Is Glenn Beck Ready to Leave Mormonism? Calls LDS Communist
Thanks to Christian and Michael for this.
Seems that Glenn Beck is getting ready to run from Mormonism. Why?
“I’m begging you, your right to religion and freedom to exercise religion and read all of the passages of the Bible as you want to read them and as your church wants to preach them . . . are going to come under the ropes in the next year. If it lasts that long it will be the next year. I beg you, look for the words ’social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Now, am I advising people to leave their church? Yes!”
No matter that the bible teaches social justice and economic justice, and that the great denominations generally have statements to that effect. Even Mormonism recognizes that the Old Testament taught social and economic justice:
From here….
From proclaiming the preeminence of the merciful, just, and righteous God of Israel to asserting higher ethical and social responsibilities concerning war, women, slavery, marriage, family, and the poor and downtrodden, the teachings of the Old Testament spoke for a better humanity, stirring people to lead lives answerable to a supreme God. This ancient scripture set forth codes of human conduct as well as a doctrinal foundation that have endured the ages and influenced the history and cultural development of much of the modern Western world. Old Testament doctrine and moral values also represented a dramatic departure millennia ago from the belief systems of the cultures surrounding ancient Israel.
….
The morality of “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (Lev. 19:18) came logically from a God who said, “Ye shall be holy: For I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). These concepts from Sinai helped inspire later prophets such as Amos, Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah with their great resounding cries for compassion and justice—a “prophetic protest against social injustice [that was] without close parallel in the ancient world.” 8…..
Some skeptics see the Bible as the enemy of history and science without realizing that, in part, it made science and history possible. Surrounding Israel were religions of accommodation that merely sought to help people survive in, not change, their worlds. In contrast, “Judaism … affirmed that [history] was a meaningful process leading to the gradual regeneration of humanity.” 15 By introducing the concept of linear historical progress—the idea that because history is leading to a millennial state, our actions matter in helping create a better world—the Old Testament inspired great changes in human history. Whereas other religions of the period never “produced a major social revolution fired by a high concept of social justice, … ‘the prophets of Judah were a reforming political force which has never been surpassed.’ ” 16
As a matter of fact, one of their Presidents once wrote,
I wonder how much we offend Satan if the proclamation of our faith is limited only to the great humanitarian work this church does throughout the world, marvelous as these activities are. When we preach the gospel of social justice, no doubt the devil is not troubled. But I believe the devil is terribly offended when we boldly declare by personal testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he saw the Father and the Son; when we preach that the Book of Mormon is another witness for Christ; when we declare that there has been a restoration of the fulness of the gospel in its simplicity and power in order to fulfill the great plan of happiness.
The same man wrote,
It is unfortunate that it is taking so long to bring full economic justice to women. The feminization of poverty is both real and tragic. That is why you should work very hard to prepare for your future by gaining some marketable skills.
In: Mormonism, Religion and Politics · Tagged with: economic justice, glenn beck, social justice
on March 8, 2010 at 5:13 pm
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I think Glenn Beck provides an unfortunate link between Mormonism and fundamental Christian ideologies, and it doesn’t surprise me that his rhetoric would overlook the ideals his own community of faith has espoused.
A slight correction: James Faust was not a president of the church. He was a member of what we call the First Presidency, which constitutes the president and two counselors. He passed away a bit ago as one of the counselors.
on March 8, 2010 at 8:13 pm
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Thanks for the correction, Daniel.
Of course, I tend to think that Mormonism might be helped by Beck leaving.
on March 9, 2010 at 12:19 am
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One thing we know for certain is that, whether he’s a Mormon or not, Glenn Beck will always be a Moron.
One thing that he demonstrates VERY solidly is that politics is more important to him than his faith. I truly wish that Christians who listen to him could get this through their heads.
on March 9, 2010 at 2:00 am
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It seems that politics is much more important to Beck and others, especially alleged “Christian” pundits like Doug Giles on Townhall.com I also looked at some of the crap put out by IHOPs Bob Jones and it is scary what these folks believe about the United States…they sound like the Taliban. Anyway I nailed Giles in part of my post from Sunday at
http://padresteve.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/a-war-crime-denier-an-american-terrorist-in-karachi-a-christian-bully-and-thoughts-on-grace-and-reconciliation-on-a-lenten-sunday/
and what troubles me about the political machinations of contemporary American Christians in a post called Faith Hope and Identity a Lenten Meditation at
http://padresteve.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/faith-hope-and-identity-a-mid-lent-meditation/
Peace, Steve+
on March 9, 2010 at 7:49 am
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Excellent! Thanks, Fr. Steve.
And indeed, WKen, Glenn is head Moronist.
on March 9, 2010 at 1:04 pm
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I love watching Glenn Beck. There is something about his method that is right on the money. Hard to pin down. The fact that Evangelicals are flocking to his shows in droves is interesting. He is obviously resonating with the masses on these issues. Our opinions don’t really matter. Ratings are King, Beck is King.
on March 9, 2010 at 1:10 pm
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No, Beck is wrong on all accounts, so was Joe McCarthy So was Hitler. Both men resonated with the masses.
Evangelicals aren’t flocking to his show, ignoramus’ are.
Beck is an imbecile.
on March 9, 2010 at 1:38 pm
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“Evangelicals” are flocking to his show for the same reason that they flock to Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, and the like — Biblical ignorance.
Or maybe just ignorance in general, given Beck’s nearly-perfect aptitude for getting history wrong.
If people would weigh the garbage these TV pimps offer versus what the Bible says, then they’d all be gone.
That Christians support Beck and others like him (Limbaugh! cough!) is very telling … and sad.
on March 9, 2010 at 1:45 pm
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Amen!
on March 10, 2010 at 11:14 am
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I must admit that I really don’t know much about Glenn Beck, never seen his show or read much about him(but if he’s like Limbaugh then he’s a total idiot).
I read these posts, and I am writing for a different reason. As I read these it sounded as if people were saying that Mormonism is another version of Christianity. Mormonism, as I know it has about as much to do with Christianity as a square fits inside a circle. The two are totally separate, and have nothing in common.
Mormonism is a lie from Satan, spread by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young(Con-artists).
May you be blessed by Jesus!
on March 10, 2010 at 12:08 pm
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Steve, while I appreciate good tirades, they really don’t have any room here. I have dealt with Mormonism on other posts. This particular post was in regarding to Beck’s hypocrisy. Beck, as a Mormon, is preaching that people should leave their churches if they mention social or economic justice. The problem with that, is that the LDS has statements on their website, as well as theology and orthopraxy, which supports social and economic justice.
Mormons often times practice better Christian morals than those who call themselves Christians. While I disagree with their doctrine and theology, I have to say that Mormons lead a life which should be a marvel for others.
on March 12, 2010 at 8:17 pm
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By “social justice” do you mean humanitarian work? See the important thing to understand is what a persons definition of what “social justice” is. Does it mean true Charity or forced Charity (or something worse)? Could you or someone else also explain some real examples of social injustice? Because if there is a need for social justice, social injustice must be rampant. Social Justice….it just sounds like something Che Guevara would have said before shooting someone in the head.
on March 12, 2010 at 8:26 pm
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Do you need a bible? I can send you one because it seems like you have never picked up a bible or a history book. Turn off Foxnews and go to a library after you spend time at a church.
on March 12, 2010 at 9:15 pm
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See, now if by sending me a bible(that was bought with donations that you willing gave) is considered social justice…I’m okay with that. If you were forced to purchase that bible so that I could have one (even though I have a bible about 2 feet away from me as I type) that would be bad social justice. I DON’T believe that any Churches I know of force people to give donations, but the term “social justice” has been used for diabolical purposes in the past. I just don’t want Churches to be hijacked by groups with evil motives all in the name of “social justice”. I just hope someday I can be as articulate as yourself.
on March 12, 2010 at 9:18 pm
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That is the stupidest line of reasoning that I have heard, AMT. Because it has been used in the past, doesn’t mean that it is forever tarnished. You know, like the conservative evangelicals who supported Hitler in WWII in the name of Christ. Are you willing to give all those things up?
And the countless other things which have been used for evil or bad in the past. Yeah, loads of sense.
on March 12, 2010 at 9:44 pm
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No, we shouldn’t give up on Church because of bad things that happened in the past but we shouldn’t forget it either and pretend it’s a non-issue through stupid reasoning.
Thanks! It’s been a blast!
on March 12, 2010 at 10:07 pm
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None of us said that it was a non-issue, if you would bother to read you wouldn’t make such mistakes. Anything can be abused.
on March 11, 2010 at 9:47 am
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Even faithful Mormons are beginning to sour on Beck:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/3/11/845062/-If-Glenn-Beck-followed-his-own-instructions,-hed-be-an-ex-Mormon
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/j/a/jason_echols/2010/03/if-glenn-beck-followed-his-own.php
http://www.streetprophets.com/story/2010/3/11/55541/7370
About time.
on March 11, 2010 at 9:51 am
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Very much! Thanks, Chino.
on March 11, 2010 at 10:17 am
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My take on Beck and Mormonism is that when he was being forced to pick a religion by his “really hot” wife-to-be, he picked LDS because it regards the US as special to God.
Not for spiritual reasons, but because his own idolatry was compatible with LDS theology.
While I have significant disagreements with the LDS church, I don’t blame them for Beck. The man’s a nutcase, and he’d be a nutcase whether he was a Mormon or not.
on March 11, 2010 at 10:45 am
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No, I don’t blame them for Beck either. The LDS didn’t create Beck, not sure where he came from really, but maybe they could excommunicate him or something?
on March 12, 2010 at 8:02 pm
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Glenn is talking about when people with evil motives use their Church as a stepping stone to promote communistic programs that redistribute peoples money all in the name of “charity”. This IS an EVIL practice and should be watched for in Churches. Where in the Bible does it say that forced charity is of GOD? In fact force and Charity should not even be in the same sentence. Should communistic (AKA “progressive”) ideals and the Churches be intertwined? Glenn isn’t saying to leave our Churches he is saying to be very alert when you start hearing communistic rhetoric slogans like “Social Justice” in Church and to be bold enough to question what “they” mean by social justice. Is it illegal to ask Church leaders questions now? Or should we instead follow blindly? But then again Beck is a MORMON and does have horns (removable ones…) so maybe we shouldn’t listen to him…LOL
on March 12, 2010 at 8:21 pm
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Uh, no, AMT, but thanks for making an excuse for the idiocy. They very idea that you think that helping the poor through monetary donations is ‘communistic’ tells me that you are unaware of charity and communism.
I understand that under your fascist ideals, the poor should be left alone and eventually used as slave labor if not slaughtered, but I really think that you shouldn’t get on another forum until you have learned something about what you are talking about.
on March 12, 2010 at 8:54 pm
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Wow, why so defensive? Of course we should do all we can to help the poor (I do it regularly both by giving my time and money) but that help shouldn’t be through force…. But thanks for your Christ-like response. Donations are a great thing because everyone has a choice to donate or not. I just get nervous when Churches link hands in the spirit of “social justice” with groups with anything but Christian motives.
Also, let me teach you a little something… communism and fascism both have the same end goals and that is to enslave people through total government. It’s just that they use different ways to reach their evil goals. The other side is anarchy which is NO government (which is very bad too). Somewhere in the middle is a democratic republic in which we are lucky enough to live in. I guess by asking questions I am a fascist according to you. So what does that make you? By the way I don’t watch FOX or any other news….I can’t afford cable so….
on March 12, 2010 at 9:00 pm
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Yeah, because your lies bespeak to your Christian heart… Right….
No, but using the language which you do, by categorizing everyone who speaks for social justice as ‘communistic’ I can only assume that you are a fascist.
As a political scientist, and a realist, the extremists on both sides always meet in the end. Someone is blamed for something and someone dies.
on March 12, 2010 at 8:35 pm
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AMT
Churches that believe in social justice do it on their dime and the people in the church that make that work. Such is not forced, people can give or not give to a church and the mission efforts that it undertakes.
Some calling churches “Communist” for this strikes me as a tad Fascistic. One has to realize that in the past couple of years more money has been spent on failed Capitalist bailouts, like the banks, brokerage firms and companies that for years have taken taxpayer money and then sold American jobs and wealth overseas and have the nerve to blame it on “high taxes and wages” here. You bless evil and you curse churches.
You must be fun to hang out with.
Peace
Padre Steve+
on March 12, 2010 at 8:39 pm
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I wonder what Bonheoffer would say to people like Beck and AMT?
Do you realize, Fr. Steve, what Beck is asking people to do? To report their ministers for preaching the Gospel. TO REPORT THEIR MINISTERS FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST….TO REPORT THEIR MINISTERS…..
Sure, McCarthy would appreciate Beck, but both men would have thrown Bonheoffer, not to mention Christ, to the gallows.
on March 12, 2010 at 8:39 pm
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http://padresteve.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/difficult-days-a-lenten-meditation/
on March 12, 2010 at 9:51 pm
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You should see me robot dance, Padre;)
on March 12, 2010 at 9:54 pm
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Well you dance around the truth pretty well
on March 12, 2010 at 8:42 pm
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Joel
I realize that our wonderful “champions of our civil liberties” like Beck would love a police state with them in charge. Absolutely dangerous, a madman with lots of followers.
Peace
Steve+
on March 12, 2010 at 8:47 pm
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I completely agree, Fr. Steve.
on March 12, 2010 at 9:36 pm
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Wow, I ask a few questions and have a different view/opinion on the term social justice and what it means relative to Church, and because of that I am Hitler, Judas, and satan all rolled up into one. It puts a new spin on “thinking outside the box”…I’m afraid to jump out of the box because there is a lynch mob waiting for me! LOL Thanks a bunch, thought police or Pharisee which ever you like
Wow!
To all who are angered by me….take a nice walk, get some fresh air and calm down….maybe drink some warm milk while listening to one of those nature new age CD’s. That always helps.
on March 12, 2010 at 9:54 pm
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You asked a ‘few questions’…. Yeah….
on March 12, 2010 at 9:50 pm
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AMT
You have the nerve to call us “un-Christian” after basically calling us Communists? Give me a break. It’s okay for you, Beck and others who bash churches of any kind for actually observing a Biblical mandate which is testified to by the preponderance of Church teaching, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant for like 2000 years, but when confronted about the political system that is opposed to Communism or Socialism you call us un-Christian. Unfortunately I have seen far too much of this and I am a currently serving veteran who has done multiple combat tours and numerous other deployments. I stood on the Fulda Gap in the Cold war, the Korean DMZ and the Cuban Fence line besides in Iraq and the Persian Gulf. I get defensive when guys like Beck call what I believe in as a Christian “Communist.” As a historian as well as a theologian with a specialty in the Weimar and Nazi eras I recognize Beck all too well. His type is little different from Josef Goebbels and other purveyors of Nazi hate. Now please since I don’t know you or your experience I only criticize what you said here. You may be a wonderful Christian and I do want to be charitable. I have served and continue to serve to ensure that all Americans have their Constitutional and human rights protected, even if I disagree with them. As a Priest and Christian I wish no-one ill will, however I am not a one to take such words lying down as too many officers of the German military did in the 1920s and 1930s. Those who spoke up d I do wish you the best.
Peace,
on March 12, 2010 at 9:55 pm
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Well said, Fr. Steve.
on March 12, 2010 at 10:09 pm
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When did I call you “un-Christian”? Don’t remember doing that? I just have a different view on what social justice means and has meant in the past. Since you are a Historian you know that Stalin used the idea of social justice when killing the Ukrainians through the force of man-made famines. If when social justice, when used in a religious sense, means something different than it has meant in the past, then that should be explained to us stupid people, because the term social justice seems to mean different things to different people.
Thanks
on March 12, 2010 at 10:12 pm
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Yeah, because Christians today intend on killing 20 million Russians.
on March 12, 2010 at 10:25 pm
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No, but I do think that “groups” (not Churches) with communistic ideals could try to infiltrate churches because they know that Churches have a lot of power. What better way to destroy the Churches. I don’t think communism/fascism/or any other evil “-ism” can coincide with Christianity. They are complete opposites; the one uses love the other hate and force. I believe communism/fascism/etc. is evil and I believe that evil comes from satan. Could it be possible that satan would use similar ideals to corrupt the Churches? I don’t know, but when I here the term social justice spoken of in my Church it makes me a little nervous because of what it has meant in the past. Maybe my nervousness is unfounded. Anyway, it’s a Friday night so I will go now and you won’t have to hear from me again.
Thanks
on March 12, 2010 at 11:52 pm
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Yes, Groups do – it’s called the Religious Right.
on March 13, 2010 at 1:17 am
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Would you include capitalism among those evil “ism”‘s?
Christians did, when Capitalism was coming into being. Especially during the Industrial Revolution, Christians came out against Capitalism and its focus on money at the expense of people and … ahem! … social justice.
Thanks to the influence of unions (who are, as Glenn Beck will happily point out, closely tied to Socialists in many cases), industry became tolerable.
The marriage of Evangelical Christianity and Capitalism is really not that old … it only goes back a few decades. When the Republican Party figured out that it could dupe millions of Christians by throwing us a few rhetorical scraps here and there in exchange for our votes on things that we should oppose vehemently, they did it.
Since then, Christians have been in this bizarre situation of defending all manner of evil. In the Book of Judges, the Israelites chased after Baal and Asherah. These days, it’s Friedman and Hayek.
Oh, did Beck not mention that when he gives his lessons about “real history”? Maybe that’s because he doesn’t know any.
on March 12, 2010 at 10:05 pm
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I hate the intellectual dishonesty and hatred displayed by this crowd. Ask questions? No hurl accusations and hope that moderates or liberals will run off afraid of you and call them questions. It is a bully tactic. You responded to me as a thug would with mocking while calling me names not even looking at what I said. If you don’t like it you go get shot at while unarmed in a combat zone. No matter what you believe you act like a thug and your tactics Nazi like (I didn’t say that you were) read history or you will be condemned to repeat it.
on March 12, 2010 at 10:26 pm
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There’s this funny thing that happens when we start talking about money … suddenly, a whole segment of the Church feels like their ownership of their money is sacred.
They’re okay with having the government prohibit gay marriage (on religious grounds), they’re okay with sticking “under God” in a national pledge of allegiance, they’re rather insistent on praying in front of everyone, but the moment that someone suggests that we should apply the same kind of logic to the moral obligation to take care of the poor … that’s just too far.
on March 12, 2010 at 10:30 pm
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Amen WKen
on March 12, 2010 at 10:27 pm
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AMT when you mocking and cynically referred to my initial response as “Christ like” when the bulk of your response then and after has been to attack. Sorry, your words paint the picture my friend if one does not believe like you in your interpretation of social justice they are Communists and now being thoroughly spun up I will quit this charade and give you the credit that you are due…none. You came to attack and browbeat those who do not agree with you. You are entitled to your opinion. In the name of “your freedom” you gratuitously join a conversation with the intent of taking it over and using it for your purpose. At least be honest in what you do and own who you are.
on March 14, 2010 at 10:57 am
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AMT, I would implore you to read this: http://padresteve.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/glenn-beck-attacks-the-churches-and-threatens-religious-liberty/
on March 13, 2010 at 12:02 am
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AMT
Sorry that you neither have an understanding of history, political science or for that matter a coherent view of the Christian Faith nor an ability to see both sides of the spectrum of danger. Unfortunately folks like you wield a lot of power and when they do come to power over the incompetent Democratic Party which has little chance of ever taking the kind of power that you give them credit for will implement a reactionary and maybe even brutal agenda where no one’s rights will be safe. The rhetoric has been so inflamed that it can do nothing else, there is nothing left for it but violence. Be warned.
Peace
Steve+
on March 13, 2010 at 12:10 am
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It seems to me that AMT has a personal theology built upon the thoughts and suggestions of others, which has lead to a life full of fear. Christ has not given us the spirit of fear, and I would challenge anyone who is fearful of the Gospel or the things contained therein, or the fear of thinking for themselves, that they have not the spirit of Christ.
on May 23, 2010 at 10:53 pm
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Actually Glenn Beck's views are exactly inline with Mormonism. See this blog for an excellent explaination:
http://www.someguynamednate.blogspot.com/
on May 24, 2010 at 3:53 am
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No, Nate, no more than Jerry Falwell is in line with historica Christianity. Beck is a vile creature, and he does not represent Mormonism
on May 29, 2010 at 1:32 am
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ratings? beck is a pauper.
on May 29, 2010 at 1:36 am
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yeah, a 32 million a year pauper
on September 1, 2010 at 3:36 pm
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Joel you are an ignorant, arrogant representative of marxist christianity. You and your sort are paying for moslen churches to be built all over america. You are attacking real christian churches. You are ready to follow moslems as america’s national reliugion.
You are traitors to God. The LDS is communist as are most mainline Christian Churches. In the future you servants of the Islamic devil will find your demonic churches burned to the ground as new Crusader Christianity takes the field.
People are leaving you black supremacist, communist environs in their millions. You are a vile creature and you do represent communist mormonism the enemy of true Christians and the allie of terroristic Islam. Damn you to hell forever!
on September 1, 2010 at 3:55 pm
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So here we have the phony padre steve. The phony moderate steve. The liar who hides behind the marxist christian church to curse and damn others as Nazis.I hate the intellectual dishonesty and hatred displayed by this padre steve. Ask questions? Why? He has only name calling like all commies who cannot defend their bull. He hurls accusations and hopes that people with brains will run off afraid of his name calling disguised as moderation.s. It is a bully tactic. He responds as a communist thug would with mocking and calling people names not even looking at what it said. He pretends to be a grizzled combat vet but he is a liar and hid from combat. . No matter what religion he claims he is a phony and a commie thug and his tactics are pure nazi.He knows nothing of history and hopes that you will be intimidated by his ignorant use of the encyclopedia and dictionary. Steve and other false Christians are the dregs of humanity that drove real christian ministers from their pulpits because they refused to preach communist or black supremacy. Now they show their real colors. Any fool who respects these phony preachers deserves the crap that they will heap onto you. These phonies have killed Christianity and turned the mormon church into a devil’s den. They should be hung upside down and spit on for weeks before being tarred and feathered. In fact this blog is a travesty of Christianbity and a platform for communist bl;ack supremacist nazis to parade their lying propaganda.
on September 1, 2010 at 3:58 pm
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Hey Stevie boy has been charged with pedophilia. Should we be surprised? No! Pedophiles are proud of their crime and have been honored on communist postal stamps. So steve is just another depraved,l drunken pedophile communist black supremacist sewer rat.
on September 1, 2010 at 6:27 pm
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On second thought, Jack, I am hoping that you will stay around so that we can help you to know the real Christ.