I am at the point where I believe that Hitchens doesn’t care for religion at all. What about you?

Hatred, tribalism, and ignorance are most commonly incubated in church. - By Christopher Hitchens - Slate Magazine

Blind FaithThe statements of clergymen like Jeremiah Wright aren’t controversial and incendiary; they’re wicked and stupid.

By Christopher Hitchens
Posted Monday, March 24, 2008, at 12:09 PM ET

It’s been more than a month since I began warning Sen. Barack Obama that he would become answerable for his revolting choice of a family priest. But never mind that; the astonishing thing is that it’s at least 11 months since he himself has known precisely the same thing. “If Barack gets past the primary,” said the Rev. Jeremiah Wright to the New York Times in April of last year, “he might have to publicly distance himself from me. I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.” Pause just for a moment, if only to admire the sheer calculating self-confidence of this. Sen. Obama has long known perfectly well, in other words, that he’d one day have to put some daylight between himself and a bigmouth Farrakhan fan. But he felt he needed his South Side Chicago “base” in the meantime. So he coldly decided to double-cross that bridge when he came to it. And now we are all supposed to marvel at the silky success of the maneuver.

You often hear it said, of some political or other opportunist, that he would sell his own grandmother if it would suit his interests. But you seldom, if ever, see this notorious transaction actually being performed, which is why I am slightly surprised that Obama got away with it so easily. (Yet why do I say I am surprised? He still gets away with absolutely everything.)

Just a devasting critique — Mentioned via www.rushlimbaugh.com

George F. Will - McCain in A Glass House - washingtonpost.com

By George F. WillThursday, February 28, 2008; Page A17

Certain kinds of conservatives, distrusting Richard Nixon’s ideological elasticity, rejected him — until 1973. Although it had become clear that his administration was a crime wave, they embraced him because the media were his tormentors. Today such conservatives, whose political compasses are controlled, albeit negatively, by the New York Times, have embraced John McCain. He, although no stickler about social niceties (see below), should thank the Times, for two reasons

REAGAN WIT AND WISDOM

Now that we’re in the thick of the political campaign season, it might be a timely moment to recall some of the insights of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan:

“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

“I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.”

“The taxpayer: That’s someone who works for the federal government but doesn’t have to take the civil service examination.”

“Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.”

“The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.”

“I’ve laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it’s in the middle of a Cabinet meeting.”

“It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.”

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving subsidize it.”

“Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.”

“No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.”

“If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

Tags: politico election cartoon

Who are the influential leaders in American Christianity?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2007/004/7.42.html — The Zoloft Dispensation

http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001629.cfm -  How Should We Then Work?

Resisting Unhealthy Adoration from Those We Lead

http://preachingtoday.com/16666 – The Danger of Practical Preaching: Why people need more than the bottom line.

 Confessions of a Megachurch Pastor: Extended 

What Evangelism Isn’t

LESSONS FROM THE RICHEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED

Tags: america pastor christianity revival

Leaders Teamed Up on Parton Deal
Leaders Teamed Up on Parton Deal
Top state leaders instrumental in moving project forward, records show

By Don Carrington

January 15, 2008

RALEIGH — State Senate leader Marc Basnight, House Speaker Jim Black, and DOT Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett helped state economic developer Rick Watson launch the Randy Parton Theatre in Roanoke Rapids, according to documents obtained by Carolina Journal.

Basnight and Black were instrumental in moving the project forward, while Gov. Mike Easley’s transportation secretary, Tippett, approved special funds for the project.

Watson was the president and CEO of the state-funded Northeast Commission, a regional economic development organization. Records show he began working on a theater concept as early as August 2004.

A Dec. 16, 2004 letter from commission attorney Ernest Pearson to Watson revealed the plan to secure support from key leaders. “Attached is a draft of a letter which can be used to evidence the commitment of senior legislative and executive branch officials to support the Parton entertainment project,” Pearson wrote.

Pearson had used this tactic before. “This is very similar to letters like I have used for previous projects that need some level of support to be shown as to a future legislative action,” he wrote. “I think it goes about as far as we can. They obviously cannot commit to what the 170 members of the legislature will do in the future. To imply otherwise, would likely not be credible to anyone and I do not think any legislative leader would sign it if we implied that they could control a future legislative action. On the other hand, everyone should know that if the officials who are indicated sign this letter, it would be highly likely that the requested assistance would be approved.”

What Is Mormonism? A Baptist Answer - TIME

What Is Mormonism? A Baptist Answer

Washing Feet Endangers Students, School Says — 03/23/2007

CNSNews.com) - If Jesus washed his disciples’ feet at a Georgia college in 2007, he’d likely be accused of “hazing.” That’s the position a Christian ministry at Savannah State University has found itself in, after it washed the feet of its new members. The campus ministry Commissioned II Love (C2L) was also accused of “harassing” students by sharing their faith. Washing of feet is a symbolic gesture of servitude in the Christian faith, following the example of Jesus, who washed the disciples’ feet during their last meal before his crucifixion, as recounted in the New Testament gospel of John (13:1-17).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWvHbOoG3tI

When Hillary sicks her goons on him, bye bye Barry.

HT: www.drudgereport.com