Virginia Wright?
Wednesday's Op/Ed page carried an open letter to Bob McDonnell from numerous faith leaders urging the governor-elect to distance himself from some recent remarks by the Rev. Pat Robertson, with whom McDonnell has had a long relationship.
After the massacre at Fort Hood, Robertson said Islam is "not a religion" but a "violent political system." The clergy pointed out, quite rightly, that the vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving people who do not condone violence, let alone terrorism.
This is not to deny the influence of Islamic radicalism on the Fort Hood shooter, or to ignore the role that Islamic extremism has played in terrorism around the globe. But to suggest that all Muslims rejoice in such acts makes no more sense than to suggest that all Christians endorse the behavior of Jimmy Swaggart, the Bakkers, Ted Haggard, or other fallen Christian idols.
If Robertson's ill-tempered remarks about Islam were an isolated incident they might be written off. But they are not.
After residents of Dover, Pa., voted out school-board members who favored teaching intelligent design, Robertson warned them that God would not answer their prayers: "If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin."
Robertson stuck up for Charles Taylor, terming a "Christian" the murderous kleptocrat responsible for one of Africa's most horrific civil wars -- perhaps because of a business Robertson launched to mine for gold in Taylor's Liberia.
Robertson predicted that Orlando, Fla., would suffer natural disasters because it put up gay-pride flags. (Two months later, Hurricane Bonnie bypassed Florida but smacked into Virginia Beach, Robertson's home base.)
And, in perhaps his most famous outrage, Robertson said "I totally concur" when the late Jerry Falwell laid blame for 9/11 at the feet of "the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians . . . the ACLU, [and] People For the American Way."
During the 2008 election, Barack Obama's ties to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright became a subject of fierce debate. Under much pressure, Obama eventually distanced himself from the ravings of his former pastor. Perhaps it's time McDonnell did the same.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
One can be flexible only when one has mindfulness to understand that the crime is comitted by criminal, not by a community or religion. It does not make sense to address a criminal,as a Black,Jew,Muslim or Christian. There may be a theif who is black but one should not look at all blacks as theives. Narzis and Hitler are Europeons. But not all Europeons are Narzis. Timothy Mcfae was a terrorist, his religion was Christian. But not all Christian man are bombers like Timothy. The guy who killed innocent students in Virginia tech is a Korean, but not all Korean are killers. In summary there are Heroes as well as lunatics and criminals in any society and they can belong to any religion. Mindfulness will result in flexibility and can find peace.
Robertson is a irrational crackpot, of course—as are many if not most evangelical christians. Doesn’t say a lot about our new governor! People whose views are not based on reality are scary indeed—and sadly there are lot of them in America, even on the cusp of 2010. Whatever happened to rational thought?
Posted by peace on December 02, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I agree with Richmond Times on Nov 28th Virginia Wright? Pat Robertson’s concrete, only my way and generalization attitude does not fit today’s open, flexible and civilized society.
Is the peace one at any price? By your post you indicate to all that anyone whose views you disagree with “DOES NOT FIT TODAY’S OPEN, FLEXIBLE AND CIVILIZED SOCIETY” Please explain to us what an open, flexible civilized society consists of because if you mean what I think you do I want no part of living in it.
I agree with Richmond Times on Nov 28th Virginia Wright? It is time for our Virginia Governor Mr.Bob McDonnell to distance himself from Pat Robertson. Pat Robertson’s concrete, only my way and generalization attitude does not fit today’s open, flexible and civilized society.
taqiyya
I don’t see how any female in the world could ever embrace a religion that makes them virtual slaves with no rights.
Do you think women should then not embrace Christianity?
Find a bible and read Corinthians, specifically chapter 11, verses 3, 5, 8-9, and 13 and chapter 14, verse 34.
Also, the bible gives a specific price for female slaves: thirty shekels (exactly half that of a man). Women over 60 are only worth 10 shekels whereas men are worth 15. Is that fair?
Are you serious, Jack? What name did I call you? What did I label you, besides perhaps a xenophobe? (if I may say, I think your words make that label self-evident)
“I’m done with you” and the tired, yet unsubstantiated “name calling labeling” refrain is just your way of bowing out when you don’t have anything to counter with. You asked for examples, I gave you examples, you took your ball and ran home. You don’t even try because you know you can’t defend your position. I don’t blame you; it’s easier to hold those views if you never confront them.
12step there’s really no sense in trying to debate anything with you because all you know is name calling and labeling. As for religion I don’t see how someone void of beliefs of any religious nature is knowledgeable enough to even form a position on any religion. I’m done with you.
“The Westboro Baptist Church. A handful of mostly inbred related members led by an idiot. They are being watched by authorities and mostly make noise.“
I’m not disagreeing with that statement, but are they “Using the christian religion as a platform to promote terror, murder, denying of rights and freedom of religion”? You bet they are.
“Th Protestant/Catholic war in Irland: Strictly a political power struggle that only involves Ireland itself”
Ever read about a guy named Ian Paisley? Sure, the Irish conflict revolved around politics, but the two sides were split down religious lines and there were no shortage of religious leaders who framed the conflict as a defense of Christian fundamentals and encouraged their followers to take up arms. Also, the 100+ people who have been killed in that conflict outside of Ireland might take exception to the claim that it was contained to Ireland itself.
However, since you don’t like those examples; here are some others:
Wesley Swift, Klan organizer and founder of Church of Jesus Christ Christian and the Christian Identity movement, who popularized the 20th century notion of race-war armageddon. His progeny Richard Butler went to form the Aryan Nation as an offshoot of the church. The FBI considers them a terrorist threat; perhaps they fit your definition?
The Christian Patriot movement which is so revered by the Tea Party groups is largely based on the teachings of William Gale, founder of Posse Comitatus and associate and follower of Wesley Swift.
I realize that no amount of evidence is going to make you stop pretending like religious hatred is exclusive to Islam or make you acknowledge the absurdity of your xenophobia-driven positions. It’s either “those people” moving into your neighborhood or “those people” having mosques in the US. You go on to paint broad strokes over “those people”, as if all “those people” are alike. Have you noticed that trend in your writings? I’ve got a suggestion: open your eyes to religious extremism of all kinds, here and abroad. It’s a problem and it’s not just about Muslims.
How about maintaining a separation of church and state for all churches and strictly maintaining secularism in government? Would that be a satisfactory safeguard in your opinion, or are you okay with it as long as it’s in the name of your religion?
I don’t guess you’ve ever heard of the Westboro Baptist Church, the Christian Identity Church, or that whole Protestant/Catholic war in Ireland?
The Westboro Baptist Church. A handful of mostly inbred related members led by an idiot. They are being watched by authorities and mostly make noise.
Th Protestant/Catholic war in Irland: Strictly a political power struggle that only involves Ireland itself.
Fact: Islam the world over has one goal and that is to subject the world to Islamic rule. To do this the vast majority of Islamic Clerics preach to the followers that any means used is allowed by Allah and they will be favored by Allah for doing it. Day after day the people hear this message. Many can’t read or write so they take the message as the truth and set out to do the mission.
Every civilized country they manage to increase their numbers in have big problems. Europe especially France and England are two with the worse problems now and here in the U.S. those of us with our eyes open and not blinded by PC and ethnic/religious sensitivity can plainly see it.
It cannot be denied that if the followers of Islam ever become a majority in the U.S. your religious freedom is gone, woman’s rights are gone along with every other freedom we have under our constitution. Islam is not about to observe our constitution when it directly is in complete opposition to Islamic beliefs. Most followers claim to be peaceful but there again they are Islamic first, American second. That’s a problem as the teachings from their clerics are not peaceful. There is little doubt which way they would go. Ft. Hood is a glaring recent example.
Now I don’t think for one minute the majority of Americans will ever let that happen but on our present course of thinking like some it will be a struggle to protect the country and ourselves from Islams intolerance and violence.
I wonder how many more innocent Americans have to be killed at the hands of these Islamic radicals before it sinks in?
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement