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“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!” -Jack Kerouac
The Jesus-Speak Propaganda Project

[printed in the PlanetJH Weekly: 2/6/8]

The Jesus-Speak Propaganda Project

Recently, I received a belated X-mas card forwarded
from my former Jackson P.O. box. It began with a
quote from Woodrow Wilson, 1911. “America was born a
Christian nation” is how it starts. This is a
delusional statement for history reveals the opposite.

Would Jesus have supported the decimation of the
Native Americans, the enslavement of Africans, or the
political oppression of women? How about clear
cutting the old growth forests of the entire east
coast or the annihilation of 40 million buffalo which
could have fed this entire continent if not the world?

I don't think so. 

These, however, are the conditions under which our
nation was actually “born”. Great progress has been
made, but there is clearly room for massive amounts of
improvement. I suspect that the 44 million suffering
and medically uninsured Americans, myself included,
are still waiting for this “birth” that would actually
meet Christian criteria.

It is thereby so incredibly ironic that President
Wilson, just 5 years later stated in regards to his
signing of the Federal Reserve Act: "I am a most
unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. We
have come to be one of the worst ruled, most
completely controlled and dominated governments in the
civilized world. No longer a government by free
opinion, and the vote of the majority, but a
government by the opinion and duress of a small group
of dominant men." 

Foster Friess didn't send me a bulk printed card
celebrating Christ's birthday, but classic Republican
“Jesus-speak” propaganda. Republicans relentlessly
“talk” about how Christian they are, but they never
seem to truthfully engage in the “walk”. Gratefully,
we are finally catching on to their crap. It has
piled up so high over the decades that it is really
starting to stink, BAD. 

 

This is a quote from Foster's website/mission statement [http://www.fosterfriess.com/the+mission/] that really irritated me and also help inspire the above letter.

"Express Riders combat the negativity in our culture and promote the American Dream - not to make everyone equal, but to provide each person the opportunity and freedom to pursue the potential God intended for them. They also reflect Thessalonians 5:18  "In everything, give thanks..."

"Not to make everyone equal" is the hypocritical line in this statement.  Christ promotes equality.  "Equality", at the very least would mean that every one has enough food, shelter, clothing, education and health care. These are basic fundamental needs that aren't really being met by millions of America, or just barely, inducing feelings of desperation.  These "opportunities and freedom" seem to be fading away each year a Republican resides in the White House.

The real challenge we face as a nation is whether or not we can shift from an ego-centric/competitive culture to a soul/cooperative community.  We have the infrastructure to choreograph, support, embrace and even celebrate true equality in this nation, but we still lack the collective, evolved consciousness to fully engage the gears of progressive change.  The shift is happening and the time is ripe for essentially a complete structural overhaul of our government, based on a "Separation of Corporation and State", which has been largely hijacked by the "Private Sector Solutions" that Foster Friess supports.  "When the people lead, the leaders will have to follow" -Ben Harper

Symbiotic souls

Create Harmonic Culture

Jubilee erupts 

Published Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:09 PM by JDoo

Comments

# re: The Jesus-Speak Propaganda Project @ Monday, April 14, 2008 10:42 PM

Sure there's hypocrisy in Christianity, that didn't begin with America. The idea of a parking lot filled with SUV's containing worshipers of a nomadic man with few posessions is enough to make me sick. But you know what people will continue to worship Jesus, no matter how hypocritical. It's pleasing to give all your uncertainties to god. We need to cleanse the palate of former consumption, in order to pave the way for future comsumption. If Christians walked around with all the burden of reality, they wouldn't be in a 'buy a trinket' mode. The first step to creating a cooperative community, is to shun people when they spend their money frivolously, and accept people who donate what they can to people when they need it. I believe this is an example of true christianity.

George Bush

# re: The Jesus-Speak Propaganda Project @ Tuesday, April 15, 2008 2:24 PM

I agree!!  Obviously, these words are too insightful to be coming from  our current, moronic President.  Many people, myself included belief he is likely the "anti-christ" we were warned of, so again, feel free to use your real name, or at least make up a different one.

I like the line about the parking lot filled with SUV's.  And yes, the hypocrisy began long ago when the bible was being edited into existence by Constantine.  Also, when the Catholic Church turned the word "Pagan" from meaning "Country Folk" to "Devil Worshiper".

Would Jesus have burned people at the stake for communing with nature?  No.

Would he approve of pedophile priests?  No.

Would he approve of birth control so that the human race could gain control of a run away population explosion and the spread of AIDS?

Yes, I think he most definitely would.  Christians are supposed to be stewards of the earth, not overpopulate and destroy it.

Your time and consideration in reading these rambles is greatly appreciated.

JDoo

# re: The Jesus-Speak Propaganda Project @ Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:03 PM

It's rare there's something worth commenting on. Keep em coming.

George Bush

# re: The Jesus-Speak Propaganda Project @ Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:21 PM

Josh,

Your February 6th posting in the Planet was quite intriguing and I would appreciate your guidance as to how we could come to an understanding on the terminology that annoyed you. Maybe we have a different understanding of what "equal" means. I do believe all of us are equal in terms of the human rights we should enjoy and would welcome your support and encouragement for the major thrust of my New Year's card. (It wasn't a belated Christmas card as you had mentioned.)

One of the things I am convinced we share is the freedom of conscience where people embrace the religious perspective of their choice. As you know, people who leave the Muslim faith in many parts of the world are sentenced to death because it is considered treason.

Maybe you can overlook the differing opinion you have with Woodrow Wilson about whether or not the US was formed as a Christian nation and join with me, Matthew and others who are trying to achieve some of the values you seem to embrace if I read between the lines of the posting on your blog.

I am also concerned about your status as medically uninsured and wonder if somehow we can be of some help to you in that regard. We have been big supporters of the Free Clinic in Jackson where my friend, Dr. Sugden, makes his office available every Tuesday night for everyone who doesn't have insurance and needs health care. I just came back from Tulsa where I was asked to speak on the 10th Anniversary of a gift Lynn and I made of a mobile medical van that coordinates with 14 different churches and served 7,000 patients last year but could not afford health care otherwise. We are planning to expand the program and would be open to any locations that you think would benefit from one.

I think you want to be suspicious of the demagogy where some people are talking about the "44 million suffering from medically uninsured Americans" as this number includes people who are temporarily between jobs and also a huge number of people aged 18-42 who have opted to run the risk of not having health insurance because they know if anything happens to them they will get health care. I am sure you have many friends who blew out an ACL in Jackson who got some of the best care in the world even though they were uninsured. There is a big difference between "health insurance" and "health care".

If you know of anybody who doesn't have health care, let me know and we will see how we might be of help to them. It is always puzzling how people complain about the lack of "health care", but then at the same time others complain. For example, a friend of mine in Charleston, South Carolina where the hospital has a $35 million deficit because of taking care of poor people who are not able to pay their bills. It seems inconsistent.

I am also intrigued by your comment the, "Jesus ?? and speak propaganda is classic Republican" when I have many of my Christian friends who are Democrats. It is true that the polls show that 2/3rds of Republicans attend church but only 1/3rd of Democrats, but 1/3rd of the Democrats in the United States who honor and respect Jesus and his message is still a pretty healthy sized group. And all of us are challenged, Democrat and Republican, in "walking the walk".

Let me know more about how you would help the world to be a better place and maybe it is consistent with some of the projects we are engaged in or could even start. We are always starting new things. Just last week after speaking at 6:30 A.M. to the folks at the Phoenix homeless shelter, I set up a job program for 5 of them each morning who are now going out and picking up trash in the community so they can have the dignity of having a job. Maybe that is something you would like to get started in your community and we could partner with you in funding it if that is of interest.

Thank you for stimulating an interesting conversation and I hope when we get back to Jackson that you are there this summer and can cross paths.

God bless, Foster Friess*********

FosterFriess

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