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| Crucified skeleton Santa Claus erected as a holiday display outside a courthouse in Virginia. Merry Christmas. |
Mark Steyn understands.
The cultural transformation-- cultural suicide really-- is continuing apace, accelerating really, and it's not pretty.
I wonder whether Steyn is as off-base about his other stories as he is about Banzhaf's CUA stunt.
ReplyDelete@John Henry:
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean?
Oh the pearl clutching! People who aren't Christians get to express their opinion! Oh noooes!
ReplyDelete@anon:
ReplyDeleteYou hate Christianity, and you certainly are expressing it.
We Christians need to understand the hate behind atheist "opinions", and fight it.
Ah yes, not wanting Christianity to enjoy a privileged position when it comes to government action is "hating Christianity".
ReplyDeleteDo you know why Christianity is losing this cultural issue? Pearl clutching dimwits like you alienating everyone around you by insisting that your chosen mythology be given special privileges. You are your own worst enemy.
I have an idea.
ReplyDeleteIt is typically martial in nature (being military) and I am sure it may even cause pants and beds to be wet, if it were actually followed through on.
The intent, would not be to cause a massive wetting or incontinence on the progressive fringe, but to reciprocate and thereby demonstrate that 'two can play that game'. And a what a silly game it is!
First, I will assume these displays are being allowed due to an interpretation of the US Constitution's 1st amendment. The so called 'Freedom of Speech' section.
I assume the logic is thus: If the traditional Christian majority is 'allowed' to have a display of religious faith, then it follows that Atheist fringe groups should be 'allowed' to display intentionally offensive messages in order to single out individuals and target celebrating faith groups for ridicule.
Okay. That is the way the law has been read in these places. Fair enough.
But where is the response?
Or perhaps more properly: What is the correct and effective response?
Okay here goes.
(You folks in the refuse pit at the back of Plato's cave may wan't to sit on a toilet, or go and read/rote some Richard Scarry...or er Richard Dawkins.)
Here is my suggestion.
Simply respond with a reciprocal campaign, AFTER Christmas...for MONTHS.
The faith communities OWE it to the masses to do so, and they have MUCH deeper pockets than these crazy little fringe groups.
Here is an example. At a University commons in one our little Utopias, or perhaps on the roadways in and out of town, erect a large colourful placard or display that shows images of communist guerillas and soldiers executing villagers and monks.
A large title would read "Forgive them Father, They Know not what they do" and a smaller caption would read "Atheism in practice" and maybe add a quote about a specific religion by a powerful atheist..say Stalin or Pol Pot?
Another? A similar Eugenics/'Euthanasia' poster. The text could read "No purpose. No worth. No Morality. No love. No Hate. No Good. No Evil. No God. Nothing but ME. ATHEISM"
Perhaps some images of the Killing Fields, and a text that reads "Atheism does not allow for any Hells below, rather it creates them here on Earth."
This theme could be expanded to include catalogues of horrors committed by influential and powerful positivists and Atheists over the last century. There could be radio or TV spots that correlate suicide rates with Atheism and linked ideologies.
The campaign could be called something like "Freedom from Futility" with a byline about 'faith and purpose', standing against forces of Atheist intolerance and elitism ...or something like it.
I think such a well placed propaganda move by various sects and religions, region to region could be a very effective means to deflate these fringe groups and show them up for what they are: Intolerant, elitist bigots.
The public deserves to know and the various Churches, sects, and even other faith groups OWE it to them to educate.
Reciprocity works VERY well. But only if you are in the right. We, as people of faith, ARE.
Full stop.
So, your argument is that we somehow aren't bombarded with Christian messages year round, so step it up and do it more? What planet have you been living on?
ReplyDelete@Anon,
ReplyDeleteYou learned a new term! "Pearl clutching"!!! But, don't you mean 'Rosary Clutching'? Or are the Catholics only part of a vast right wing conspiracy (again). Cyclical with you, isn't it?
The privilege enjoyed by the Christian majority in the USA is one of a founding culture. Fact of life. Get over it.
You don't like that? Easy solution: LEAVE. No one will stop you.
Go live in a land where Christianity is forbidden or reduced to a state of servility. You'll never have to listen to jingle bells again!
The other option would be to grow up, and accept the fact you ARE and live where you DO.
BTW,
Mythology is not at issue. You may want to read the post and article again.
Plenty of them, and most of them have VERY liberal immigration policie$.
@Anon,
ReplyDelete"So, your argument is that we somehow aren't bombarded with Christian messages year round, so step it up and do it more? What planet have you been living on?"
Earth. The 4D version, just up the road from your chalkdrawing reality.
Anon, you miss the ENTIRE point of my response. I know the Churches have money and airtime. THAT IS THE POINT.
Instead of spending all that money on friendly loving messages of hope, shift a small fraction to target the Atheists SPECIFICALLY. Not all that well spent money, just enough to swamp them and deflate them. To show them up and to educate the public about the real effects of Atheism.
@Mike,
I wonder could it be a dysfunction/disorder? It is very prevalent in Autistic folks, according to recent studies.
@crus:
ReplyDelete[I wonder could it be a dysfunction/disorder? It is very prevalent in Autistic folks, according to recent studies.]
Including atheism on the autism spectrum is something I've wondered about for a while. Interesting, and there is some stuff to commend it.
Probably unfair, though, when stupidity and narcissism explain so much.
@crus:
ReplyDelete"I have an idea...'
A great idea! We should do it.
"Freedom from Futility" as a bus ad campaign. I fell off my chair laughing!
@Dr. Egnor: I guess I mean that I don't entirely trust what Steyn has to say. His article mentions, among other things, a lawsuit against CUA on behalf of its Muslim students. Read for yourself his comments on the case. Then read the story I linked to in my first comment. Riling up Christians about culture wars is this man's bread and butter, but I am wary of anyone who (a) gets his facts wrong and (b) invites me to be angry at my neighbors with such frequency.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm wary of American Christian "conservatism" in general. The smug tribalism I see on the "right" is a far cry from the radical sacrificial charity to which Christians are called.
ReplyDelete@John Henry:
ReplyDeleteYou make excellent points, that I've thought about for a long time. I think that we both agree on the problems we face with regard to "the world"-- atheism, greed and capitalism, communism, etc.
The question is: how do we combat evil? Do we as Christians actively fight, using rhetorical combat, etc (we certainly can never use violence or dishonesty). Or do we live just lead virtuous lives and love our enemies, which certainly seems consistent with much of what the Lord wants us to do.
My decision, obviously, is to fight with rhetoric, and I realize that some of my tactics can come across as un-Christian, even if those to whom they are directed have earned them.
I really appreciate your input, and you kindle "culture war" doubts that I have had. From my own perspective as a relatively new Christian, i have been profoundly influenced by both approaches-- I know Christians who are so holy and gentle that I deeply admired them, and they helped me to come to God. But there are also Christians (e.g. Ed Feser) who are combative and who helped me enormously.
Maybe we need both. Different parts of His body.
Thanks for your input, and please keep commenting.
One think is for sure, Dr. Egnor isn’t doing anything to make Christians any more likable. Few people reading this blog would conclude that Dr. Egnor is a man of virtue. With his constant hatful ridicule and mocking he invites people to hate him and the religion he represents.
ReplyDelete-KW
If Christians simply kept their religious displays on private property the “War on Christmas”™ would end. Put a manger in front of every church and in every Christian’s yard, nobody cares.
ReplyDelete@KW:
ReplyDeleteI am most certainly not a man of virtue. I try to do the right thing, and often fail, sometimes spectacularly. The first thing being a Christian teaches you is that you have no claim to virtue. Your claim is to the virtue of Another.
I try to do right, in my life and in this blog. I fall short, without doubt. Sharp rhetoric can be very effective, and my aim is to be effective.
My primary goal here is to show that atheist boilerplate is nonsense. I think it is helpful for Christians to see that atheist bigotry and stupidity warrant no deference, and that Christians have a magnificent philosophical, political and culture heritage that is worth vigorous defense. I think it is helpful as well for atheists to see that cultural hegemony will not be easy for them. We will push back.
It's easy to do, but there is so much grist for the mill.
@anon:
ReplyDelete[If Christians simply kept their religious displays on private property the “War on Christmas”™ would end. Put a manger in front of every church and in every Christian’s yard, nobody cares]
Sure. If we acknowledge that atheists control expression in public, they will let us alone in private.
Dream on. We have a right to free exercise of religion. We don't ask your permission.
How about this: you keep your hatred of Christianity private.
One think is for sure, Dr. Egnor isn’t doing anything to make Christians any more likable. Few people reading this blog would conclude that Dr. Egnor is a man of virtue. With his constant hatful ridicule and mocking he invites people to hate him and the religion he represents.
ReplyDeleteOh, right KW. You strike me as a man who just wishes ever so much! that he could like Christians, but gosh darn it...
As if your kind needed an invitation to hate Christians and their religion.
Stuff your sanctimony, pal. Wipe away those crocodile tears.
@altnumskull
ReplyDelete"As if your kind needed an invitation to hate Christians and their religion.
Stuff your sanctimony, pal. Wipe away those crocodile tears."
Again, bigotry against atheists really seems to be accepted and fashionable these days. Replace whom you're referring to in those sentences with say, black people..."as if your KIND.."
@egnor
"Dream on. We have a right to free exercise of religion. We don't ask your permission.
How about this: you keep your hatred of Christianity private."
You certainly do. But what happens when a humanist or atheist organization displays a specific message publicly? More 'pearl clutching' for sure..
But i will say this: i cant stand it when i hear some atheist group or individual is suing over something frivolous like a religious display somewhere. You politically correct crybabies...
RE Mike & John,
ReplyDeleteI am not one to usually quote the red ink, but I think this applies. A little Luke:
"and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
@Alt
ReplyDelete"Stuff your sanctimony, pal. Wipe away those crocodile tears."
HEAR, HEAR!!!
Again, bigotry against atheists really seems to be accepted and fashionable these days. Replace whom you're referring to in those sentences with say, black people..."as if your KIND.."
ReplyDeleteMulder,
If bigoted Christian-hating internet blowhards were a race or a religion, you'd have a point. But they aren't, so you don't.
Also, I'd assume by your statement that you're asserting that bigotry against atheists really seems to be accepted and fashionable these days...amongst my KIND. You know, all those armies of bigoted and hate-filled superstitious delusional Christians. That is the KIND of people you're talking about, yes?
Instead of spending all that money on friendly loving messages of hope, shift a small fraction to target the Atheists SPECIFICALLY. Not all that well spent money, just enough to swamp them and deflate them. To show them up and to educate the public about the real effects of Atheism.
ReplyDeleteHow very loving and Christian of you. It seems that it really is true that if you scratch and ardent Christian advocate, you find a complete asshole lurking inside.
You learned a new term! "Pearl clutching"!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd for someone who claims to be a big bad tough military guy, you are awfully good at it. Do you get the vapors too?
The privilege enjoyed by the Christian majority in the USA is one of a founding culture. Fact of life. Get over it.
Ah yes. The "the law doesn't apply to me because I am CHRISTIAN!!!" argument. How very convincing. Fortunately, the law doesn't work the way you want it to, and Christian privilege is being eliminated.
Just to see what sort of arguments are like yours, let's do a little substitution game shall we?
"The privilege enjoyed by the White majority in the USA is one of a founding culture. Get over it!"
Hey, you can justify Jim Crow laws with your argument. What good company you keep!
"The privilege enjoyed by the male majority in the USA is one of a founding culture. Get over it!"
Yeah, send those women back to the kitchen where they belong!
You and Egnor are on the side of bigotry, exclusion, and hatred. Notwithstanding his wild-eyed and laughable claims about history, you are on the same ideological side as the Klan. Get over it.
Sure. If we acknowledge that atheists control expression in public, they will let us alone in private.
ReplyDelete"Neutral" is not controlling expression. You have confused "not giving Christianity a privileged place in government expression" with "suppression". But then again, everything you write is little more than deluded fantasy.
Dream on. We have a right to free exercise of religion. We don't ask your permission.
Sure. Express all you want. Just don't expect to enlist the power of government to assist you. I expect you will fail to understand this, but not understanding is the one thing you seem to be good at.
That and acting like a clown makeup smeared asshole.