Fox News did a brief segment on the Reason Rally yesterday. But, as you might expect, producers didn’t invite any of the organizers or attendees to offer their perspectives. Instead, they had Father Jonathan Morris, resident Catholic, trash the event all by himself. His biggest complaint? There are some atheists (at the Rally and in life) who want to persuade other people to shed their faith!….some of them [are] so activist, trying to thwart other people’s belief systems!
I learned long ago to regard Fr. Jonathan Morris as a representative of the teachings of Jesus Christ in the same way I think of Jared Fogle as someone possessed of appropriate sexual boundaries. Fr. Morris has, on occasions too numerous to mention, revealed himself to be a hypocrite of the first order…and completely lacking in the self-awareness which would allow himself to recognize that hypocrisy. Listening to Fr. Morris leaves me wondering if he’s not the love child of Bill Donohue, the capo of the Catholic League and chairman of the New York chapter of Rageaholics for Jesus. Donohue is an ill-tempered ball of hate who views his religious faith as a club with which he rightfully bludgeons those who don’t share his narrow moral/ideological/theological framework. To say that Donohue isn’t exactly a shining example of the love of Jesus Christ would be something of an understatement; the man could suck the joy out of a screaming orgasm. Fr. Morris may not have Donohue’s pronounced rage issues, but his Christianity is every bit as arrogant, self-serving, intolerant, and joyless.
Yes, kids, you too can experience the love of Jesus Christ! All you have to do is believe EXACTLY as we do…otherwise, you’ll anger Him and he’ll smite you.
In this case, Fr. Buzzkill is engaging in some world class projection, accusing atheists of “trying to thwart other people’s belief systems”…as if bands of marauding atheists are accosting good, Bible-believing Christians and forcing them to renounce their faith upon pain of death. The truth is, those of us who consider ourselves to be good without God could generally care less about the beliefs of others. The rule we try to live by is simple: live and let live. Leave us alone, and we’ll grant you the same respect. Except that Christians like Fr. Morris have no respect for those whose personal moral/ideological/theological frameworks don’t mirror their own.
Now there’s a criticism Morris never seems to make about evangelical Christians…it’s okay when religious people try to convert you, but it’s downright horrible when atheists try to persuade you to think like them…even at a rally celebrating atheism.
I never cease to marvel at the arrogance and absence of self-awareness necessary to believe that when one proselytizes to atheists it’s merely “sharing the Good News about the love of Jesus Christ.” When an atheist talks about their worldview- at a rally celebrating atheism, no less- it’s “so activist,” as if they’re “trying to thwart other people’s belief systems.”
Oh, the humanity! How could atheists could be so selfish and self-absorbed??
There seems to be a delusion common among Evangelical Christians that their faith provides them the absolute, unquestioned right to share their faith whenever and wherever they deem appropriate and to whomever they choose. I called it “delusion” because that right is by no means considered a two-way street. When an atheist has the temerity to so much as discuss why they consider themselves to be good without God, good Christians like Fr. Buzzkill are quick to decry such a blatant attempt to “thwart other people’s belief systems.” OMG, THEY’RE TRYING TO SUBVERT OUR UNSHAKABLE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!
If that faith is so unshakable, why are there those who, like Fr. Buzzkill, seem so terribly threatened by those who don’t believe as they do? If one’s faith and fervor are so rock-solid, why should the truth that others may think, believe, live, and/or love differently be perceived as a threat to one’s spiritual safety?
They’re just beliefs, ideas that pose a threat only insofar as one chooses to interpret them that way. To Fr. Morris, I’d only say: Fear not, for we come in peace. We don’t share your beliefs, but we certainly have no problem with your right to hold and practice them. Would that you could see your way clear to return that consideration.
How merely discussing the idea that one need not believe in God in order to live a morally productive and positive life isn’t something Fr. Morris in inclined to explain…but he certainly knows when atheists are “trying to thwart other people’s belief systems.” Because Lord knows Christians would NEVER attempt to “thwart other people’s belief systems”…right???
Unless you’re atheist, Muslim, Jewish or any of the other approximately 4200 belief systems to be found on Earth, 4199 of which are evidently wrong, heretical, and dangerous.
Just ask Fr. Buzzkill; he’ll be happy to advise you of the error of your ways.
Perhaps if Fr. Morris could be bothered to learn something about what those of us who consider ourselves to be good without God are about, he might see us less as bogeymen and more like real people…who just happen to think and believe differently.
Come to the Dark Side, Father…we have cookies.
