While the QAnon cult has found its way into evangelical churches across America, the ever-updating and goal post-moving conspiracy theory is now targeting some of the most prominent evangelicals in the country, Right Wing Watch reports. On July 12, RWW reported that MAGA pastor Jackson Lahmeyer, who launched a primary challenge to Oklahoma GOP Sen. James Lankford […]
Ok, personal rant incoming. I find this development pretty soul-crushing (but mostly expected).
Growing up, my family was rather religious. Not evangelical protestants, but "mainline" protestant in a working class "rust belt" community.
I fondly remember attending potlucks in the church banquet hall and playing with other kids while the adults cooked the food in the communal church kitchen. It was a huge well-kept commercial-style kitchen and was definitely nicer than the tiny kitchens in our little factory town tract houses. There'd always be elderly folks there whose families had long since moved away and they'd be happy to be there and included. Sometimes visitors from other churches from out of town would stop by and be welcomed.
After college, I moved away. Now many years later when I visit, most of the folks there are pretty solidly chuds who rant about big government and evil Democrats, and it honestly kind of blows my mind. The Saturday potlucks ended years ago.
I dunno, maybe rose-tinted glasses and all, but in my life experience, these Saturdays felt like "actually existing socialism" to me... a group of working class people pooling their resources for the benefit of the collective. I don't know why others didn't come to same conclusion. The totalizing aspect of capitalism marches on, I suppose.
I have nothing but admiration for Liberation Theology. A church community that genuinely focuses on radical egalitarianism and fiercely advocates for the poor and marginalized is most true to actual theology, I believe.
Ok, personal rant incoming. I find this development pretty soul-crushing (but mostly expected).
Growing up, my family was rather religious. Not evangelical protestants, but "mainline" protestant in a working class "rust belt" community.
I fondly remember attending potlucks in the church banquet hall and playing with other kids while the adults cooked the food in the communal church kitchen. It was a huge well-kept commercial-style kitchen and was definitely nicer than the tiny kitchens in our little factory town tract houses. There'd always be elderly folks there whose families had long since moved away and they'd be happy to be there and included. Sometimes visitors from other churches from out of town would stop by and be welcomed.
After college, I moved away. Now many years later when I visit, most of the folks there are pretty solidly chuds who rant about big government and evil Democrats, and it honestly kind of blows my mind. The Saturday potlucks ended years ago.
I dunno, maybe rose-tinted glasses and all, but in my life experience, these Saturdays felt like "actually existing socialism" to me... a group of working class people pooling their resources for the benefit of the collective. I don't know why others didn't come to same conclusion. The totalizing aspect of capitalism marches on, I suppose.
I have nothing but admiration for Liberation Theology. A church community that genuinely focuses on radical egalitarianism and fiercely advocates for the poor and marginalized is most true to actual theology, I believe.