Crazy Republicans are making life miserable for the dwindling number of rational party members, and the same phenomenon (often involving the same people) is giving Christians a really bad name.
Loony tunes example number ten zillion:
Several news sites have reported on a rant by Christian Radio Host Rick Wiles, in which he shares his hope that the Ebola epidemic spreads to the US and “wipes out every last atheist and gay person in the country.”
“Now this Ebola epidemic can become a global pandemic and that’s another name for plague. It may be the great attitude adjustment that I believe is coming… Ebola could solve America’s problems with atheism, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, pornography and abortion.”
Leave aside the decidedly “unChristian” desire to see people with whom you don’t agree die in agony (what was that thing about “turning the other cheek”?), what leap of “logic” leads this zealot to believe that a horrific disease will be selective, and that its selectivity would be based upon his version of biblical “truth”?
Talk about creating God in one’s own image…
What’s really terrifying is that it is only a small step from this sort of faith-based delusion to a desire to help “God’s work” along, by bringing a pathogen to the U.S. and unleashing it. If you think that possibility is far-fetched, consider what the KKK, skinheads and other True Believers have been willing to do to protect their own racial or religious hegemony.
It’s time for the good Christians–and the good Republicans–to take their religion and their party back from the lunatics who are currently dominating the public face of both.
I don’t believe there is enough courage left in the Republican Party to even attempt to steer the party back to a governable position, they will continue to have small gains and major losses and appeal to fewer and fewer moderates like myself and so many of my friends.
“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.”
― Barry M. Goldwater (January 1 1909 – May 29 1998)
“Why can’t the moderate Muslims (Christians) set up and control the radicalized portion of their religion?
We have the same problem as the Muslims have, the radicals have taken over and are speaking the loudest. It is only a matter of time before these same Chrstian Terrorists start calling for a Holy War and violence to control and make everyone follow the same views they have. You are right this is very scary yet I have a hard time convincing people they should vote.
“You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” ― Anne Lamott
I was wondering how long it would take for Rabid Religious Reactionaries to link Ebola as their God’s Righteous Revenge on a sinful earth. Some “Religious Leaders” claimed 9/11 was Divine Retribution. I have not heard yet that the Pearl Harbor Attack was Divine Retribution for the Country electing FDR.
I suppose it is just a small step for the Christian Right to see treatments and cures for Ebola or Aids as contrary to their “God’s Will.” Thus the CDC, etc., becomes an instrument of the Devil as it tries to thwart their “God’s Will.”
They used to cheer for AIDs as the God sent cure for people who didn’t agree with them. Also Bush’s holy wars.
I personally can’t imagine a world in their image, but, apparently, they can.
Every day there is some new crazy and dangerous statement from the GOP right but simultaneously there are daily statements that the Republicans are predicted to gain seats in the House and the Senate in November. This is very troubling.
Before there’s too much backlash against religion here…..
While I couldn’t possibly disagree more with this idiot Rick Wiles guy, let’s not forget that the two doctors who were flown to Atlanta after contracting Ebola were: Christian missionaries.
Suggesting that the KKK is going to deliberately spread Ebola: I think that’s a little out there even for the Klan.
I’ve got to hand it to Sheila for being a watchdog, but I think blogging on something that good Christians are actually doing might go farther.
Recent story. Probably the only good thing going on in Juárez, Mexico, right now. “Esta es mi congregación”:
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_26140266/shelter-homeless-mentally-ill-mans-calling
We already know that you can’t fix stupid. You can’t do a lot with crazy or scary either, except to continue trying to convince them about the truth concerning ebola. They’re not much into ‘truth’ when it comes to science or climate change. While I’m typing this, they are just becoming crazier and scarier. Blame for the epidemic will somehow be laid upon President Obama pretty soon. He’s caught every other crisis/disaster so far.
We get it that bats seem to be the vector for the ebola virus. Our job in limiting the spread of the disease is isolating those who are sick — and teaching others about the dangers of touching/handling those who are ill or who have already died of ebola. Religious practices and superstitions in the affected countries are as hard to manage as the disease itself.
Being totally deaf and a music lover, some days a song will run through my mind repeatedly. The top tune on my Hit Parade today after reading Sheila’s blog is from “Porgy and Bess” sung by the immortal Cab Calloway – “It ain’t necessarily so, it ain’t necessarily so; the things that you’re liable to read in the Bible, it ain’t necesarily so.” And I say this as a Christian.