A few years ago I almost posted a bit about my worry about America turning into a theocracy. My son, Matt, assured me that we are a far way from that.
I have been disgusted by the anti-Islamic hate speech that has gotten more and more virulent as the years move on since the terrible events of 9-11.
It makes me angry and it makes me wonder why anyone would want to become a Christian when so many of their churches and preachers spew so much hate.
I happen to know many kind and loving Christians, but It seems to me that many of them chose to be "born again" out of fear of the "Hereafter". Everyone I knew who chose to become a Christian was afraid of going to Hell.
They chose an exclusionary religion who punished non-believers with an eternity of torment and misery. They also chose a religions that had a litany of "sins". Chief among these sins are all the "do nots" regarding our sexual nature.
I rarely hear any of these people voicing concerns about vengeance instead of mercy, of warring instead of peacemaking, of intolerance instead of justice for all .
As far as I'm concerned, it seems to me that the biggest names in modern Christianity the last few years, such as Pat Roberson, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham and his son, Franklin have all preached a brand of hatred and intolerance. All of these well known preachers are and were Islamophobes, homophones, and fear mongers.
As far as I'm concerned all of these well known preachers have been preaching hatred and intolerance. I wish that the so called 'News Media' would stop giving them a forum to spew more of their disgusting hate speech. Unfortunately these for-profit conglomerates are not interested in doing anything but encouraging controversy and discord. It's too bad they don't see the potential for money making by promoting peace and harmony.
Sent from my iPad
August 25, 2010 10:55:43
In this mom's eyes, this was a very good day.
This week, two small battles were won for freedom and against bigotry.
Today, a Federal Judge ruled that California's Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. I'm taking nothing for granted, but I have hopes that one day, all of our citizens will be granted equal rights ... in all of our States.
Yesterday, in New York City, the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously and courageously voted to deny historic status to a 19th-century building in the shadow of Ground Zero. In doing so, they stood up for tolerance and for religious freedom. The Commission voted to protect the rights of some of our citizens who would otherwise been denied the right to build an interfaith center in an American city.
After the vote, that City's Republican Mayor spoke strongly in favor of religious freedom and against the xenophobia that might have to prevented the building of a mosque and community center near the former World Trade Center.
No doubt, the many 'Churches of Hatred' in this country will be stepping up their rhetoric to demonize and deny rights to other American citizens whom they consider to be different. This is an effective political tool. This is a way to scare and control people.
It is very simple formula. Find an "Other" to hate. Divert attention. Separate and conquer. It is a very old tool and one that is still very effective.
Yet, today, a couple of small battles have been won against hatred. These were only small battles and I know that the war is yet to be won. Nevertheless, this mom still believes that it is possible for love to win over hatred. This mom still believes that one day, each and every one of us will remember that we are, in truth, all intertwined and connected, and together we are made greater because of our differences.