Comments on: Disallusionment or Awakening?

By: dh

dh — Fri, 24 Dec 2004 04:45:08 +0000

Amen, Rev. Mike. I too am tired of this. There are three things I strongly dislike (this goes for both left and right): over-generalizations, stereotypes and analysis of extreme positions (monolithic thinking, bogeyman, etc.) I don’t see the purpose. It is very judgemental and very un-Christian.
Who are the “Religious Right”? Everyone uses this term. If we are referring to people who subscribe to Rev. Falwell, he is in the minority. It is true that many people are leaning to the right in the US but to lump the entire right as Rev. Falwell (”Religious Right” whatever) is wrong, very wrong and very un-Christian. I definitely could use the same type of analysis as you do to the “right”, “Religious right”, etc. to the left(communist, hippie, pacifist, etc.) but I don’t because I know that the Left is not that as a whole. Those who are on the Left of Left (communist, hippie, pacifists, etc.) are extreme just like those who totally subscribe to Rev. Falwell (Religious Right, Moral Majority, etc.) so I don’t label the Left or Right. Neither should you.

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 17:41:53 +0000

Monolithic thinking is not unique to the US.
Any political system has to have it’s bogey men - as long as they are “other”.
And unfortunately religion does the same thing.
The Catholic/Protestant divide still plays into Canadian politics whether we chose to admit it or not.

It hadn’t occurred to me this gentleman could be politically er, right(?) of Republicans and this just might be more political attention seeking.
Stupid me.

By: Rev. Mike

Rev. Mike — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 03:49:44 +0000

Not directed at you, so please don’t think I’m irritated with you on this one. I’m just tired of people putting out this ridiculous boogyman of “The Religious Right” as though there is such a monolithic creature. Those who believe it are of the same cloth as those who think Hillary Clinton was spot on about the “vast right wing conspiracy.”

The people who invoke this are of the same ilk as the fundies who paint all “liberals” with the same broad brush. Were it not for the intensity of the venom, it would be pathetic. As it is, we all just get splattered with the ricochet barf.

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 21:49:17 +0000

We’re cynical:^)

By: susan b.

susan b. — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 18:01:13 +0000

It’s like America is (was) as much his god as God is.

That’s pretty much the impression he gives me too. So, it’s no surprise that the Constitution Party holds to the view that the founding fathers were divinely inspired in setting up our Constitution.

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 17:43:00 +0000

Thanks Susan.
I confess I know little about the Constitution party.
I didn’t get the impression his piece is about a party or players as much as a personal crisis of faith and beliefs. It’s like America is (was) as much his god as God is.
Just my take, I could be quite wrong.

By: susan b.

susan b. — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 17:20:08 +0000

Chuck Baldwin was (and still is, I think) a local talk show host. He pastors a Baptist church in my town. He was also the Vice Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party this year, which sheds some light on his criticism of the Republicans and President Bush. The Republicans have never been right-wing enough for him, if that gives you an idea of where he’s coming from.

Baldwin has always given me the impression that he would just love a Christian theocracy.