Thread by @jcsbimp

1 - Something that I believe now as a 62-year-old Christian that I was not raised to believe when I grew up Southern Baptist:

A claim of Jesus Christ as Lord is not some magical inoculation against teachers and preachers who will manipulate you in that holy name.

2 - Further, depending on faith in Jesus as sufficient to steer you away from being misled, without developing ability to think critically, speak bravely against wolves in sheep's clothing, & suspect those who crave power, even in the church, is living with an inadequate arsenal.

3 - I think this is important to examine and verify as being substantiated by Jesus' own teaching. Why rail against the Scribes and Pharisees if they weren't actually capable of doing harm to the innocent? Why warn those who mislead "these little ones" of spiritual death?

4 - America's own Christian history, one of a manipulated faith justifying racism, enslavement, and extermination - one even used today by white supremacists many of whom see themselves as following God's will (including mass shooters) - also shows a blind faith can be foolish.

5 - There are widely popular spiritual leaders in America who call themselves Christian preachers and at the same time pervert the gospel to the point that their end results are more devilish than divine. The fruits of their works rest in huge hoards of wealth.

6 - Even this wide popularity should be suspect. Jesus taught the Narrow Way, and said that few would find it. He also said the Wide Way was destructive. We've seen Church marry with State and Commerce, with Mass Media covering the well-attended wedding, and it's hurt us.

7 - This goes as far back as colonial days & which preachers got popularized to aid in the building of the American empire. A direct Christian teaching line of succession can be drawn back to "Manifest Destiny," a Church/State codification of racist thought that led many to die.

8 - And I believe the successors of such twisted perversions of Christian ideology today tell us it's God's will we support and do not criticize @realDonaldTrump - while they also tell us not to worry about the environment or income inequality or women's bodily autonomy.

9 - You know who the perpetrators of this manipulation are. And I've called them out by name elsewhere.

Let's walk away from this legacy, and build genuine Christian love and compassion in this country. Shame the manipulators when they manipulate - they are doing devils' work.

10 - And finally, don't believe every line of bullcrap that is sold to you by a slick, suave, prosperous preacher who says they're doing so in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I think Christ himself would want us to be smarter than that. And we certainly need to be right now.

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