I’m a Christian first, American second

Doesn't matter, Cruz will never win, Trump will and Trump needs to leave that religious nonsense in the church and Sarah palin in Alaska before I change my voting status and vote Bernie.

a reply to: links234

I think you're having a misunderstanding with something. Putting religion ahead of nationality isn't necessarily a bad thing. For example, my religion, personal beliefs, ethnicity, family, and friends all come before my nationality. I'm not talking hypothetical situations, I'm talking reality.

Being "American first" gives me the impression that I would have to put American laws in front of my religious beliefs. Why would I do that? Think about it for a second. You're insinuating that I should put crappy Republican laws & hypocritical Democratic laws in front of my core beliefs? How dumb would that be?

This is a country that literally ruled that my bloodline was only worth 3/5 of a white person. This was law here; not theory but actual law. But my religion has no color & teaches that we'll all be judged equally in the eyes of God. Why would I put racist laws ahead of my beliefs in that situation? This country also legally ruled that my people weren't competent enough to serve on a jury against a white person or even testify in court against one. And this wasn't some long forgotten past; this was the law when my own parents were growing up. And what about the States that try to ban different forms of Sharia Law now, some even trying to effectively ban praying? Why would I follow that bigoted crap? Remember, these aren't hypothetical situations; these are actual situations.

In fact, let's be real for a second. Virtually every time I've encountered an American government employee, did they see a fellow American first or a black man first? I mean police officers, alphabet agency workers, my county clerks, etc. Heck, even non-government citizens in stores, in parks, in office places and even in my own neighborhood usually see a black man &/or a Muslim first when they see me (especially when I'm wearing my crescent moon or am with a Muslim woman). And be real for a second: if you saw me, a stranger, walking in your neighborhood right now, how many of you would see an American first and not a black man first?

And if you want to be hypothetical, let's assume Republicans or Democrats re-instituted the military draft. Guess what? I'd still reject that law. I'd either become an ex-pat, get a deferment, or I'd do like Muhammad Ali and refuse to fight, accepting a jail sentence in exchange. After all, my relationship with God is what made me realize that all life is precious. I'm not killing some strangers I've never met or giving up my life because some ___ing bureaucrats or warmongers can't settle their differences diplomatically. If it's so important that people have to die for it, why don't they go instead? After all, I believe in practicing what I preach. Besides, there's no way I'm going to become a murderer or torturer for Halliburton, the Neocons, the CFR, AIPAC, the Wahhabis in the GCC, or Trump. The only time I'll allow myself to kill is if my family & loved ones are in physical danger. I'm not killing for a flag. And if lawmakers passed legislation that stated that citizens must drink alcohol or celebrate Halloween, I'd reject those too.

With that in mind, I believe that the Constitution pretty much goes along with my beliefs. So I don't have a problem with that, especially since it allows freedom of religion (I'd still like amendments to it but that's another conversation). And another good thing is that the things in this country that go directly against my religion are usually optional, so I simply don't do them.

Edit to Add: One more thing. This is a country that literally forced my grandfather to go fight in a segregated unit in WW2, but when he came back, he still couldn't vote. Think about that for a second. He was good enough to be cannon fodder to help this country save Europe, but not good enough to vote or run for office in this same country. And this is the same country that deliberately infected my great aunt's husband with Syphilis in the Tuskegee Experiments, and attacked my grandma, her siblings, & even my own Dad when they were marching for racial integration. Why would I put those kinds of legal decisions ahead of my religious beliefs? Remember, these aren't hypothetical situations. These are real life examples.

Be prepared for a false Great Crusade. It won't just be Islam. It will include all Asian countries. The Khans will not be there this time to save your sorry butts.

www.youtube.com...

a reply to: links234

im a human first, the rest is irrelevant

originally posted by: Punisher75

The problem is with right wing Christians, is that their "Christianity" is a bit selective. It goes missing when it comes to feeding the poor, compassion for the less fortunate, loving your neighbor, or turning the other cheek. They are Christian only when it offers a political advantage to them.

Demonstrably Untrue

abcnews.go.com...

Then why does the right wing on average support economic, environmental, justice, educational, and health policies that are demonstrably shown via countless studies to help the rich and harm the lower class and middle class? Hmmmmm. You can't claim to follow Jesus' teachings and then vote for policies that harm the disadvantaged.

Charity is good, but merely a bandaid and by no means enough to address any of these issues. Too many people, including "Christians," throw token money at the poor as a means to excuse everything else they do and their support of an exploitative system. You can't give charity and then support exploitative policies.

"“True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. ” -MLK Jr.

Most right wingers have zero interest in restructuring the edifice.

Well now how about this?
time.com...

I am a person of faith. I am a Christian. I am Methodist,” Clinton said at a local school gymnasium in Knoxville. “My study of the Bible and my many conversations with people of faith has led me to believe that the most important commandment is to love the lord with all your might, and to love your neighbor as yourself. That is what I think we are commanded by Christ to do.”

So are all of you who showed up to sling mud at Cruz gonna sling the same mud at Clinton?
She says the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your might. That sounds no different than what Cruz said.

Cruz is irrelevant and nothing but filler. Helps make the whole thing look legit.

Cruz has 0 chance of winning as he was not chosen to win, There were 2 people and 2 people only you were meant to be looking at, Hillary and Jeb. Hillary and Jeb are interchangeable, and if either won it wouldn't make a difference, aside from it either being a left or right term. When it's a left term they give the left a little bit and piss off the right, when it's a right term the give the right a little bit and piss off the left..as left and right is only there for us...right and left sure as hell doesn't exist in congress.

"The Congress meets in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a gubernatorial appointment. Members are usually affiliated to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party, and only rarely to a third-party or as independents. Congress has 535 voting members: 435 Representatives and 100 Senators."

It is mostly republican and democratic, which would make you think that left and right is there and strong..but it's not, since both group are always writing bill together, only to either be shot down or approved by both side.They work together and if anything is more of a free for all. with congress breaking in to mixed groups to help push each others agendas.

Jeb and Hillary are both babies of congress and the system, and have the same track record...they were meant to be your people....But Bernie was the wild card, Bernie could upset the Jeb/Hillary agenda...So They called Trump...Trump was meant to not take your mind of the republicans at all, he was simple there to make you pay attention to Hillary "only Hillary can beat trump". As lets face it the chance of a republican winning even after Obama is nil. This is a liberal time and being liberal is popular atm.

So trump joined and started acting like the most cartoonish, far right jackass he could (watch him half the time he is trying not to break out laughing, he is not a good actor)..Lets also jump to the fact that somehow trump was popular from the start, with polls favoring him, and only going up after the stupid # he says..yet check the forums and comment sections on facebook...the majority even on a far right site...do not favor Trump, they hate him as does the RNP....he does have some real life support which you can find on super far right sites, yet even there people call him out....the rest call him an outright plant..but for the wrong reasons.

See like stated above, Hillary was meant to face jeb, Jeb is not good and had 0 chance of beating Hillary, as they don't want a republican government right now...The liberals are the current step in their plan. Hillary stepped down for Obama, the rest basically had someone mess up real bad throwing their campaigns...Hillary was planned to be after Obama since then..and the media was meant to get you to go along with that, and is still pushing that..well aside from personal opinion sites, not one cares bout those though.

So this was Hillarys time, she gave it up to Obama, as he was already planned......what wasn't planned was Bernie...Bernie was consider good filler, someone no "good" American would vote for...hell he is even extreme for Canada and we are already socialist (yeah that's right I am Canadian, so I am not left or right and have 0 American agendas in what i say now). Yet guess what, Bernie came out of the gate like he was on fire, and people loved him, way more then Hillary (seriously just look at her History, anyone who votes for her thinking she is a liberal is an idiot).

So now Hillary/Jeb is under attack...Hillary is losing and needed help..so in comes trump, who likely doesn't know the whole thing, playing a cartoon...This was meant to boost Hillary, and all media is still going for Hillary and trying to convince you to vote for her to stop trump...everyone even the republicans are downing Bernie and laughing him off, and saying if he gets the nomination it will be an easy win for the republicans...which if you look at his popularity is just silly.

Bernie has a real chance of winning, and the DNP can't just over look him, so they need you to back Hillary and they pulled out no stops..even the RNP is in on it..as they want Hillary as well...She is the establishment , and her presidency was planned long before now....

Cruz was just filler, and he is still just filler, like all the super religious republicans that stand no chance...all were picked to make sure Hillary won, yet Bernie didn't play his part, as the fillers are not in on the game..just pawns, yet Bernie was serious and even though he couldn't do anything..him trying would expose how the government works to the sheep, sheep who have no clue how it works even though the wiki and government websites tell you the power congress has, and outlines the limited power of a president..only time a president has power is under special circumstances, then he get to give a thumbs up or down and take all the blame.

Most play the president game and forget congress and that is how they like it, they don't want people paying attention to them, so distract you...and that is the presidents job..they get a high profile in turn for their obedience..they are there to play left and right off each other, get you to fight so that you never look at congress, you just blame the other side or the president. It was Hillarys turn and she wanted it bad..yet here is Bernie...now trump and Bernie are being hailed as the it couple for 2016 by the people..yet Hillary and Jeb are still being pushed..Hillary and jeb are both the their parties candidates..and no one wants you to vote for Trump or Bernie, as there is no way for them to escape that without blowing their cover.

so you have 0 worries about cruz..Trump would likely blow it against Hillary on purpose like everyone did for Obama, yet if its him or Bernie he can't step down and has to fight...so you either get, Trump, (who no is not a real republican and would be a wild card) Bernie (whos ideas can't be implemented in even 2 terms, too way longer to just even get to where Canada is, with a lot of inside support) or Hillary who was planned from the start and is the most republican candidate you have that actually stands a chance.

Hillary is the worse one as she is pure establishment, she knows how to work the system, knows how to play and is in there with those pulling the strings..she knows whats going on because she is part of it...Jeb is just a family puppet, and seriously Hillary has more balls then him. George could play it, Jeb looks confused..Hillary is on the ball, Trump is along for the ride..and Bernie is the cause of the whole shake up right now....I wouldn't be surprised if he kicked the bucket if he gets to close to the presidency..so Hillary it is...enjoy you 1st female puppet..just this one has it's own hand up its ass and doesn't mind if others join in.

a reply to: TheProgrammer

Just gonna leave this here:

Bernie Sanders Exposes Reality Of US Politics


No matter who gets elected, none of them will get anything done, unless we the people step up and tell Congress 'talk to the hand - because, brick wall, water fall......the face ain't listenin' anymore.'

That's our only hope.


Oh, and P.S. Welcome to ATS.

a reply to: BuzzyWigs

omg how have i never seen this, thought I seen all the Bernie stuff by now...this has not come across my feed..and how the hell did he get away with saying that. They never say it, even though the info is out there for us all to see, they never ever point to it...so how did Bernie get away with it.

Thank you for that link, makes me extremely happy and I like him even more now. why isn't this all over and being replayed.

Thank you, seems interesting and I enjoy politics...just this whole election has me scratching my head....everything is so obvious, and all the info is out there..yet the general public seems to only take whats offered by those with agendas. Like liberals blind and and confusing support of Hillary, now her past has been blasted by the people who dislike her...she is anti gay, votes like a republican and is just horrible by all liberal standards..yet she is endorsed by these groups. So I came looking to see what others have to say...this site seems the least crazy and out there, and i can never trust sites that push it to the limits, as they are just there to make people who think look bad. So I stayed and read and now posted. thank you for the welcome and that link, imma be sharing that all over facebook now.

a reply to: shooterbrody

How so?

One statement relegates concerns about our country subordinate to one's faith.

The other statement speaks to a personal commitment to one's faith.

Not the same at all.

a reply to: TheProgrammer

omg how have i never seen this, thought I seen all the Bernie stuff by now..

It just showed up on my FB feed. I have some really cool friends. A bunch of them.


Happy to share!!

a reply to: Gryphon66

Love the Lord with all your might subordinates EVERYTHING else.

originally posted by: shooterbrody
a reply to: Gryphon66

Love the Lord with all your might subordinates EVERYTHING else.

No ... it merely states a personal committment to one's god rather than placing one's god above the People.

One reflects the commandment of Jesus. One is a boastful, prideful, ridiculous statement for a Presidential candidate.

a reply to: Gryphon66

No you don't understand what that verse means. She chose THAT verse. How does all your might leave room for anything else? It doesn't not your spouse not your family not your job. If you love the Lord with All your might that is number 1 just like what Cruz said.

originally posted by: shooterbrody
a reply to: Gryphon66

No you don't understand what that verse means. She chose THAT verse. How does all your might leave room for anything else? It doesn't not your spouse not your family not your job. If you love the Lord with All your might that is number 1 just like what Cruz said.

I understand perfectly what the verse means.

Jesus placed a requirement on each of his followers to direct their love toward their Father primarily, and to each other as they loved themselves. That is a personal, internal matter that has nothing to do with external politics.

Cruz's comment makes a pretty clear statement that he would follow the Bible (or rather, his own Dominionist take on the Bible) rather than the Constitution and the laws of our land.

a reply to: Gryphon66

What does the word primarily mean in your reply?
There is only one first priority.
She chose that verse.

Oh and nothing to do with external?
Love the Lord with all your might except external politics? Hahahahahaahahaahaha that is rich!

originally posted by: shooterbrody
a reply to: Gryphon66

What does the word primarily mean in your reply?
There is only one first priority.
She chose that verse.

Yes, Jesus commanded his followers to direct one's love (supposedly a "spiritual force") toward God primarily ... that says nothing about the mundane poltiics politics of the world (which was what Cruz was referring to).

Cruz is a Dominionist. He was telling us (to his credit) that he holds his religious beliefs as higher than our Constitution and rule of law.

The statements are not similar in any way shape form or fashion.

originally posted by: shooterbrody
a reply to: Gryphon66

What does the word primarily mean in your reply?
There is only one first priority.
She chose that verse.

Oh and nothing to do with external?
Love the Lord with all your might except external politics? Hahahahahaahahaahaha that is rich!

LOVE the LORD with all YOUR might.

Tell me, where is the reference to the world and its politics in that statement?

(You're starting to argue like a child and bore me.)

a reply to: Gryphon66
Perhaps dems Christianity allows one to love the Lord with all their might except for mundane worldly politics?????

Any Christian I have spoken to and Google search shows otherwise.

She is pandering to the religious just like Cruze. Appearantly that is ok with you that's cool different strokes and all.

originally posted by: shooterbrody
a reply to: Gryphon66
Perhaps dems Christianity allows one to love the Lord with all their might except for mundane worldly politics?????

Any Christian I have spoken to and Google search shows otherwise.

She is pandering to the religious just like Cruze. Appearantly that is ok with you that's cool different strokes and all.

You're making zero sense. Christianity is Christianity.

One more time: "loving the Lord with all one's might" speaks to a personal commitment of faith.

It doesn't have anything with the world it has to do with "one's self and God."

I'm sorry this very simple fact seems to elude you so completely; I'm ignoring you now.