Darn that whole inconvenient First Amendment thing. Can’t we just get rid of that, and have only state-approved churches – or better yet, only ones approved by the likes of you?

You sir, are a pathetic excuse for a human being. The Methodist church has done more for this country than you or your ilk ever will.

The Methodist Church is not the only problem church.
We need an organization to educate all Church-Goers a-
bout the threat of ALL the Churches that support socialism in the name of social justice. The Catholic Bishops support socialized medicine, amnesty for illegals, etc.

This post comes as no suprise since it’s written by a fascist teabagger. Rot in hell asshole.

‘membership “debunking” the myths of Obamacare.’….

Thanks for proving that all of your talking points about obamacare are actually “MYTHS”

You’re such a blind partisan goof. GFYM.

Teachings of Jesus vs. War hysteria. You choose hysteria, I choose Jesus.

Let me just say that as a member of the United Methodist Church I am very happy that you are no longer a member.

It can’t be easy going through life this angry. And nothing says selective outrage like the crickets during the Bush years.

Wait, wait – why stop there? Methodism is just the tip of the iceberg. Islam, Unitarian, Judiasm, Mormonism, Hinduism, oh what’s that other one? Buddhism, Shinto, Sikhism, and don’t forget Presbyterians. They should probably all “go out of business” because they’re not fully in sync with your own patriotic views.
Just as a suggestion – as a public figure, being sarcastic or snide about people’s religious choices is a good way to alienate potential constituents.

I agree. Let us PURGE Methodists from our land which was founded by TRUE CHRISTIANS. We are engaged in a HOLY WAR to save our country, and none shall be spared who stand in our way!!! Republicans unite!

This is insanity! So you aren’t a church or a Christian unless you fit your definition? Who so you think you are? What gives you the right? You attack the Methodist Church at Christmas. How low can you go? Great way to spread the Christian love buddy. What would Jesus do?

Wow, sure glad I left the Methodist church and became an Atheist ……

Hmmm… maybe I will become Methodist.

As a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 50 years – I will pray for you.

It’s too bad The United Methodist Church actually believes in the bible isn’t it?
+ Exodus 22:21 You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
+ Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.”
+ Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:11-22 “…you are no longer strangers and sojourners but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household.
For length, I quote selectively, but throughout the Old and New Testament the people of God are told repeatedly to care for those whom the government or the markets or culture leave behind.
Really, the best summary is in the beginning of the book of Isaiah (1:17-18): “You know what is good, stop doing wrong and learn to do right. Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, care for the orphan and plead the case of the widow”

I’ve never been so proud to be a patriotic United Methodist as I am after reading your blog post.

You need to re-examine the definition of Separation of Chrch and State. I couldn’t continue reading your post after you mentioned that utter ridiculousness…

“The Methodist church is pro-illegal immigration. They have been in the bag for socialist health care, going as far as sending out emails to their membership “debunking” the myths of Obamacare.”

The church can say whatever they want. It’s the government that needs to separate themselves from the church. Maybe read the Constitution. Or even the Bill of Rights, that’s shorter.

Hmmm, well let me see if I can set poor Mr. Phillips in a different direction on some of this:

First of all, socialism and marxism aren’t quite exactly the same. When you say “socialism” that way, it sounds like a dirty word. I know you mean it that way – but consider that’s an insult to: Canadians, British, Norwegians, Swedes, Danes, Finns, French, Australians, Japanese…..the list goes on and on.

Second – this coming Sunday in church marks the day Joseph supposedly took Mary and Jesus, and ran to Egypt where they lived for several years. Essentially they were refugees and illegal immigrants. Would you turn them away?????

Jesus would likely consider not only Hillary Clinton, but even MR. Phillips acceptable. Jesus was the original “Marxist” after all. Feed, clothe and house the poor – had there been health care for all, I have no doubt he would have supported it. *All* people were created in the image of God, right? Or maybe that part of the Bible doesn’t work for you???

I find it amusing that you think anyone who disagrees with your particular view hates America. Iraq? Well, as bad as Saddam Hussein was, he had nothing to do with 9/11 or any other attacks. Now, Iraqis are fighting to be left to work out their own destiny, without interference. Are they not entitled to that? Oh, I forgot, they don’t think the same way you do, so they must be wrong.

you’re a douche bag…

A delusional one at that…

As dumb as they come.

This post is satire, right?

The United Methodist Church is a “CHURCH”. A Christian church’s loyalty and values are rooted in the the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and not based on the ideology of political system or government.

Who or what are you? Some kind of a nut?

How un-Christian of you.

I’m also a former Methodist and I’m glad somebody has the courage to say this. As Jesus said so many times in the Scriptures, “God Bless America.”

Are you for real? I’ve spent my entire life in the Methodist church and I have NEVER heard of anyone from any pulpit put forth the nonsense you have spewed in this blog. Over the years we’ve moved a few times, so my experience with Methodism hasn’t been restricted to one congregation. Perhaps you should focus on Tea Party business and mind your manners when you talk about God’s house and the people who choose to worship there.

Maybe you didn’t know G.W. Bush is a Methodist. Methodists are probably the best practicing when it comes to the ideal of What Would Jesus Do. Its unfortunate that bigots and demagogues like you are too stupid to understand anything more than your personal greed.

Any church has a right to have an agenda, just like any person. This is completely different than having our government follow a churches agenda. That is so fundamental that you need to understand it to even think any more on this topic, let alone comment on it.

I will however support your right to speak it, even if it displays a lack of understanding.

I agree that you need to know and understand your churches agenda before you lend it your support.

Say, aren’t you the genius who also thought the founding fathers were correct in thinking only landholders should be allowed to vote? There is so much nonsense in this article it would take forever to rebut. Still, I hope you continue to bring on the hate and pettiness — it makes you and your movement more irrelevant every day.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Yes, there are changes that need to be made in the United Methodist Church, especially in the area of full inclusion. However, the United Methodist Church has always sought to show the love and compassion of Christ to people and to follow the teachings of Christ to feed the hungry,cloth the naked, care for the sick, give shelter to the homeless, and visit those in prison.

After reading your views it is clear that you would, if you knew Christ teachings and ministry, consider Christ, and the early church socialist. You need to go back and study the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles. Your views would either change or you would give up following Christ just as you did the United Methodist Church. FYI, Christ did not give allegence to a nation but the Kingdom of God.

Wow! The Methodists have enemies again! Makes me glad to be in the church started by John Wesley in the 1740′s, challenging the status quo, calling people out of their vices, their Biblicisms, their cultural complacency, to be disciples who actually do something for people. When he started preaching in the open air, he preached against greed, corruption, vice, and apathy, that left hundreds of kids working in the mines 14 hours a day. I think this jerk is off target since he names not one single position that he disagrees with, and hides behind labels, and libels. So is he against 113 colleges,9 historically black? Is he against working with other denominations all over the world, and social agencies to achieve Kingdom of God goals. Does he have a position on the Kingdom of God.

At first i really thought that the Tea Party, however silly-looking, had a good point – that ordinary people should pay more attention to their government and get out to support their principles – but now I see that you all are just a bunch of liberal-bashing, paranoid socialist-phobes who are now content to slam entire denominations of Christianity to get hits on your pathetic website and drum up hatred for people who support pathways to citizenship for those who come here in search of a better life. By the way, the DREAM act is not a validation of illegal immigration. It does not reward people for breaking the law, but rather chooses to deal fairly with the children of people who’ve done so – but I suppose that wouldn’t matter to someone like Judson Phillips. I would never call someone like him un-American, or an enemy of American principles, by the way. That would make me no better than the millions of patriots he just chided for not subscribing to his brand of Americanism. He should be ashamed of himself for doing that, too. Just because people don’t agree with YOU, Jud, it doesn’t mean they don’t love their country!

Former President George Bush, member of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, will enjoy this!

Hey, Judson. “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or the free exercise thereof……..”

Just thought you Constitution Fetishists should get a heads up.

So glad you left the Methodist Church…

The UMC has plenty of problems, but as you point out, they do still care more about following Jesus than they do about being “patriotic” Americans.

God bless them, and may He give you the grace to repent of your nationalistic idolatry.

Well, to be clear, your hero George W. Bush claimed to be a Mehodist also. Glad to know what you really think of him.

I notice you don’t mention what denomination you switched to. None perhaps?

The message of Jesus Christ was only that we take care of one another. He lived his life organizing villages to do just that. He said that, along with loving God, caring for and loving one another was all that mattered.

I’ve been a Methodist all 51 years of my life. I teach a Sunday School class at a Methodist of people at least 15 years older than I, and most have given a great deal of their time and resources to caring for the least of God’s people. I know they will be interested to hear what you think of these people when I read them your post this Sunday.

Just recently, that class learned of 4 year old child, born addicted to cocaine, his mother jailed, and an Aunt taking him in despite her own financial struggles. This group quickly raised some money, and plans to continue helping and supporting this 4 year old. That is what the Methodist message of social justice is all about.

It says that everyone is a child of God…EVERYONE, not just straight white men like you. I’m sorry that’s not a lesson your early Methodist church was able to convey to you.

But again, it’s interesting your claim leadership of a group claiming Christian evangelical beliefs, but you apparently participate in no Christian denomination.

May I suggest a follow up visit with your psychiatrist? You’re barking mad, you know?

Sir, United Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, various progressive Baptists, forward-thinking Catholics, and all other mainstream Christians were here doing social justice ministries, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, sponsoring refugees, building houses for the poor, donating toward world relief, volunteering at homeless shelters and soup kitchens and proclaiming God’s unconditional love for all people long before you and the Tea Party Nation and we will be here long after you have vanished into the mists of history. We love our country and because we do we want it to be the best country it can be. That is why we oppose it when it is wrong. We also view all people as God’s children, including Muslims and those whom you derisively call ‘illegal immigrants.’ So go ahead and condemn the United Methodist Church and other Christians you don’t like. I can assure you that we will still be here ministering in the name of Jesus long after you and your narrow-minded movement have vanished from the scene.

I’m intrigued by your post overall, but your closing line is of particular interest: ” For the few remaining patriots in the Methodist church, know what that church supports and then you should abandon the church, much like the Methodist church as abandoned American values and patriotism.” I think it’s interesting that you equate a good church with a patriotic church because I believe this is contradictory to the message of Jesus.

First, I believe that Jesus rose above that narrow vision in his own ministry. The Jews expected a messiah that would restore Israel to greatness – hence the entrance on Palm Sunday and Jesus’ active resistance of being crowned in John 6:15. However, Jesus didn’t just focus on loving the Jews or representing Jewish interests. All throughout the Gospels Jesus reaches out to those of other cultures – the Samaritan woman in John 4, The Syro-Phoenician woman in Mark 7, the roman centurion in Luke 7. The only person we have recorded recognizing Christ’s nature at his crucifixion is a Roman Soldier, the very people that are oppressing the Jews. Jesus actively resisted the call of the Zealots, the patriots of his time, to overthrow Rome. He was focused on loving people, regardless of their ethnic or national heritage, and not the patriotic interests and values of Israel.

Additionally, I can’t help but note that throughout the Gospels Jesus called us to give our allegiance to a Kingdom that has radically different values from America – one that blesses the poor, the meek, those that suffer rather than the rich, the bold, and the entertained. I would also note that the New Testament church shared all things in common (Acts 2:42-47), rose above the narrow patriotic interests of the Jews and Greeks, and defied the political system of the Roman Empire and Jewish religious systems. It was a counter cultural witness focused on bringing about a new kingdom that has “neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus” (Galations 3:28).

I think, in short, that churches shouldn’t be cheer leaders for one country or another, but rather a prophetic institution that respects the dignity of all people. This isn’t to say that the Methodist Church is that institution because it consistently takes positions that counter US interests. Rather, I would argue that we shouldn’t leave a church solely because its views don’t line up with our particular political beliefs.

Grow up. Christianity is bigger than the tea party.

You might want to add to your list as well.

Lutheran, American Baptist, Presbyterian etc.

Or you could just start your own church, one without a pedigree or a pastor with a seminary education or who has ever studied any sort of theology outside of the mid-century fundamentalism movement.

“Either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are or we have to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don’t want to do it.” (Stephen Colbert)

Well, we don’t have to ask if Judson Phillips falls into that latter category. Love of Christ is not evidenced by pursuit of wealth through the “free enterprise system.” The problem for Mr. Phillips is that being an “evangelical Christian” doesn’t mean spewing contempt for fellow humans in a $1000 suit; it means living one’s life as Jesus taught us to live. And this just in — nowhere does Jesus espouse “the free enterprise system.”

If Jesus descended from the heavens in the middle of the street, and on the one sidewalk was Mr. Phillips in his fancy clothes, while on the other was a homeless man lying in his filthy rags and reeking of drink — who thinks that Jesus would turn away from the homeless one toward Mr. Phillips? Besides Mr. Phillips, of course, who doesn’t believe the Biblical teachings apply to himself.

In the reality-based universe, from which Mr. Phillips has departed, the Methodist churches are not among those with the highest percentage of losses of membership. Therefore, “the rate they are losing members” pretty much reflects the lack of knowledge of the author. The UMC is the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States, after the Southern Baptist Convention; and the SBC also is declining in membership, rather than growing. Does this mean that the SBC is also a Marxist organization?

Thanks.

mp

Wow. Reading this I am wondering if I ended up on some hate group website. You seem to be a very angry person. Get help before you harm yourself or somebody else.

Luke 1:

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”

So Mr Judson, are you a Christian?
How does your above rant towards your fellow American Methodist Christians reconcile with these words below?

Are you treating your brother Christians with love
by writing this article?

Quote”
And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body 1to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

What an asshat Judson Phillips is. How can he not see that denouncing a faith is exactly the opposite of being a patriot? The constitution protects the rights of Christians, Muslims, and yes, even Methodists. Judson Phillips is the real anti-American here.

You’re a sick person.

You’re more than welcome back to the Methodist Church any time you want. We still love you.

” Reading the Methodist social justice manifesto is like reading a socialist wish list. They want amnesty, they want “economic justice”…”

So if you are against those things, then you are FOR economic injustice? Huh?

As for fighting global poverty, everyone knows that lack of freedom and free enterprise (and access to markets) are the main causes of poverty. Fighting it and fighting FOR democracy (what bigger American ideal is there?) means fighting both of those things, as well as addressing the lack of fresh water, vaccinations and education. How can you run a democracy if people are too sick to go to the polls, or are illiterate and can’t fill out a ballot? Are you claiming that the fight against poverty is a socialist and thus “bad” thing? I think Jesus would be very sad to hear you think so, sir.

Sounds JUST like Jesus…NOT! Sounds more like you worship America, and not Christ.

Leviticus 33 When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34 The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

You really should check these sermons out, try the “Real Proof” audio. Free to watch and listen to. Listen to it and see if any truth hits you. Hint: He also speaks against the “Christian Left/social justice thru government” so you can’t put the socialist label on this.

http://whchurch.org/sermons-media/sermon-topics/politics

You sound like you are being tempted with nationalistic idolatry.

Leviticus 19 for the record.

“The Methodist church is an embarrassing joke.”

The church is a joke.

Fixed that one for you.

I for one am glad this guy left the Methodist church. He clearly is not a Christian and has prejudices that probably go back way before he was ever in the Methodist church. He must be reeling since his tea party is losing steam and is obviously grasping at straws.

“…..what can you say about a church that considers Hillary Clinton to be a member in good standing?…”

You could say that this church has wisely decided to “Judge not…”

Please tell me you left the Christian church shortly after leaving the Methodist church, because I for one don’t want you in my church. Anyone who is willing to disregard the foundational teachings of Christ in favor of political limelight doesn’t deserve a voice among the Christian body.

This is the stupidest post I have ever seen. Everyday the people of the United Methodist Church ask them selves WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) through the lens of WWJWD (What Would John Wesley Do?) and then strive to live it.

Jesus…you really are an asshole.

WOW! Only in America can one denounce a denomination of the Christian belief because it does not “go” with their political ideaology. That is why America has separation of church and state – so that wanna be demi gods can’t rule the masses.

Sir,
This is one of the least intelligent screeds I’ve read from the Tea Party nation. Please, Mr. Phillips, do not cause the movement any further unwarranted adversaries than we already have.
Respectfully,
Gary

First they came for the Muslims and immigrants, then they came for the Christians and when they came for the rest…..
Please, O Tea Partiers, quit attacking traditional Christianity. I realize that your Libertatian faith does not fit well with the views of Jesus, but can’t you have a little respect for freedom of religion and conscience. Your war on Christianity is wrong.

If they’re the first Church of Karl Marx why hasn’t Cheney been excommunicated?

You’re an asshole. How about sharing ideas on how to improve the world instead of tearing down others and their ideas. Nice leadership.

It’s clear you would also wish the name of John Wesley to be blotted out of the religious histories. The following excerpt from an unnamed blogger is a brief but sufficient description of Wesley’s attitudes toward the poor and the accumulation of wealth:

John Wesley was a man who valued social justice. Wesley was an incredibly involved man in the social issues of his day. This holiness preacher once declared, “There is no holiness but social holiness!” Wesley etched in the hearts and minds of his followers the need to provide for the poor. During his time at Oxford, he took courses in basic medicine and first aid. He proceeded to venture into London during much of his free time and work with the poor, providing medical aid where he could. Wesley and his Methodists worked hard to raise the money to provide food and clothing for the poor. One of his more innovative ideas, in my eyes, is that Wesley introduced interest-free loans to the poor in London, “rescuing them from lenders demanding extraordinate interest that would have compounded their distress.” (Marquardt, 29). In addition, Wesley’s Methodists devoted themselves to helping the poor to find jobs. In a time and place in which many viewed poverty and sickness as an indicator of the [lack of] worth of the individual, Wesley preached God’s love for all humankind and demanded unrestricted love for one’s neighbor.

Long before the Quakers introduced anti-slavery legislation to Parliament, Wesley was convinced that slavery was an atrocious blot upon humankind. In 1774, Wesley wrote Thoughts upon Slavery, presenting his case for abolition. Wesley’s staunch opposition to slavery heavily influenced abolitionist members of Parliament such as William Wilberforce. In addition, several Christian slaveholders, in direct response to Wesley, emancipated their slaves (Marquardt, John Wesley’s Social Ethics, 75). Any honest historian of the abolitionist movement in Britain, and later America, cannot deny the impact of John Wesley upon this abominable system.

I would be remiss if I left out Wesley’s view of money found in his famous “Sermon 50: The Use of Money.” In what quickly became known as the maxim: ”gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can,” Wesley demanded of his followers that they be good stewards of their wealth. In fact, Wesley had earned quite a bit of money from his published writings, and yet lived and died in poverty. Setting a cap on his yearly earnings early, Wesley never allowed himself to become more wealthy than he needed to be (i.e. Year 1: I make $10 dollars, but only need $8 to live. Thus, I shall give away $2 to charity. Year 10: I make $50, but only need $8 to live. Thus, I shall give away $42.).

So, reject and condemn the “Methodist church” – it’s actually The United Methodist Church – all you want, but in doing so, you’re rejecting what John Wesley would likely affirm as the heart of Christianity, and you’re idolizing “free enterprise” that leads to easily to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and that was certainly an important driver of the slave trade that Wesley so roundly condemned.

You are an idiot.

You should be ashamed of yourself for writing trash like this.

Tea Party Nation Founder Judson Phillips proves in this article that in addition to his being a political extremist, he is also quite a religious extremist.

After all, what can you say about a church that also considers George W. Bush to be a member in good standing?

The United Methodist Church is about the mission of speaking, and acting in accordance with, the truth of the Gospel and the love, example and sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the world. As a member of its clergy, I have no allegiance to any political orthodoxy or organization. My allegiance lies only with better understanding and living out the Gospel as Jesus taught and lived.
The Gospel has always been a difficult proposition for those who have and those who crave political power.
The Gospel is transformative, personal and communal. It is the way of humankind to be reconciled with God.
The Gospel is not about any political agenda. It is not about economic theory. It is not about “patriotism”. It is not about the United Staes or any other political entity.
If lives lived in the intent of making Jesus’ words come to life in the real world step on your idea of proper political orthodoxy, it would be time to re-examine that orthodoxy for the idol that it is. If the message of it collides with your agenda, it is that agenda that should be put aside, not the Gospel message.
It will be my prayer that you find the Gospel and the way of Jesus so that you may be able to stop worshipping the god you seem to have made of your country.

You son are quite full of absurd rage.

The Methodist Church also opened it’s doors and welcomed GW Bush as a member.

“Say, where are the liberal complaints on the separation of church and state?”

I’m not a liberal, but this argument doesn’t really work. Separation of church and state is a rule imposed on the state, not churches. This is a good thing, we wouldn’t want to have a rule that governs what a church is allowed to speak about. Besides, it’s not as if other denominations have never brought politics into the church.

Dear Justin,

I write this as a United Methodist minister. I write this as one who has served his country as a National Guardsman and who has often voted conservative in elections. I share many of the values many of those within the Tea Party espouse. I am writing this because at first I admit I was angered by what you wrote concerning our denomination. Certainly, I would agree there are those within our church who are very vocal about political views that I would strenously oppose; however, the church of Hillary Clinton is also the church of George W. Bush. I personally know some very committed United Methodists who are Republicans and are very sympathetic toward the Tea Party.

When others have sought to tar the Tea Party as extremists by highlighting incendiary statements made by a few individuals or brandishing photos of a few Tea Partiers holding placards espousing hate, I have ardently defended the many Tea Party people who are just good honest American folk who disagree with their government as is their right.
You encourage patriots to leave the United Methodist Church, but we have a United Methodist Church in the town where I live that had a special service on Veteran’s Day commemorating the sacrifice of our heroes and served a dinner to our veterans afterward. Recently, on Glenn Beck, I heard Glenn talk about how he would like America to be like Frank Capra’s Bedford Falls. This is the small town America where I live. And this is where the United Methodists I know live as well.
I am writing you because we had a long discussion thread on facebook regarding your comments. I commented that I wanted to have a dialogue with you. There were some that suggested that you were not the type who would be open to that. I hope they are wrong.
While I may disagree with the politics of some within my denomination. I would like to think we are not the red church or the blue church, but the church of red, white and blue. We love our country, Mr. Phillips. And I as a United Methodist love the church I grew up in. It was as a United Methodist that I found salvation in Jesus Christ. It was as a United Methodist that I learned to love Christians from other denominations and embrace them as my brothers and sisters in Christ.
On the third Saturday of every month, I work together with Christians from other denominations at a food pantry within our county. There are so many in need of assistance here. This is the church, Mr. Phillips. This is the “Bedford Falls” America that Glenn Beck recently exhorted us to be. This is what it means for me to be a United Methodist–to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and to work with my brothers and sisters in love.

Do you ever have those moments when, despite all of the ugly meetings and imperfections and the failure to meet apportionments, you just have this pure joy at being United Methodist?

I just had one. Isn’t it possible to love one’s country because of the beauty of the diversity of beliefs. I helped write aspects of the Social Principles you disagree so fervently with. I’ve even voted on legislation that passed that seems contrary to many of your views. I took the time to look up some of our Social Principles that seem to be in conflict with your beliefs.

- “I walked by the United Methodist Building, next to the Russell Office Building. The sign in front of the United Methodist Building said, “Pass the DREAM Act.” I have a DREAM. That is, no more United Methodist Church.” I can’t imagine the world with a United Methodist Church. We believe that “children have the rights to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and emotional well-being as do adults, and these rights we affirm as theirs regardless of actions or inactions of their parents or guardians. In particular, children must be protected from economic, physical, and sexual exploitation and abuse.”

- “…the Methodist Church is little more than the first Church of Karl Marx. After all, what can you say about a church that considers Hillary Clinton to be a member in good standing?” You can say that they won’t deny anyone the right to be a part of the body of Christ , because we are “grateful for God’s forgiving love, in which we live and by which we are judged.” We also believe in “the inestimable worth of each individual.” Besides, it’s not our place to judge other individuals. That’s position has already been filled.

- “Today, the Methodist Church is little more than the “religious” arm of socialism.” Sorry, the liberal arts degree in me is just wondering why “religious” is in quotes.

-”The Methodist church is pro-illegal immigration.” Well, yes, in a way. “We hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people to free and fair elections and to the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, communications media, and petition for redress of grievances without fear of reprisal; to the right to privacy; and to the guarantee of the rights to adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care.” In other words, if coming to America gives humans these basic rights, then yes, I’d rather have an illegal immigrant in America than have a 12-year-old forced into prostitution in Honduras to satisfy the depraved sex tourists.

-” The Methodists joined the Socialists, Communists and Marxists for the “One Nation” March.” It only makes sense that some congregation members would. “We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God. We therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened. We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection. We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or economic status.”

- Given the Methodist church’s demographics and the rate they are losing members, that should happen sooner, rather than later. True, US numbers are currently declining. Just don’t look at the growing statistics for Cote d’Ivoire and the over 700,000 United Methodists there, and you can keep telling yourself we’ll die out.

- “Reading the Methodist social justice manifesto is like reading a socialist wish list. They want amnesty, they want “economic justice”, they opposed “global climate change” (earth to the Methodists, man isn’t doing it), fighting global poverty (here is another hint, most poverty is caused by a lack of freedom and lack of a free enterprise system). Not shockingly, the Methodists side with the Islamists against Israel, and of course oppose America in Iraq…. In short, if you hate America, you have a great future in the Methodist church.

I not even sure where to start on this one. If by “Islamists” you mean Muslims, then yes, we have partnerships with Muslim organizations. In fact, one villager in the Congo told his minister that seeing United Methodists and Muslims working together to pass out insecticide treated nets was the first time he’d ever seen people from the two faiths not fighting. We think that fighting and wars are incompatible with Christ’s teachings, and should be used only as a last resort. Part of our fight against global poverty is educating farmers and small business owners, and then helping provide them with access to better markets. Please, please, please look at some of the programs The Advance does.

I’m sorry if you disagree with our Social Principles and our actions, but I love my denomination for it’s appreciation of human potential. It’s a church alive with a passion for justice, and it’s driven by hope.

“We pledge to continue to be in respectful conversation with those with whom we differ, to explore the sources of our differences, to honor the sacred worth of all persons as we continue to seek the mind of Christ and to do the will of God in all things.” – United Methodist Social Principles (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1686)

what a stunningly blasphemous statement. You left a church for following the law of Jesus Christ? For putting “love your neighbor” ahead of “greed is good”? For recognizing that the Lord isn’t American?
The sick lies here…that health care reform is “socialist” and decency towards immigrants, spoken SPECIFICALLY by Jesus over and over is “amnesty” show that you didn’t just leave the Methodists, you left Christianity, and common decency.

On top of your being a hypocrite, (liberty dictates that the Methodist church can say and believe whatever they like) you write like a 6th grader. Your logic is totally flawed, especially considering Jesus’ commands regarding social justice (Check out this book titled ‘The Bible’). I guess you don’t have to be smart to rally a bunch of white racists against a black president, though. Don’t try and argue that they aren’t racist or that’s not your goal, I know enough Tea Party members to know otherwise. And don’t think that your political double talk will appeal to people like me when you try to defend yourself, we’re smarter than the people you do appeal to.

Where in the Bible did Jesus tell us to write a hateful message like this? Jesus was about love and understanding and forgiveness. I see very little of that in your blog.

If you are against the actions of the Methodist Church, my friend, you are against the teachings of Jesus Christ.

So now we’re going to sow seeds of distrust and division among Christians? Sounds like the Devil’s work to me, Mr. Judson.

I must say, I feel not anger, but profound sadness for you. It is painfully clear that your anger ridden “patriotic” agenda has become your religion. And why not? People have been substituting their country, or tribe, for something bigger, since the day we first could articulate a word. You state that you were raised in the Methodist church. I suspect that, while that is no doubt true, your fading memory only allows you to rage against what you want to look back on. Judson, do try to open your eyes beyond your small sphere of concern, to a world, yes, a world, that God loves. (you do remember that verse don’t you?) A world that is wracked by poverty, violence, genocide, hunger, and thirst. United Methodists are not perfect and will never claim to be, but at least they are striving to live out Jesus’ command to feed the poor and bring justice to the oppressed. If you can’t make substantive comments about religion in the context of your political forum, do keep your mouth shut.

That’s fine, we don’t want an ignorant, self-important, pseudo-intellectual hack in the Methodist Church anyway. You are so not invited to the spaghetti dinner on Wednesdays and we won’t be bringing by any of the United Methodist Men’s holiday goodies either. God bless.

If you are a Christian, I would ask you to pray before you make statements like this. I am a member of the United Methodist Church. I am honored to go to church with many true patriots that have served the USA and have sacrificed much for their country. Members of our church have participated in many un-American activities such as planting gardens to feed the hungry and making Braille Bibles to send all over the world. Our church is made up of members that have true conservative traditional values. We share the good news and love of our Lord Jesus Christ with our neighbors. I will pray for you daily.

Wow. How Christ-like of you.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement must have been a socialist too. He started schools for children who could not get an education, he started clinics for those who had no access to healthcare, he collected and distributed money and goods for the poor and he constantly chided people for their selfishness and greed. So I suppose I will happily accept Mr. Philips characterization of the UMC as ‘socialist’. But I reject his simplistic characterizations of official UM positions on the issues of our day and I strenuously object to his assumption that the role of the United Methodist Church, or any church, in this culture is to uphold ‘American values and patriotism’. Our task and mission was given to us by our founder in the mid-1700′s and it remains relevant today more than ever: “The purpose of the people called Methodist is to reform the nation, most especially the church, and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land.’ Even if we go out of business with that as our statement of mission and values, I will rest easy.

The Roman Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church, American Baptist Church, and many other Christian denominations have been outspoken in their support of the DREAM Act, as have many Christian non-profits and several Jewish groups. Do you hope to see all these churches and organizations go out of business as well?

I agree with your conservative principles, but i think you make a grave error in making a comment about the entire Methodist Church. My grandmother spent her life in the Methodist Church and helped and supported many people. She was a great American. I am disappointed in the hate you are spreading.

You’re not very bright are you?

You’re an ignorant, intolerant, unimaginative, narrow-minded, self-righteous and pitiable little man. Hatred and contempt is your only measure; without others to condemn, you’d drown in your own emptiness.

I see how it is. Someone says something you don’t like and you delete it. Coward.

Wow, your LOVE of your fellow Americans is truly inspiring, Jesus would be proud

Listen, the consequence of living in a FREE and open society is that you are going to have to coexist with people who do not hold identical beliefs and opinions. THAT IS THEIR RIGHT.

Do I wish every ignorant, hateful hillbilly christian would just disappear? Sure, but, but because we live in a free country, YOU have the right to be here just as much as I do.

Why do they hate freedom?

As a conservative and a Methodist, I take exception to your attack on a Christian religion, or any religion for that matter, just because you personally disagree with something it stands for. I believe what conservatives stand for is freedom and freedom of religion is one of the corner stones our country was founded on. I don’t always agree with the Methodists and people of other religions don’t always agree with their governing bodies, but to single out one religion the way you have, is going to help divide a growing political movement. You come of as a wack-o which has become a problem for many within this movement. The press capitalizes on it and gives it too much attention. You are playing into their hands. I believe religion needs to stay out of politics. Few people were aware of this sign until you decided to rant about it and now it was on the front page of the Houston Chronicle (online). Nice job. You, and others like you, will kill this movement because you are causing it to be associated with nut jobs. You need to stay focused on the people in position of changing things. Believe it or not, there are some liberals that attend Christian churches and that sign was obviously placed by one of them. You need to retract and apologize to Methodists for your ill-conceived statements, but I doubt if that would get any attention. The damage has already been done.

I think we, as Christians, need to be really careful to respond to our differences in a Christ-like way, not in a way that lumps in a whole group of people and devalues their opinions. If we all thought politically the same way, we would never have the checks and balances needed to keep our country free with the melting pot of ideas and cultures and ethnicities and beliefs, etc. We allow ourselves to feel threatened by different opinions. There is not enough open, transparent and healthy discussion going on.

It’s not Methodists who hate America. It’s Judson Phillips who hates America, especially that pesky “Freedom of Religion” enshrined in this nation’s constitution.

YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP DUDE AND YOU NEED IT BAD ALONG WITH ALL THOSE IDIOTS FOLLOWING YOU.

When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. [Leviticus 19:33-34]

Do not mistreat the alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know what it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt. [Exodus 23:9]

President George W. Bush is a United Methodist and was one of most outspoken presidents in regards to his faith and following God’s will for our country. Knowing that President Bush is a United Methodist, and knowing that his wife Laura is a frequent speaker at United Methodist Women events, what are your thoughts about their faith and membership in this denomination? And what does it mean for Methodism if conservative-minded leaders such as the Bush family call that denomination their home?

I am a member of the United Methodist Church. Our church abides by the red letter sayings of Jesus in the New Testament, sayings which are universally repulsive to people like you and sinful human nature in general. You and your friends on the extremist right want a repentant, tamed, and domesticated Jesus that will whisper sweet nothings into your ears and bless all of your sins. Your high priests on the Religious Right are creating a whole new “christian” (with a little “c”) conservative theology to plaster and soothe over the guilt people like you should be feeling for abandoning the teachings of Jesus Christ to the evil ways of this world.

I have bad news for you. The United Methodist Church is not going to go away. We are still the second largest protestant denomination in the United States. Our numbers may be smaller than they were in the 1960s, but we who remain are faithful to the red letter words of Jesus, strong, capable, spread out over the worldscape, and extremely wealthy. In addition, the other mainline Christian denominations here and around the world are our allies in much of what we believe and profess. That would be the Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church, Northern Baptist Churches, United Church of Christ, Congregational Church, and many more denominations. We are millions upon millions upon millions strong here in the United States and worldwide. Now, here is what you need to know.

For the past several decades, our churches have remained relatively silent in opposing the Religious Right and people like you. This is one reason you have thrived—because there were few religious voices actively opposing you. There is a growing belief in our church ranks that the time for silence and passivity is over—that continued silence is public complicity with evil in the same way that the German protestant churches were silent during the rise of the Nazi Party. The silence is over, and the gloves are coming off. Your free and unopposed ride on the American religious stage is over, and we have the financial, communications, and networking resources necessary to devastate you. It will be your worst nightmare come true. Mark my word. It has already begun, and this message is just one small taste of the flood that is coming.

The truth of the matter right now is that the churches that support you are in decline. Much of the historical support for right wing extremism has come from Christian fundamentalist and conservative evangelical churches. The Christian fundamentalists have a crisis of their own admission right now–one that they find frightening. According to their own statistics, 88 percent of the children raised in their churches are leaving their churches and do not come back. Why? They are leaving because they do not believe in all of the religious nonsense that they hear in their pews for the first 18 years of their lives. They know that the Earth is older than 6000 years and that dinosaurs and humans did not live at the same time. They are fleeing.

The Southern Baptists are having problems too. Since the right wing extremists took over the church in 1979, baptisms per year are on the decline for the first time in church history. Many members are growing disillusioned with the direction the Southern Baptist Convention has taken and the political extremism it has embraced. Pastors are increasingly more critical of the church leadership—sometimes more silently than openly because of the fear factor that the church dictatorship has installed over the past 30 years—but critical nonetheless. The people who have be run out of the Southern Baptist churches are uniting with us. The more tightly the SBC dictators tighten their fists for control, the more members slip through their fingers to find new churches. I am predicting, and I am rarely wrong about such things, the impending deaths by natural causes of Paige Patterson and Judge Paul Pressler will be the beginning of the end for the conservative movement in the Southern Baptist Convention churches. I see a move back to the red letter words of Jesus and a more moderate political perspective. So, do not be comforted by what you see all around you in the seeming unity and growth of your local suburban Southern Baptist megachurch. It is all illusion. The cracking from within is already underway, and it will not stop until Jesus is finished squeezing it towards destruction and reformation.

Dick Cheney and George bush are also Methodists you dolt!

Is this what the Tennesseans are for, censorship, destroying Churches just because they don’t agree with you? Take this from a Libertarian / Independent that holds the Constitution High, you are not representing Tea Party Values here in this blog! You have become what the Tea Party despises …

I have to tell you, Mr. Phillips, that I am a United Methodist and that this post does a rather good job of summing up the official social positions of our church. In fact I feel you would be even more outraged at some other official teachings listed in the UMC’s “Book of Resolutions,” of which there are hundreds. But I think two things bear noting.

First, not every UMC congregation actually puts the official, social-justice-oriented church teachings about which you speak into practice. I imagine these are among the “good people” to whom you refer. Further, some churches carry the social-justice message further than the General Conference of the UMC requires.

Second, Hillary Clinton joins Laura and George W. Bush and Bob Dole as a member in good standing in the UMC, as you point out. This is a large denomination which admits of much diversity.

In conclusion, Mr. Phillips, I generally agree with the way you present the facts of the UMC’s social-justice orientation. Yet, departing from your analysis, I could not be prouder of my church for following the biblical imperatives to “do no wrong or violence to the resident alien” (Jeremiah 22:3), to “defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9), and to “give justice to the weak” (Psalm 82:3). Hopefully doing justice to those who need it most is not an any meaningful way a confusion of church and state.

Proud member of the United Methodist Church. I believe in what they stand for and think the Tea Party needs to look at their Bible a little more closely.
My husband is a veteran of the first Gulf War along with other small encounters that you’ve probably never heard of. I’m proud to be an American and to be someone who has the right to practice whatever religion I want. I support your right to have no religious beliefs whatsoever. Why would you, as someone who calls himself a patriot, oppose the rights of me and my church to practice and stand behind our beliefs? Seems to me that every country/leader in the world who has imposed their religious beliefs on others and set forth to shut down their opposition (Hitler, South Africa, Milosevic to name a few) have been shut down by the United States and it’s allies.
Careful what you pray for, sir. God’s answer might not look like yours.

Judson, what are your thoughts about President George W. Bush and Laura Bush being United Methodists? Laura Bush is particularly outspoken about her membership in the Methodist denomination appearing as a speaker at national conferences for the denomination’s United Methodist Women. I look forward to your response and hope that you do not delete this comment as you did my last.

Sounds like the person you really have a problem with is Jesus. Maybe you should take this up with him. After all, he’s the source of many of these concepts that you rant about.

Sit down. Shut up.

I think you are paranoid and should see a shrink.

You’re weird.

My dream is of the Tea Party flushed down the toilet.
LOL

Thanks so much for this! You know, sometimes I’m a little irritated by my church, but overall there is a lot of good happening. Your hateful diatribe reminds of all the things it’s doing right and the way it’s truly following in Jesus’ message.

I mean, of course you completely fail at facts (obviously the UMC does not support torture by Muslims, there doesn’t need to be a manifesto about it,) but you’ve done more for the Methodist church today than any advertisement in years! Thank you!

I am saddened for your mental illness… I will only ask God’s blessings upon you, that you regain your sanity soon.

“you should abandon the church, much like the Methodist church as abandoned American values and patriotism.”
I knew we Methodist should have been following “American values and patriotism” instead of that crazy Jewish carpenter. “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” – Matt 25:40…yeah, and look where that got us.
By the way, let’s go ahead and erase that crap at the bottom of the Statue of Liberty “Give me your tired. Your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to be free.” What a load of non-sense that we can now clearly see was simply part of the great French socialist plot to bring about our destruction.
Thanks, Mr. Phillips!

Oh my. You are certainly out of line of the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I will pray for you

I find the information presented by this person to be bitter and selectively angular. I agree with the pastor that we should pray for this individual, as he does not represent the belief of the United Methodists I know.

Criticism of an organization is rarely accurate and that is certainly true in this case. The reverse is also true and I’m sure you do not represent the entire Tea Party organization. At least I haven’t heard such asinine commentary out of other Tea Party members.

I haven’t been to church regularly in many years. I will be back in my beloved Methodist Church and giving them all that I can. Thanks, Mr. Phillips, for letting me know that there still are people of faith who can think, and for themselves, too.

Anyone thinking about joining the United Methodist Church should read the “Social Principles of the United Methodist Church” before doing so. The principles are said to be based on scripture, and, in studying them, you can decide if that is true. I can’t imagine anyone agreeing with every one of the UMC social principles.

One of the principles is this: “The church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust.” This means that the UMC means to be politically activist, which means that they seek to have their principles made law and enforced by government. There are people on the payroll of the UMC who are engaged in this activism.

In my three years on the finance committee of my local UMC, I learned a few things. First, in our case, 80-85% of the budget goes just to pay the staff and keep the physical plant going. Very little goes to people with real need. Also, one of the sizable budget items is a thing called apportionments, which is a cash sum paid up to the higher echelons of the church organization. (It looks more like a franchise fee to me.) Supposedly, this money goes to various ministries, but I believe it goes mainly to pay salaries and expenses of the upper church hierarchy – including the activists. What this means is that, if you contribute financially to your local UMC, some of your money will end up supporting political activism.

If all of this is OK with you, then by all means join the UMC and offer it your “prayers, presence, gifts and service.” If you disagree, you should go elsewhere in your search for a church home.

whatever feels good to you, my man. still,i want nothing to do with this. nope. Anyway, i have subscribed to your rss feed which really should work! Have a good day!

I was so saddened to read these comments, Mr. Phillips. As a lifelong member of the UMC, I have NEVER ONCE been preached to about any political/national policy. I have never received e-mails explaining reforms or issues to be voted on by our government. What has been preached to me every week is the lessons of Jesus – acting like Christ is what being a Christian is all about. Jesus taught us to respect each other, to not sit in judgement of others, that greed and selfishness was wrong – we should unconditionally spend our time and our money helping others less fortunate . Most important, we are supposed to love our neighbors AND our enemies. It very much troubles me that so many conservatives/tea partiers who demand America come back to Christianity country actually consider application of Jesus’ teachings to today’s society “socialism” and therefore evil and un-American. If the Methodist church is so horrible, I wonder why you sat in silence for the eight years George Bush was our President…surely as a member of the Methodist church he was a socialist who secretly hated America. I will pray for you and all the misguided Tea Partiers who continue to follow you.

Reading all the responses to this guy’s words is just another example of the intellectual poverty of liberals, especially ministers and members of the UMC. You always seem to resort to name-calling (cowards, a##hole, etc) rather than marshall facts. The fact is that the UMC is an apostate denomination. It has done more to demean the Gospel and the reputation of the Church-catholic than perhaps any other with the exception of the Episcopal Church USA. The FACT is that the UMC is a dying denomination. Tens of thousands of people are leaving this denomination every year… most often for evangelical, or emergent church congregations. UMC churches are being pressed into charges and parishes because churches all over the US can no longer pay their bills, support a full-time minister, and pay appportionments. WHY? Because the failed leadership of the espiscopacy, the liberal take-over of the leadership by pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, anti-Israel theologically vapid liberals has dienfranchized the people at the local levels who kept this denomination in operation. The UMC is in very very serious trouble. Unless it undertakes extreme even radical reform in the next 12 years, it will not make it to 2050. I have served over a dozen UMC congregations as a clergy. John Wesley would vomit if he were to see the American arm of his movement right now. And I’m pretty sure Jesus would find Himself rather uncomfortable on the pews of MOST “downtown, first-churches in this denomination. Its up to the UMC- repent or die. I for one, as an evangelical, do not care which you do………..

Judson
You left out something in the timeline of this.
Leaving the chuch 35 years ago, Hilary was also a teenager at that time and immigration was’nt an issue
then. So why did you really leave 35 years ago. I hope you will rexamine this. If we all had the sme opinion about everything we’d be democrates or republicans or baptists lol. Sorry baptist brothers and sisters could’nt resist that. Hope you will come back Judson.

I left the Methodist Church several years ago myself.

The problem isn’t only the fact that the Methodist Church supports political causes which I can’t support. Personally, I was surprised more than once to have found out about an action or position taken by the UMC from an outside source, rather than the UMC itself. This points to a serious lack of communication (perhaps deliberate?) between the UMC higher leadership and its congregations.

For instance, I never heard a pastor or church newsletter say, “We want everyone to know that next week, the UMC leadership is going to publicly condemn Israel! We sure hope you’re all supportive of this action we’re taking.” Nothing. Not a word. (In all truthfulness, I found out about this particular action through the news three days before I formally joined another church.)

I believe there are people in the UMC who love the Lord, but are either ignorant and/or apathetic about the controversial political positions taken by its leadership. Personally, I couldn’t stay there any longer. I feel that the more than a few of the UMC’s stated positions , especially those concerning Israel and illegal immigration, are non-Biblical, delusional, and destructive.

One last thing: in the several years I was a member of the UMC in Austin, Texas, I never once heard a message about salvation preached by a UMC pastor. In a couple instances, pastors would brush up kind of close to the subject, but never really address it. Not a good sign.

Capitalism and Christianity are fundamentally incompatible. What you stand for, Judson, is the reign of the Anti-Christ. True Christians have every obligation to oppose you, to name your harlotry for the hell-bound idolatry it is and always has been.

I heard of this ignorance a month ago when it first came out, but never bothered to take the time to read it firsthand until right now. Let me begin by saying that I am conservative politically, but when it comes to some issues, I don’t think the “conservative” side has all the right answers.

First off, your dream is true. The Methodist Church died out a long time ago. In fact, it hasn’t been the Methodist Church since 1968 when it joined with the EUB and became the United Methodist Church. If you are going to target a religious group, at least get the name of that group right.

Second, you should probably take up these issues with the several United Methodists who are represented in Congress… on both sides of the aisle.

Third, if you choose to be a leader of a major political movement, perhaps you should educate yourself on the vastness that is the United Methodist Church. If I were to read your comments in my United Methodist congregations this Sunday, people would be very upset about the derogatory remarks you just made about them. People who would probably agree with some of your political positions. However, political positions do not reveal the heart of a person. What they say and what they do reveals that, and I have to seriously question what is going on in your heart after reading this post.

Finally, take a moment to read the end of Acts 2. You’ll see a picture of the early church that may seem “socialist” and “Marxist” to you.

Get your head out of your rear and realize that there is a lot more diversity in the United Methodist Church than your ignorant, small-minded post can comprehend.