Robin Hayes claims Jesus comments were ‘distorted’

December 23, 2006

On Thursday, we learned that Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) reportedly articulated a rather unique vision for resolving the crisis in the Middle East. According to an account in a local paper in Hayes’ hometown, the lawmaker said: “Stability in Iraq ultimately depends on spreading the message of Jesus Christ, the message of peace on earth, good will towards men. Everything depends on everyone learning about the birth of the Savior.”

Yesterday, Hayes and his aides confirmed the accuracy of the quote, but said he’s been misconstrued.

After his speech, Hayes revised his comments. He said they were in “the context of spreading Christian principles rather than Christianity.”

His spokeswoman, Carolyn Hern, told The Source she did not attend the speech but that she has no reason to doubt the accuracy of Hayes’ initial quotes. She blamed Democrats for taking them out of context.

“It’s interesting how these bloggers can distort the news,” Hern said.

Yes, of course, it’s our fault. A right-wing lawmaker uses crusader-like comments such as “Everything depends on everyone learning about the birth of the Savior,” Hayes and his office acknowledge the theocratic language, but bloggers “distort the news.” Huh?

Maybe Hayes can explain the “context” which would explain him saying, “Stability in Iraq ultimately depends on spreading the message of Jesus Christ.” I’m sure millions of people in the Middle East, who already question our intentions in the region, will love to hear Hayes explain the distinction he sees between “Christian principles” and “Christianity.”

If the message of Jesus helps the world give up on it dependence on oil, Hayes may have a point. But that might be just too damned radical for many Christians to accept.

  • To Foggy Hayes:

    The “Christian” principles you speath of are universal among the Jews and Muslims (it may surprise you that you guys all worship the same god.)

    Considering that the Jehovah/Yahweh was originally the Jewish God of WAR, maybe Foggy’s right after all.

  • I love how all inane utterings can be brushed off as taken out of context… or taken within the context.

    It is obvious that the Rep. was pandering to his audience.

    I am a student of history and a Christian. I have continually asked people to name just one 10 year period in history where they could point to as being representative of what they would consider a good era of religious rule.

    No one has really been able to do it. They do say that it is unfair to ask, because men are fallible and just because man hasn’t been able to rule through religion, that doesn’t mean that religion is wrong. Of course religion isn’t wrong… but what makes them think that this time they will get it right? After all, it would be run by men who we already have agreed are fallible?

    Some go, “Oh we need to go back to the 1950’s where there was…” They forget about the Jim Crow laws, segregation, racism condoned by politicians and religions alike. Women were unable to sign contracts without their husbands permission…

    The greatest period of growth and well being has been under secular rule and the right-wing is doing everything they can to destroy it.

  • “After his speech, Hayes revised his comments. He said they were in ‘the context of spreading Christian principles rather than Christianity.'”

    The difference being………

  • Forget Iran, we need to invade Britian next…

    “More people in Britain think religion causes harm than believe it does good, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today. It shows that an overwhelming majority see religion as a cause of division and tension – greatly outnumbering the smaller majority who also believe that it can be a force for good.

    “The poll also reveals that non-believers outnumber believers in Britain by almost two to one. It paints a picture of a sceptical nation with massive doubts about the effect religion has on society: 82% of those questioned say they see religion as a cause of division and tension between people. Only 16% disagree. The findings are at odds with attempts by some religious leaders to define the country as one made up of many faith communities.”

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,1978046,00.html

  • Call me crazy, but I’ll buy this excuse.

    Hayes’ comments seem to be less in the spirit of Ann Coulter and more like Linus from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” That said, for many Christians, “learning about the birth of the Savior” automatically leads to conversion, and is much desired. It’s evangelism either way, but at least it’s not mean.

  • One widespread problem among these rabid Christians seems to be that they just can’t figure out why folks get upset with their rhetoric. Seems to be a stark inability to see the world from anyone else’s perspective. I’m guessing this has something to do with their belief in the certainty of their ideas (why try to see someone else’s perspecitve when by definition that perspective is flawed?). But such certainty is also held by many non-Christians, without this total disconnect with the broader reality in which many of us live.

  • Man is fallible. Writing holy books is an example of how fallible man is. Grumpy is right, Hayes isn’t mean, but goddamn he’s stupid.

    Hey Robins is chick’s name! said Dale..

  • Please! This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Let’s not bicker and argue over who killed who.
    Rep. Hayes has a point. If everyone became ‘us’, there would be no ‘them’. End of war.
    However I will say he’s neglected to highlight the fact that in taking on an entire region of the world and a religion of 1 billion people we’ve likely bitten off more than we can chew.
    He should have started with New York City.
    And Judaism.
    Hors d’oeuvre anyone?

  • Following Christian principles means do as we say or we’ll bomb your ass back to the stone age.

    Christianity means if you worship Christ, like Mexicans do, we don’t have to kill you — just don’t even think of coming to our country and trying to live like we do, or if you do, do it in secret and work for really, really low wages.

    Simple enough.

  • Too Bad Jesus is as fictional as Zeus, Mythra, Dionysis, and Mommra (from Thunder Cats). Perhaps we should do what fanatical neocons, like Hayes, really want the U.S. to do…become a theological monarchy dictatorship ruled by the neocon rich who control the water you drink, the air you breathe, and the toilet paper you wipe your ass with…..

  • Hayes seems to have forgotten the facts that Jesus was born in the Middle East and therefore they received His message long before anyone else, and that Jesus and His message are revered in Islam.

  • If “Stability in Iraq ultimately depends on spreading the message of Jesus Christ, the message of peace on earth, good will towards men.”, then Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) would seem to be in the wrong party.

    For years republicans have commited us to war on earth and have been hysterical in calling for ill-will towards men

  • Hey Vierotchka, you nailed it. Why contempary Christians think they can do what other Christians have failed to over the last 2000 years just escapes me.

  • If by “Christian principles,” he means compassion, pacifism, humility, loving one’s enemies, etc. (cf. Matthew 5-6, the Sermon on the Mount) — principles taught in all the great world religions (including Islam), then I’m all for it.

    But before we go abroad teaching these “Christian principles” to the Moslems, we might begin by teaching them to the Christians here — in particular, to Dobson, Robertson, Falwell and other luminaries of the “Christian Right.”

  • the problem with evangelicals is that their faith is self-referencing, not subject to question. their faith is promulgated as perfect & unchanging while their leadership define dogma & interpret policies derived from that faith, as their judgement & circumstances dictate. those leaders are entirely selfish & manipulative, “for the good of the flock” – they are nearly pure politicans.

    it is no wonder that American Christianity has morphed into christianism. lust for secular power is a transcendent force… & spiritual poison.

  • I suppose this proves that Hayes is both ignorant and stupid.

    Sad, but it is North Carolina after all.

  • Wouldn’t adherence to Christian principals require us to not make war, kill people, force religion down their throats, and bankrupt the US?

    Wouldn’t rather the adherence to Christian principals require us to heal the sick, feed the poor, treat our enemy like our friend, turn the other cheek and pray in a closet as the Bible says to do?

    There’s really nothing wrong with Christian principals or any other major religion. The problem is that the people in charge aren’t following Christian principals. They’re following the principals of the almight god Dollar.

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