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Short Takes
Blogger Chuck Currie responds to the IRD's attack on the nominee to lead the National Council of Churches; Time magazine surfaces evidence of corruption by leading religious right pols in Alabama; The Christian Science Monitor reports on charges of high-level proselitization in the military; One writer complains about the lack of "movement organizing" perspectives in Lake of Fire, while another says that it shows how "class struggle" and "racism" figure into the abortion debate. |
The Institute on Religion and Democracy attacks the nominee to lead the National Council of Churches. UCC blogger Chuck Currie responds:
It didn't take long...
In a statement, IRD president Jim Tonkowich (a minister in a Presbyterian schism group opposed to the ordination of women) called Dr. Kinnamon "outside of the mainstream."
Why does IRD care who serves as the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches?
Funded by Richard Mellon Scaife and other conservative extremists, IRD was set up to undermine the mainline churches and to silence the prophetic voice of Christian leaders opposed to military conflict and economic policies that benefit the wealthiest at the expense of the "least of these" in society.
Time magazine reports on documents that show that the same source of evidence of bribery that prosecutors used against Democratic Gov. Don Seigelman of Alabama, was not used to even investigate, let alone prosecute, religious right Republican pols Sen. Jeff Session (R-AL) and former Alabama Attorney General, now federal judge, William Pryor.
The Christian Science Monitor reports on the question: "Are U.S. troops being force-fed Christianity?"
Iannis Mookas complains in Gay City News, that among other things, Lake of Fire lacks "movement organizing" perspectives and "gives short shrift to ordinary pro-choice activists." He also objects to the assertion that the film is in any way "definitive."
Loyal Mehnert, at the movie buff site World of KJ writes:
What's most striking about Lake of Fire is how it develops the debate beyond the simple context of a women's right to choose and protecting the rights of the unborn baby. We learn how class struggle, religion, political affiliation, education, sexuality, science, philosophy, racism, big government, US history, and gender equality all factor in. The hypocrisy presented of killing abortion doctors to save fetuses, while tens of millions of children die worldwide from malnutrition and easily treated diseases is almost unbearable.
After seeing Lake of Fire, you'll leave with two realizations, no matter what your personal beliefs are. One, abortions aren't going away, even if they were banned outright. And more importantly, there are things that can be changed within the government that would dramatically decrease the number of abortions performed. Young, uneducated, poor, often minority women can improve their lives, consequently avoiding unwanted pregnancies. I would make Lake of Fire required viewing for all high school students and anyone looking for an earth-shattering film experience. It's one of the most important documentaries ever made.
Let the debates begin!
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