“Trunews” host Rick Wiles may be a complete lunatic, but that hasn’t stopped Republican politicians from appearing on his End Times-themed radio show. Just yesterday, Rafael Cruz, the father of Ted Cruz and one of his top campaign surrogates, chatted with Wiles about “why we as a nation must return to our Judeo-Christian values or face ruin.”…. The elder Cruz told Wiles that “secular humanism has become the religion of many Americans” who think that “you are your own god,” resulting in “a chaotic society.”…. He added that while “Barack Obama is the most lawless president we have ever had in the history of this great country,” his purported lawlessness has become “a catalyst to wake up the sleeping giant,” and “the sleeping giant is the church.”
I can think of nothing issuing forth from Rafael Cruz’ lips I could even pretend to take seriously. The father of Ted Cruz is, to be charitable, just plain #@$){%& nuts. There’s just no other way to describe him which even begins to do justice to the depths of his lunacy. This is a man who fervently believes his son was chosen by God to lead America out of the moral swamp (in his fevered imagination, at least) its mired in.
I don’t know about you, but the idea that Americans can believe themselves to be “their own God” is, to my way of thinking at least, a very good thing. Too many “Christians” like Cruz talk about secular humanism as if it’s equal parts eating babies and schtupping your mother. Nothing could be futher from the truth, and Cruz merely betrays his epic ignorance and arrogance by making it clear that he has no real idea what secular humanism actually is. In fact, it’s
a comprehensive, nonreligious lifestance incorporating: A naturalistic philosophy. A cosmic outlook rooted in science. A consequentialist ethical system.
Secular humanism is the idea that the individual is captain of their own moral ship. It’s a philosophy rooted in science and objective reality. It doesn’t believe that right and wrong are predetermined by a divine entity, and that fealty to said entity is necessary and required to live a moral life. Those who believe in secular humanism believe that each of us are our own moral agent and authority, and that living a moral life doesn’t require supervision by an unseen deity. THAT’S what “being our own God” truly refers to. Regardless of what an authoritarian theocrat like Rafael Cruz thinks, I can’t consider that a bad thing. In fact, I’d submit that if you can’t lead a moral life without believing that you’re being surveilled at all times by an unseen Supreme Being, there’s a pretty good chance you may be a sociopath and in need of professional help.
Believe in God if you must. If that faith gives your life meaning and purpose, that’s a good thing- for you. It has nothing to do with me or anyone else, which mean you have no right to presume to know what’s best for anyone but yourself. I don’t about you, but the God of Rafael Cruz seems as if He/She/It is no fun at all. Cruz can choose to worship a God who’s a mean-spirited, vindictive S.O.B.; in a free society that choice is his and his alone…but his self-superior hyper-religiosity doesn’t come with the right to force his God on other, “lesser” mortals.
Live and let live. Be kind. That’s enough religion for me, thank you.
