Christian author won’t kowtow to GOP
For those who haven’t read Christian author Jim Wallis, whose writings are apparently at the center of the firing Colorado Christian University global studies professor Andrew Paquin (“Firing of prof at Colorado Christian puts focus on Christ and capitalism,” Aug. 13), a few things need to be pointed out.
Wallis is not opposed to capitalism. Wallis does proclaim Jesus to be his Lord and savior.
Wallis’ teachings are based on the Bible, so he is evangelical.
Therefore, if Paquin was fired for assigning readings by Wallis, such a decision would be flawed.
On the other hand, Wallis takes the first commandment (“You shall have no other gods before me”) very seriously and, as such, refuses to worship the Republican Party. It is more likely this, and not any imagined “anti-capitalism,” that is the real reason Jim Wallis is banned at CCU.
Joan Jacobson, Lakewood
Thanks Joan. A most cogent point.
Jim Wallis has a website called Sojourners that very much is concerned with the biblical issues of helping the poor and social justice.
Posted by Wes on August 16, 2007 06:02 AMHe was fired because he did not fiot into the liberal leftist thinking. The excuse of being religous is just that an excuse. Wallis refused to bow down to the liberal establishment. It was a tit for tat fireing to try and show fair and balanced managment from the regents over the rightful fireing of the liar Ward Churchill. Nothing more.
Posted by on August 16, 2007 06:04 AMcorrction not Wallis fired but Paquin .
Posted by on August 16, 2007 06:06 AM06:04 AM anonymous
Paquin was fired because 'he did not fit into the liberal leftist thinking"? That's the best belly laugh of the morning!
Colorado Je$u$ Bu$ine$$ Kindergarten - the one that usually calls itself "Colorado Christian University" - is "liberal"? That's a joke and a half!
That bunch are further out on the Right-wingnut fringe of "religion" than the Flat Earth Society and the "Creationist Science" whackos and kooks.all put together. For them, their Je$u$ is the prophet of good old Robber Baron style Republican monopoly capitalism, and son of the Almighty Dollar.
You write as if you would just about qualify for a professorship there, a total muddlehead who can't even keep names and places straight.
Posted by Old Grouch on August 16, 2007 07:55 AMModestly amusing that the very first thing some cross-carrier does is retreat into the ideological argument and attempt to portray some representative of what they usually claim as a majority to be a victim. And this minus the courage to assign themselves an identifier, even one so anonymous as a screen name.
Posted by patrick on August 16, 2007 08:20 AM"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." signed Jehovah
"I come from the loins of David." signed Jesus Christ
It is a capital offense for Christians to worship the former.
Deicide Corner: The government in a free society may not force a citizen to contribute three pence only of his property for the support of any one establishment of religion says James Madison/Thomas Jefferson/plus 53 Founders but says George W. Bush in euphemism: Screw Madison and the 54 Founders while the Catholic Supremes say Amen to Bush's $$$billion tax dollars to the spook from David's loins.
Says the a-hole Catholic Alito: [The Constituion] "makes the president the head of the executive branch, but it does more than that. The president has not just some executive powers, but the executive power--the whole thing." J. Samuel Alito
The Founders intended the Presidency to be the least of the three branches. They feared kingly powers which now a-hole Bush assumes, a terrorist that blows up the Wall of Separation of church and state he is trying to impose in Iraq. I have to go take my medicine. Richard Grimes r22037@yahoo
Posted by Risen Ape/Deicide on August 16, 2007 11:48 AMIn response to Old Grouch who once again demonstrates he has his head in the sand. politics runs rampent in religion. What you like to call mainstream today was left of center 15 years ago. This applies to the church as well. Denomination does not matter. Politics and ideology is so scewed today that if you are mainstream you are considered a right wing zelot who carries a gun. that only if you believe in a utopia then you are mainstream
Posted by on August 16, 2007 12:00 PMYes, 12:00, and unfortunately, religion runs rampant in politics. Would that it weren't so, because I'm tired of your crap being pushed down my throat.
Posted by shaupeen on August 16, 2007 12:39 PMWhat a joke!
Rethuglicons who rail against the "thought police" clearly have them at work at CCU. No diversity of opinion allowed there. Where' David Horowitz when you need him?
This school calls itsel christian, but it sounds more like a subsidiary of the Repugnant party:
'Among the school's "strategic objectives," adopted last year, is to "impact our culture in support of traditional family values, sanctity of life, compassion for the poor, biblical view of human nature, limited government, personal freedom, free markets, natural law, original intent of the Constitution and Western civilization." '
It's clear that Jesus put compassion for the poor at the top of his list, not third, and I seem to have forgotten his views on limited government and free markets. Perhaps one of the school's defenders could remind me what he said on those subjects.
Posted by Repugnants are liars on August 16, 2007 12:46 PMMr. Paquin was lucky that he was only fired and he can now go find a better job some place else and his life was spared.
However, if Mr. Paquin had been caught working on Sunday, his Christian bossman, author Jim Wallis, would have had to have Mr. Paquin 'Put to Death' since his teachings are actually based on the Bible. What a lucky guy Andrew is and what worthless waste of time is Colorado Christian School, as Jesus never existed..
Posted by ww on August 16, 2007 01:03 PM"Christian author won't kowtow to GOP"
But does the "Christian author" and the professor who assigns his reading expect everyone in this nation to kowtow to their beliefs?
That IS what is tearing this country apart.
Posted by Thomas on August 16, 2007 01:48 PMThomas,
Sort of a situation of "pots and kettles", at best. Sojurners is a Je$u$ Bu$ine$$ franchise that peddles a maganine; and features Wallis, with his version of "Christian politics" by email, and on its website.
Just more of the same old, same old, with the one Je$u$ Bu$ine$$ franchise in competition with the other for the good old dollar$ and cent$. The "university" bunch are just a bit more blatant about the Dollar$ and cent$ coming fir$t and foremo$t, by way of Republicani$m and its conception of "free enterpri$e, while Willis does mention such ideas as caring for the poor and disenfranchised a bit more often.
More or less like the huge choice between, say a Ted Haggard and a Billy Graham - or any other "difference" between those in the Je$u$ Bu$ine$$ as "fundamentalists".
Posted by Old Grouch on August 16, 2007 02:38 PMPosted by Old Grouch on August 16, 2007 02:38 PM
Most of the time I enjoy reading your posts but I have to disagree with your evaluation of Jim Wallis and his magazine. I think there is very much a difference between the left hand of God and the right. The left hand of God was at work during the Civil Rights era championing social justice. While Mr. Wallis makes a living with his magazine it focus' on his social concerns and is up front about subscription rates the same as Oprah.
I simply don't see why you are so grouchy about people who believe in a created universe also being concerned about a sustainable and just material world.
My guess is it made the regents at CCU sweat to think that their campus would be overrun by liberation theology and chants of "We shall overcome".
Posted by Wes on August 16, 2007 04:48 PMWes,
I don't particularly take all that kindly to ANY idea of "God's politics", from anywhere on any line of directions. Of course, those who believe that God takes part in human affairs to the point of "backing" any "side" are fully within their rights. And that is, among other matters, one of our Constitutional guarantees; i.e., Freedom of religion.
While that kind of little tinpot tribal idol approach to things is fine for those who see "God" in that light, it just manages to turn me off. Even when it is put in terms of a particular religion's - or Church's - name, as being the "politics" necessary to belonging, or worshiping, according to that group's particular ways, it doesn't improve any.
I fail to see why anyone who believes in a created universe needs to be content with the idea that the Creator is so anthropomorphic,, so negligible, so petty, and so manageable, as to be involved with, or concerned about, parties, candidates for office, or just plain "politics" in general.
What's wrong with using the brain you have yourself - presumably a part of that creation - to do the best you can yourself to bring about justice, peace, and prosperity? And, I'd really like to have one of those fax lines to paradise - such as Pat Robertson claims - if such exists. Why shouldn't I? What makes for his knowledge of "God's politics" - or Wallis's knowledge - that you and I are not entitled to as sentient, rational beings?
But then again, I walked out on the Je$u$ Bu$ine$$ a good many years ago; and I have never regretted it since. I'll make do with human politics, thanks. I don't have much use for a "god" who plays "politics" to begin with.
Posted by Old Grouch on August 16, 2007 07:51 PMThe president of Colorado Christian University, William Armstrong, says capitalism is more consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ than any other economic system. More than any other economic system, capitalism fosters greed and helps widen the gap significantly between the haves and have-nots. I would like to know what teachings of Jesus are so consistent with capitalism.
Dr. Walter Owensby, a former public policy official of the Presbyterian Church (USA), once wrote, "We are obligated by faith to stand in judgment of capitalism and all economic orders, insisting always that they produce a society as nearly in accord with the biblical vision as possible. There is no Christian economics. But there is a Christian critique of all economics."
According to scripture, Jesus said much about the dangers of acquiring wealth. Jesus told the rich young ruler it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. The Bible also tells us the love of money is the root of all evil. If Jesus were alive in America today, his radical teachings would clash with our materialistic, capitalistic culture. Like Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus would probably be assassinated.
Socialism is not all bad and capitalism is not all good. Both have a place in meeting the needs of all our people. I believe Jesus would approve of fired Professor Andrew Paquin's teaching and teaching methods.
That's right, Jesus never existed and is almost an exact replica of many other imaginary gods of the past like, Baal, Tamuz, Hercules, Buddha, Horus of Egypr (3000 B.C., Attus, Kristna and so forth.
Get an education at:
http://www.jesusneverexisted.com
Bounce,
Exactly why I always refer to it as being the Je$u$ Bu$ine$$; and to those in it as franchisees, entrepreneurs, or peddlers. Armstrong's position is an exact portrayal. An "economic system" is what lay at the root of the Protestant Revolution - opting for a form of mercantilism over feudalism - and an "economic system" is all that Protestantism is today.
You pays your money, and you takes your choice of how to get to "heaven"; along with what kind of entertainment you want on Sunday morning along the way.
Posted by Old Grouch on August 17, 2007 11:44 AMGroucho
How you interpret this earthly experience is always going to be unique to you but my impression is that you have prejudged people because they have work for religious institution and dare to get involved with political or social issues. Mr. Wallis is being judged based on your perception that God is too august to take sides in petty human affairs. The outside-the-box view would be that people like Mr. Wallis don't expect God to take their side but they believe that God wants them to help the poor and help alleviate suffering. Mother Theresa didn't wait for approval to minister in the Calcutta slums. She took action because she was inspired to serve. Just because you don't understand their motivations doesn't mean that they are all Tammy and Jim Bakers working the con.
The politics involved with the removal of this professor is just that. The regents feared the loss of Republican donor funds if they deviated from teaching an anti-gay, anti-abortion, pro-war agenda. They can't have little Carrie Christian going home for Christian break and questioning why moral-values Christians are supporting torture by American troops. Educational diversity might be the conservative mantra for CU but it doesn't apply to their institutions.
Posted by Wes on August 17, 2007 01:13 PMWes,
As I said, I don't care all that much for those who keep peddling the ideas of "God's POLITICS", "Christian POLITICS", - even "Buddhist, or Jewish, or Hindu POLITICS", if such be the snake oil - as if their "God" validated, or authenticated, the ballot box, the proposed initiative, or amendment, the Statute, etc., etc.; and only THEIR "god" - or fantasy of what constitutes "god" - has the "right answers" to human POLITICAL issues and questions.
I don't criticize their ACTIONS; nor do I doubt, nor do I "mis-understand their motivations" - as you put it - for actually going out and feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, burying the dead, healing the sick, etc., etc. That is to say, DOING what they feel is "God's work", or following what they feel is "God's way".
I do think that these latter mentioned ways are examples, to be be put into action by those who profess belief in the tenets of whatever form of religion they hold. And, to present and proclaim one's religion, by acting as one believes he should act, is fine with me. As is telling others, by preaching or other informative communication, that such action is a part of the RELIGION'S way of life that should be adopted by its followers.
But when you try to sell me a magazine, preach me a sermon, or other wise peddle your "religion",, by telling me that it IS, or contains, "God's POLITICS", or "church POLITICS", and is the way the Civil Government should be run: Well, then, we're right back to that old saying: Not only NO! But HELL NO!
That comes under the heading of that absolute wall of separaton between Church and State that is basic to the First Amendment to the Constitution.
And, simply, POLITICKING is what Wallis, and Sojourners, do, by email, and otherwise. Which is just another part of the good old Je$u$ Bu$ine$$ in America today.
Posted by Old Grouch on August 17, 2007 06:49 PMGroucho
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one my friend. I think I understand your perspective but I'm not sold on your conclusions. What we need if for David Horowitz to come out and condemn CCU for their lack of ideological diversity. Any bets he will demand ideological diversity from a ultra right wing educational facility?
Posted by Wes on August 18, 2007 08:04 AMWes,
I think you're asking for something that is inherently mutually contradictory to begin with.
For me, it's not all that much a matter of "idfeology"; it's more the bastardization of what used to be a designation that had meaning in higher education.
There is an old saying: "A University is a log with a student sitting on one end and (a noted scholar) on the other." Back then, the scholar named was usually Oliver Wendell Holmes; but you can choose to fill in that blank as you wish.
Today, however, the student - in Colorado anyway - would be mighty lonesome after he sat down.
Every hole-in-the-wall, postage-stamp, little substitute for an 8th Grade Diploma calls itself a "University" today - whatever the ideology - and good luck finding a scholar anywhere among them. And "CCU" has never really rated the designation of "college" for that matter. Nor has, nor does, ANY "Bible School" for that matter.
Dignify them if you will by calling them a "seminary" - though that really abuses the word - but an "education" that is based upon a mythology book hardly rates more than - or even - that.
But, that's the Je$u$ Bu$ine$$. Like any other schlockmeistering operation, it depends on fooling the suckers with slick advertising. The good old "free enterprise" of "Our Snake Oil is better than Brand X; and our Witch Doctor is a Graduate of Superior Standing."
And, sad to say, good old Cowlorado is still stuck in the day and age when the travelling Revival tent show was the biggest thing to hit town all year. Though today, it's put on in big barns and auditoriums - "mega-churches" - the rubes still flock to be "saved". And the more highfalutin the Snake Oil Peddler, the more the take.
Just keep it OUT of Governmnet!
Posted by Old Grouch on August 18, 2007 10:24 AMI grew up in this country when it was pretty much run by Christians who made the laws, social conventions and rules. Pregnant girls had to give away their babies.
Catholic hospitals had a mother superior who could over ride a doctors orders as one did to me.
Everyone in a cafeteria ate fish or cheese on Friday. Businesses had to close on Sunday, unmarried women could not get birth control and even after marriage the types were controlled by religion.
States had dry and wet counties.
Gambling was illegal, as well as prostitution and homosexuality.
Certain sex acts were illegal even for married folks.
This is just a partial list of the silly and serious way religion completely permeated our lives.
Any wonder some of my generation are atheist, agnostic, no-cluest or just not interested in religion?
Religion has been in government, now we are getting it out.
Blue laws and religious laws keep getting struck down by the Supreme Court.
We still have a ways to go.
Posted by Sharon B. on August 18, 2007 06:34 PMSharon B.
Well said.
Posted by Charles B on August 20, 2007 07:53 AM