July 6, 2007 6:49 AM

Another DUMB@$$ AWARD wiener

Paganism May Not Pass Religious Muster

DUMB@$$ AWARD wiener #613: Charles W. “Chuck” Colson

I see no reason why Wiccans or pagans generally should have the services of taxpayer-paid chaplains. It is perfectly appropriate, if a group meets court tests for religion, that outside priest/ministers be allowed to come into federal facilities and minister. But historically, with standards that have been spelled out carefully by the courts, chaplains are appointed to represent mainline religions. The more difficult question is whether I would vote for a pagan for public office. The answer is that on one hand I fully respect the fact that there should be no religious test for public office; on the other hand, I would have great difficulty supporting an explicit Wiccan or pagan for high public office. There are tenets of their belief that, I think, are incompatible with the requirements of American democratic governance. Lest this sound discriminatory, I think it is very clear from reading the writings of our founding fathers that a sound adherence to the values of the Judeo-Christian tradition—or at the very least, deism—was essential as a basis of the moral law that would sustain a free society.

I never cease to be amazed at the arrogance and self-righteousness used by Conservative Christians to dismiss religions other than Christianity. Yes, since this country was founded by Christians, and since Christianity remains the majority religion, there are those on the Religious Right who view this country as their personal playground. Chuck Colson is merely another intolerant, self-righteous example of the “Christianity uber alles” philosophy.

Colson, of course, is hardly an untarnished spokeman for Christianity. All he’s really don’t is trade in his slavish, unquestioning following of Richard Nixon for the slavish, unquestioning following of Jesus Christ. The intolerance, the bigotry, and the pronounced sense of self-superiority have remained in place over the years. Sure, Colson may have reformed, but for me he will always remain a convicted felon who broke the law in order to protect his boss, Richard Nixon. His allegiances may have changed with time, but the attitude clearly has not. Though our government is officially secular, Colson is quite comfortable with the idea of applying a religious litmus test to Presidential candidates. This is, of course, his right in a free country, but I’m free to call bullshit on him.

Under normal circumstances, it would be easy enough to ignore a self-righteous DUMB@$$ like Colson. The past six years have been anything BUT normal, though, and people like him are now spread throughout the federal government. (Can you say “Moinca Goodling”?) Intolerant, dominionist Christianity has become the rule rather than the exception, and the results will be felt for years to come as theocrats like Colson hew more closely to the Bible than to the Constitution.

WE DESERVE BETTER.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on July 6, 2007 6:49 AM.

There's nothing like looking out for their own was the previous entry in this blog.

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