Here’s another sad example of the religious right using faith as a political weapon.
Earlier this month we told you about Dallas First Baptist Church pastor Robert Jeffress claiming that President Obama’s policies are “paving the way for the Antichrist.” Now Paige Patterson, president of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, seems to be backing up Jeffress:
“The rapid expansion of the powers of government and the growing dependency on the welfare state set the stage for the antichrist, since that is precisely what he is forecast to do. Dr. Jeffress is not personally attacking President Obama. He is simply attempting to explain to his people what is to happen next.”
Jeffress and Patterson aren’t “personally attacking” the president, you see. They’re just distorting and demonizing what the president does.
We don’t recall either one arguing that the expansion of the “welfare state” (the Medicare prescription drug plan) and the powers of government (the Patriot Act, among other examples) under the George W. Bush administration were paving the way for the Antichrist.
Why is faith often equated to being a horrible person?
We don’t know. It shouldn’t be. Atheism shouldn’t be equated to being a horrible person either.
Because we expect better from our religious leaders.
Of course enlightened people know that
They seemed kinda nutty 30 yrs ago. Now….. all doubt is removed.
As is often the case, this entrusted “Christian” official was too busy swinging his Bible at poor people to open it and read: Luke 6:20–31
Does he not read the New Testament?