The trouble is that, way too often, conservative evangelicals aren't interested in self-reflection to figure out just exactly how they fall short, at least in an institutional or cultural contextual setting. That often happens when you talk and listen only to people like yourself, which has the effect of only reinforcing what you already believe rather than challenging it. And this is why, unfortunately, they need to be exposed — because they pay lip service to God but really have no intention of ever relying on Him. Ironically, that's also why they tend to be so fearful.

But when my Pastor gives a sermon , he hits me between the eyes , its meant to edify the church , to promote me to grow , not to cause me to shame , but grow with the Lord.

If your pastor isn't creating some shame in you, he's simply not doing his job. Not to say that he should beat up his congregation, but if he doesn't say anything that doesn't “rock the boat” he's not preaching the true Word of God — which, delivered in the Spirit, can and does cut deep.

You're misusing “stereotype” precisely because she's not saying “conservative christians ignore the poor etc.” She's saying historically, the political movement has focused more on certain political ends (anti-abortion and anti-gay legistlation, for example) than on others that are actually spelled out in the bible (care for widows and orphans, for the poor, for the immigrant). That doesn't mean conservative Christians agree 100% with all decisions that the Christian right movement has made, or that they themselves are not concerned with and actively working on these issues.

An analogy would be to say The US government has actively worked to overthrow governments that did not fit their ideology, even though the people of those nations democratically elected their own leaders.This is not the same as saying all Americans reject and attack political positions that differ from their own.

I think she does see the goodness in conservative Christian people and the good they do, even while critiquing the political movement.

While my parents belonged to a Pentecostal denomination, the Assemblies of God, they never belonged to a Protestant denomination. The AG is NOT a split from any denomination.

A lot of stuff we see done in various churches these days weren't even done in the 1st Century Church, aka The Way. While the circumstances of Jesus birth was known, you won't find any teaching of it as doctrine in the New Testament.

I prefer to say Jesus was born as a human being and He had the Christ Spirit dwelling in Him. How could there be a “Birth of Christ” when the Christ existed before the beginning of time as we know it?

Besides the point . I was speaking to the story of Christmas and what it means to all of us. The religious Right , Evangelical Conservatives you seem to take such delight in “exposing ” I would agree on many things in what you say . Within my friends I share what I know and learned . Praise God for that mercy.

. I suggest to you that many things we could find wrong in the Black Church , the progressive Church, all churches and denominations . Seems like we have a Move of God and we make a denomination out of it then put up walls to protect it . Keeping God out at times .

But when my Pastor gives a sermon , he hits me between the eyes , its meant to edify the church , to promote me to grow , not to cause me to shame , but grow with the Lord. He does not hit someone else outside of my understanding and whose shoes I have not walked in between the eyes. Christmas means too much to me , your right , a bit over sensitive . I am a riot at easter .

I am no better then any brother I have in Christ, perhaps more forgiven , but what you speak to has nothing to do what I am speaking to.

I don't understand what that has to do with the subject at hand and Christmas .My son just returned from Iraq , he is against the war and I his father is also . He went to IRaq when President Bush was In office , he came home when President Obama was in office .
Someone who sits next to me in a church needs to be against the war as I am for them to have a pro life view you respect ? But I do because I am pro life and against the war ? What has my view or anyones view with the war in iraq have to do with protecting the lives of the unborn ?

You believe LBJ went to war because of Left Behind Books, or Lincoln , Truman, FDR, Wilson, of course not , but somehow we did because of Bush . That people were manipulated by Left behind books , can you explain this rationally ?

The Twin Towers had nothing to do with it ? The propganda we received stating a threat appeared to be at hand ? Colin Powell at the UN ? This war condoning was because of Left behind books and shallow pro life views ?

Current President is pro choice , past was pro life . Whats your point ? Both believe they were doing what is right , I do not believe President Obama is supporting more aggression in the war because he read Left behind Books . To suggest it is based on a theology in progressive circels is as loony as to say it was for Bush . I hope you see that .

His pro war views are because he believes that is the danger spot for terroism . The man could be right , but it has nothing to do with denominational religious disputes , Good grief,

He believes he is doing what is best , I hope He is right , pray for him , but I will not tell the Christmas Story that leaves him out of it .

Could it be that just some of us have moved to some extremes that they are unable to see just basic 101 basic understanding and respect for other beliefs ?

. Parts of Ms Bass cultural supporters allow for the belief the Virgin Birth never occured . In fact Ms Bass may believe that ,

I suggest she pay more attention in her own backyard if she wants to throw stones. Unless of course you think the Birth of Christ has more to do with Advent practices then what God did for us ?

Blessed Virgin is part of the Christmas story for many of us .

I am looking forward to seeing the Lord , I think some will be surprised to see many of the left behind crowd in His presence also.
Never understood the concept of those who promote discussion if Christ really was resurrected, or if there is a hell , and other Bibical beliefs that for sure could ALSO be said to cause people not being as concerned in their behavior and how they treat their fellow man .

But this end of times topic seems to be stumbling block for many in progressive circels , as much as it has caused I believed a bunker mentality in fundamental circels. How can you take Christmas and narrow the joy of who it is for ? I think sometimes believers are kinder to non believers then the church.

To enjoy the essay in spite of the sterotype , if the sterotype was race , homosexuals , pro choice believers in the body of Christ that were negatively portrayed not to be giving, helping the poor , concern for our envirnoment would you still say that . be honest . But yes being a progressive blog are you tell me I should expect respect and unity for the body of Christ to be supported ? I for all understanding can not understand how anyone can embrace the word of God, Know our Lord and not support pro life positions .
Am i not for chance doing what Ms Bass is doing , picking my scriptures , whcih are more important , and perhaps need to look at others with the eyes of our Lord instead of my own culture and understanding .

I guess to understand the Christmas story my point was that it was for all of us , and I guess the way it is here it is not . Not saying I am better , or other faith groups were , just thought it was important to share .

Not too sure about the end of times to be honest I am really trying to do my best in the these . But I really think people need to realize Jesus is already here with us in our hearts , and he does not discriminate even one sterotype.