Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Ol Janx Spirit

(907 posts)
13. Have they studied what Christians have done in the real world throughout history?
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 11:15 AM
Tuesday

Despite the teachings of Jesus, it isn't pretty.

At its core, Christianity has been just another political movement wrapping itself in the text of a peaceful prophet.

And that political movement has been cruel more often than not in its quest to maintain power.

The evidence for this is voluminous, but the death of William Tyndale is a great way to highlight it:

William Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake near Brussels on October 6, 1536, for heresy after translating the Bible into English. As a key Reformation figure, he defied authorities by producing the first English vernacular Bible directly from Greek and Hebrew. His last words were "Lord, open the King of England's eyes".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tyndale

Many American churches use the translation of Tyndale in their services.

And there were dozens of wars of religion in Europe between roughly 1524 and 1648.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_wars_of_religion

These were a large influence on the creation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution enshrining religious liberty in an effort to curb its influence in politics.

But historically, "a cruel and oppressive government" has often been the result of Christianity, not the thing it seeks to resist.

"I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition!" -- Monty Python "Spanish Inquisition" sketch.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

What has Trump given up for Lent? bucolic_frolic Tuesday #1
Kinda late............... Lovie777 Tuesday #2
These are the Social Justice Xtians. maxsolomon Tuesday #29
Come on, my denomination and leadership have been on the front lines of this obamanut2012 Tuesday #30
Oh for goodness sakes! In NYC there's... electric_blue68 Tuesday #34
Finally...these people begin to wake up. travelingthrulife Tuesday #3
I doubt that these are MAGA pseudo-Christians William Seger Tuesday #4
I grew up Catholic, in and out for many years. hoosierspud Tuesday #8
I know there are scads of "good christians" slightlv Tuesday #35
If you voted for Trump at any time Miguelito Loveless Tuesday #5
Cannot access the letter AverageOldGuy Tuesday #6
That was the link provided in the USA Today Article BumRushDaShow Tuesday #12
I'm posting the web archive version. Hope it's the letter you're referring to. ancianita Tuesday #17
Any single Trump vote is a crisis of morality... EarthFirst Tuesday #7
Where were these so called Christian leaders Old Crank Tuesday #9
Well, that's a pretzel twist of logic Farmer-Rick Tuesday #10
Not if you actually read the letter. It says just the opposite of your own "logic." ancianita Tuesday #18
Yeah, they write that Farmer-Rick Tuesday #19
So what. You didn't even believe what they put in writing; so how can I believe that "the Southern Baptists I know" ancianita Tuesday #22
You got that right, Farmer-Rick. A LOT of churches recoil at anything pushed by social justice Christians. SunSeeker Tuesday #24
The letter you cite states it is to "advance God's reign." SunSeeker Tuesday #23
God, if you believe He exists, created all things visible and invisible. Thus the sciences, of human ancianita Tuesday #27
Sojourners was founded by Rev. Jim Wallis The Blue Flower Tuesday #11
Have they studied what Christians have done in the real world throughout history? Ol Janx Spirit Tuesday #13
Nothing about what you see is pretty because you want to condemn how Christianity is by its worst instead of ancianita Tuesday #21
Organized ****** created this monster by turning their backs or condoning him. usonian Tuesday #14
These are progressive churches OnionPatch Tuesday #15
Exactly. Sojourners, is a Christian social justice organization. They do not represent most US Christians. SunSeeker Tuesday #25
Since they mentioned Lent, methinks the signers are more Wednesdays Tuesday #16
Awh, they WOKE up... a little late and a dollar short... Justice matters. Tuesday #20
Sojourners, who put out this letter, were already "woke." SunSeeker Tuesday #26
Do they believe in the "King David" fairy tale? n/t Justice matters. Tuesday #28
Dunno. Ask them. nt SunSeeker Tuesday #33
Obviously not right-wing Christians Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Tuesday #31
I'm guessing these aren't the Evangelical-Pentacostal-Charismatic-Spirit-filled, Bible-believing, etc, etc, etc, type of Aristus Tuesday #32
Oh my! Delmette2.0 Tuesday #36
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Christian leaders denounc...»Reply #13