Hengler, what Wallis said is pretty consistent with Catholic teaching, at least. The other things you mentioned - the cross, repentance etc - are also central to Catholicism. But just because they weren't mentioned by Wallis doesn't mean that a view of religion supporting social justice rejects the cross.

I say this as a Catholic who had this stuff shoveled at him in Catholic school and Catholic College. And after reflection, I have to agree that the nuns were right on this one...

Christians should seek a better world and greater social justice. Putting a word in front of justice merely defines the context in which you are implementing justice. Priests and saints speak of Divine Justice and Divine Mercy without...

Yan, we are in agreement on your last point too. "In front of Everytown, USA's gay pride parade, I think they're very appropriate."

That's a perfect venue for such protests. Phelps has every right to his beliefs and the more moderate way you express his general outlook is justified by most purely Biblical world views. Phelps' error was crossing the line of decency, politeness, and the law in question...

And it was not just an error. I'd go so far as to say this disruption was a sin.

In my 9:39 I meant to say:

Again, views like these are contrary to what Democrats and PROGRESSIVES (not Republicans) believe.

To approach my point from a different angle, see Yan's argument in support of Phelps general views. This is pretty consistent with Christian right logic - though thankfully Yan doesn't seem to endorse the specific protests.

Again, views like these are contrary to what Democrats and Republicans believe.

And again, lets not lose sight of the fact that sensible people of the left and right condemn what Phelps did - and we disagree with the decision of this judge.

Ok, so you insist that because Phelps ran as a Democrat he is a Democrat (despite his variance from every single Democratic belief). In a legalistic sense might make that claim since apparently that's his party registration. And so far as I know neither Dems nor Republicans kick people out of the party for failure to pass litmus tests. But the association isn't real in a meaningful way. If that were so then since David Duke ran for office as a Republican that makes him one? I hope you wouldn't claim Duke's views as your own.

Democrats and progressives generally support gay rights - the opposite of Phelps.

Democrats and progressives generally oppose mixing religion and politics - the opposite of Phelps.

Decent...

Two points for some of you Republicans that are going over the edge on this:

First, I gotta laugh at reply 535 and all you folks who think that just because this Phelps kook says he's progressive, or says he's a Democrat, he is. This nut-job Phelps has nothing more in common with a Dennis Kucinich than the tea party types have in common with Abe Lincoln. Everything this Phelps espouses is contrary to mainstream and progressive Democrat values. In fact he has more in common with Republican values if you want to be honest about this.

I could say I'm for baby-killing and sufficient taxes to pay for good government and then claim to be a Republican. But you guys would reject anyone that put those claims together. ...

Well this article raises so many questions I hardly know where to start. Lets see, maybe the Bush appointed Sec of Defense wants to make sure that this Ft Hood shrink gets tried without prejudice, so any conviction might be more likely to stand.

As to trying 9-11 terrorists in Federal Court, what's the major malfunction there? How about we start showing that we are a nation of laws again? I'm not against giving these guys trials under the UCMJ at Ft. Levenworth, but I don't seen the need for all this cowardice about where we try these guys. And I don't see the need to fear the laws just because there is some presumption of innocence in that law. Guess what, that same presumption would need to exist in a UCMJ trial or any...

Can this chick and the rest of the right be any more blind and stupid? The last couple of "sodomites" busted in the "liberal congress" were both Republicans. Hello, remember Foley and Craig? And don't forget you've got those "log cabin" Republicans, so don't get so self-rightous about how holier than thou the right is... because it isn't.

I wish you guys would stop thinking you have a direct conduit to the God and his TRVTH, because your party is so anti-Christian in it's contempt and oppression of the poor, disdain for law and human rights, ignorance of the injunction to to do unto others as you'd have them do unto you, rejection of the sermon on the mount, etc.

If Jesus came back today he might straighten some...