OPINION & EDITORIAL
America, stop kneeling at altar of religious insanity
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Also by Kyle Szarzynski:
- John Edwards may prove best option (December 4, 2007)
- America, stop kneeling at altar of religious insanity (November 27, 2007)
- Critics ignore Kumar's progressive strides (November 26, 2007)
- Islam no defense for extremist action (November 20, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Religious group funding not 'according to the gospel' (September 24, 2007)
- Presidential race crazier than ever (February 19, 2007)
- Religion, morality should be separated (December 5, 2007)
- You, Romney, are no Kennedy (December 12, 2007)
- Giuliani right for president (February 8, 2007)
by Kyle Szarzynski
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Many may have been surprised to hear televangelist Pat
Robertson's recent endorsement of the tepidly conservative presidential hopeful
Rudy Giuliani. A glance at the former's background, however, reveals a man who
isn't so much committed to right-wing religious zealotry as the promotion of
his own power and financial empire, built on the backs of poor evangelical
Christians (and their rent checks). Mr. Robertson may spew the most venomous,
bigoted idiocies, but I doubt he actually believes them. You see, he has
figured something out: You can get away with almost anything in this country if
the word "Reverend" precedes your name.
In America, your business can be a racket if it's
"faith-based," you can indoctrinate children in sexual obscurantism if it's
Judeo-Christian in nature and, if you so desire, you can propagate the silliest
pseudo-science as long as it comes from Genesis. The Mafia is criminal; the
Christian Coalition is commendable. UFO sightings are surely nonsense;
intelligent design deserves consideration. Lyndon LaRouche is a dangerous cult
leader; Billy Graham is a heroic American.
The cesspool of mainstream religious bullshit is given a
daily platform in newspapers and major networks, and the politicians, even at
the highest level, are always publicly seeking its courtship. Not only are we
expected to swallow "faith-based" opinions as legitimate, but we are supposed
to consider them with special distinction, as if a halo floats above them
wherever they travel.
Given the untouchable nature of religion in 21st-century
America, it shouldn't be a surprise that frauds like Mr. Robertson use it as a
front for their own agendas. Here's a guy who used his television show, "700
Club," to rail against the ouster of Liberian dictator Charles Taylor (this
employer of child soldiers was a good Christian, as Mr. Robertson explained),
and all the while making millions in the lucrative gold industry under his
regime's protection. This hectomillionare also derides the values of the
underclass while living off its meager earnings and preaching humility all the
while.
Like a naughty child who derives pleasure from his
clandestine misdeeds, he is probably silently amused at how he's still getting
away with it all — this may account for the dumb grin that never ceases to
smear his face.
But his hypocrisy and — to borrow a word from his own short
vocabulary — immorality wouldn't be so nasty if he weren't using homophobia, sexism
and jingoism as the means to his self-serving ends. People like him are
instrumental in distracting poor Americans from the real issues that affect
their lives — like the need for the universal healthcare he opposes — and
convincing them the prospect of Bill marrying Bob poses an existential threat
to their livelihoods. (You may think I'm exaggerating, but he's on the record saying
acceptance of homosexuality will increase the likelihood of natural disasters.)
Of course, criticizing the enabler of Mr. Robertson's
behavior — fundamentalist Christianity — is "offensive," or so we are told, so
he and his type get to continue on, unabated in their mischief. Right-wing
religion in America tells us that feminism is a communist plot, the earth is
about 6,000 years old and all nonbelievers will wallow in eternal hellfire
after the rapture. This type of thinking gets a free ride. Why? Because it's
"faith-based."
It's kosher, of course, to criticize homophobia, but not the
religious text from which it is born. If we agree that homophobia is a form of
bigotry, why is it improper to call Christian fundamentalism a bigoted
ideology?
Personally, I thik there should an "Ashok litmus test" to determine how ASHUK you are. Don't you think that'd yield many progressive candidates, Mr. Kyle? haha. you like ashok kumar. i can't take you seriously. Rev. Robertson, is it all about the money? For those who understand, you're preaching to the choir. For those who don't understand, they never will. aright. i can't stand most of your other articles, and i think they're, for the majority, totally crap. Great article. It is curious why we still allow these un-verifiable claims of theological reasoning affect policy. We can now understand that the framers of our Constitution didn't outlaw slavery because the time from which they came did not label slavery as a universally immoral practice. So why can't we dismiss a book written two-thousand years ago as antiquated and outdated? But you hit the answer right on the button...there are ulterior motives for doing so. I'm sorry I shut down at Judeo-Cristian, Wait theres no corrupt religious officials in other religions and movements? I mean the 7% movement and NOI are perfect! and theres no one out there abusing eastern religions/philosophies to make a quick buck. You have a good article for once and go and ruin it with such simple things. You realize this and then go to try to fix it with a paragraph about how religon can be good, showing you realized that the article was already shutting down the reader. The last point is your use of Judeo-Christian (which really doesn't exist at all, but thats a different story) shows that you can't go a single second with out attacking western values, in your double speak Judeo-Christian is just another code for the west/western values. Go move to North Korea the last remaining Marxist nation, even there capitalism is taking hold. Is there any limit to Kyle's ignorance? Is Kyle even remotely aware the infamous death cultist Jim Jones' "apostolic socialism" was inspired by Marxist "liberation theology"? And don't even get me started on the mounds of rotting corpses heaped in Latin America jungles by Marxist "liberation theology" of the terrorist ETN, FARC, FMLN, FSLN, etc., ad nauseum. Enjoy your stay in Hell. I think this is the first time I've ever agreed with you. And as far as this being rambling: I'm sure those who agree with Kyle could ramble on and on about religion as well, so I very much enjoyed the rant. Great article, Kyle. Is Kyle even remotely aware the infamous death cultist Jim Jones' "apostolic socialism" was inspired by Marxist "liberation theology"? And don't even get me started on the mounds of rotting corpses heaped in Latin America jungles by the Marxist-terrorist "liberation theology" of ETN, FARC, FMLN, FSLN, etc., ad nauseum. I didn't even see the Herald until I picked up the print edition this morning. I don't know where people get the idea that I stay up all night to be the first to comment on the Herald Stories. I have class in the morning and if I want to say something, I will usually write a story on my blog. Personally, I think that religion is a bad thing. Ashok told me that. I agree with Kyle. Ashok, where you at? A wonderfully frank discussion of the sheer volume of utter bullshit rational people are expected to tip-toe around. Great article! 11:40 - Well, I can see why Pat Robertson and his like annoy you. However, I am a Christian and I can honestly say that: "communists hate feminism so that is a ridiculous statement" 12:13am drooled: "FMLN and FSLN are Salvadoran political parties, so way to smear leftist electoral fronts as 'terrorist.'" Kyle Szarzynski wrote: Whenever a non-religious person makes an argument like the one Kyle makes here, religious people always respond with "Oh yeah? Well Stalin was an atheist. So there." Which, of course, is true. But it fails to address the substance of Kyle's argument. Idiotarian @ 10:49pm whined: "...religious people always respond with 'Oh yeah? Well Stalin was an atheist. So there.'" We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted. Not registered? Sign up now. It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 1:15am):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 3:09am):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 7:21am):
external voice: No, it's for Jesus.
internal voice: money, money, money, money, MONEY... suckers. Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 8:43am):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 10:07am):
but you're spot on with this. robertson is batshit crazy, and so are his loyal followers.
even if the writing was totally rambling.
also, to the two people who blasted him this morning, lets see, probably *Something Verbose* (3:09), *Critical Badger* (1:15), or maybe Dovere if I was wrong on one of two?
cut the shit.
use your critiques of ashok's crowd wisely...
you make those civil individuals who agree with you, against ashok, look like ASSES every time you comment in some absurd way like this on an article that has NOTHING to do with him.
please, stop it.Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 10:07am):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 10:56am):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 11:17am):
I'm sorry, but either show me Pat's piles of rotting corpses; or just STFU!
Only "progressive" Marxists of Kyle's ilk can peer across the American religious landscape-- from Islamo-fascist butchers to liberation theology terrorists-- then muster the temerity to climb up on their hind legs and howl that the worst religious extremism today comes from (*gasp*) Pat Robertson.
Hypocrisy on stilts!Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 11:40am):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 12:06pm):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 12:08pm):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 3:11pm):
I'm sorry, but either show me Pat's piles of rotting corpses; or just STFU!
Only "progressive" Marxists of Kyle's ilk can peer across the American religious landscape-- from Islamo-fascist butchers to liberation theology terrorists-- then muster the temerity to climb up on their hind legs and howl that the worst religious extremism today comes from (*gasp*) Pat Robertson.
Hypocrisy on stilts!Steven Lawrence (November 27, 2007 @ 3:27pm):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 3:55pm):
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 4:26pm):
P.S.: 11:40--I hate to implode your superstitious smugness, but there's no reason to suppose a place called "Hell" exists. Unless of course you happened to be referring to a little town in Michigan.Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 5:18pm):
What hell?Chelle B (November 27, 2007 @ 6:18pm):
a) the earth is millions of years old and the entire bible supports the fact
b) communists hate feminism so that is a ridiculous statement
c) there is no rapture, it is a lie that began with an insane Scottish woman in the 1800's
d) not embracing or agreeing with something does not make you "phobic" of said thing
If it did, those who lean left would be aptly named Christophobics or Foxnewsaphobics.
Chelle B.
The Offended BloggerAnonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 12:13am):
except that communist women have consistently been at the forefront of the feminist movement up until about 1980 when it was completely routinized and marginalized.
"Marxist-terrorist "liberation theology" of ETN, FARC, FMLN, FSLN"
FMLN and FSLN are Salvadoran political parties, so way to smear leftist electoral fronts as "terrorist." FARC, along with PCP-SL, are just petty drug bandits at this point.
And much (I'm sorry, ALL) liberation theology was initiated within the ranks of the Catholic clergy, and maintained some support in the leadership-- i.e. Archbishop Romero, who the US had assassinated, and Ernesto Cardenas. Obviously, the main strain of Catholicism directly invested in assisting the poor must be terrorist.
"When I feed the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist." - Dom Helder Pessoa Camara (father of liberation theology)
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 8:25am):
That's all you need to know about the Leftist legions who vote lockstep to re-elect KKK Grand Kleagle Robert "Sheetz" Byrd to our US Senate.
Because being "progressive" means never having to pay for your terrorist crimes against humanity (see also Gerry Adams and the IRA).
Of course, it's cold comfort to the rotting piles of corpses that these "liberation theology" terrorists of FMLN and FSLN have (temporarily) layed down their machetes.
Tell us: when can "progressives" expect this "liberation theology" to start selling Osama alongside the Che t-shirts?
http://www.zombietime.com/hall_of_shame/117-1743_IMG.JPGAnonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 3:41pm):
"In America, ... you can propagate the
silliest pseudo-science as long as it
comes from Genesis."
Your opinion regarding the creation account in Genesis is opposite to the teachings of many denominations and
traditional Catholic teaching,
examples include:
- God created everything "in its whole substance" from nothing (ex nihilo) in the beginning. (Lateran IV; Vatican Council I)
- Genesis does not contain purified myths. (Pontifical Biblical Commission 1909[1])
- Genesis contains real history--it gives an account of things that really happened. (Pius XII)
- Adam and Eve were real human beings--the first parents of all mankind. (Pius XII)
From: What Does The Catholic Church Teach about Origins?
http://www.kolbecenter.org/church_teaches.htm
And,
the creation account is also presented in other books of the Bible.
One such place is in the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20: 1,11 (New International Version)
The Ten Commandments
1 And God spoke all these words:
. . .
11 For in six days the LORD made the
heavens and the earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
but he rested on the seventh day.
Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath
day and made it holy.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus20;&version=31;
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 10:49pm):
Why isn't faith subjected to the same standards of criticism in America? Why is it O.K. for Mike Huckabee to believe the universe is only 6,000 years old? Why is it O.K. for Mitt Romney to believe that a tribe of Israelities travelled by boat to North America when there isn't any archaeological evidence for this? Religious claims should be held to the same standards as scientific, economic, and political claims.
Like many of the posters above, I usually don't agree with Kyle (although it's usually very well-written). But he's spot on here. Good work, Kyle. Way to have the guts to speak up.
Anonymous (December 1, 2007 @ 9:57am):
Nice strawman fallacy. Too bad nobody (but you) mentioned Stalin.
"Progressive" liberation theologists are certainly free to make bigotted ad hominem attacks (masquerading as "opinion") against other peoples of faith.
However, those gratuitous assertions open them to charges of glaring hypocrisy.
Now stop whining.Add a comment
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