From: andronicus451@gmail.com   
      
   Why the American clergy leaves the Church?   
      
   (While being strict on the Holy Scripture on the sexual freedoms,   
   reproductive rights, and gender ideology - even when we are not perfectly   
   blameless and innocent since birth ourselves - I allow other views on   
   the matter. Though the NWO agendas do mean the end of the world   
   as we know it, the gay bashing indeed doesn't sound like our Lord either.)   
      
   * * *   
      
   Why Retired Clergy Lose Faith and Leave Church   
      
   This month’s post is called Why Retired Clergy Lose Faith and Leave Church.   
   It’s based on my recent survey about the theology and church involvement of   
   retired clergy. Both clergy and non-clergy readers will likely find it   
   engaging.   
      
   Below you can find a recent column for my local newspaper called “The Real   
   Crisis in American Religion.”  I argue that the true crisis in American   
   religion is not that Christianity is declining but that a significant segment   
   of American Christianity    
   has jettisoned the spirit, example, and teachings of Jesus. The brief column   
   follows:   
      
   The Real Crisis in American Religion     
      
   In a recent interview, Russell Moore, author of Losing Our Religion, told a   
   story about a pastor who preached a message from Jesus’s Sermon on the   
   Mount. During his message, the pastor quoted Jesus saying things like “Turn   
   the other cheek” and “   
   Blessed are the peacemakers.”   
       
   After the sermon was over, a parishioner asked the pastor, “Where did you   
   get those liberal talking points from?” The pastor said, “I was literally   
   quoting Jesus Christ.” The parishioner responded, “That doesn’t work   
   anymore. That’s weak.”   
       
   As he reflected on that incident, Moore said, “When we get to the point   
   where the teachings of Jesus himself are seen as subversive to us, then   
   we’re in a crisis.”   
       
   I concur with Russell Moore. America faces a religious crisis. Why? Not   
   because American Christianity is in decline. But because large numbers of   
   American Christians have jettisoned the spirit, example, and teachings of   
   Jesus. Numerous examples follow.     
      
       Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” In that context,   
   “stranger” meant immigrant. But today, many American Christians demonize   
   immigrants and seek to block them from entering the country.     
           
       Jesus said, “I was hungry and you fed me.” But today, many American   
   Christians seek to cut programs for the poor and hungry, including SNAP   
   benefits (food stamps).    
           
       Jesus was a healer. He cared deeply about the physical health of all human   
   beings. But today, many American Christians seek to cut health care to people,   
   especially the poorest among us.    
           
       Jesus taught his followers to avoid self-righteous judgment of others. But   
   today, many American Christians viciously condemn the LGBTQ community with   
   mean-spirited venom.    
           
       Jesus respected women and believed they were equal to men. But today, many   
   American Christians relegate women to second-class citizens who cannot serve   
   as ministers and who must submit to men.    
           
       Jesus constantly spoke about “the kingdom of God.” He taught that   
   God’s kingdom transcended all earthly kingdoms and that God loved all people   
   of the world equally. But today, many American Christians affirm extreme   
   “America First”    
   Christian nationalism.    
           
       Jesus cared about the welfare of children. He once warned that it would be   
   better to “be drowned in the depths of the sea” than to hurt a child. But   
   today, many followers of Jesus refuse any and all efforts to protect children   
   (and adults) from    
   gun violence, which has become the leading cause of death among children and   
   youth in America.   
       
   Other examples could be given. But the point is clear. A large number of   
   American Christians no longer even try to follow the example and teachings of   
   Christ. Instead, Jesus is too “woke” for them.   
       
   When I was a teenager, my church taught me to ask the question, “What would   
   Jesus do?” and then try to do the same. Today, a large segment of American   
   Christianity asks, “What would Jesus do?” And then they do the exact   
   opposite.   
       
   Russell Moore is correct. This is a crisis. And it needs to stop.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)