Only in our time of need...

Christianity's radical right has been making quite a noise about how "G-d" is punishing us because we have turned our collective backs on Him. Granted, I believe there is a lack of Spiritual cohesion in our world, as is evidenced in the corruption and graft with which our nation is plagued. Everyone is so caught up in the race for financial and material gain (How DO those Joneses keep up?), and the power that it accompanies, that little time is left for personal reflection.

Then, there come these headlines (not from your usual infotainment/news-like sources) of "spiritual leaders" invoking their interpretation of "G-d's will," as it is divinely passed down to them.

Rob Schenck of the National Clergy Council stated that, as in the Old Testament, G-d is punishing those who turn to him only in their hour of need.

And then, there is good ol' Marion 'Pat' Robertson. You remember him - former presidential candidate, the man who called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Here is a veritable "dog's breakfast" of quaint ditties spoken by the good reverend. Did you know that former Attorney General, John Ashcroft, is now Professor Ashcroft, at Robertson's Regent University?

As for Jerry Falwell; here is what he told Pat Robertson on The 700 Club back on Sept. 13th, 2001 - “The ACLU’s got to take a lot of blame for this. And, I know that I’ll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the Pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen.’”

What about Billy Graham's son, Franklin? He was one of the radical preachers who stated that New Orleans only had herself to blame for Hurricane Katrina. Please remember, this is the guy who gave the benediction at Herr Führer's, I mean Chimpy McBonehead's swearing in ceremony.

I have always read the teachings of Christ as full of declamations of love and compassion. I guess Jesus was too liberal for these "men of G-d." Woe be unto us all, if these guys are really channelling the "spirit of G-d!"