Gotta be careful, Dave. I'm a Christian (raised as the token goy in my L.A. neighborhood) who worships at both the altar of God and at the altar of the secular Constitution. I know you were specific in citing the White Christian Nationalists, but please remember, their ideology has very little to do with the teachings and ministry of Galilee's most famous rabbi.
You introduced a dichotomy - "Not so much a war between religions, but one between those pushing a right-leaning, politically-infused Christianity and secularists who pray at the altar of the Constitution." There are orthodox Jews and fundamentalist Muslims and nationalist Hindus who all essentially share the same (bigoted and exclusionary) beliefs, and there are many people of deep faith who are beside themselves over the co-opting of God to further destructive temporal goals.
All I asked is that you be cognizant that such a clear dichotomy doesn't exist. I know you generally do - that's why I'm subscribed, my dude! But these are fraught times for both Christianity and the U.S. Constitution, so an abundance of rhetorical caution may be appropriate. That's all.
Ah. Well, all these articles and all the Charlie Kirk stuff and most of the Trump stuff and the Scotus stuff is about one broad religious movement. But yeah, I dislike all fundamentalists equally!
Understood. Yet leaving out the non-a*shole Christians - who are a very sizable chunk of American Christianity - has the same effect as leaving out the non-a*shole Muslims in 2001.
I'd imagine you and I were both quick to point out that al-Qaeda and the Taliban were not broadly representative of Islam in the aftermath of the attacks. I don't know where anyone else was on 9/11, but I was a Red Cross volunteer in Lower Manhattan, and worked below Canal Street. I saw what religious fanaticism mingled with authoritarian politics can bring about.
It would be a mistake to not give that Christianity which is based upon love and "liberte, egalite, et fraternite" as much shrift in the face of a theocratic form of fascism as we gave the Muslims who were opposed to the same.
By all means, do what a Christian organization to which I belong - Faithful America - is and has been doing, and what you and I have been doing as well: Pinpoint the central malignancy as White Christian Nationalism.
What I ask is that the line be drawn between Christians like me and Christians like them. Because though I love them as human beings, I very much want their ideology to be defeated.
You are the rightful Managing Editor of the Internet, so I know you will take my long-ish comments in the respectful manner I intend.
Shana Tova Dave!
Just show up
Gotta be careful, Dave. I'm a Christian (raised as the token goy in my L.A. neighborhood) who worships at both the altar of God and at the altar of the secular Constitution. I know you were specific in citing the White Christian Nationalists, but please remember, their ideology has very little to do with the teachings and ministry of Galilee's most famous rabbi.
Shana tova!
I don't think I suggested anything bad about religion. Only the merging of religion and state.
You introduced a dichotomy - "Not so much a war between religions, but one between those pushing a right-leaning, politically-infused Christianity and secularists who pray at the altar of the Constitution." There are orthodox Jews and fundamentalist Muslims and nationalist Hindus who all essentially share the same (bigoted and exclusionary) beliefs, and there are many people of deep faith who are beside themselves over the co-opting of God to further destructive temporal goals.
All I asked is that you be cognizant that such a clear dichotomy doesn't exist. I know you generally do - that's why I'm subscribed, my dude! But these are fraught times for both Christianity and the U.S. Constitution, so an abundance of rhetorical caution may be appropriate. That's all.
Thanks for the reply!
Ah. Well, all these articles and all the Charlie Kirk stuff and most of the Trump stuff and the Scotus stuff is about one broad religious movement. But yeah, I dislike all fundamentalists equally!
Understood. Yet leaving out the non-a*shole Christians - who are a very sizable chunk of American Christianity - has the same effect as leaving out the non-a*shole Muslims in 2001.
I'd imagine you and I were both quick to point out that al-Qaeda and the Taliban were not broadly representative of Islam in the aftermath of the attacks. I don't know where anyone else was on 9/11, but I was a Red Cross volunteer in Lower Manhattan, and worked below Canal Street. I saw what religious fanaticism mingled with authoritarian politics can bring about.
It would be a mistake to not give that Christianity which is based upon love and "liberte, egalite, et fraternite" as much shrift in the face of a theocratic form of fascism as we gave the Muslims who were opposed to the same.
By all means, do what a Christian organization to which I belong - Faithful America - is and has been doing, and what you and I have been doing as well: Pinpoint the central malignancy as White Christian Nationalism.
What I ask is that the line be drawn between Christians like me and Christians like them. Because though I love them as human beings, I very much want their ideology to be defeated.
You are the rightful Managing Editor of the Internet, so I know you will take my long-ish comments in the respectful manner I intend.
Mahalo,
- Evan
Even the managing editor of the internet can't fit every article and every topic and every topic in one blurb.
Well, why not?! Yeesh. /s
Again, I appreciate the replies. Good High Holy Days to you and those who celebrate.
I'm sorry...why was anyone surprised Steven Miller would spout na-zi propaganda?!?