Category Archives: Religious Extremeism

A look at the need to control other people’s beliefs.

Just what we need ….

“I’m a Christian first, American second, conservative third and Republican fourth” – Ted Cruz, 20 Jan 2016

 

Ted Cruz

 

Responding to a critique by former Senator and Republican Presidential nominee Bob Dole (who thinks Ted Cruz would be a disaster as the 2016 Republican nominee), Sen. Cruz uttered the statement above.

Let’s think about that one, shall we?

I have absolutely no problem with Ted Cruz feeling this way.  One’s beliefs and personal convictions are one’s own, and it’s not for me or anyone else to malign him in any way for his priorities.

I do, however, believe that the “American second” bit disqualifies him from serving as President of the United States.  After all, the Oath of Office is most definitely NOT

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, except where it conflicts with my personal interpretation of the Bible (Southern Texas Evangelical Revised Version)”

If you’re not going to be “American first”, you have no business seeking the office of President.

But beyond that, I question the statement “American second“

Montoya

 

To be clear, I’m not raising the “birther” nonsense here.  No, what I mean is that the bigoted, exclusionary, fear-mongering positions Sen, Cruz espouses does not match what being “American” says to me.  And frankly, I don’t think I’d put “American” as number two on the Senator’s list.

If I were making the list, I’d say that Ted Cruz is a radical Conservative first, an extremist Christian second, a Republican third (because that’s the only home for the first two), and an American only insofar as “American” is defined in radicalized conservative christian terms.

Unfortunately (for Mr. Cruz), the President of the United States needs to be the President of all Americans, not just his fellow travelers.  That means non-Evangelical Christians, Unitarians, Muslims, Jews, the non-religious, straights, gays, conservatives, liberals, moderates, libertarians, women, men, and everyone else who holds American values dear.

And I’m sorry, Mr. Cruz – but if your opening position is “American second“, you just don’t cut it.

#stampoutstupid

 

Stupid of the Day 05 Jan 2016: Televangelists NEED Private Jets ….

BECAUSE DEMONS FLY COACH!

Demon-Fearing Televangelist Kenneth Copeland

 

From Bipartisan Report. Apparently, it’s too hard to walk up and down the aisle and chat with God on a commercial flight, as

  1. Other people on the plane look at you funny, and
  2. There are DEMONS on commercial flights.

Go on—read the article. We’ll wait …..

Beyond the sheer absurdity of the claim, I think these guys need a refresher on their bibles.  Like this verse:

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:5–8)

Even more—the folks who send these guys money need to brush up on their bibles before opening their wallets any further.

And BTW, I fly coach. I’m easy to spot … I’m the demon in the window seat just behind the wing.

#stampoutstupid

The “War On Christmas”

 

Polar Bear cookies

I saw this image on Facebook and had to laugh—it’s a clever take on the whole Starbuck’s Red Cup / War on Christmas thing. But underlying this is a sad fact—there are people out there who are searching for a reason to be offended at this time of year.

NEWS FLASH, PEOPLE—THERE IS NO “WAR ON CHRISTMAS” !!!

If somebody wishes you “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” rather than “Merry Christmas,” it’s almost a certainty they are NOT disrespecting you or attacking your religious beliefs. Instead, they’re (gasp) wishing you joy and happiness. The point of well-wishes is to be an expression of good will from the well-wisher, not to be an acknowledgement of the recipients beliefs. Especially as those beliefs just might not be known to the well-wisher. The polite thing to do is to accept the wishes offered gratefully, in the spirit intended.

Instead, I’m seeing a lot of people posting “Merry Christmas” messages and images, not in the spirit of the season, but as an aggressive gambit, almost daring you not to say it back. It’s a volley in the made-up “war,” and frankly, it’s irritating as all hell.

Now, I’m not going to deny that there’s a fringe out there who think that “Merry Christmas” is politically incorrect and want to see its use avoided in public. Well, that’s just stupid. (Yes, Virginia, there is liberal stupidity, too …) But to suggest there’s a liberal “War on Christmas” because of a fringe position is like claiming there’s a conservative “War on whatever” because of a Westboro Baptist Church protest. The fringe is not representative. The fringe is often the stupid that needs stamping out.

 

So this holiday season, help #stampoutstupid by accepting greetings of the season in the spirit intended, and by offering greetings in a spirit of good-will, and not to make a political point of things. The correct response to “Merry Christmas” is “Thank you,” with an optional “and the same to you,” regardless of your religious beliefs. The response to “Happy Hanukkah” is exactly the same. Ditto for Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Happy Kwanzaa, or whatever. Being offended by a holiday greeting is a choice—and a pretty stupid one, if you ask me.

Happy Festivus.