CONSERVATISM THRIVES ON POOR INFORMATION?
A study in the January issue of the Canadian journal, Psychological Science, expressed the idea “that people with conservative beliefs are likely to be of low intelligence.”
Firm, unyielding conservatives may be set in their thinking and programs but this study is the first I have seen that suggested they were lacking in intelligence. The right-leaning conservative religious friends of mine are an inflexible sort, strict, even severe and stern in following their faith, but not lacking intelligence. It has been interesting noting how rigid personalities are always bumping into unforeseen problems and difficulties.
But, there it was in a medical journal that conservatism thrives on low intelligence. This study went on to say that conservatives also thrive on poor information.
Brian Nosek, a social and cognitive psychologist at the University of Virginia, notes that such social and political science research shows those who hold right-wing agendas are more resistant to change than those of other political persuasions. The lower the level of education, the higher the levels of prejudice.
Intelligence is the first thing to be left behind when it comes to presidential campaigns. That is true of both major parties. It is embarrassing that the United States calls itself a Democracy or a Republic and is run by only two political parties, usually in cahoots with each other. Making it impossible for anyone else to contend.
What do these democrat and republican politicians do as they run for the office of president? They spend untold millions of dollars pointing out the foolishness of the other side. They solve absolutely nothing and in the process reveal their own prejudice and ignorance of human nature, society and religious biases. With all that stupidity and sham they expect us to respect them and vote for them. That is first class low intelligence.
In spite of the findings of conservative’s lack of intelligence, it is not true of all conservatives. There are also too many stupid progressives and/or liberals among us. We could all use the infusion into our brains of some ‘flexible’ juice; some milk of human kindness, and a smidgen of that uncommon commodity: common sense.
The low intelligence study is backed up with actual events. Just one example: from the moment Barack Obama took over the ship of state every kind of lie and innuendo has been shot across his bow.
Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, doubts our president is a Christian but is sure the disgraced, unethical former Speaker of the House and thrice-married Newt Gingrich is. If nothing else Franklin Graham disproves the adage, “the proverbial acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Franklin must have been adopted.
The zealous religious crowd know President Barack Obama was not born in the USA, is a closet Muslim, hates Christianity and is out to destroy American freedoms. Brian Fischer, of American Family Radio, loves it when former Senator Rick Santorum calls the president’s Christianity a “phony theology.”
Santorum denies it now but back in 2008 he said there really is no such thing as a "liberal Christian." Anyone who doesn't share his right-wing views doesn't really have any right to claim to be a Christian.
Also on American Family Radio is faux historian David Barton who has a tendency to completely misrepresent early American history in order to bolster his ultra-right-wing agenda.
But as a paragon of low intelligence Bryan Fischer has few peers. He accused President Obama of “behaving like a dictatorial tyrant.” Fischer has also likened Obama to Adolf Hitler.
No political party or individual has a corner on ignorance, but advocates like radio preacher Fischer are the nearest thing to a real monopoly on ignorance, twisted Bible ethics and just plain intelligence.
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Showing posts with label Franklin Graham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Franklin Graham. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Friday, June 10, 2011
Integrity of messenger enhances the message
NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY: God's message is enhanced and believable with messangers of integrity ! !
Family-founded church dynasties seldom last more than one generation. The latest evidence of that being the resignation and retirement of Rev. Robert H. Schuller, famous for his television “Hour of Power” and the beautiful Crystal Cathedral worship center.
Last October the Crystal Cathedral church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time of filing, the church owed $7.5 million to creditors. Not the best testimony for being good stewards of the Lord’s money. Not the best example of how to spread the Good News propounded by an unemployed carpenter (some say stone mason) from Nazareth.
According to the Religious News Service, The Crystal Cathedral has announced plans to sell its iconic glass-walled church in Southern California to pay back creditors and overcome bankruptcy.
The tall pastor Schuller built a mega church from a humble drive-in church service. I say “tall,” because at 6 feet 2 inches I had to look up to him when we met in Shanghai years ago. He was and probably remains one of the most positive and charming people you would ever want to meet.
Schuller’s Hour of Power television program is not only one of the longest-lasting, but one of the more respected family-owned Protestant religious gatherings.
When the founder Robert H. Schuller retired he did not bestow the preaching mantle on his son, Robert A. Schuller. This resulted in the son leaving the father’s church. Robert A.’s sister, Rev. Sheila Schuller Coleman, was made senior pastor and primary preacher. Neither of the siblings had the drawing power of the father. Crowds and offerings are not up to expectations.
The reorganization plan has Senior Pastor and Chief Executive Sheila Schuller Coleman receiving a salary of around $70,000 a year. The church also hired a chief financial officer for $300,000 a year. It cost a lot more to live in Southern California.
The Crystal Cathedral has been torn by controversy since the departure of Robert H. Schuller. Such is often the unfortunate situation with the demise of religious family dynasties.
The prominent ministry and organization of evangelist Billy Graham had a sixty year run. He and Ruth Graham’s children were normal kids and so are their grandkids; not involved in carrying the organization on. Graham’s example of a minister called for a special task during a special period of time is unique. He and his team still stand head and shoulders above any public ministry in the 20th century. Such is the great need for evangelism in the 21st century.
After Billy Graham’s son, evangelist Franklin Graham, recently questioned if Obama was a Christian, Dallas mega church pastor T.D. Jakes urged the young Graham to apologize.
Jakes said: "I wish [Franklin Graham] had the diplomacy of his father, who brought the gospel to people without being nuanced by politics because when you do those things you offend people that you are actually called to save and to serve, … and I would hope that he would see the rationale in apologizing for such statements – because if the president's faith is suspect, then all of our faiths are suspect, because the Bible is quite clear about what it takes to be saved and the president has been quite open about his accepting Christ and him openly confessing it before men."
Bishop Jakes knows whereof he speaks. In the history of American Christianity, no evangelistic team has had as long and as scandal-free a ministry as that of Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea. These men were not setting up a dynasty. There was integrity in their method which advanced the integrity of the message. “I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy; for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45)
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Family-founded church dynasties seldom last more than one generation. The latest evidence of that being the resignation and retirement of Rev. Robert H. Schuller, famous for his television “Hour of Power” and the beautiful Crystal Cathedral worship center.
Last October the Crystal Cathedral church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time of filing, the church owed $7.5 million to creditors. Not the best testimony for being good stewards of the Lord’s money. Not the best example of how to spread the Good News propounded by an unemployed carpenter (some say stone mason) from Nazareth.
According to the Religious News Service, The Crystal Cathedral has announced plans to sell its iconic glass-walled church in Southern California to pay back creditors and overcome bankruptcy.
The tall pastor Schuller built a mega church from a humble drive-in church service. I say “tall,” because at 6 feet 2 inches I had to look up to him when we met in Shanghai years ago. He was and probably remains one of the most positive and charming people you would ever want to meet.
Schuller’s Hour of Power television program is not only one of the longest-lasting, but one of the more respected family-owned Protestant religious gatherings.
When the founder Robert H. Schuller retired he did not bestow the preaching mantle on his son, Robert A. Schuller. This resulted in the son leaving the father’s church. Robert A.’s sister, Rev. Sheila Schuller Coleman, was made senior pastor and primary preacher. Neither of the siblings had the drawing power of the father. Crowds and offerings are not up to expectations.
The reorganization plan has Senior Pastor and Chief Executive Sheila Schuller Coleman receiving a salary of around $70,000 a year. The church also hired a chief financial officer for $300,000 a year. It cost a lot more to live in Southern California.
The Crystal Cathedral has been torn by controversy since the departure of Robert H. Schuller. Such is often the unfortunate situation with the demise of religious family dynasties.
The prominent ministry and organization of evangelist Billy Graham had a sixty year run. He and Ruth Graham’s children were normal kids and so are their grandkids; not involved in carrying the organization on. Graham’s example of a minister called for a special task during a special period of time is unique. He and his team still stand head and shoulders above any public ministry in the 20th century. Such is the great need for evangelism in the 21st century.
After Billy Graham’s son, evangelist Franklin Graham, recently questioned if Obama was a Christian, Dallas mega church pastor T.D. Jakes urged the young Graham to apologize.
Jakes said: "I wish [Franklin Graham] had the diplomacy of his father, who brought the gospel to people without being nuanced by politics because when you do those things you offend people that you are actually called to save and to serve, … and I would hope that he would see the rationale in apologizing for such statements – because if the president's faith is suspect, then all of our faiths are suspect, because the Bible is quite clear about what it takes to be saved and the president has been quite open about his accepting Christ and him openly confessing it before men."
Bishop Jakes knows whereof he speaks. In the history of American Christianity, no evangelistic team has had as long and as scandal-free a ministry as that of Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea. These men were not setting up a dynasty. There was integrity in their method which advanced the integrity of the message. “I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy; for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45)
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
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