Christian "bashing" vs. gay bashing

Politics International Politics
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This is the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission’s 2008 Top Ten List of instances of “Christian bashing” in America.

Top Ten Instances of Christian Bashing in America, 2008

Here’s #10:

Prop 8 - the Musical

#3 is hilarious:

[quote]INSTANCE #3: Barack Obama Defames Christianity
According to research into President Elect Obama’s own statements about faith, and an examination of Obama’s position on moral issues, CADC has determined that by any biblical and historic Christian standard, Barack Obama is not a Christian, although he claims he is a “devout Christian.”[/quote]

Translation: Obama has defamed Christianity by pretending to be a Christian!

In response to this tripe, here’s an excellent video discussing the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission’s appropriation of language from the left and comparison of what the commission calls “bashing” to the kind homosexuals experience:

Christian Anti-Defamation Commission: “Bashing”

It’s outrageous that people associate this kind of hatred and bigotry with the name of Christ.

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Oh won’t somebody think of the Christians?

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Oh those damned “Christians”…always playing the ‘victim card.’

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Most Christians I know are decent people without a bigoted bone in their bodies.

Most of the “bashes” this group is whining and playing the victim about are directed at bigots. And I say, GOOD! :thumbsup:

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“bigots are bad…mmmkaay”

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Hard to think of a religion that does better (over the long term) in power rather than out of it, banging the prophetic drum.

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TC, I get the impression this is a sensitive topic for you.

Just curious, was this scene Christian bashing?

I believe this is it (but am not sure due to corporate IT blockage):
youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo

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[quote]TC, I get the impression this is a sensitive topic for you.

Just curious, was this scene Christian bashing?[/quote]

Also note that, as usual, nothing he said indicates whether he’s read the article or watched the video in the initial post. He makes no reference to it whatsoever. A common habit of his.

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they both have mockable behaviors. people need to lighten up.

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[quote=“Vay”][quote]TC, I get the impression this is a sensitive topic for you.
Just curious, was this scene Christian bashing?[/quote]Also note that, as usual, nothing he said indicates whether he’s read the article or watched the video in the initial post. He makes no reference to it whatsoever. A common habit of his.[/quote]Vay -
Lovely of you to volunteer to answer for me. Splendid fellow you are.
Pity that you, as usual, do not post the article - one that seems to, but not really, require registration on the site. Maybe it was your intention that this registration would preclude some from actually reading the article and understanding the context (there’s that pesky concept again) in which its written and the group who is posting the article.

[quote]Top Ten Instances of Christian Bashing in America, 2008 Print E-mail
Wednesday, 31 December 2008 22:43

Top Ten Instances of Christian Bashing in America, 2008
Christian Anti-Defamation Commission

For Immediate Release
For Interviews Contact Dr. Gary Cass (866) 508-2232

Vista CA; The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (CADC) has prepared a Top Ten list of the most egregious acts of Christian Bashing in America for 2008. Every day in America serious Christians face increasing hostility at work, school, and in the culture because they stand for their faith and values.

“It is time for the Christian bashing to stop and for Christians to no longer be treated like second-class citizens,” said Dr. Gary Cass, Chairman and CEO of CADC. “Anti-Christian bigotry is real and growing. Those who engage in it should be exposed and called to account.”

Click here to listen to the controversial live interviews with Dr. Gary Cass about the Top Ten Instances of Christian Bashing in America, 2008 that is creating quite a stir.

Top Ten Instances of Christian Bashing in America, 2008

INSTANCE #10: Jack Black Musical Video
In a short video posted on FunnyorDie.com entitled, “Prop 8 The Musical,” an all star cast of Hollywood celebrities perform a low budget musical farce that defames Christ, mocks Christians and distorts the teaching of the Bible. Jack Black played the lead role of Jesus.

INSTANCE #9: Bill Maher Gratuitously Attacks Pope
Bill Maher, host of the HBO program Real Time, made light of the Pope during his recent visit and the tragic sexual abuse scandal. Maher said, “Now I know what you’re thinking, Bill. You can’t be saying that the Catholic Church is no better than this creepy (radical Mormon polygamist) Texas cult. For one thing, alter boys can’t even get pregnant. But really, what tripped up the little cult on the prairie was that they only abused hundreds of kids, not thousands all over the world. Cults get raided; religions get parades… If you have a few hundred followers and you let some of them molest children, they call you a cult leader. If you have a billion, they call you Pope.”

INSTANCE #8: ESPN Anchor Dana Jacobson’s “F— Jesus” Remark
Speaking at an ESPN corporate event in Atlantic City, N.J., to honor ESPN Radio personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, Dana Jacobson let go with a steam of vulgar remarks; “F— Notre Dame,” “F— Touchdown Jesus” and finally “F— Jesus.” Jacobson was suspended for a few days for the incident.

INSTANCE #7: Minnesota University Professor Desecrates Communion
A Biology Professor from the University of Minnesota, Paul Zachary Myers, recently desecrated a consecrated communion wafer from a Catholic Mass. Meyer’s has also asked people to steal the Eucharist for him in order that he might desecrate it and display it on his blog.

INSTANCE #6: Religulous the Movie
Bill Maher released a very shallow, pseudo-intellectual documentary entitled Religulous. The movie did not cover any new intellectual ground. It simply raised the old attacks on the faith. Maher studiously avoided being fair and did not allow for legitimate Christian answers from any leading Christian intellectuals.

INSTANCE #5: Chaplains Fired for Praying in Jesus’ Name
Chaplains for the State of Virginia are being denied their right to pray in Jesus’ name. Six chaplains were fired for continuing to pray in Jesus’ name. Earlier this year in Virginia, Rev. Hashmel Turner, a city councilman in Fredericksburg, was told by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that his prayers during city council meetings that ended in Jesus’ name will continue to be banned.

INSTANCE #4: Colorado Law Criminalizes the Bible
SB200, a Colorado state bill recently signed into law, criminalizes the Bible. Section 8 of the bill entitled “Publishing of discriminative matter forbidden” makes publishing the Bible illegal because it contains anti-homosexual passages. This is part of a larger effort to criminalize the expression of certain opinions and beliefs.

INSTANCE #3: Barack Obama Defames Christianity
According to research into President Elect Obama’s own statements about faith, and an examination of Obama’s position on moral issues, CADC has determined that by any biblical and historic Christian standard, Barack Obama is not a Christian, although he claims he is a “devout Christian.”

INSTANCE #2: Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin Is Attacked
Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, came under sharp attack by some in the mainstream media because she self-identifies as a Christian. The Washington Post published a cartoon by Pat Oliphant mocking Palin because she has a background as a Pentecostal/Charistmatic Christian. A suspicious arson fire at Sarah Palin’s home church recently caused over $1,000,000 in damage.

And finally, the #1 Christian Bashing Instance in America for 2008…

INSTANCE #1: Radical Homosexuals Assault Prop 8 Marriage Supporters in California
During and after the November campaign stories flooded in of pro-Prop 8 signs being taken, people verbally and physically assaulted, church property and private automobiles vandalized, and person’s jobs and pastor’s lives threatened simply for exercising their right to campaign and vote in support of traditional marriage.

BONUS INSTANCE: Senator Grassley’s Abuse of Power
US Senator Grassley, a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, has demanded the financial records of a number of very prominent conservative, evangelical broadcast ministries. The demand was based on Grassley’s concern that these ministries are not spending their contributions properly. Grassley has admitted his concerns were in part driven by media accounts.

Please help the Christian Anti-Defamation continue to fight instances of Christian Bashing in 2009. We need your support.[/quote]

Yes, I did read the article. It is a well written piece with clear examples and sourcing given to support its premise.
Its somewhat refreshing to see a piece delving in facts rather than innuendo and bs.
I did not listen to the YouTube piece. Not really interested in that critique.

[quote]“I’m so tired of the religious right calling gays intolerant and hateful. And now they’ve gone too far.
ONE CORRECTION: It’s the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. But they’re still “cattle” to me.”[/quote]
Someone needs to explain ironic hypocrisy to this guy.

Nor did I click on the other bit.
Instead of making disparaging remarks about me…why not offer something like a comment on your post?
Or is that not in your context?

There, there’s my comment. Enjoy the hits it will bring.

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I’m enjoying godhatestheworld.com right now (erm, on my home computer, obviously). I’m thinking of writing up some of the countries they haven’t done yet: I can’t decide whether it would be evil or funny. I’m sure God hates Taiwan, Cambodia, Mongolia, etc, he just hasn’t finished his copy yet.

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OK, let’s take a look at one of the conclusions.

That’s a pretty bold claim. Let’s see what the rationale is:

An assertion, not a supporting premise.

Another assertion.

Yet again.

I believe the author meant to say “Christianity’s” not “Christianities.” And OK, if Obama is associating Christ with wickedness, that may very well be un-Christian. But the author has not given any examples.

Yet another assertion is made without any supporting evidence.

Another assertion. And not even a relevant one.

Simply a call to arms. Not a premise of the stated conclusion.

[quote]Over the next few weeks the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission will be releasing 7 short videos entitled, “7 reasons why Barack Obama is not a Christian.”

If you want to receive all these timely videos, sign up for e-mail alerts on our home page.[/quote]

Plugs for their videos. Not premises supporting the conclusion.

[quote]It is critical that we spread the truth about Obama’s fake Christianity so that Christians can defend the truth.

Our concern is only spiritual and we pray for Barack Obama to repent and turn to Christ and His Word.[/quote]

Still no premises supporting the conclusion.

[quote]Make sure you are signed up to receive all 7 videos and forward this vital information to your Christian friends and family.

For a more in-depth look at the campaign, click here.[/quote]

More plugs.

Well TC, it appears that none of the statements provide a premise for the conclusion that Obama is defaming Christianity. Defaming Christianity would perhaps include making negative statements about Christianity or desecrating Christian symbols and holy places. The author has made no such claims.

Could you explain how the conclusion follows logically from the premises? Or indeed, can you identify any premises in the author’s statements at all? Can you find any examples of Obama defaming Christianity?

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I don’t take much notice of things mentioned in the OP article. I enjoyed shows like the Simpsons (some minor stuff) and South Park (some heavy stuff - but in farness, they seem to have a go at everything from Christians to homosexuals to Canadians, never saw anything on Saffas, but we must have falled off the bashing radar since 1990), even though I found some stuff offensive. But I also think we should learn to look on the lighter side (on the one hand) and it’s interesting to see how Christianity is perceived by non-Christians (on the other hand).

That said, Christian bashing does seem to be the en vogue group to bash. Seeing as folks can’t have a go at Jews, Muslims, other races etc without getting into heaps of legal crap, Cgristian bashing seems to be a last group available to bigots to have a go at without having to worry about actually being called a bigot. If anything, being a Christian basher seems to come complete with a badge of “enlightenment”.

Also, some fundamental Christian beliefs also makes it easier for this brand of bigot to get “away with it”. Things like turn the other cheek and, for me, particularly :

[quote=“Matthew 7”]

1Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [/quote]

And this has a wide range of consequences. So, for me, whatever the Christian bashers get out of it, good for them. As to the Christians, stop judging others, from Christian bashers to gays. If you truly believe in Christ, then you should also believe that God alone will stand in judgement over all of us. If you’re not, why worry.

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Interesting site. Don’t agree with the basic premise of the site, but interesting nonetheless.

Edit: On further perusal of the site, it seems to be more of an Ode to Gay Hate, than anything else…

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Mr Bismarck, I think a lot of your irony is lost in the Godesphere. I get it, though. :bravo:

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No need for the “gay bashing” vs “Christian bashing” dichotomy when we have Ted Haggard.

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[quote=“Vay”]This is the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission’s 2008 Top Ten List of instances of “Christian bashing” in America.

Top Ten Instances of Christian Bashing in America, 2008[/quote]

INSTANCE #10: Jack Black Musical Video

Their mythology “has the power to create the universe”, yet its existence is threatened by an unfunny, third rate actor’s video?

INSTANCE #9: Bill Maher Gratuitously Attacks Pope
Bill Maher said, "Now I know what you’re thinking, Bill. You can’t be saying that the Catholic Church is no better than this creepy (radical Mormon polygamist) Texas cult. For one thing, alter boys can’t even get pregnant.

So in those morons’ eyes, reporting the facts of pedo-priests is “christian bashing”, but falsely equating gays with pedophiles and bestiality is “protected religious speech”.

INSTANCE #8: ESPN Anchor Dana Jacobson’s “F— Jesus” Remark

If the religious weren’t spewing their religion in public, there wouldn’t be any feedback.

tedstrong.com/prayer-fanatics.shtml
Roger Ebert: Vertical prayer versus horizontal prayer

INSTANCE #7: Minnesota University Professor Desecrates Communion

Oh no, a piece of ritualized cannibalism can no longer be consumed.

No great loss. You’d probably get Kreutzfel-jesus disease (Mad catholic disease) if you ate it.

INSTANCE #6: Religulous the Movie

Why aren’t the godbots also criticizing “Expelled” with its laughable claims, falsehoods, and deliberate distortions of the facts? Because they agree with its propaganda.

INSTANCE #5: Chaplains Fired for Praying in Jesus’ Name
Chaplains for the State of Virginia are being denied their right to pray in Jesus’ name.

What the ruling by the judges really was: “the practice of members of Town Council invoking name(s) specifically associated with the Christian faithviolate[d] the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.” If the godbots want to live in a theocracy, they can move to Saudi Arabia. Not allowing the promotion of religion is not the same as banning religion, no matter how many times these Goebbelists tell the same lie.

One of the biggest lies the religious tell - repeatedly - is that preventing them from forcing religion upon others is the same as preventing them from having religion. Bull. If I prevent a christian from showing a pornographic movie to my students that doesn’t prevent the christian from watching it in the privacy of their home or an XXX theatre.

INSTANCE #4: Colorado Law Criminalizes the Bible
SB200, a Colorado state bill recently signed into law, criminalizes the Bible.

If the godbots weren’t trying to make laws out of their religion to legalize violence against gays, that decision wouldn’t have been made. The christians aren’t being hated and victimized by violence, they’re being prevented from hating and victimizing others with violence.

INSTANCE #3: Barack Obama Defames Christianity

Many hardcore fundy christians say catholics are satanists, and that jews are going to hell because they “don’t accept jeezus”. Nearly every religion that believes in the mythical hell says that one or more groups are on the express train there.

The only valid definition of a christian is someone who believes there was one. All self-proclaimed christians are - Martin Luther King Jr. was a christian, and the Ku Klux Klowns are christians as well.

INSTANCE #2: Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin Is Attacked

Ah, Sarah Failin’, the one who bore false witness by claiming her unwed daughter’s baby was hers. The one who did not divest herself of her finery and sold it to give to the poor, as jeezus says in the book of Matthew; instead she went on a six-figure shopping spree - see “Confessions of a vice-presidential shopaholic”. The one who said, “So Sambo beat the bitch!” when Barack Obama won the democrats’ presidential nomination. The one who openly refers to the Inuit as “arctic Arabs”, etc. The one who abused her office to harass a former in-law (and have him fired) and protect a soon to be in-law (the mother of Bristol’s “husband to be”) from drug charges.

Is that the “ethical leader” they are talking about?

INSTANCE #1: Radical Homosexuals Assault Prop 8 Marriage Supporters in California

So why not a single word about the violence perpetrated by the Proposition Hate supporters?

crooksandliars.com/john-amato/vi … supporters

Most of the alleged “assaults” turned out to be lies.

The only way gay marriage “threatens” straight marriage is if civic governments have a limited number of marriage licenses they are permitted to sell in a year. But since there is no such limit that would prevent straights from buying one, it’s a non-argument.

BONUS INSTANCE: US Senator Grassley, a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, has demanded the financial records of a number of very prominent conservative, evangelical broadcast ministries.

When a reichwing cult promotes specific politicians as has happened in numerous US elections, it shouldn’t be investigated. But when a “liberal” church in the US speaks out once against illegal wars, the IRS rips them a new one.

articles.latimes.com/2005/nov/07 … allsaints7

And we’re supposed to believe that christians are oppressed? Only in the same way that a manic-depressive, delusional, paranoid psychotic in need of meds is oppressed.

pandagon.net/index.php/site/comm … the_pizza/

Outrageous? Certainly.

Surprising? Not at all. Religious bigotry is closer to redundancy than contradiction.

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I’m a christian and I don’t care what people say about us. Most of the criticism is deserved anyway because we so often don’t practice what we preach. In my particular instance as a Catholic I have to say that criticism of Catholic hierarchy for shielding child molesting priests is particularly deserved.

Not all of the criticism is deserved though. A significant proportion of it seems to me to just be pure bigotry. Even that’s no big deal as far as I’m concerned though because if we are what we say we are we needn’t fear even unjustified criticism because at most it will only hurt our feelings while making us stronger spiritually.

The one thing I don’t understand though is when anti-religious bigotry crosses (no pun intended) the threshold and becomes physical. Like going into a place of worship in order to desecrate sacred objects. That serves no redeeming (no pun intended) purpose as far as I can see and is just plain wrong.

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[quote=“TC”]Yes, I did read the article. It is a well written piece with clear examples and sourcing given to support its premise.

Its somewhat refreshing to see a piece delving in facts rather than innuendo and bs.
I did not listen to the YouTube piece. Not really interested in that critique.[/quote]

Yeah, finally. This is what I’d suspected all along. Personally, I think it’s always useful to hear/read viewpoints that disagree with one’s own. But that’s just me. Since you seem to like images, here’s one for you:

Get my point?

[quote]Nor did I click on the other bit.
Instead of making disparaging remarks about me…why not offer something like a comment on your post?
Or is that not in your context?[/quote]

Well, I did make a small comment on it. I said that people who associate the name of Christ with violence or persecution against homosexuals suck. I also laughed at the notion that Obama’s merely calling himself a Christian is taken as an instance of “bashing” Christianity. Democrats and liberals, apparently, aren’t allowed to be Christian anymore - even though Christianity used to be a major progressive force in American politics (with a HEAVY emphasis on the “used to”).

Moreover, if you feel I mis-represented you, my apologies - but 1 sarcastic quip and an irrelevant image file really do not contribute anything positive to the discussion. If you feel that Christians really do get “bashed” in society to somewhat of the extent that homosexuals do (which would mean that in many instances they actually get their heads “bashed” in, LITERALLY) then you ought to say that and give us some evidence. OR post a controversial article and let us all discuss it - which is the tack I usually take!

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[quote=“Vay”]In response to this tripe, here’s an excellent video discussing the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission’s appropriation of language from the left and comparison of what the commission calls “bashing” to the kind homosexuals experience:
[/quote]

Thanks for posting the video. That’s pretty much what I thought when I saw that list of so-called Christian “bashing”.

Anyone know whether some Christian mainstream leaders have denounced this nonsense?