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Right Wing Propaganda Has Done Nothing But Incite Fear and Hatred of All Americans
Most people have interacted with an unusually prejudiced, spiteful, or maliciously ill-willed person whose hostility towards other human beings raises questions about their humanity. In America, there is a scourge of malevolence towards other citizens based on all manner of bigotry, but bigotry does not explain the aspirations of some Americans to increase the suffering of their fellow citizens that are likely in the same socioeconomic demographic and share the same political ideology. Republicans typically support policies that favor the wealthy and corporations at the expense of the people, but it is a mistake to attribute growing conservative animus towards other Americans solely as collateral damage of the GOP’s deference for the rich. However, there is deep-seated malice among Republicans for the American people that is not founded solely in economic policy, and it informs that conservatives are callous human beings driven by seemingly sheer hatred toward humanity that Republicans have tapped into and propagated among their supporters for political expediency.
The level of hatred among conservatives, for what seems like all Americans, can reasonably be attributed to Republican politicians, right-wing media, and more than anything, a long-festering fear of change in a rapidly-changing America. It is true the election of Barack Obama in 2008 brought out racial animus endemic to white supremacists and bigots in the population, but it does not explain increased expressions of hate elicited from religious fanatics toward gays and women, suspicion and open hostility towards Hispanics, denying food and healthcare to people in need, and increasing calls for civil war.
In a West Point study on the growing danger of violence from right-wing extremist groups, they laid out three major ideological movements; a racist white supremacy movement, an anti-government movement, and a fundamentalist Christian movement that have always existed in this country, but they became the purview of the GOP represented in the RNC’s platform for the 2012 general election. This is not to say that Republicans promote right-wing extremism with a view towards violence against the government or other Americans, but their support for policies the extremists hold near and dear to their black hearts lends legitimacy to hate movements that are becoming mainstream among conservatives and having deleterious effects on the population.
Although the West Point study isolated three ideological movements threatening violence, combined they represent Republican policies conservatives gravitated towards after four years of rhetoric against the perceived Obama threat; change. For example, white supremacists and racists are concerned with what they perceive as the natural racial and cultural hierarchy that defined America up until the Civil Rights Movement and persists today, and their goal of reasserting control over African Americans and minority communities is co-opted by Republican complaints that President Obama is stealing from white people to give to African Americans. When Republican supporters advocate cutting food stamps, healthcare, and any other assistance the GOP hates, racist groups assume they are cutting assistance to minorities regardless that a higher percentage of white people use food stamps than African Americans and Hispanics combined. Republicans understand the demographic distribution of food stamps, but they know the quickest way to inspire support for cutting them is inspiring underlying racial hatred permeating the right.
Republicans have also tapped into, and garnered support from, the anti-government advocates whose main interest is undermining the legitimacy and effective sovereignty of the federal government over a wealth of issues from religious hatred of non-conformity to immigration to guns. Whether it is anti-gay sentiment, anti-women’s reproductive rights, or teaching religion in public schools, Republicans in Congress and state legislatures instigated a level of hate among so-called “Christians” that is wreaking havoc on women and gays in primarily Southern states. Of particular note is the religious-right’s opposition to women’s choice and the ardent support of Christian women for policies that adversely affect other Christian women with invasive probes, forced birth, and having to prove they were “legitimately raped.” It never ceases to amaze how a woman, a good Christian woman, could support a policy demanding a rape victim confirm they were assaulted or be forced to give birth, or deprive them of cancer and health screenings. What kind of deep-seated hatred for another human being drives a woman to help incur suffering on a victim of a heinous crime, or deny cancer screening? Unfortunately, the depth of hate among alleged “Christians” is beyond quantification, and on myriad issues from supposed “pro-life” advocates supporting gun proliferation, to “personhood” advocates denying assistance the moment the baby is born, hatred is the driving force.
It is not just right-wing extremists, racial hate groups, or religious extremists projecting hate on their fellow Americans, it is the entire conservative movement. There is little difference between Paul Ryan decrying wasting good government money on feeding the poor and the millions of Americans who support slashing safety net spending to provide healthcare and food aid to their neighbor, grandmother, or brother. It is hatred of humanity and nothing else.
Republicans have assailed the federal government for myriad sins from immigration lapses to gun control that is driving Americans filled with hate to start shooting at the drop of a hat, or mistaken address. In Georgia, a man walked out of his home and opened fire on a car that pulled up to his house after the car’s GPS gave the driver the wrong address. One young man was killed and the man was arrested, but the point is his first reaction was to go out shooting and it is an increasing problem driven by fear-mongering, the NRA, and ALEC’s incitement to shoot first. A human being must have an inordinate amount of hate to pick up a firearm and gun down another human being in cold blood as an instant reaction.
What Americans are witnessing today is the culmination of four years of ultra-right wing propaganda inciting fear of change and hatred for other Americans; all Americans. There is no doubt that people who might have been decent human beings at one point, have been poisoned by the incessant fear mongering and attacks on “the other” that represents a changing America, and America is changing and that is conservative’s problem. There is no doubt Republicans in Congress hate Americans, they prove it with every proposal, obstruction, and Draconian legislation they attempt to pass, but they would never attempt such inhumane measures if they did not have a large segment of the population sharing their hate for their fellow citizens. But as America changes, those who either cannot let go of the America that kept minorities and women in submissive roles, or harken back to a fallacy era where the Ten Commandments were immutable edicts on morality, are finding themselves in a fearful situation. The danger is when frightened people feel loss, and when your politician, television news, and church tells you change endangers your way of life, fear and loss give way to hate and anger; the result is America with a large segment of anti-government religious racists with guns and four years of hate looking for an outlet they are finding in Republican policies and on America’s streets.
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chefbob50
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
America has become a scary place indeed. I live in the Chicago area where it’s become the wild Midwest with gang related shootings occurring everyday. And it’s not based on any of the premises stated in the above piece, the heartbreaking thing about all the gun violence is a lot of innocent people are being killed just because they were in the way of a bullet meant for someone else. People like the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre would answer that those innocent victims should be armed too, Do we really want children packing heat if so then our society is no longer worthy of the name…
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
My family is still there and everyday I read stories like this
Mother Loses Fourth Child To Gun Violence
www.huffingtonpost.com/20...…n_2562014.html
CPS Student, 15, Among 3 Dead in South Side Shootings
Read more: www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2...
I dont understand the argument that we dont need any regulation,Its my god given right to own whatever killing machines I want.Its just sad and sooner or later the gun nuts will come to realize we will not remain sad for to much longer
Reynardine
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Today, a fifteen-year-old girl was shot to death in Chicago as she sheltered from the rain with a group of her companions, two of whom were wounded. Only last week, as a band member, she had participated in several inauguration events in D.C. She had a great future ahead of her. It’s over.
Shiva(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Chef, you’re absolutely correct. Look at the reaction of Americans after Sandy hook. Gun sales went up tremendously. Why is that the right way to go, or why do people think that is the right way to go? All we are doing as a society is trying to perpetuate the gun as the answer. And it’s never the answer, it only creates more death from those extra guns being stolen, death in the family by accident, alcohol or crimes of passion. It’s the wrong way to go is a society
robyn ryan
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Because it’s easier to have a magic gun/wand to solve all your problems, rather than examining your own behavior and weaknesses.
Brigita Petrutis
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
“What Americans are witnessing today is the culmination of four years of ultra-right wing propaganda inciting fear of change and hatred for other Americans; all Americans.”
Divide and conquer. An effective strategy for domination and control. Not very democratic, is it?
Reynardine
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Birgitta, that thumbs-down is a mistake. My hand brushed my Android touchscreen at the wrong place, and there was no way to undo it. That is one of many reasons I consider this whole rating system as charming as a three-week accumulation of smegma.
Elizabeth 44
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
I don’t think this is the culmination of four years, but 11 years. After the 9/11/01 attacks, the Bush Administration very carefully, even scientifically, built fear into the average American. As a person trained in Psychology, I was absolutely fascinated watching a textbook case on a national scale. The Bush Administration wanted us afraid of Muslims/Arabs so we’d agree to a totally illegal attack on Iraq. Once they got started, the Republicans seemed to just continue the game. The last four years has been as the author pointed out.
PSzymeczek
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 1:19 pm
This started with Reagan and his “Evil Empire” stuff back in 1981.
Ron Wall
Feb. 1st, 2013 at 7:44 am
This was posted on this site and bears repeating. It is so true that it is down-right scary.
Early Warning signs of GOP.
Fascism
• Powerful and Continuing Nationalism.
• Disdain for Human Rights.
• Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause.
• Supremacy of the Military.
• Rampant Sexism
• Controlled Mass Media.
• Obsession with National Security.
• Religion and Government are Intertwined.
• Corporate Power is Protected.
• Labour Power is Suppressed.
• Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts.
• Obsession with Crime and Punishment.
• Rampant Cronyism and Corruption.
• Fraudulent Elections
Reynardine
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
In fact, the emotional cast of some of those oppressing their own kind- antifeminist women, the Alan West/Herman Cain/Clarence Thomas types- is what Karen Horney called *begrudging envy*. It falls into two categories: queen bee-ism (“if other members of my inherently inferior group can make it to my level, I am no longer exceptional and wonderful”) and dog-in-the-mangerism (“I am as inferior as they say, because I belong to this inferior group, and I’ll remember my place, but damned if I’m going to let my uppity colleagues be better than I am!”) In the case, however, of (say) impoverished and undereducated white males, they are projecting their own perceived unworthiness- unemployment, low education, getting by through skirting the law, etc- onto designated “others” and punishing it. And there’s no saying these two paradigms can’t overlap or operate synergistically.
Elizabeth 44
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 8:57 pm
In the case of the underclass white male who is the most threaten by the change, you have all those groups doing what they can to pump up his ego. “You are the head of the family; your wife and children must submit to you.” “White folk are inherently superior” Of course, guns make you powerful.
TigerLily
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
None of these people think. They just react. WITH HATE AND MORE HATE. The GOP is getting so embarassinly desperate. There is nothing this President can’t say without them jumping on it within seconds to TWIST AND TURN HIS WHOLE STATEMENT AND MEANING AROUND. I would think they’re people are tired. They are tired of trying to hate like you tell them to every SINGLE day. Its draining. And it makes one very ugly. They’re hopefully seeing you finally for what you are. Just a bunch of die hard white guys who cannot let go that there are people of color who are smarter and more educated more diplomatic and better leaders than any GOP could ever be or become. Bush should be enough for you to hang your heads in disgrace over what you did to this country. But no. Not a republican. They DESTROY AND CONTINUE TO DETROY AND THEN CRY…they’re being mean to us. The GOP is an embarassment the world over. But they continue. Please…proceed worthless men.
Maranon
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
The last four years of propaganda that were preceded by the Bush years of having everyone in red alert, that mind set is difficult to shake, and people begin to see all as possible attackers.
Then the angst of daily living gets these folks ready to “stand your ground” everywhere.
The fear mentality takes over and everyone is a victim.
What to do? people are buying guns and taking shooting classes and getting concealed weapons permits, then every interaction can and has become explosive as we spiral into self destruction. The churches as the GOP want to turn the clock back to 1800′s and beyond, demanding their membership do not ask questions, just do as you are told. The GOP
would like all to do just that..
majii
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Good point, Maranon, about “every interaction can and has become explosive…” This seems to be happening more frequently of late. The guy in Atlanta who lost his life never got out of his car, but that didn’t keep the homeowner from firing into a car full of individuals and shooting him in the head. I think that because he had the gun and because we have a Stand Your Ground Law here in GA, he thought of using the gun before he thought of calling 911. Sad. A man in Kitsap, WA, put a gun to the head of man and tried to put the gun in the man’s mouth because they had a difference of opinion at a bar. Wayne LaPierre and his supporters can say what they want to say, but the facts don’t lie–their fear mongering and lies have led many to think of guns as a means of resolving the smallest conflict.
“The suspect, Kainen S. Mattison, 26, of Seabeck, told the officer that he had tossed a gun in a nearby backyard and that he had a concealed carry permit. Officers found the gun, a .40-caliber Ruger, with a full magazine and a round in the chamber.
A witness told police an argument over “nonsense” started between Mattison and another man. The bartender told everyone to leave, because it was near closing time, and the argument continued outside.
The victim said Mattison continued to yell at him outside, then pressed a gun against the victim’s face three times, holding the gun to the victim’s head for at least 30 seconds each time and trying to stick it in the victim’s mouth.
Police confirmed Mattison had a concealed carry permit, though he wasn’t carrying it with him. An officer issued a request that the permit be revoked.
Mattison was arrested and charged with first-degree assault. Bond was set Monday at $15,000.”
www.kitsapsun.com/news/20...
Elizabeth 44
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
“their fear mongering and lies have led many to think of guns as a means of resolving the smallest conflict.” Excellent point and one I think needs lots of emphasis.
The Platzner Post
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
If the GOP/Teahadist Party backpedal too much they’d lose their base!!! The Platzner Post Facebook, and Twitter www.facebook.com/ThePlatz...
Shiva(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Most of their base arnt worth keeping
fedded-up
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Apparently, no one ever bothered to tell them what happens when you constantly pander to the lowest common denominator…sort of like reality tv, in all its flavors. You degenerate from Merv Griffin and Phil Donahue to Jerry Springer, et al. You degenerate from Walter Cronkite to Geraldo Rivera. Fill in the blank at will. Then think bigger…you go from Abraham Lincoln (still find that mind-boggling) to GWB, who is the ultimate Jerry Springer of presidents.
Churchlady
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
The racism and anti-government slavering began long before PBO was elected. It started with Reagan whose “government IS the problem” and “Welfare Queen” mantras restored the post-Civil Rights era permission to hate. At the same time he capitulated to the Religious Right embracing the notion that America was a Christian nation with an ‘Elect’ who were the REAL Christians. The rest of us were in the service of evil secularism and probably the Divvil.
In addition to the racism and violence we’ve seen explode over the past decades, the legacy of the Religious Right has been horrid. The breech between secular and faith progressives is a huge loss to the entire movement since we once, together, were he most powerful presence for justice. Secular folks see all faith people as stupid, superstitious conservatives, assuming they are all “Pat Robertson Lite” just pretending to be inclusive, just standing around, purse-lipped, waiting to pounce and convert non-believers or point out their “sins”.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Starting the national healing has also got to incorporate respect for those the progressive folks have ignored – labor, farmers, small town folks – especially those in “fly over country”. It will come as a shock I think to discover that the MOST radical activism in America is emerging in work on union cooperatives and other major and successful challenges to traditional capitalism all based in OHIO. Working to build successful union coops NOT just in artisanal bakeries but in major industries, the union coop movement is catching fire among those who have been blasted by deindustrialization and outsourcing. They are the traditional blue collar white ethnics and people of color we progressives have long ignored.
We have to stop killing and eating our own before the other side will stop doing it to us, too. We can’t fight them if we are consumed with fighting one another.
SinghX
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 7:08 am
“…[Regan’s}Religious Right embracing the notion that America was a Christian nation with an ‘Elect’ who were the REAL Christians. The rest of us were in the service of evil secularism and probably the Divvil.”
Divide and Conquer via a “Velvet Revolution” has been their game plan for the past 30 or so years.
Whenever people rally as followers of a dogma lead by a charismatic figure-head (like Regan) there won’t be any peaceful revolution for very long… Violence is always around the corner as history has shown over and over again. The mixing of the secular with religion should have been our wake up call years ago…30 years before the Civil War, there was a lot of grumbling about secession before a single bullet was fired; that’s why they are using the same tactics again…like Nullification and biblical superiority to create an atmosphere of “us v them”.
Churchlady
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 6:10 pm
I think this is totally accurate, and the press toward violence has to find all of us on the progressive side standing unified against it.
When we are up against people who pretend (I don’t think they believe ANYTHING at heart) that they are preparing the world for Armageddon, we need to be absolutely vigilant. It’s not because God is smiting us – it’s because these people try to mobilize “God’s little helpers” to carry out the violence and, they think, wipe us off the face of the earth.
Note – Tim McVeigh’s ties to the religious right have been woefully underplayed. He was drawn to Elohim City and Christian Identity, and his views about white Christian supremacy were extremist to the core. We saw the outcome. We need to be prepared for more.
Thank you, SinghX – you’re spot on.
lm945
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
When are we finally going to call out the GOP for what they are? A Terrorist Organization.
That they don’t personally pull the triggers themselves is immaterial. They exhort other people to do their dirty work for them.
Just like those who strap suicide bombs onto innocent women and children, they cause death and destruction while they stay on the sidelines, out of harms way.
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
I have a better one for the gop and the right wing churches that support them.THE AMERICAN TALIBAN
Sharin Khosa
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
America has to stand up to these RW bullies and say enough is enough.2014 for Obama.
Honey
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
I’ve seen many right-wingers comment, on Facebook and other news forums, that President Obama is the one responsible for diving the country. When I ask where they got their information the call me a liberal Obama lover and say that I must be on welfare and have a free phone.
I seriously had no idea where and how they came to their conclusions. Now they are going around saying that there have been studies that indicate that most mass murders are registered democrats and that they should be the only ones prohibited from buying guns.
I researched it on the internet and didn’t find the report but just a bunch of cut and paste comments repeating the same garbage.
Shiva(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Just laugh off anything they say. They have no meaning and their ideal thing is guns over life. They feed at the feet of breitbart.
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Welcome.You have come to the right place.You will find even though we trend left we use actual facts links and studies to back up what we say.We may disagree among ourselves but you will come to appreciate the honest discussions.I hope you stick around and dont be afraid to voice your opinions
fedded-up
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
LOL! In a perverse sort of way, Obama IS responsible for dividing the country – its called “governing while being black,” and they’ve had their panties in a wad over it for 4 years. Plus, its absolutely KILLING them that they haven’t been able to find or conjure any filth that will actually stick to the man. Every closet racist in the country you will find bleating about this ‘divisiveness’ engendered completely, wholly, willfully with malice aforethought by the ones whining the loudest.
majii
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
When I went to get my driver’s license renewed in December, fedded-up, I ran into some women here in GA who kept repeating, “We have to take our government back!!” I asked them, “From whom?” They never answered. I guess no one had never challenged them on this. They were a prime example of folks who have allowed Fox News and other RW media to indoctrinate them with foolish talking point that they repeat but have never thought about their meaning. These women seem to have never thought that repeating this nonsense and not being able to explain it made them look like tools to those who don’t consume RW media.
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
We get people like that all the time.You ask them why or who is we all you get are crickets.Its like their brain just freeze up searching for the next talking point and there is none.Its sad and scary.Its sad because they don’t think.Its scary that they are capable of anything.See Bosnia,Rwanda and Nazi Germany
fedded-up
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 10:39 pm
If you ever want to read something that is almost guaranteed to make your skin crawl, check out “They Thought They Were Free,” written by a German Jewish man whose family fled Nazi Germany before WWII. He went back after the war was over and extensively interviewed a bunch of people, primarily in one small town, as to how, why, when they were ‘converted’ to acquiesce to such barbarity. I think his name was Mayer. It is an eye-opener and a half. Started out so innocuously, sort of giving the old ‘wink and a nod’ to the bigotry of the day that was considered ‘normal’ – anti-semitic sentiments were everywhere and had been for a long time. By the time it got to a level that would make any sane person realize the atrocities taking place, they had been so brainwashed by THEIR version of FOX, no one protested. And if they had, they’d probably have been dead pretty quickly.
Scary stuff. Imagine what this country would be like if FOX was government-sponsored and there were no other channels…
majii
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
IMO, Honey, these are people who, for the sake of opposing anything from President Obama, will allow themselves to believe that anything he proposes must be opposed–even if is commonsense. We saw this during the HCR debate when republicans rejected the individual mandate that they created! It’s shameful that these so-called Christians have embraced, and support, racism, bigotry,hatred of their fellow man, violence as a solution to the things/people they don’t like, making the poor poorer, punishing the elderly, taking away the opportunity for Americans to have access to affordable healthcare, regulating women’s reproductive systems and calling it “small government,” etc. I’m a Christian, and there is no way these so-called Christians will ever convinced me that they believe in the same Jesus that I believe in. Gandhi was right when he said:”“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Churchlady
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
You can get a FREE PHONE??? Where do I sign up???
Shiva(Moderator)
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
LOL call the governemnt. Reagan started the lifeline program, Her Bush included cell phones in it and the right blames Obama!
Elizabeth 44
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 9:17 pm
If I remember right they are old cell phones which can dial 911 in case of emergency. Thats all they can do.
Maranon
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 1:12 pm
The free phone is issued to battered partners of domestic abuse, so that they have a line to be rescued should the abuser returns or threatens them, or break the restraining order.
majii
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
When I see other Christians fearing change, I cannot help but wonder how strong their faith is, because the Bible teaches us not to fear anything, for God is always in control. IMO, if one is a Christian and fears change, it is a confession that one doesn’t really believe that God is all powerful and is in control, no matter what happens.
“In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” This is an awesome testimony to the power of trusting in God. Regardless of what happens, the psalmist will trust in God because he knows and understands the power of God. The key to overcoming fear, then, is total and complete trust in God. Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15 NKJV).”
www.gotquestions.org/Bibl...
“The unknown can overwhelm you, but God is omniscient, which means he knows all things, including the future. He can prepare you for the future in ways you can’t prepare yourself, and he works all things for the good of his followers (Romans 8:28, NIV). God is the guide who is never surprised.
God is in control as well. The being who created the vast universe and keeps it operating in perfect harmony is also a personal God who intervenes in people’s lives. He exercises his control to keep those who obey him in his will.”
When you feel weak in the face of change, God is omnipotent, or all-powerful. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” the Bible says. (Romans 8:31, NIV) Knowing the invincible God is on your side gives you tremendous confidence.”
Churchlady
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 6:13 pm
majii – I think you have identified the core issue. They ARE terrified that what they believe, and how they have imposed it, is NOT sufficient in God’s eyes.
On the other hand, they are arrogant with respect to other people. An anti-abortion protester once F-bombed a bunch of prochoice people. One of the latter said in mock horror, “Well! That’s not very Christian!” The anti-abortion zealot said, “I’m born again. I can do anything I want.”
Must be nice.
Overall though – it’s fear that drives them, fear they’re not good enough, that they haven’t converted enough people, imposed enough laws and rules on others, and haven’t done enough. They comb the Bible trying to convince themselves they are saints. They are desperate in their avoidance of death since they are NOT sure they are going to Heaven.
It would be pitiful if it were not so nasty. It would elicit sympathy if they were not so cruel.
SinghX
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 8:56 am
Once again, Churchlady, you nailed it.
““Well! That’s not very Christian!” The anti-abortion zealot said, “I’m born again. I can do anything I want.”…
Yes of course–to these folk, there IS no reasonable or responsible way of acting consciously as Jesus did; would you agree that having a “consciousness” was a guiding principle of his teachings? IMHO, to behave, act, spread the “good word” in a conscientious manner was his message; he wanted love, peace, etc for all humanity as a way of life (correct me if I’m wrong).
For these folks to think consciously takes would take a conscious effort as well as self-awareness; apparently, they have no concept of either. When these folks say “I can do anything I want, I’m born-again” the concept of ethical, moral, conscious behavior, etc. becomes an impediment or a liability; in other words, born-agains don’t need no stinkin’ boundaries!
They are not followers of what is known as “Christ Consciousness” but the opposite; they’re “born-against”…
Ask one of them “What is Christ Consciousness?” and watch their face…without blinking, they will tell you there is no such thing, it means nothing, and you’re speaking gobbledygook!
Maranon
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 1:21 pm
Maybe it is the religious leadership that sees the free thinkers leaving the organized religion sites taking their support $$ and force elsewhere. Think of the Catholic church members leaving in piles due to the child abuse, and instead of changing and providing more openess, the leadership has chosen to ignore Vatican II and have gone back to the 1950′s, where people do as they are told and do not question their practices.
It is more about control of the people and the economic force behind it than anything else.
James Threadgill
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
Who Would Jesus Hate?
regressivewatch.org/wordp...
aimee b
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 8:35 pm
This didn’t start with President Obama. It started with President Clinton. With President Obama, the racism is obvious and overt. The witch hunt with the Clinton’s began on day 1. The sad thing is Clinton gave them ammunition. Wasn’t it Limbaugh who started the phrase feminazi when it came to Hillary? And what about Vincent Foster? The Militia’s aren’t new either. Timothy McViegh didn’t openly belong to one, but he carried the Turner Diaries with him when he blew up the OKC building. SPLC is a great learning tool. The quack of WND, is mentioned, he started the Vincent Foster propaganda. He gave a voice to the racist Obama hatred and the fundies too. He started the ideas and he planted them.
This isn’t new. the material studied isn’t new, it’s expanding. Newt Gingrich and Kenneth Starr gave it a voice, and Karl Rove used it to his advantage. Sara Palin made it ‘mainstream’.
Marion Young
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 12:57 pm
An excellent read. Solution?
1) Strong gun control
2) The President, Congress and Media must expose all three elements of where the hate and fear is coming from.
3) Racism and all bigotry must be addressed by the above. These are public announcements that must be continued for an educational process.
4) Create laws to stop the hate and bigotry coming from these groups, GOP and media.
Unless this is done, we will have more of the same on an escalating scale.
Alex
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 4:11 pm
The GOP racist, anti government, as in small, and crazy religious……….. The sane American people must take back our Congress. We must stay vigilant and vote all crazies out of office no matter what party. We need progressive, forward thinking officials to help move this country forward.
inez
Jan. 31st, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Fear tactic is right I heard an announcement on the radio todAY stating thAT THE PRESIDENT WAS TO TAke all of your guns away.WHEN DID HE SAY THAT???????????? OF COURSE
THEY had an 800 #…..I called and gave them the raspberries………………..
TT
Brigita Petrutis
Feb. 1st, 2013 at 4:52 pm
The culture of fear and hatred is key to ill-gotten power. In this country, we have a political dynasty practicing this type of control with the Bush family, who descend from racist Nazi-money launderers and become drug-dealing Irish-Catholic President murderers and imperialistic war criminals. Their brand of domination depends very much on fear and hatred of the “other”, as it is bred into them, just as position of power is handed to them, father to son (or son-in-law) and so on. (Curiously, ancestor Obadiah Bush was abolitionist and supported the Underground Railroad. A few generations later, H.W.Bush introduces crack into ghetto neighborhoods.) The obvious rabble rousers distract attention from them and their cronies, and the mob doesn’t see the manipulation in progress. The GOP has created an excellent smokescreen for those who continue to destroy the ideals of democracy with every move they make. How to undo the damage? How to stop, or at the very least, slow down this descent into an existence that only serves to feed the military-industrial machine?