Clergy Demand Apology From GOP Lawmaker

[lakhota]

Clergy Demand Apology From GOP Lawmaker For Claiming 'Hatred Of God' Informs Liberal Beliefs

WASHINGTON -- Religious leaders in Missouri are calling on Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) to apologize for claiming a "hatred of God" informs liberal beliefs and to reconsider his moral priorities.

"Such insulting pronouncements degrade our nation’s political dialogue and are unworthy of a public servant who claims to represent the interests of all of his constituents," wrote religious leaders in a statement. "We call on you to apologize, and we pray that you are moved to act in a spirit of civility, compassion and justice in the future."

They also took issue with his support for a House GOP budget proposal authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), which calls for dramatic cuts to state Medicaid programs and contains other provisions that they said would hurt the poorest Americans.

“Loving or hating God has nothing to do with political affiliation. But, Jesus did tell his followers that best way to tell if someone loves or hates God is to find out how they treat the poor," said Tim King, a spokesman for Christian progressive organization Sojourners. "As a member of the House budget committee that is something Rep. Akin should remember.”

During a radio interview with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins last week, Akin said he believes that "at the heart of liberalism, really, is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace God.”

The comments, which came during a discussion about NBC's redaction of “under God” from its broadcast of the pledge of allegiance during the U.S. Open, have enraged local religious leaders, who called Akin's statement an attack on liberal and progressive people of faith.

Akin has sought to contextualize his comments and, in a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, apologized for any misunderstandings:

People, who know me and my family, know that we take our faith and beliefs very seriously. As Christians, we would never question the sincerity of anyone’s personal relationship with God. My statement during my radio interview was directed at the political movement, Liberalism, not at any specific individual. If my statement gave a different impression, I offer my apologies.

My point was to object to the systematic assault that attempts to remove any reference to God from the public square.

NBC’s recent action only highlighted the continuing battle for those of us who believe that removing references to God go contrary to the Judeo-Christian heritage our nation was founded on -- the belief that our inalienable rights come from God himself, and the freedom to live our lives and worship as we see fit.

A statement signed by Rev. Kevin Cameron, senior pastor of the Parkway United Church of Christ in St. Louis, Mo.; Rev. Dale Bartels, senior pastor of the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Chesterfield, Mo.; and Rev. Krista Taves, minister of the Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel in Ellisville, Mo.; among others, will be delivered to Akin's St. Louis office on Wednesday.

Read the full text of their statement below:

As Missourians of faith, we found your statement that "at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred of God and a belief that government should replace God" to be ignorant and offensive. Scripture clearly warns us to “judge not, lest ye be judged,” yet you condemn in disrespectful, stereotypical terms those with whom you disagree. Such insulting pronouncements degrade our nation’s political dialogue and are unworthy of a public servant who claims to represent the interests of all of his constituents.

And in light of your support for a federal budget that mainstream faith leaders have overwhelmingly condemned as punitive toward the poorest among us, we call on you to reconsider not only your words, but also your moral priorities as a political leader. Accusing others of being inspired by hatred of God while you vote to deprive the weakest and most vulnerable of medicine and basic sustenance is the antithesis of moral leadership. We call on you to apologize, and we pray that you are moved to act in a spirit of civility, compassion and justice in the future.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/28/todd-akin-god-liberals_n_886279.html

[privateinvestor]

Akin has sought to contextualize his comments and, in a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, apologized for any misunderstandings:
People, who know me and my family, know that we take our faith and beliefs very seriously. As Christians, we would never question the sincerity of anyone’s personal relationship with God. My statement during my radio interview was directed at the political movement, Liberalism, not at any specific individual. If my statement gave a different impression, I offer my apologies.
My point was to object to the systematic assault that attempts to remove any reference to God from the public square.

NBC’s recent action only highlighted the continuing battle for those of us who believe that removing references to God go contrary to the Judeo-Christian heritage our nation was founded on -- the belief that our inalienable rights come from God himself, and the freedom to live our lives and worship as we see fit.

[privateinvestor]

Akin apologized time to move on to bigger and better things..ie Obama taking over the debt reduction negotiations or lambasting Michele Bachmann

[pappyjohn99]

I am really tired of people "demanding apologies". Say what you think and be unapologetic. People are entitled to their opinions whether others like them or not.

Snerdley, that is a beatiful statement. I am comiting it to memory for later use. K for you.

[lakhota]

Jun 29, 2011 0:42:14 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

I am really tired of people "demanding apologies". Say what you think and be unapologetic. People are entitled to their opinions whether others like them or not.

The rules for elected officials are somewhat different - especially when constituents demand apologies.

[privateinvestor]

The rules for elected officials are somewhat different - especially when constituents demand apologies


Akin's constituents in Missouri think this is much to do about nothing and they didn't demand an apology but the Clergy did so he apologized today ...

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Demanding that someone apologize for their opinion seems .... a weird choice for clergy to make.

I guess the clergy I've encountered always seemed to promote Proverbs 15:1: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

[lakhota]

I believe those church officials have every right to ask for an apology from Akin.

[privateinvestor]

What will the next thread on this issue be??

Congressman Akin's Apology was NOT acceptable to the Liberals??

Or Congressman Akin is not sincere enough with his apology on 28 June 2011 and needs to issue another one.


Stay tuned because you never know what will be next Re: Liberalism hates God ...For anyone of us to say all this nonsense is bizarre or weird is giving bizarre and weird bad names.. But at least we know who the Republican Congressman from Missouri is who got a lot of recognition on this board by the Liberals who don't like his comments inferring they may be be non religious... Rather troubling with all the more important issues in the news lately..

Anyhow those are my two cents of ten cents on this silliness

P.I. (Not An Insulted Liberal)

[Bluerobin]

Last time I checked, we had a right to free speech. Screw the clergy. Go Rep Akin!

[privateinvestor]

Jun 29, 2011 7:31:01 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

Last time I checked, we had a right to free speech. Screw the clergy. Go Rep Akin!

Good Stuff & Glad to see another here who sings from the same hymn book that I do...although I cannot carry a high note anymore.

[handyman2]

The art of being a good politician is not what you say but how you say it. If I remember correctly it was Winston Churchill who said this.
A politician may have a valid point to make that is never going to please everybody but it can be said without creating angst among those who may disagree for the most part and keep dialogue open with all.
It is an art form that many of todays politicians need to learn.

[privateinvestor]

Jun 29, 2011 8:19:02 GMT -5 handyman2 said:

The art of being a good politician is not what you say but how you say it. If I remember correctly it was Winston Churchill who said this.
A politician may have a valid point to make that is never going to please everybody but it can be said without creating angst among those who may disagree for the most part and keep dialogue open with all.
It is an art form that many of todays politicians need to learn.

Yea but don't forget we had to endure three threads on this issue (1) What was supposedly said by Congressman Akin..(2) Why was the thread (1) shut down , and (3) The Akin Apology for (1)....is this what is called pushing a Liberal agenda or what??

[Mkitty is pro kitty]

People are entitled to their opinions whether others like them or not.

Last time I checked, we had a right to free speech.

So then, aren't people entitled to the opinion that someone should apologize, and don't they have the free speech to ask it?

And note how this conversation doesn't seem to happen when Democrats are demanded an apology.

What will the next thread on this issue be??

Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll shoehorn an off-topic Obama bash in. Anyone can look at reply #3 if they don't believe me. And maybe if you're unlucky enough, that P.I. poster will even quote the title of the thread with underlining and he'll chide you for not staying on topic. You don't want that now, do you?

And I'm sure Madame Cleo enjoys your patronage, but you gotta lay off the Psychic Friends crapola.

[privateinvestor]

Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll shoehorn an off-topic Obama bash in. Anyone can look at reply #3 if they don't believe me. And maybe if you're unlucky enough, that P.I. poster will even quote the title of the thread with underlining and he'll chide you for not staying on topic. You don't want that now, do you?

And I'm sure Madame Cleo enjoys your patronage, but you gotta lay off the Psychic Friends crapola.

Can anyone translate this comment into a coherent and understandable sentence or two for us conservative, white males..

And Ma'am with all due respects I have no idea who Madame Cleo is or Psychic Friends crapola..?? Or was that addressed to somebody else, if so pls excuse me for interupting your tit for tat games..

BTW FYI Obama is on TV today with an important announcement so don't miss it..