Republicans - The Christian Right in the USA

Matthew 19:24   And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mark 10:25   It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
  
Acts 20:35   I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.


These days I'm an athiest, but I was brought up in a Christian environment at a Christian school and know the Bible pretty well. When I look at the Republican Party in the USA, especially the groups on the far right fringes, which supposedly adhere to Christian values, I don't recognise the Christianity that I read in the Bible. I no longer see the Bible as the word of God and hence as having any particular moral authority, but it does seem to me that this section of society who claim to follow Jesus have lost their way. I do occasionally watch the God Channel and its compatriots to see the way the wind is blowing, and one thing that has struck me most about the preaching is that there seems to be a focus on how to use Christianity to help yourself. For example, one common theme, is giving, not to help others (although that is a benefit, often for the channel or preacher mind) but to gain back more, by the will of God, than you gave in the first place, often accompanied by anecdotal testimony.


The impression I get, and this is not something I have studied or seen studies about, is that there is more an attempt to fit the creed to a philosophy than living by a philosophy derived from a creed. This isn't unique and can be seen throughout history in multiple religions to support whatever the prevailing opinion seems to be. But it does seem to me that those following these far right preachers would do well to bear in mind the following warnings also given in the New Testament:

Matthew
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


Acts 20:30   Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.