Comments | daveamongus: An Observation

daveamongus

An Observation

Apr 09, 2006 21:29

I should probably be quicker on the draw with stuff like this, but I'm both lazy and rather busy and, more and more lately, a bit intimidated by posting anything remotely controversial. I used to relish it, as any number of folks in my FList can attest, but the arguing has gotten to be more and more of a burden lately, one I'm happy not to pick up ( Read more... )

christianity, media

Comments 9

shaws_ghoti April 10 2006, 04:17:05 UTC

Yep.

rhesagirl April 10 2006, 05:45:04 UTC

Very nice post.

But I guess I've rarely understood why the Evangelicals and their ilk do much of what they do.

Heh - a lot of people don't. But don't blame all evanglicals for the behavior of a few of their outspoken leaders, groups and loudmouthed individuals. Some of the latter don't realize that picking an actual side in politics makes them look like shills and marginalizes their votes. But what can you do? Besides trying to represent the sane ones, I mean...

daveamongus April 11 2006, 02:13:33 UTC

Of course.

But I've always thought the worst of them all were those who weren't really evangelical or Christian at all, but in the vaguest sense, who manipulate the faithful, crazy and otherwise.

rhesagirl April 11 2006, 02:25:18 UTC

How 'bout 50-50? They seem to be conscience of the fact that they have critics (to put it mildly), but they think that it's God's will that they're carrying out that they probably sniff and turn away. Well, except for Pat Robertson - he's just senile, and he's said a lot that he's had to recant on later.

daveamongus April 11 2006, 02:35:22 UTC

You're probably right.

As for Robertson, well, it's a wonder the Christian Coalition has lasted as long as it has, what with him running his mouth in odd directions every chance he gets.

(The comment has been removed)

daveamongus April 11 2006, 02:13:44 UTC

Thank you :)

rudius_maximus April 10 2006, 14:46:22 UTC

In all honesty, I think the people who are talking about how Christians are "persecuted" are the same ones that wear their religious beliefs on their sleeve. This behavior isn't limited to Christians, or even religion! I find these people who are fanatical about anything (and shove it in my face) to be obnoxious, whether their fanatacism is directed at Jesus or the Chicago Bears ( ... )

daveamongus April 11 2006, 02:34:23 UTC

You've certainly got a point, and I don't deny that people see an evangelical opportunity in their protestations. The modern mega-church teaches its congregants in all the "guerilla proselytization" tactics ( ... )

carbonelle April 12 2006, 05:32:37 UTC

"Good speech drives out bad"

I think you're right about the Hollywood angle, but the rest is a bit fuzzy. It's not mere "de-privialge-ing" (good heavens, how I loathe Academe-speak) but the destruction of American culture of which various Christian (and Jewish) beliefs (some odder than others*) have become interwoven. That destruction, particularly by those who love the whole messy shebang (nor care much for the alternatives presented: Europe? Feh!), does inspire strong feeling, whether or no the poor schlubb in flyover country, who is probably at least as inarticulate as our Pres**) can express it any better than "they're going after the Christians again".

For values of Christian = "traditional/small town/fill-in-the-blank Like Me.

I would very much recommend reading Mr. Paul Johnson (an Englishman's) A History of the American People. Unlike any other such history I've read, this is the first to recount the, if you will, religious history of our country. I had no idea how odd we must seem to the outlanders, but it was salutory ( ... )