and humans don't exist there. I'd like to see those quotes from Jesus. And for those who say that the Bible is sexist...the exact opposite is true. Please don't watch the televangelist programming...its just wrong. If you look toward "so called" christians for a vivid picture of what christianity is then you are seeing a facade, a reflection of something in a soaped up window, smoke, mirrors...the message is so lost in the show. The Bible said it would be this way. Look for the truth at its source. You seem more than reasonably intelligent...your Bible is all you need. Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 3

Hi, its a sad fact that political organisations will almost always claim that god in whatever shape or form you wish to consider him/her/it is on their side. If Jesus appeared on the streets of any major American or British town he would have been arrested or put in an institution before you could say 'potential terrorist'.

Surely televangelists are discredited their claims to Christian less valid then their claims to a fast buck. As for living the bible, its a history book a fascinating history book but a history nonetheless. The fact that millions believe every word is interesting since you tend to hear them quote the bits that support their view rather than all passages relevant to the argument.

The bible was put together by people who wanted to put the best position spin on Christian and is therefore more about PR than religion. If Jesus existed - and its possible he did and was married - Da Vinci code etc...then I like to believe that he was an enlightened man who saw the best in everyone, man woman or child, who saw nothing wrong in people living their lives according to their own ideal provided that this did not harm the community.

I don't think feminists or homosexual would have worried him but nuclear weapons might...

Oh and yes I will probably go to hell, but while heaven may have all the best music, hell has definitely got the really good choreographers...

Answer 4

In my opinion, televangelists do reflect American Christianity, in that they represent materialism at its best. And isn't that what Christianity in America has become? It's all about materialism. I can't trust a preacher who owns 5 mansions and preaches about how if you pray to God and ask Him for anything, He will give it to you. I don't care how many biblical verses you throw at me, it just doesn't work like that. After all, they used Scripture to "prove" that the sun revolves around the Earth. Doesn't mean they were right. There are some really good churches out there, but unfortunately, it seems that the bad outweigh the good, and the bad churches are the ones more in the public eye. I have seen some good preachers on TV, but I wouldn't really call them televangelists. They were from those kinds of small-time churches that happen to broadcast to local stations on Sunday mornings. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you who is the most Christianly televangelist, seeing as how I generally avoid watching them.

Answer 5

Well, heaven is not communist. lol The American Herritage Dictionary states that communism is:
"A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people."
In heaven, God doesn't "control the economy", nor is He an "authoritarian that holds power," but rather He is a loving father that doles out all that he has for us to enjoy and use.

The American Herritage Dictionary's definition of Utopia is more closely related to heaven than is communism:
"An ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects."

Answer 6

I'm for sufferage what I'm against is womens lib. I believe women should have the same rights as a man. I don't really care about communism, and capitalism...As for televangelists.. some are good some bad... what can you do?

Answer 7

As humans, it is natural that we would try to understand something based on things we are familiar with. We try to attach a label to better understand it.
The true fact is, governing and politic are man made.
Heaven isn't like that. The Kingdom of God isn't.
I find that Christianity does not involve itself with the world's political system. It is eternal, higher.

As far as those people on the television, it is a shame so many think they are representative of us all.
Personally, I wish they'd all stop.

Answer 8

Yes, it sometimes seem that especially evangelical christians worship money more than god. Funny how these big preachers are always stinking rich...
Primoa, you are sitting the pot miss. Communism was meant in the way that everybody will be equal in heaven.

Answer 9

Most televangelists I've seen are in it for the money, not the religion. Therefore it would make sense that they're big on supporting capitalism.

Answer 10

I know what you mean ... I live in Canada also, and I see this a lot. I am not very well educated on the subject, so I will not continue to say what I feel about the situation, I don't want to offend anyone :)