‘Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: “This is from Allah,” to traffic with it for miserable price! - Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby’ (Surah Al Baqarah, 02 : 79).

For further elucidation on this, read ‘The First & Final Commandment: A Search for Truth in Revelation Within the Abrahamic Religion’ by Dr. Laurence B. Brown.

[Admin note: This comment was edited slightly because the original comment violated this site's comment policy regarding "preaching."]

Unfortunately, james, church leaders throughout history have recognized that there is money and power to be had from inventing fanciful stories that make people feel better, so they become very skilled at inventing such stories. And, obviously, when the measure of success is making people feel better, telling the truth becomes a secondary concern.

But you’re not alone in treating the truth as a secondary concern. We all do this. Case in point: I often feel better believing that I am smart and handsome….

I’ve known many Fundamentalists over the years. I now live a block away from Moody Bible Institute, so we have many Fundamentalists living in my building (although many of these are studying to become evangelists).

A large number of these people are coming from troubled situation - addiction to drugs or alcohol, psychiatric illness, physical illness, victims of domestic violence or other abuse, ex-prisoners, and so on. They find some comfort in the fellowship of a group that accepts them regardless of their history or flaws or social stigmas. Some may be attracted by the promises of miraculous healing of their various illnesses or wounds. For many, a Fundamentalist group is the only one that will accept them. Troubled people are often given a lukewarm reception at a more conventional church; in other social settings they may be rejected outright.

These people often cling to their group - and to the rules of the group - like a drowning person clinging for dear life to a bit of flotsam. They may not know what the Bible says, but they will defend the group and the rules as though their lives depend on it. Because, in fact, their lives *do* depend on it…

Grumpy, I’m really not joking that there are things that all people “of good faith” need to work on together NOW and that telling Methodists or Episcopalians or Mennonites that they have to be something like Full Gospel Baptists to be “real Christians”, or that they are just as stupid and dangerous as fundamentalists is NOT how to do it. Many religious people, even some evangelicals, are concerned about keeping organized religion out of legislation. There are a number of groups working on it on a national level.

On the “Act Locally” front: The religious right did not get where it is today through some kind of spiritual mojo but through grassroots organizing techniques that any group can use. (Though under-handed techniques like the Dover School board case can often backfire.) There is a group we have locally, People Power, that has operated for years under the $4,000 a year donation limit so they don’t have to deal with all the paperwork of 501c3 incorporation. They are very useful in getting people to turn up to public meetings and hearings where public testimony can sway votes of elected representatives. They also have candidate questionnaires and endorsement forms, and local candidates do care about being able to put that “Endorsed by People Power” on their campaign literature.

Grassroots organizing doesn’t even have to be that organized. I’m sure candidates for your local school board, county superintendent of schools, (if an elected position in your area) and state leg. would be quite happy to come to a “meet the candidate” night hosted in somebody’s home. Just invite 20-30 neighbors or like-minded folks, serve them coffee and dessert, and let them hear what the candidate has to say. They also have the opportunity to express their concerns to the candidate. Make sure to clear with the candidate whether a fund-raising pitch at the end is OK or not. That’s it.

Blogging may be a good way to raise issues and clarify our views, but so much of politics is still about showing up.