Thursday, November 22, 2007

Revisiting Christian Broadcasters and Unquestioned Loyalty

Ingrid Schlueter of VCY America and Slice Of Laodicea posted a comment here regarding the evangelical/fundamentalist reactions to questioning the current presidential and congressional leadership in power. Her comment deserves its own comment section----in fact probably a book rather than a comment section----but here it is:


Actually, the time I went on the radio last year and questioned the President's foreign policy in Iraq, I got my head taken off. I have never gotten such hate mail in all my life. Christians don't want honest analysis, they want a slogan, a bumper sticker and an American flag. I gave up and gave them what they want to be completely honest. If Ron Paul's people would return phone calls, he'd be welcome on Crosstalk. I oppose the war in Iraq from the first day of the invasion. I predicted disaster because of the history of that nation and the uncanny ability these people have of nursing a grudge for thousands of years. You can't export democracy like cheeseburgers. You have to have an underlying worldview that supports the rights of the individual, etc. Islam will never have anything but a pile of bodies and burned out cars to show for their worldview. You can quote me on that. Just noticed your blog today and had to comment. Regards.

I think Ingrid is correct in her assessment about what Christians want to hear these days----and it is a siren song playing rather than the truth...a slogan, a bumper sticker, and an American flag------the sound of an idiot signifying nothing, as Shakespeare once put it....

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Macbeth Act 5, scene 5, 19–2

Hate mail from Christians??????? Undying Nazi like devotion to an illusion? This attitude and mindset is far more prevalent and ingrained in the fabric of all of our personalities than we would like to think and broaches all boundaries political/social/religious ....

Fundamentalism is so much like Facism that it is hard to distinguish the two sometimes.....

Ingrid says she has "given up" trying to inform the Christian community regarding the truth...I really understand. So have I.

But---this reality has made me rethink what REAL Christianity is and is not----real Christians will not be the voice of warmed over facism dressed up like evangelical Methodism or otherwise. (I seriously doubt our current President could even tell you what the content of the Methodist Book of Discipline is let alone the content of the Bible or the Constitution.)

I also have to revise my assessment of NASCAR and the NASCAR mentality. The sport is not totally without some value. My comments re the "NASCAR mentality" were directed toward those who are continuous mindless spectators, consumed with self pleasure....much of NASCAR and those who participate in the sport are not mindless---far from it. I simply do not want to make glittering generalities and oversimplified statements any more.....

I used to do that at VCY America when i worked there-----no more. I don't have to worry about donations like some do.....I work for a living. I do not prey on the fears and hopes of people with the intent of prying loose some cash so as to perpetuate my kingdom/organization/broadcasting facility and the lifestyle to which those who do so have become accustomed. Manipulation comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

Adhering to my policy regarding glittering generalities: I have personal knowledge of some of the above activities and participated in the hatred, assisted in generating the fear and manipulation. I did believe what i was doing was right----however, my sincerity does not mitigate the gross errors and malevolent intent.

I have news for all who engage in such activity: You are going to die----what will you leave behind? Answer?: Everything.

No Longer a Spin Doctor: The Manipulation of the Religious Right....is the name of my upcoming book. The sad core truth is that fundamentalism/evangelicalism are both the manipulators and manipulatees. (Is that a word?)

And, Ingrid, I understand your predicament----you will work it out. I did. Blessings to ALL of your family---truly----you were once my family too. Just understand that i see the beauty in all of you as well as everything else.....and I never intended harm in any way. In fact, I would, if I could, revisit 2000-2003 as well as 1994-2000 and do things alot differently.

Age and experience have their benefits. I am thankful today for being set free from the sect of the Pharisees.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone----remember what this day is all about.

The Editor