What do you think of these quotes?"We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Islam."
"Politicians who do not use the Qur'an to guide their public and private lives do not belong in office."
"The long-term goal of Muslims in politics should be to gain exclusive control over the franchise. Those who refuse to submit publicly to the eternal sanctions of Allah by submitting to Him and publicly admitting the shahada must be denied citizenship."
"The Qur'an is the unaltered word of Allah. It is absolutely infallible, without error in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as well as in areas such as geography, science, history, etc."
"Our goal must be simple. We must have a Muslim nation built on Allah's law, on the edicts laid out by sharia. No apologies."
"Our culture is superior. Our culture is superior because our religion is Islam and that is the truth that makes men free."
Sounds like the kind of Muslim "fundamentalist" that truly scares the bejesus out of people doesn't it? One can just picture the Taliban, or some raving Muslim cleric ranting away on YouTube, saying these kinds of things. It's true. That's what theocracy would look like, friends. And it isn't pretty. It's also barely religious in any positive sense of the word. It's downright nasty.
But y'know what? I fooled you. Bwa hahahahaha. None of this was said by a lunatic Muslim cleric or the Taliban or any such thing.
These are direct quotes from Americans. I just changed the religion...
Here are the actual quotes, and the wonderful people who said them.
"We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Ann Coulter
"Politicians who do not use the bible to guide their public and private lives do not belong in office." Beverly LaHaye (Concerned Women for America)
"The long-term goal of Christians in politics should be to gain exclusive control over the franchise. Those who refuse to submit publicly to the eternal sanctions of God by submitting to His Church's public marks of the covenant–baptism and holy communion–must be denied citizenship." Gary North (Institute for Christian Economics)
"The Bible is the inerrant ... word of the living God. It is absolutely infallible, without error in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as well as in areas such as geography, science, history, etc." Jerry Falwell
"Our goal must be simple. We must have a Christian nation built on God's law, on the ten Commandments. No apologies." Randall Terry (Operation Rescue)
"Our culture is superior. Our culture is superior because our religion is Christianity and that is the truth that makes men free." Pat Buchanan
I think it is kind of enlightening. Or sad. I can't decide which. But what's the difference between Pat Robertson and Mullah Omar except that the Mullah is a lot more willing to use his guns than Pat is. So far. I mean that's a question still out there isn't it? I can't be the only one wondering why the reactionaries in this country want to make it easier to get a gun than go vote.
We need to maintain the secular nature of our laws and government. A person's religious ideals are perfectly correct when applied to their conscience. But laws must protect everyone. Not just rich Christians.
This all came to me listening to the news from the Middle East, where all these (probably not well educated) pissed off people have been storming our embassies because some goof ball pushed their buttons. It fostered a lot of thought, and led me to announce for secularism. It's a long story.
That's why I joined up with these guys today.
The best way to protect religious freedom is to have a secular government. You can be a religionist in a secular government. But you can't be a secularist in a theocracy. That's all there need be said.
14 comments:
There it is!
You can be a religionist in a secular government. But you can't be a secularist in a theocracy.
Perfect.
arent those the guys who want to make Christmas a non-holiday?
(wouldnt affect me, i'd celebrate it anyway, but the govt workers would be pissed....)
i like secular, but just like religion, its the details...
This is one of the reasons I love you.
Damned good read.
I think, if we look at it, Christmas in America has absolutely nothing to do with the nativity of Jesus Christ, and hasn't for a long time. It is a matter of commerce and possession, pure and simple.
In my own mind, and heart, I keep Christmas as the day on which Jesus Christ, savior, was born. And even though it probably really happened in March like they say, I commemorate it anyway. In my conscience. Just like most Christians.
Even if 90% of the country were secular humanists Christmas would stay Christmas. Nobody is going to take that day off away from working people. Nobody in their right mind, anyway.
But the idea that it MUST be an homage to the interpretation of a strict Christian sect is simply wrong. Maybe not wrong for that particular sect, but wrong to impose.
That's the bigger issue. There is reality, and there is ideal. I would keep Christmas - and Thanksgiving (which is actually my ultra favorite because it doesn't have the trappings of commerce) - in my heart and head and family no matter what.
But I recognize that it is wrong to impose it on anyone else. That's rational, I believe.
RW: this is where my conservative- libertarianism melds.
even then (now) i am loath to claim a label...
basically, i prefer a secular/libertarian policy that nods to tradition. (yeah, loaded idea there, depends on whose 'tradition' doesnt make the cut...)
I get the feeling that Ann Coulter doesn't even believe half the crap that comes out of her mouth. She's made millions being a Conservative troll, and demagoguery is her cash cow. Either way, she's the worst kind of person.
Great post, RW.
I think a real good observation, Earl re:Coulter. I know from my own observation this is the case with Beck. When he was with CNN there was a much different tenor to his commentaries, which grew more strident and "viewer-friendly" when he moved to Fox.
I think it is a case of follow the money, for some folks. So God bless em.
There are a lot of "personalities" who do "advocacy news" who are living very well off their mantras. Limbaugh on the Right, Matthews on the Left. But only their hairdressers know for sure...
Aren't you having more fun at my place with this, instead of just being surrounded by everyone who thinks you're great?
It's partially my fault. I used to have a handful of people who would try to be contrary, but I probably brutalized them off the reservation. I'm actually nice when I visit other blogs, well - relatively. At least compared to the way I get here.
I'm not too interested in playing nice-nice with people. I don't harbor any illusions that we're going to "make friends" and :agree to disagree."
We're mean here. Or I am. What can I say?
I'm not going to check back in to the "discussion" (gag... ack...) over by you. I'll let the boobs have the last word. I'm sure they didn't click the link to come back and check the whole context of this post. Why should they, since they already know everything?
The last comment on the thread is me pointing out that they did not appear to have read your post in its entirety, or at least failed miserably in comprehending it.
You're always welcome to stir the pot in my house...
That's the problem with Booboo and Dr Doom - outside of their being an internet tough guy and a condescending twit, respectively - they see what they want to see and gloss over the rest, just looking for spots that turn on the robot.
You got into a flame-war with some analysts from FOX News? Excellent!
Well, Fox commentator wannabes maybe. More like just a couple of second stringers, really. But fun enough to tickle.
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