The federal government faces its first shutdown in nearly 20 years after late-night congressional negotiations failed to break a budget standoff over President Obama’s health care law.
Greg Erlandson, publisher of Our Sunday Visitor, laments that the shutdown mess has drowned out attention to a real disaster — waves of killings of Christians abroad.
The killing of Christians can’t hold a candle to panda cubs and Congressional posturing, unfortunately. http://t.co/ew5ZndFxx5
— Greg Erlandson (@GregOSV) October 1, 2013
Navy chaplain Father Kevin Cusick of Meeting Christ in the Liturgy says the shutdown won’t change church availability.
No #shutdown for the true #Church: providing an abundance of saving grace at every holy #Mass. #Oremus
— Father Kevin Cusick (@MCITL) October 1, 2013
A group of liberal Christian leaders blasted the Tea Party over the shutdown, reports David Brody of CBN.
Government #shutdown Update: Progressive Pastor Tells #TeaParty To “Read Their Bibles” http://t.co/L0b1BMZSKt #GOP
— David Brody (@TheBrodyFile) September 30, 2013
Seattle pastor Eugene Cho urged unity.
Dear Politicians: PLEASE WORK TOGETHER! ~ Every Single One of Us
— Eugene Cho (@EugeneCho) October 1, 2013
Some pastors, including Otis Moss III and Jamal Bryant, criticized the Tea Party.
Gov. Decided to shutdown b/c the wealthy tea party is in town. Sr’s will miss checks, the mailman too is this the world Cantor has 4 u?
— Otis Moss, III (@om3) October 1, 2013
Dear Lord today shut DOWN the tea parties treasonous attempts, the republicans arrogance & the plot against the poor!
— jamalbryant (@jamalhbryant) October 1, 2013
Activist Jordan Sekulow pointed to the IRS.
Maybe we can #shutdown the #IRS permanently as the agency has proven it is incapable of self-correction, honesty and lost trust of America
— Jordan Sekulow (@JordanSekulow) October 1, 2013
Ecumenical First Things magazine adds a bit of history for context.
“At general elections in [18th-century] Westminster hecklers threw dead or living cats at politicians.” http://t.co/31wxG4PZ93
— First Things (@firstthingsmag) October 1, 2013
Comedian Jim Gaffigan, who references his Catholic faith often, connects the dots.
Wow, congress isn’t taking the end of “Breaking Bad” very well at all.
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) October 1, 2013
The Twitter talk earlier was that the panda camera at the National Zoo would be shut off during a shutdown. Writer Amy Sullivan finds that preferable.
Pandas thank Congress for saving them from creepy stalker-cam.
— Amy Sullivan (@sullivanamy) October 1, 2013
Relevant magazine editor Cameron Strang plans on taking advantage of the shutdown.
Pro tip: If the government doesn’t have to go to work anymore, neither do you. #winning
— Cameron Strang (@cameronstrang) October 1, 2013
And God decided to weigh in.
America is now closed. We apologize for the inconvenience.
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) October 1, 2013
The post Government shutdown: religious leaders and activists plead for compromise appeared first on Religion News Service.
