"Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."And, here is the comment which caused the whole mess for me:
In other words, No matter how bizzare, outrageous, or just plain idiotic a parody of a Fundamentalist may seem, there will always be someone who cannot tell that it is a parody, having seen similar REAL ideas from real religious/political Fundamentalists.
John Lofton, Recovering Republican said...A person's "religion" is the most important thing you can know about them because it tells you what God (gods)they worship, what controls them when nobody is looking. Those who reject Christ are unfit to hold God-ordained civil government offices.
John Lofton, Editor, TheAmericanView.com
Recovering Republican
JLof@aol.com
What do you all think? Is this a legitimate Christian broadcasting his ignorance of the U.S. Constitution, or is this someone doing a spankin' good job of yanking my chain?
Personally, and though I'm only about 75% sure of this, I think it's a joke, and I think the line about the "God-ordained civil government offices" is the tell. Then again, it's almost impossible since I've actually talked to Christians who have said that God "built" this country for them, and that the phrase "one nation under god" is in the Bible (and even crazier things).
Right now, about all I can do is claim Poe's Law on this and tip my hat in salute to John Lofton for being so convincingly nutty as to baffle me straight out of my socks.
However, if he is actually serious, well...to see that level of delusion is actually kind of sad.
Nonetheless, we now return you to your regularly scheduled program...
-DP
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Posted By Dan to The Wisdom of a Distracted Mind at 3/03/2008 05:34:00 PM
update - My comment in response to John ran a little long, so I decided to post it here rather than there (freakin' 2000 character limit).
John, I find your assertion that a non-Christian is unqualified to hold public office to be not only seditious in its intent, but also exceptionally blind and ignorant (and steeped in the rank and putrid stench of your own petty arrogance as a self-important believer).
I don't care about your god. I don't believe your god exists. The fact that you are sitting there demanding that I adhere to this fatuous policy constructed around what is to me nothing more than a figment is astonishingly insulting to me as a free thinker and every single American who is not required to believe as you --whether they share your beliefs or not.
In this America, and not the theocracy you so desperately desire, the Constitution trumps ALL holy texts --including your Bible-- and subsequently renders them utterly powerless and irrelevant in public policy. As an individual, you are obviously free to believe as you wish, and, as an individual, you are obviously allowed to place whatever restrictions you please upon any candidate for public office. HOWEVER, we as a society are not required to follow your beliefs. They are utterly intangible and irrelevant to workings of this secular nation.
And yes, John. So long as non-believers such as myself, and those of other faiths are granted rights within this nation, it MUST remain secular rather than become oppressive, prejudiced, bigoted, and subsequently violate our basic human rights to believe as we wish by forcing us to live in accordance to the wishes of a particular entity.
Now, do you wish to go toe-to-toe with me on the Constitutional Law, John? You're going to lose because your view does not respect, nor give equal rights to, those in this nation who are free to believe differently from you. For instance, read the First Amendment, and tell me where it states that one who does not believe in Christ is not qualified to hold public office.
I stand by the obvious fact that your opinion is not the law of this country, and the seeming fact that you foolishly believe it is only betrays your delusional mind. As a Christian, you are not that important. As an American citizen, you are just as important as everyone else. And that's the way it's SUPPOSED to be.
Nonetheless, if you can not grasp that simple fact, then this is clearly not the correct government for you.
I'm sorry you would rather live in a nation of bigotry rather than one of respect for all beliefs. I am embarrassed for you, John. You clearly know nothing of equality or kindness toward your fellow man.
-Dan
You are Biblically and Constitutionally illiterate. There's not one word in the Constitution that prohibits a VOTER from having a "religious test" when he votes. And Romans 13 tells us God ordained civil government. You really should do your homework before speaking otherwise the only thing you reveal is your ignorance. John Lofton, Editor, TheAmericanView.com
ReplyDeleteJLof@aol.com
So, you're going to go with delusional, aren't you?
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing that up.
-Dan
I have to agree with you on this one, Dan!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Christian, but the "right" candidate shouldn't be considered ineligible for public office if he or she isn't also a Christian. Our continent was created, IMHO, by God, as were we, IMHO, but our country that exists today, founded upon the land of the Native Americans, was founded on the idea of religious freedom, and not persecution. We have public national documents stating this.
Now, just what does Recovering Republican mean? Eh, not sure I truly care, but it could be intriguing.