The right's appropriation of the 'Christianity' mantle
Zack Ford at Thinkprogress.org notes he received some flak from a reader who complained about his characterizing Chick-Fil-A as a "Christian-run company." He admits this perspective has merit, and goes on to describe how conservatives have appropriated the mantle of Christianity specifically to advance an agenda hostile to the gay community and progressive Christians:
There is nothing about the Chick-fil-A controversy that has anything to do with so-called “religious freedom.” The company donates millions of dollars yearly to organizations that actively work against the safety and health of LGBT people. Its president preaches that gays and lesbians should be scorned as “twisted up stuff” who “invite God’s judgment” upon society. These are all actions with direct consequences for LGBT people, and religion in no way justifies them. Certainly, many who identify as Christians — including many LGBT people — see Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay principles as foreign to their inclusive faiths, but their voices are largely absent from the public conversation. The takeaway here must be how lopsided the “religious freedom” talking point is. If standing up for the fair treatment of LGBT people is an attack on conservative religious beliefs, then denying LGBT equality is just as much an attack on inclusive religious beliefs.
Read his entire post here.
We cannot say this enough: by allowing the mantle of "Christianity" to be co-opted by and identified with those who loudly and publicly follow policies such as these, we become accomplices in the decline of the Gospel's perceived relevance. We must witness!
Posted by Leslie Scoopmire![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 2, 2012 5:01 PM
Great to know that an allegedly "open-minded" and "tolerant" church has one and only one acceptable opinion on certain matters.
Posted by Christopher Johnson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 2, 2012 5:13 PM
I totally agree with @Leslie. Even in the 16th century Richard Hooker was castigating the religious right of the time for bringing Scripture into disrepute by ascribing it more authority than it was intended to have.
His prediction is fulfilled. Christianity is loosing adherents not because it is liberal, but because it's clean use of Scripture to promote meanness is simply not acceptable to those coming of age. We harm our faith by quietly allowing them to dominate the public square and need to spen our money "representing" Christianity for what it is.
Posted by Michael Russell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 2, 2012 6:01 PM
"but their voices are largely absent from the public conversation."
Such voices are largely absent because we have the respect and dignity not to shout and be obnoxious, the result of which is that we are ignored by the media. Part of me is proud of this while the other part of me is disappointed.
-Cullin R. Schooley
Posted by Apps 55753818692 1675970731 F785b701a6d1b8c33f0408![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 2, 2012 8:07 PM
"Progressive Christian voices" are far from absent. Everyone knows they are there. People just feel that they are irrelevant and have no meat. No backbone. No foundation.
Posted by Nicole Porter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 2, 2012 9:53 PM
Leslie: Absolutely spot-on! Our silence enables the corruption of the Gospel message.
Kevin McGrane
Posted by Maplewood![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2012 10:24 AM
Christopher: ref.: “Great to know that an allegedly ‘open-minded’ and ‘tolerant’ church has one and only one acceptable opinion on certain matters.”
Thank you for the comment, allow me some thoughts on the matter…
Any church of Jesus Christ SHOULD have one, single opinion on certain matters. For example, racism, or adultery, or murder. They are wrong, and any church worth its salt should stand up and say so. Increasingly, TEC is becoming aware that condemnation/oppression of gay people is also wrong, even dangerous….and we are saying so.
Kevin McGrane
Posted by Maplewood![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2012 11:11 AM