Mike Johnson speaker of the house

[NWUSHorny]

22 hours ago, hntnhole said:

Growing up in a Liturgical tradition, I thought I knew what religious repression was.  I knew there were other "types" of protestant churches, of course - like Mission Covenant, for instance - but the world of truly hideous rejection of common sense "churches" was unknown to me.  I even knew there was a Catholic church on the West side of town.  Growing up, I gradually became aware of the wide diversity within "Christianity", but not until I had a lengthy discussion with a guy I know that grew up with these shackles, did I realize how emotionally crippled these folks are.  In that guy's case, he managed to come out the other side of that tent of atrocities, and became a highly intelligent force for good in this world.  

I wonder if Mr. Johnson would even be able to comprehend the journey my friend had to undertake, just to tear that fundamental mess out and become a decent, contributing human being.  

I've never quite been able to fathom the fundamentalist or modern evangelical mindset. My parents were members of different denominations, and were both raised by parents that were also multi denominational, so I got a wide variety of mainstream versions of Christianity growing up. The religious fighting in Northern Ireland between the Protestants and Catholics always baffled me as a child in the 70's and 80's since I was the child of a Catholic and a Presbyterian, and my Catholic parent was the child of a Catholic and a Lutheran. For that matter my Catholic great grandfather (who was around until I was 19) was the only product of a marriage of a German Jewish widow and an Irish Catholic widower. I think my somewhat unique background colored my views on the diversity of Christianity and religion in general.

[BootmanLA]

2 minutes ago, NWUSHorny said:

The religious fighting in Northern Ireland between the Protestants and Catholics always baffled me as a child in the 70's and 80's since I was the child of a Catholic and a Presbyterian,

I'm sure you probably know this, but in some respects religion in Ireland was a proxy issue for colonialism vs. self-determination. That's not to say that religious differences were insincere, but that they existed at all is due to the economic treatment of Ireland by Great Britain. 

[hntnhole]

17 hours ago, NWUSHorny said:

I think my somewhat unique background colored my views on the diversity of Christianity and religion in general.

Wow ... I think so too !!!

In the tradition I grew up in, a marriage between a Protestant and a Catholic was incomprehensible for the Swedish-background person.  In Sunday School, we were literally taught that the Catholics were going to Hell.  Why?  Because they worshipped statues !!!  This was the official word handed down by the "Svenska Evangeliska Lutherska Kyrka pa Amerika" (Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).  There were other "synods" reflecting different national origins too.  

One Sunday a month we had Communion, which wound up with the congregation stood up, reciting the Nicene Creed, and it ended with the sentence "this is most certainly true".  At the moment when the congregation sat down - nothing but the rustling of ladies dresses - I laughed out loud.  This was a big church, balconies, and everyone turned to see who had committed such an offence against the Lord. 

What amused me was, after standing to recite that whole creed, the necessity of adding a separate disclaimer of affirmation at the end seemed ridiculous.  My parents faces instantly turned to embarrassed, blushing stone - and I received the beating of my life when we got home. 

Right now, as I type this, I'm almost laughing all over again.  

[twoguyssssss4fun]

Damn.. and I was hoping this was a thread about someone telling they bred the Republicans ass, or had their cock sucked by him !

[BootmanLA]

1 hour ago, twoguyssssss4fun said:

Damn.. and I was hoping this was a thread about someone telling they bred the Republicans ass, or had their cock sucked by him !

Ewwwww

[tallslenderguy]

"The Mike Johnson hits keep on coming — in early October, the soon-to-be speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives took part in a “prayer call” in which he said American culture was “dark and depraved,” partly because so many young people identify as “something other than straight.”

The call took place October 3, just hours before Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker and three weeks before Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, was elected to succeed him. It was first reported this week by Rolling Stone and has been picked up by other media outlets.

It was hosted by Jim Garlow, cofounder of the World Prayer Network and founder and CEO of Well Versed, a Christian right organization.

“The culture is so dark and depraved that it almost seems irredeemable at this point,” Johnson said on the call, which was posted on the Well Versed websitethe following day. Among the signs of this are that church attendance has dropped below 50 percent and that “one in four high school students identified as something other than straight,” he said, putting air quotes around “straight.” “We’re losing the country,” he added.

He said he believes God will lead the U.S. through what he considers a crisis, even though the situation merit's God's wrath"

[think before following links] https://news.yahoo.com/mike-johnson-u-dark-depraved-204710159.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&uh_test=0_00

Stay tuned. In another recent comment MJ noted how Americas leaders placed in leadership by "God," (a common fundamentalist belief).  They believe they are in position to do 'God's work,' not represent the people. Many of these would not hesitate to be 'the instrument of' "God's wrath."

[hntnhole]

12 hours ago, tallslenderguy said:

took part in a “prayer call”

1.  What is a "prayer call"?  People praying over the telephone?  Maybe there's an app for that too?

 

12 hours ago, tallslenderguy said:

American culture was “dark and depraved,

2. He's correct, but it has nothing to do with young people identifying and speaking their TRUTH.  Having the wherewithal and courage to do that implies a brighter future, rather than one that seems "dark and depraved" to some.  I'd turn that line of reasoning right straight around - it's his view of the country, and what he wants to do about it,  that is truly "dark and depraved".

 

12 hours ago, tallslenderguy said:

church attendance has dropped below 50 percent

3.  And why on earth might THAT be?  Could it be that intelligence and reason is gaining ground over blind stupidity and adherence to a message of despair, unreason, and other-worldly judgement, based on ancient tales of a deity preferring one tribe of his creation over others?  Or, as the Church-Lady on SNL used to say - could it be (I don't think we can actually type that moniker here on BZ), so I'll just go with "The Evil One" ??? 

13 hours ago, tallslenderguy said:

“We’re losing the country,” he added.

4.  It was never his, nor those that believe as he does, in the first place.  This nation is multi-cultural, tolerant of every legitimate belief-system, and those rights are enshrined in the Constitution.  The implication is (as well as his voting record) that he speaks for some Deity, which he most certainly does not.  His ilk have merely been steeping in their miseries for centuries, living under the rocks, hiding from the sunlight of decency, honor, and respect. 

Mr. Johnson's ilk own nothing but their own depravities.  What a pitiful excuse of a man - consumed by fear, envious of those who aren't.

 

13 hours ago, tallslenderguy said:

God will lead the U.S. through what he considers a crisis

5.  No, "God" will not lead us this way or that way; it never has, and it never will.  As I recall the religious teaching, that particular Deity (who morphed from a regional "war-god" into the omnipresent Lord and Master of the Universe over the millennia); read more in Joshua. is thought to have given humanity a choice.  Do good, or do evil.   It is "We, the People" who will either lead through these difficult times, or allow themselves to be led by these unholy intellectual midgets. 

That's the only choice, and it's ours - we, the people - who will make those decisions.  And, we have the tools to effect that choice, if we use them properly about a year from now.  If we can't be bothered to use those tools (one in particular), then we have no one to blame but ourselves.  

As to what comes out of the mouth of that bottle-blonde stooge, she only further embarrasses herself by opening that hole in her head, yet too stupid to realize it.  Doesn't she know that Almahty Gawd doesn't like women to dye their hair some other color?  I don't simply believe this, I know this - because Gawd told me so.   What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[BootmanLA]

44 minutes ago, hntnhole said:

1.  What is a "prayer call"?  People praying over the telephone?  Maybe there's an app for that too?

Yes. A prayer call is like any other "conference" call - the kind so common in corporate america, where most people are muted but a handful of people have enabled microphones. The great unwashed can dial in and listen to a minister preach hell and damnation, plus get a dose of right-wing politics. 

[brnbk]

On 11/8/2023 at 11:03 AM, hntnhole said:

Last Friday (I think?), that tall, splendid, slim boy out West somewhere explained it well - on the previous page (4).  

yes, Thank you tallslenderguy for enumerating for us what religious fundamentalisim esp. in the US context is. 

On 11/17/2023 at 11:48 AM, tallslenderguy said:

Fundamentalism is truly a mind fuck (not the good kind), it's the essence of cults. It took me 35 years to process out of it cleanly.  i quip: "being gay saved me from 'God.'" 

Fundamentalism aka. Evangelicalism is truly a mind fuck. It distorts reality and history to forward the agenda of a tribal and capricious god, "God". Doesn't matter that the U.S. constitution does not have the word God or Church, or Jesus and the Saints in it; yet, apparently, the US constitution is really a 'christian document', establishing the "Church" over a christian America. And just to be clear, the US constitution is written in plain English and not some other language, which would justify a confusion! 

On 11/16/2023 at 8:06 PM, hntnhole said:

I wonder if Mr. Johnson would even be able to comprehend the journey my friend had to undertake, just to tear that fundamental mess out and become a decent, contributing human being.  

  A truly christian thought,

1 hour ago, hntnhole said:

1.  What is a "prayer call"? 

 and I would like to add my prayer call: Amen, God speed, Our God can do miracles! May speaker Johnson become a decent human being and stop watching porn and worse, sharing this information and the desire to share this information, with his own son!!  

The Scripture says, it is better to marry than to burn and Speaker Johnson seems to be burning the in the flames of desire as proved by his porn struggles; and since he goes to the Bible for all the answers, and considers it the ultimate Truth, then may he get another wife, since the Prophets in the Bible, did often have more than one wife, as his present wife is not able to satisfy him. We must all turn to the Bible, the good ol' plain English Bible  to answer all of the questions America and the world faces... 

 

 

 

 

 

[ErosWired]

I was raised Methodist, and I observe with either bemusement or amusement (I can’t decide) that the United Methodist Church - the second largest Protestant denomination in America is currently tearing itself limb from limb because some in the denominational leadership are absolutely determined to keep the wicked, heathen, soulless gays away from their communion wafers. I have to suppress a giggle when I read that part of the agreement to “let” almost half the churches that don’t want to preach hate depart includes a stipulation that the departing churches can’t call themselves United Methodists. Well look around, folks, you’re just as un-united as they are now. It takes two sides to have a schism.

I haven’t set foot in a Methodist Church since I was an undergraduate, nor have I found any church where the people were actually Christians that Christ would recognize. I’ve known a few of the genuine article, but they seldom need a church to do their good in the world.

 I pity Mr. Johnson, actually. Not just because he’s clearly such a damaged soul, but because he’s let himself be lured by the bait of power into the abattoir where the demons are even now sharpening their knives for him.

[hntnhole]

1 hour ago, BootmanLA said:

A prayer call is like any other "conference" call

Well, now I know more than I did before.  I'd never heard of a "prayer call", but I definitely remember conference calls - when every employee tried to interrupt every other employee, advancing their own interests.  Glad those are in the rear-view-mirror now.  

52 minutes ago, brnbk said:

May speaker Johnson become a decent human being

Thank you, brnbk, for your gracious responses.  I share the same wishes for Mr. Johnson, preferably far from a governmental position.  

[hntnhole]

6 minutes ago, ErosWired said:

is currently tearing itself limb from limb because some in the denominational leadership are absolutely determined to keep the wicked, heathen, soulless gays away from their communion wafers.

I had no idea that was happening.  Years ago I held a position as music director for a while in a UMC, and found the opposite:  there were plenty of gay members, the pastor was a lesbian, and it seems so refreshing after the church I grew up in.  Everyone seemed to get along well with everyone else, and I felt more "at home" there than any Lutheran Church I ever set foot in.  Plus, I had a 32' bourdon on that organ, which was fun.  You "felt" it as much as you heard it. 

Organized Religion just doesn't seem to be cutting it anymore.   

[tallslenderguy]

MJ's wife runs a  counseling business.  i would not be surprised to learn that MJ is a repressed gay and his wife is his ally in his fight against being homosexual. Yes, i'm speculating, but many would be surprised at how common this is in fundamentalist circles.  They do not believe there is such a thing as being gay, in their counseling against gays they frequently equate it to alcoholism (not kidding here). 

'HuffPost reports that Kelly Johnson, the spouse of the newly elected Speaker, runs a counseling business that in its operating documents compares being gay to, among other things, having sex with a family member or animal. Specifically, Onward Christian Counseling Services’ 2017 operating agreement states: “We believe and the Bible teaches that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.” The Speaker, who previously practiced law, notarized the document, and his signature appears on the last page. The company’s website is no longer accessible online"

[think before following links] https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/10/mike-johnson-kelly-johnson-onward-christian-counseling-services

[NEDenver]

2 hours ago, hntnhole said:

I had no idea that was happening.  Years ago I held a position as music director for a while in a UMC, and found the opposite:  there were plenty of gay members, the pastor was a lesbian, and it seems so refreshing after the church I grew up in.  Everyone seemed to get along well with everyone else, and I felt more "at home" there than any Lutheran Church I ever set foot in.  Plus, I had a 32' bourdon on that organ, which was fun.  You "felt" it as much as you heard it. 

Organized Religion just doesn't seem to be cutting it anymore.   

The ELCA churches are decent.  Some better than others.  In the 70s and 80s there was some moderating in the Missouri Synod, but that got stamped out in the late 80s and early 90s.  Wisconsin Synod, where Michelle Crazy-Eyes Bachman attends has always been batcrap crazy.

Getting kicked out of the Missouri Synod church I grew up in because being gay is really the only unforgivable sin was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

[hntnhole]

15 hours ago, tallslenderguy said:

 i would not be surprised to learn that MJ is a repressed gay

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised either.  I was not born with "gaydar", and I'm not good at "knowing at a glance or twenty" at all.  But there's something a bit cloying about that innocent little-boy smile that seems frozen onto his mug, like some hellish Halloween mask.  Plus his incessant going on about gays (as well as others, of course) just seems like he protesteth a bit too much.  

On another front, he probably believes that "God" has rewarded him with his meteoric rise to power, and thus he not only believes he's entitled to enforce the will of that deity, he believes that he simply must.  

If true, I would imagine that one of these days his body might just instantaneously burst into flame, self-immolating his guilt, whether he actually is a repressed gay or just another run-of-the-mill hatemonger.