While I know many here at DK shun religion but is is a simple fact that between 70% and 80% of all Americans self identify as believers and the vast majority of those are Christians. So if nothing else its instructional to know what we are all going on about :)
Like many Churches, the Episcopal Church uses the Revised Common Lectionary (http://en.wikipedia.org/...). It is a three year cycle that was set into motion long ago. Yet week after week it seems to hit home like it was "ripped from the headlines." This week was no different:
Luke 18:9-14
Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.
I look around and I see Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and most of the TeaPublican House exalting themselves. I see Sarah Palin and Rush as the definition of self praise. Funny how they go against the teaching of Jesus so easily. Funny how they claim to be such devout Christians yet the seem to have never opened a Bible.
As I said, I understand that many here care little for religion. I think many see only the "stick" of religion as it is used as an instrument of hate. I am sorry for that and I understand it. But know that any who preach hate are like those who exalt themselves - they will be humbled.