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  • Christian Nationalism is a Threat to Democracy

    Christian Nationalism is a Threat to Democracy

    Hate / Racism
    Pixabay

    “White Christian nationalism is a political ideology that says we should be a Christian nation where Christians receive special legal rights. Its adherents believe they are on a holy mission and will stop at nothing to seize power, which is why Christian nationalism played such a strong role in the January 6 insurrection.

    It’s no surprise that white Christian nationalism fosters antisemitism at events like ReAwaken America. In May, it was revealed that two frequent speakers at ReAwaken America had praised Hitler. In 2021, when the tour visited an antisemitic pastor’s Texas megachurch, Flynn said America needs “one religion.” And now in Nevada, Roseanne Barr will be a new addition to the tour’s lineup — just a few weeks after proclaiming, “Six million Jews should die right now ’cause they cause all the problems in the world.”” 1

    “In a discussion of Christian Nationalism, the first thing to know is, there’s nothing Christian about it. It’s dictatorial fascism wrapping itself in misquotes from the Bible.

    Speaking of quotes, someone once said, “When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”” 2

  • If You Know Someone Who Lives Alone, Check in on Them Once in a While by Ross Reck

    If You Know Someone Who Lives Alone, Check in on Them Once in a While by Ross Reck

    Do It Now!

    Alone
    Pixaby

    A friend made this post recently on Facebook: “I’m feeling down. I just learned that a friend I knew when I lived in Illinois passed away. The last time we spoke, which was a month ago, she seemed so up, but evidently, she wasn’t. She took her own life. Her sister said she felt lonely because many friends and family members had recently died. Her other “friends” were too busy with their own lives to spend any time with her. I guess what I am trying to express is we never know what others are going through. Now I wish I had called more often.” The lesson here is that if you know someone who lives alone—especially if they are recently divorced or widowed—check in with them. You never know what the impact of reaching out could be.

    References:

  • Having Trouble Pulling Yourself Out of a Rut? Take a Walk with Someone by Dr. Ross Reck

    Having Trouble Pulling Yourself Out of a Rut? Take a Walk with Someone by Dr. Ross Reck

    Walking Hand in Hand

    Take a Hike!

    Sometimes we can fall into a rut where we’re doing the same things at the same time every day and watching the same television programs every evening. When this occurs, life can become a little stale or even boring. One inexpensive and enjoyable way to pull yourself out of such a rut is to take a walk with someone. According to an article by Jancee Dunn, which appeared in the New York Times, “Some of my most rewarding conversations have happened while on foot. The exchanges seemed to flow more easily, as if our steps were setting the tempo for our speech.” She goes on to point out that: “Research shows that it can be less stressful to talk to someone when you’re walking side by side with minimal eye contact, than conversing face to face.” These types of conversations serve to lighten our load, lift our spirits, and deepen our connection with the person we’re walking with. You’ll be getting some exercise, deepening social connections, and having fun. Now that’s a rut worth falling into.

    References:

  • The Catholic Church and Christian-Nationalism

    The Catholic Church and Christian-Nationalism

    Vatican
    Pixaby

    Just What Does Faithful America Say

    “Let’s not mince words: Bishop Joseph Strickland might just be the worst Catholic bishop in the United States.

    The Bishop of Tyler, Texas, is a Christian-nationalist election denier who spoke to at least one “Stop the Steal” rally before the January 6 insurrection. The fact that he is still in a powerful leadership position should concern us all: for the ways he has harmed people in Jesus’s name, and for the damage he’s done not just to Catholicism but to the broader Body of Christ.

    He tweets QAnon links. He spreads deadly anti-vaccine misinformation. He blatantly violates the separation of church and state by falsely asserting Catholics cannot vote for Democrats, whom he has called “evil.” He repeatedly attacks LGBTQ rights, even outside of Texas. He is a strident critic of Pope Francis, once endorsing a video that called the pope a “diabolically disordered clown.”” 3

    “If Texas Bishop Joseph E. Strickland is known outside of his diocese for anything, it’s for controversy.

    The conservative firebrand, who oversees the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, has sparked backlash from critics for everything from voicing support for priests who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to offering a prayer at a “Jericho March” event in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. More recently, Strickland challenged Pope Francis, announcing on his Twitter feed that he believes the pontiff is “undermining the Deposit of Faith.” His efforts have inspired some detractors to call for Strickland’s resignation, while others have urged Vatican intervention.

    But according to multiple sources, Strickland has already been on the receiving end of the Vatican’s ire for more than a year: He was chastised by a representative of the Holy See in 2021, they say — a move that simultaneously signals the potential for formal Vatican disciplinary action and exemplifies the difficulty of reining in a controversial cleric.” 4

  • The Filibuster: Is It Destroying Democracy?

    The Filibuster: Is It Destroying Democracy?

    Anti-Democractic

    Democracy
    Pixaby

    At its core, the filibuster is anti-democratic because it allows a minority of senators to block legislation that a majority of the American people support.

    “The procedural maneuver, long used by Senate minorities to block civil rights legislation, is now poised to stop democracy reforms supported by broad majorities. If the Senate is to be responsive to the popular will, the filibuster must go.” 5

    “It was, on the surface, a routine political process: The U.S. House of Representatives sent a resolution to the Senate calling for establishment of a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. The measure was placed on the Senate calendar, came to the floor and provoked passionate debate. In the end, the vote was 54-35 in favor, with support from both Democrats and Republicans. But in technical terms, this was not a vote on the commission itself. Republicans had launched a filibuster on the resolution, and by Senate rules, 60 votes would be needed to break its hold. And so, although the resolution won by a wide margin, it failed.” 6