INTRODUCTION (TO BE READ): SUPPLEMENT: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A CONSERVATIVE-REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN: JESUS IS A SMALL-C COMMUNIST

This supplement and the main volume (though to a lesser degree), are as journal entries.

The supplement is a collection of commentaries with dispersed sermonizing.

That sermonizing is for the sake of the dignity of humility and not for ostentation. It is to expose misdirection and not to harm. It is to warn to turn away from selfishness, greed, violence, and impure feelings. It is to call to turn to universal unselfishness: Mercy, love, peace, apology, forgiveness, atonement, redemption, and purity, collectively constituting the truth.

There is no arbitrarily enforced systematic approach or synthesis offered or intended. The writing style is free-flowing and what denigrators will dismiss as mere ramblings. However, there is nothing haphazard about it, and the larger pattern is discernable to the patient. "In your patience possess ye your souls." (Luke 21:19).

The reader is asked to suspend usual expectations and is required to structure much of the information within the reader's mind. In other words, we have not done all the work.

The reasons for this is not sloth. Such work lends itself to improving the kind of thinking conjoined with emotions (feelings, sensing) that is required to follow the dictates of the Holy Spirit to do greater righteousness and to, therefore, more avoid temptation to do iniquity. The main volume explains this in greater detail.

Words are only as able as the conceptualization of the reader. We work at opening and narrowing that conceptualization for the sake of our coming to righteousness. We ask you to read this work with that spirit in your heart.

This supplement and the main volume may strike many as too rebuking, too harsh; however, we too have been rebuked, and are rebuked. That's a good thing. There is no harm in it. The harm is self-harm in rejecting correct rebuking.

The huge evils in the world require even larger rebuking but from humility, for all have sinned.

The following should appear at the end of every post:

According to the IRS, "Know the law: Avoid political campaign intervention":

Tax-exempt section 501(c)(3) organizations like churches, universities, and hospitals must follow the law regarding political campaigns. Unfortunately, some don't know the law.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to campaigns at the federal, state and local level.

Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes. Section 501(c)(3) private foundations are subject to additional restrictions.

Political Campaign Intervention

Political campaign intervention includes any activities that favor or oppose one or more candidates for public office. The prohibition extends beyond candidate endorsements.

Contributions to political campaign funds, public statements of support or opposition (verbal or written) made by or on behalf of an organization, and the distribution of materials prepared by others that support or oppose any candidate for public office all violate the prohibition on political campaign intervention.

Factors in determining whether a communication results in political campaign intervention include the following:

• Whether the statement identifies one or more candidates for a given public office
• Whether the statement expresses approval or disapproval of one or more candidates' positions and/or actions
• Whether the statement is delivered close in time to the election
• Whether the statement makes reference to voting or an election
• Whether the issue addressed distinguishes candidates for a given office

Many religious organizations believe, as we do, that the above constitutes a violation of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That said, we make the following absolutely clear here:

• The Real Liberal Christian Church and Christian Commons Project not only do not endorse any candidate for any secular office, we say that Christianity forbids voting in such elections.
• Furthermore, when we discuss any public-office holder's position, policy, action or inaction, we definitely are not encouraging anyone to vote for that office holder's position.
• We are not trying to influence secular elections but rather want people to come out from that entire fallen system.
• When we analyze or discuss what is termed "public policy," we do it entirely from a theological standpoint with an eye to educating professing Christians and those to whom we are openly always proselytizing to convert to authentic Christianity.
• It is impossible for us to fully evangelize and proselytize without directly discussing the pros and cons of public policy and the positions of secular-office holders, hence the unconstitutionality of the IRS code on the matter.
• We are not rich and wouldn't be looking for a fight regardless. What we cannot do is compromise our faith (which seeks to harm nobody, quite the contrary).
• We render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. We render unto God what is God's.
• When Caesar says to us that unless we shut up about the unrighteousness of Caesar's policies and practices, we will lose the ability of people who donate to us to declare their donations as deductions on their federal and state income-tax returns, we say to Caesar that we cannot shut up while exercising our religion in a very reasonable way.
• We consider the IRS code on this matter as deliberate economic duress (a form of coercion) and a direct attempt by the federal government to censor dissenting, free political and religious speech.
• It's not freedom of religion if they tax it.

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. (Matthew 17:24-26)