There aren't a lot of words that can describe exactly how I feel about the Family instituted "National Prayer Breakfast." Contempt, disdain, resentment and anger. I hate a secretive organization that manipulates our political leaders parading under the cloak of religion. Especially when they use the words of Jesus Christ to support their attempt at covert control of our democracy.
I hate its pervasive influence through its Fellowship not only in our government, but also in governments around the world. Truly, if there really was a right wing boogey man in the form of a Muslim attempt at world dominion, it would pale in comparison to the work of our own home grown pseudo-Christians.
More information about the Family can be found in Jeff Sharlet's work: The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power and in his article for Salon as well as in the Peter J. Boyer article for New Yorker, Frat House for Jesus, The Entity Behind C Street.
I especially hated to see my President cave to the demands of the Family and make an annual appearance at these prayer breakfasts where hypocrites claim Christ's mantle as they rob the working class to enrich themselves and others that they view as the Select.
This year was different.
This year he finally called out the money changers in the temple. This year he talked about Christ in a way that would probably have Christ cheering in a corner with tears streaming down his face as he finally heard someone repeat his teachings and actually mean it.
President Obama finally said what I have waited for years to hear someone say to these frauds who so freely quote scripture to destroy the lives of others:
The rich should pay more not only because “I actually think that is going to make economic sense, but for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus’s teaching that ‘for unto whom much is given, much shall be required,’” Obama said at the Washington Hilton, delivering remarks at an annual event that every president has attended since Dwight D. Eisenhower.
“We can all benefit from turning to our Creator, listening to him,” Obama said. “Avoiding phony religiosity… This is especially important right now when we’re facing some big challenges as a nation.”
Also from the same
Politico article:
"When I talk about our financial institutions playing by the same rules as folks on Main Street, when I talk about making sure insurance companies aren’t discriminating against those who are already sick or making sure that unscrupulous lenders aren’t taking advantage of the most vulnerable among us,” Obama said, “I do so because I genuinely believe it will make the economy stronger for everybody, but I also do it because I know far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years. And I believe in God’s command to ‘love thy neighbor as thyself.’”
According to
The New York Times:
Referring to his calls for the middle class to have a “fair shot” at economic opportunity, the president said, “Part of that belief comes from my faith in the idea that I am my brother’s keeper, and I am my sister’s keeper.”
This, the day after Romney claimed that he didn't need to worry about the poor because they have a safety net.
If there is a God, I think he would prefer President Obama's concern.