Pun intended.
The Virginia Representative who expressed great fear at the impending hordes of Muslims who will be democratically elected to Congress (if we don't stop Catholic Mexicans from immigrating) has refused to apologize for his faux pas.
Scott Moss asks: "What are other recent [since 1990] examples of public officeholders expressly advocating discrimination against other groups in terms of fitness for public office?"
I can't remember an elected politician issuing this type of call in recent memory. Perhaps my readers can jog the memory? Or is Goode really on his own in xenophobic lunacy?
I'm fairly sure that someone else recognized that a religious group assuring that believers are required to 'kill the unbeliever where-ever he may be' might be a bit of a threat in an office-holding position.
ReplyDeleteI believe Daniel Pipes was talking about it in the mid-80s. Of course, people were tossing around the non-sequitor of 'islamophobia' at him back then, as well.
I personally don't get it. Sure, someone might be motivated by their religion to commit treason... but they might just as well do so in exchange for a favorable editorial from the NYT.
Well, if you look back to, I dunno, last August, you get Katherine Hariss' wonderful "Non-christians will legislate sin". Then you have George Bush the elders classic statement that atheists are "neither citizens nor patriots". The Christian right has a pretty bleak track record when it comes to recognizing the validity of religious minorities in the political system.
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly sure that someone else recognized that a religious group assuring that believers are required to 'kill the unbeliever where-ever he may be' might be a bit of a threat in an office-holding position.
ReplyDeleteYes, we better watch out for those who obey Deuteronomy 13 and stone anyone -- including their family members -- who is "a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams" and urges them to serve other gods. Hey, David's Jewish and is supposed to pay attention to the Old Testament, we better make sure he never holds office. No way could he understand that certain parts of a holy text are not meant to be taken literally by modern believers. Maybe we should get him a cool Tshirt that says "Deuteronomy 13" on the front and "Don't proselytize me when I've got some stones to hand" on the back.
Or like that dude who was trying to get elected president, and we all knew he was getting his orders from the Pope! Sure, he did manage to get elected in some questionable fashion, but at least he got shot afterwards. What a relief for a God- fearing majority Protestant nation.
I think there are plenty of excellent reasons to keep me out of public office that have nothing to do with my religion :-).
ReplyDeleteAnd what's with the sudden flurry of comments, PG? I'm thrilled to have you here (they're all quite insightful, as always), but I hope you aren't so bored over the holiday season that you need to stoop this low in the blogosphere hierachy!