Xenophobia is alive and well in America! Mr. Swanson (I hesitate to dignify him with the title of "Reverend") seems to have a personal problem with gay people. There are 10 sins that were definitively listed in the Bible (i.e. the big 10). I do not recall that being gay was one of them. What is it with these people who are so focused on homosexuality? Why do they want to deem it as the worst "sin" of all? Is Mr. Swanson, by any chance, repressing some of his own gay inclinations? Just saying. He doth protest too much.
He wants to institute a pogrom on gay people and won't be satisfied until all people believe as he does. (ISIS anybody? Fascism anybody?) Donald T. wants a pogrom on immigrants. Ted Cruz wants both! Unfortunately, there is an element in the American public that agrees with this scary nonsense. Hopefully, they will be in the great minority and sane people will vote these creeps out of public life.
He wants to institute a pogrom on gay people and won't be satisfied until all people believe as he does. (ISIS anybody? Fascism anybody?) Donald T. wants a pogrom on immigrants. Ted Cruz wants both! Unfortunately, there is an element in the American public that agrees with this scary nonsense. Hopefully, they will be in the great minority and sane people will vote these creeps out of public life.
40
This is deeply disturbing, and the fact that I have just become aware, through this article, of the extent and degree of this form of radical politics underlines the point that the media have not been sufficiently attentive to the full range of dangerous possibilities that Cruz, in particular, represents. These figures -- Cruz, Jindal, the wingnut Huckabee -- are dangers to decency and democracy.
47
America is famous for its TV evangelists and more popular than ever. They were placed on the back-burner for awhile during better times, and now they have resurfaced to convert us with compassion and blind ambition to the ways of the Lord.
Evan Connell, an American author, by some accounts a homosexual, best known for his 'Mr. and Mrs. Bridge', was to write a powerful short story 'Noah's Ark', where a maid in the household of an intellectual couple listens on the radio in the evenings to one of these popular evangelists. She answers his fund-raising drive for donations in order to go to Heaven, and what happens next is quite astonishing.
There will always be 'Ted Cruz' in America with polished boots and gold watches, who will appeal to many of us to be enlightened. We can follow him like a flock of sheep, go to church religiously, become gentle and prayer-abiding people, and send our children to join the Holy Crusades to spread the word to the Heathens among us.
Politics and Religion do not walk right hand-in-hand, and this American Catholic takes this self-proclaimed man of God seriously, recoiling from his preaching and Bible Circle followers.
It still rankles that this political hopeful was poking fun at Joe Biden at the time he was in mourning for the loss of his son Beau. There are good men and women among us, and the political religious message of Ted Cruz is not recognized by this Catholic American voter.
Evan Connell, an American author, by some accounts a homosexual, best known for his 'Mr. and Mrs. Bridge', was to write a powerful short story 'Noah's Ark', where a maid in the household of an intellectual couple listens on the radio in the evenings to one of these popular evangelists. She answers his fund-raising drive for donations in order to go to Heaven, and what happens next is quite astonishing.
There will always be 'Ted Cruz' in America with polished boots and gold watches, who will appeal to many of us to be enlightened. We can follow him like a flock of sheep, go to church religiously, become gentle and prayer-abiding people, and send our children to join the Holy Crusades to spread the word to the Heathens among us.
Politics and Religion do not walk right hand-in-hand, and this American Catholic takes this self-proclaimed man of God seriously, recoiling from his preaching and Bible Circle followers.
It still rankles that this political hopeful was poking fun at Joe Biden at the time he was in mourning for the loss of his son Beau. There are good men and women among us, and the political religious message of Ted Cruz is not recognized by this Catholic American voter.
27
I won't be voting for anyone who is too motivated by divisive religious beliefs or whose libertarian notions are too close to anarchism, but, I also won't be voting for anyone who can't say All Lives Matter, is beholden to identity politics or believes that income redistribution is a president's prime directive. Leaves me with very few possibilities from the two major parties and the one on the Democratic side was essentially told don't bother to show up for the next one. Chances are, I will be wasting my vote on some third party candidate who has little better chance than I do (and given that my daughter is old enough to vote - that's two).
4
Framing the issue as one of "religious liberty" Is an Orwellian twist in the propaganda of these scoundrels. That there are people who fall for this terrifies me.
23
According to Kevin Swanson, "America is “heading back into cannibalism, vampirism, tattooing, body mutilation and every form of fornication, homosexuality.” And Ted Cruz and his father support and encourage this tinfoil-headed pastor?
Like so many weak men who hate others, Ted Cruz doesn't stand up to his father. The same for Mel Gibson and so many others. With the world in crisis, the fact that Republicans are putting hater-sponsors up for the Presidency - and ones with daddy issues at that - is emblematic of the larger issue - a party that is not fit to govern, much less lead anywhere.
Like so many weak men who hate others, Ted Cruz doesn't stand up to his father. The same for Mel Gibson and so many others. With the world in crisis, the fact that Republicans are putting hater-sponsors up for the Presidency - and ones with daddy issues at that - is emblematic of the larger issue - a party that is not fit to govern, much less lead anywhere.
25
The challenge is for Democrats to expose this lunacy. They don't and won't, however, because they fear any criticism of religion to be too much of a hot potato.
18
These are some of the same GOP candidates who cheerfully attended rallies in support of Kim Davis surrounded by placards with hoary hate messages such as "Got Aids Yet?", "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve", etc. They did not feel the need to apologize for that, nor do they demonstrate the slightest awareness that LGBT people are citizens of the country they wish to lead. The message to gay people is very clear: you don't count, and there is nothing so vile that we can't say it about you with impunity.
23
KS: "Like him (Swanson), they believe that America will find peace only when all submit to the one true religion."
How is this different from the interpretation of Islam embraced by ISIS? Things will be set aright in America when citizens are subjected to a religion test?
These folks are not interested in the "religious freedom" enshrined in our Constitution. They want the right to impose their religious beliefs on citizens considered to be deficient in Swanson's version of religious orthodoxy.
How is this different from the interpretation of Islam embraced by ISIS? Things will be set aright in America when citizens are subjected to a religion test?
These folks are not interested in the "religious freedom" enshrined in our Constitution. They want the right to impose their religious beliefs on citizens considered to be deficient in Swanson's version of religious orthodoxy.
36
When we allow religious fundamentalism to enter politics we risk becoming, eventually, the sort of intolerant, vile society that theocracies encourage. Hopefully, enough people will vote, with the same human dignity as those who stood up to the lds this weekend.
18
Yes, living on the coasts is deceptive. A couple of years ago, I drove my son (and his entire apartment of furniture and belongings in a rented Yukon) from Boulder back to New York. After eastern Colorado, all of Kansas, Missouri, southern Illinois and Indiana, he said "You know what I've learned on this trip? Jesus is real!" He said that because, as anyone knows who has driven this route knows, it's everywhere - that statement, plastered on billboards, and that sentiment. And that's on the interstate. If one gets back into the woods of flyover country, it no doubt gets thicker.
The most hopeful sign was that next to one of these billboard proclamations, in Missouri as I recall, was a giant porn video store. So it's nice to see that Satan hasn't fled the premises, at least not yet.
All kidding aside, when those aspiring to national office start embracing such ideology, they need to be called out for what they are - bigots, racists, homophobes, and potentially accessories to murderers. I'm sure Christ would be honored to have them represent Him and His views.
The most hopeful sign was that next to one of these billboard proclamations, in Missouri as I recall, was a giant porn video store. So it's nice to see that Satan hasn't fled the premises, at least not yet.
All kidding aside, when those aspiring to national office start embracing such ideology, they need to be called out for what they are - bigots, racists, homophobes, and potentially accessories to murderers. I'm sure Christ would be honored to have them represent Him and His views.
22
Wombat?
They are lovely creatures. Take a trip to Australia (we've been there 16 times) and check 'em out. My wife got to cuddle a heavy baby Wombat.
They do have the rather bad habit of defecating on large flat rocks.
They are lovely creatures. Take a trip to Australia (we've been there 16 times) and check 'em out. My wife got to cuddle a heavy baby Wombat.
They do have the rather bad habit of defecating on large flat rocks.
4
Everyone fears the Iowa Inquisition... One True Religion? Which one would that be? And now that this One True Religion has entered the political arena, when does it lose its tax-exempt status as it should... More theater for the masses and more Ludacris statements from another American Jihadists.
23
And Republicans criticized Obama over Jeremiah Wright? This group of very conservative Republicans wants to overturn parts of the Constitution based on their religious beliefs. I think the participants at these events have to explain their support.
29
"We must wait for the nation to embrace the one true religion, he suggested, and gay people must be allowed to repent and convert." This looks familiar. Somebody must have been studying the Spanish Inquisition.
33
"Religious liberty" in the way it is used today doesn't have anything to do with true Liberty. It has to do with control, as religion as has been. The people who espouse this creed want everyone to be like them, and they want to have control over society and all the people, regardless of the person's religious beliefs. That we have any politicians who do not loudly denounce such behavior and statements is a sad statement, especially when those politicians are trying to become President.
18
What these republican clown car members mean by 'freedom' is the freedom to force their bigoted, narrow, and vile religious views and bigoted hokem on everyone, especially those who disagree with them, and the freedom to force their nonsense on what people think, say, and do. Which, of course, means 'freedom' for them, and dictatorial tyranny for everyone else.
46
It is so very sad that religious leaders feel the way they do about the L.G.B.T community. It is sad that they feel that Science in not an answer. "IF"they actually believed in Science, and combined that with their " G-d created everything" proclamations the world would, indeed, be a better place.
IF G-D created everything that would HAVE TO include SCIENCE. Than if people could look at X-rays of a fetus, on the right day, they would see that ALL babies at one point in their development have the sexual potential to be male or female.
Than of course those folks would be able to accept genetics and understand that at that point in developmental time the genes are supposed to make a decision and choose s sex. Only sometimes genes do NOT do what they are supposed to do. At this point we end up with genetic variations. What occurs because of these variations is NOT the choice of an individual. It is these variations that cause one to be 5,7 like me or 7 feet tall like Wilt Chamberlin. It is those variations that create one sexual orientation. And no matter what the religious think of the matter, there is NO CHOICE in the matter. But when the only book one reads contains myths, fables, and in places half truths, along with some good historical content, one's judgement of things is to be questioned. Just like the religious attitudes as called for by the SELF- RIGHTEOUS pastor Kevin Swanson, and Rafael Cruz.
IF G-D created everything that would HAVE TO include SCIENCE. Than if people could look at X-rays of a fetus, on the right day, they would see that ALL babies at one point in their development have the sexual potential to be male or female.
Than of course those folks would be able to accept genetics and understand that at that point in developmental time the genes are supposed to make a decision and choose s sex. Only sometimes genes do NOT do what they are supposed to do. At this point we end up with genetic variations. What occurs because of these variations is NOT the choice of an individual. It is these variations that cause one to be 5,7 like me or 7 feet tall like Wilt Chamberlin. It is those variations that create one sexual orientation. And no matter what the religious think of the matter, there is NO CHOICE in the matter. But when the only book one reads contains myths, fables, and in places half truths, along with some good historical content, one's judgement of things is to be questioned. Just like the religious attitudes as called for by the SELF- RIGHTEOUS pastor Kevin Swanson, and Rafael Cruz.
14
Swanson: "A Christian perspective ultimately brought the death penalty upon homosexuality between roughly 350 AD and roughly 1850 or so, for about 1,500 years that form of life had pretty much been eliminated except here and there, it was in the closet, but it was almost unheard of for over 1,000 years, until recently. Of course, now you have a massive, massive increase in this kind of thing."
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/kevin-swanson-nostalgic-time-homos...
It's astounding that people actually believe you could "eliminate" homosexuality this way. Just where does Kevin Swanson think gay people come from? I am convinced that all homophobia -- from the most vile, outspoken hatred and violence, to the insidious form of "hate the sin, love the sinner" -- is firmly rooted in the (mistaken) notion that homosexuality is a choice.
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/kevin-swanson-nostalgic-time-homos...
It's astounding that people actually believe you could "eliminate" homosexuality this way. Just where does Kevin Swanson think gay people come from? I am convinced that all homophobia -- from the most vile, outspoken hatred and violence, to the insidious form of "hate the sin, love the sinner" -- is firmly rooted in the (mistaken) notion that homosexuality is a choice.
75
"The comfortable thing to do would be to dismiss Mr. Swanson as just another wombat from the embarrassing fringe of American politics."
Unless the author is an Australian farmer whose fields are pitted with wombat burrows, this comparison is an insult to wombats.
Perhaps she meant to say "Tasmanian devil".
Unless the author is an Australian farmer whose fields are pitted with wombat burrows, this comparison is an insult to wombats.
Perhaps she meant to say "Tasmanian devil".
11
During race for president Obama was criticized for his association with Jeremiah Wright the Harvard professor. Where is the Republican outcry against Cruz and Huckabee for their association with this "pastor"?
14
We have ISIS ideologues right here in the USA except a different brand. Seems to be a time of major religious intolerance all over. Good to know at least the Pope is trying to help in this race to the bottom. The Republican Party should be ashamed of itself having these intolerant Gay Haters running for President under their brand. This needs to be confronted not just in the Middle East but everywhere.
Amazing what is done in the name of GOD!!!!
Amazing what is done in the name of GOD!!!!
16
I guess because Swanson is alluding to bible verses, it's not considered hate speech. I believe ISIS and the like would argue the same using their reading of the Quran. How does one differentiate? Therein lies the quandary of granting special privileges to religion.
20
Either we are all Free....
or we aren't.
or we aren't.
8
"When presidential candidates court support among the audience of a pastor who openly discusses the extermination of millions of their fellow citizens, why is this not major news?"
I don't know, Ms. Stewart — maybe you could ask someone at The New York Times?
I don't know, Ms. Stewart — maybe you could ask someone at The New York Times?
20
I'm a little out of step with the current left, in that I don't demand the pastor and his ilk like me or approve of me, or as one absurd statement by a campus PC type put it, to make me feel 'cherished'. For all I care he can hate my guts and denounce me as the spawn of Satan. And I can hate him right back and say so, loud and proud. Because this is America.
BUT.
When you start advocating killing people - or inflicting physical harm, or depriving them of their legal rights - this is a line that SCOTUS themselves have drawn as beyond the pale. (Interesting term - it derives from the 'pale of settlement' beyond which Jews were exiled in olden days). Them's fightin' words.
Any candidate pandering to this despicable fringe should be called out for it, the same as they would be called out for courting the Klan. They should not be allowed to hide behind the Cross.
Ms Stewart is absolutely correct about complacency. People often ask now why the Jews of Germany didn't just up and leave. Answer: they didn't believe that what eventually happened could ever happen. As far as they were concerned they were fellow Germans and the laws applied to them ... right?
BUT.
When you start advocating killing people - or inflicting physical harm, or depriving them of their legal rights - this is a line that SCOTUS themselves have drawn as beyond the pale. (Interesting term - it derives from the 'pale of settlement' beyond which Jews were exiled in olden days). Them's fightin' words.
Any candidate pandering to this despicable fringe should be called out for it, the same as they would be called out for courting the Klan. They should not be allowed to hide behind the Cross.
Ms Stewart is absolutely correct about complacency. People often ask now why the Jews of Germany didn't just up and leave. Answer: they didn't believe that what eventually happened could ever happen. As far as they were concerned they were fellow Germans and the laws applied to them ... right?
32
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, . . . "
And so, there it is, embedded in the Bill of Rights -- freedom from religion. Let us never forget this. Political battles will rage and religious zealots will bellow their dark, hollow rhetoric, but Article I is a powerful thorn in Ayatollah Swanson's side and remains our nation's ultimate weapon against him and against openly theocratic political candidates and their unAmerican ideals.
And so, there it is, embedded in the Bill of Rights -- freedom from religion. Let us never forget this. Political battles will rage and religious zealots will bellow their dark, hollow rhetoric, but Article I is a powerful thorn in Ayatollah Swanson's side and remains our nation's ultimate weapon against him and against openly theocratic political candidates and their unAmerican ideals.
24
The religious right is fast to quote their constitutional rights; What about the part about, "SEPARATION of Church and State!!!!!"
21
Why is this not receiving the attention it deserves? Maybe the question is why isn't the NY Times taking the lead and exposing this craziness on the front page for all to see. Must be that the liberal media wishes not to criticize and have to show a face that is 'fair and balanced".
18
Religious extremists of every kind and type have always believed that everyone else practices the wrong religion. And to prove it, we will kill you, if necessary...
33
It's good that this was finally reported in the mainstream media. It's a shame that neither the Times nor the Washington Post felt that it was worthy of typical campaign coverage reporting.
15
How is this goal any different from the terrorist attacks in Paris?
19
It does not surprise me in the least thaty Cruz would choose to be associated with these people or feel no reason to apologize. Mr. Cruz has made clear by his previous actions and statements that he is willing to say anything and do anything to gain power. The man has no soul.
Mike Huckabee is also no surprise. He has garner the support of only a handful of fringe voters. His efforts now are simply an attempt t o build his brand among among right wing evangelicals so he can sell more books and products (like the fraudulent cinammon sweet roll diabetes cure!). He is a real life snake oil salesmen with no shame.
Lee Atwater started the culture wars in a cycnical attempt to scare more conservatives into voting the GOP way. It worked frighteningly well for decades. Now it actually prevents large numbers of would be conservatives from voting for the GOP. Until the GOP leadership leadership abandons its attacks on minority groups (hispanics, gays, etc) they will not win a national election.
Mike Huckabee is also no surprise. He has garner the support of only a handful of fringe voters. His efforts now are simply an attempt t o build his brand among among right wing evangelicals so he can sell more books and products (like the fraudulent cinammon sweet roll diabetes cure!). He is a real life snake oil salesmen with no shame.
Lee Atwater started the culture wars in a cycnical attempt to scare more conservatives into voting the GOP way. It worked frighteningly well for decades. Now it actually prevents large numbers of would be conservatives from voting for the GOP. Until the GOP leadership leadership abandons its attacks on minority groups (hispanics, gays, etc) they will not win a national election.
11
We do have the protection of free speech under our constitution, but when someone calls for the elimination of a group of people due to their sexual orientation and we do nothing then we are no better then the German population of the 1930's that let Hitler and the Nation Socialist Party come to power.
19
Put these guys in black clothes and give them AK47s, and it could become difficult to see the difference between them and the religious extremists fighting for the heart and soul of the Middle East.
24
What an oxymoronic concept-- these self proclaimed religious people claiming any right to use the words "liberty" or "freedom."
13
It's the same frame of mind that fuels Isis. This is its American face.
21
"Among the speakers was Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, who has called L.G.B.T. activists 'hateful' and 'pawns' of the devil."
Minus the reference to the devil, this doesn't all that different from the rhetorical tactics employed by the LGBT and their supporters. If I had a dollar for every utterance of "hateful" and "bigot" issued toward someone who questions the moral priority or legitimacy of the LGBT agenda, I'd have a sizable stack of cash by now.
Minus the reference to the devil, this doesn't all that different from the rhetorical tactics employed by the LGBT and their supporters. If I had a dollar for every utterance of "hateful" and "bigot" issued toward someone who questions the moral priority or legitimacy of the LGBT agenda, I'd have a sizable stack of cash by now.
Just a memo memo from one, measly, athiestic voter who eschews the notion of gun-slinging to settle trivial disputes. (I suppose that makes me un-American, too.)
Nobody wants to push God out of anybody else's lives. All the rest of us want is to fulfill our constitutional rights by getting our marriages licenses when we show up at a licensing bureau or a justice of the peace.
If I'm wrong and there actually is a God, I doubt she'd want to be in your lives in the first place.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Nobody wants to push God out of anybody else's lives. All the rest of us want is to fulfill our constitutional rights by getting our marriages licenses when we show up at a licensing bureau or a justice of the peace.
If I'm wrong and there actually is a God, I doubt she'd want to be in your lives in the first place.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
11
I'm confused about Cruz's political tactics. Let's just say his campaigning and advocating of hate speech does the trick, and he wins the GOP nomination. Now what? His whole appeal to the radical evangelicals is the fact that he doesn't compromise when it comes to "Christian" values, and so there he has dug himself a hole. If he tries to broaden his appeal, his base will abandon him. If he keeps spouting this anti-gay, anti-women nonsense, I can't imagine that a majority of our country will vote for that, unless the GOP can find a way to keep more voters from the polls.
The only way I see him realistically securing the Presidential seat is by him banking on the fact that America isn't paying attention right now so that when the time is right he can ditch his radical base and go after the moderate voters with more lies. What a sad little human being. Him and Swanson will have a lot to answer to when they finally meet their maker.
The only way I see him realistically securing the Presidential seat is by him banking on the fact that America isn't paying attention right now so that when the time is right he can ditch his radical base and go after the moderate voters with more lies. What a sad little human being. Him and Swanson will have a lot to answer to when they finally meet their maker.
10
I basically write these people off as crazy, so I don't pay attention. I just don't want to waste my time thinking about it and won't be able to change anybody's mind who believes in this nonsense. I know they attractive a fair % of Republican voters but are otherwise just hateful people with a twisted message. The Republican party is a good home for them.
6
"When presidential candidates court support among the audience of a pastor who openly discusses the extermination of millions of their fellow citizens, why is this not major news?"
At last, a sharp and articulate rebuke to the profound fanaticism which is at the heart of the religious right. There is no difference between them and the jihadists.
At last, a sharp and articulate rebuke to the profound fanaticism which is at the heart of the religious right. There is no difference between them and the jihadists.
19
The author is right that we have become too complacent about our liberties. The strength and vitriol of people like Swanson is growing, and the patriarchal thrust of Christian fundamentalism is no different from that of most organized religions when permitted to run rampant over the laws of civilization and brotherhood. Too many men, too long used to being in charge of everything, feel threatened - by women, by varying sexual orientations, by the Other - that this is one way they seek to express those fears. Organized religion, and sociopaths like Swanson, give them a framework, rhetoric and justification for taking control once again.
The Promise Keepers want to control their daughters' virginity; evangelical missionaries in Africa are teaching the extermination of gays; and if you can watch Swanson without throwing up, you will hear the ravings of a very dangerous man. The people you don't see are his audience, whose cheers the dregs of our GOP candidates are fighting for and whose hatred is a vile contagion that we would be unwise to ignore.
Just as we call on moderate Muslims to denounce their murderous brothers, we should be calling on all true Christians to speak out against this perversion of their faith. I am neither Christian nor gay, but the little I have seen of Swanson and his ilk chills me to the bone.
The Promise Keepers want to control their daughters' virginity; evangelical missionaries in Africa are teaching the extermination of gays; and if you can watch Swanson without throwing up, you will hear the ravings of a very dangerous man. The people you don't see are his audience, whose cheers the dregs of our GOP candidates are fighting for and whose hatred is a vile contagion that we would be unwise to ignore.
Just as we call on moderate Muslims to denounce their murderous brothers, we should be calling on all true Christians to speak out against this perversion of their faith. I am neither Christian nor gay, but the little I have seen of Swanson and his ilk chills me to the bone.
30
"It would be foolish to underestimate their resolve." So true!! And never have I underestimated their resolve. All these Christians have one desire in common. And that is to get into heaven. That lure of heaven is no less strong as the Muslims lure into their heaven with virgins. Christians will kill for it too!. ALWAYS keep that in mind!
13
Make no mistake about it Ted Cruz and his ilk are fascists wrapped in religious clothing. Remarkable that he is a legitimate candidate for the Republican Party. Perhaps they allow us to reaffirm our basic values and unite in our obhorence of their barbaric beliefs. Our very own jihadists.
19
Make no mistake, this is the Christian Taliban. And Ted Cruz is their presidential candidate (but not their only politician).
These groups motivate Americans to murder gynecologists and attack women's health care clinics, assault and murder LGBT Americans, discriminate against anyone who isn't a Christian heterosexual, and motivate judges to remove children from same-sex parents.
Call them out for what they are. And stop them every step of the way. This is not religious freedom.
These groups motivate Americans to murder gynecologists and attack women's health care clinics, assault and murder LGBT Americans, discriminate against anyone who isn't a Christian heterosexual, and motivate judges to remove children from same-sex parents.
Call them out for what they are. And stop them every step of the way. This is not religious freedom.
30
Ted Cruz isn't running for president. Nothing that he proposes or espouses will ever again, legally, be part of our society. Cruz is publicizing these positions to exploit those people who are willing to pay poisonous demagogues.
The Republicans don't have character enough to repudiate Cruz and his likes.
The Republicans don't have character enough to repudiate Cruz and his likes.
19
It's true, people with these radical beliefs are everywhere, and they will try to consolidate power wherever and whenever they can. They should not be ignored and cannot be wished away. However, the pervasive influence of religion on American society is in slow, steady, and welcome decline. If it ever had a chance to control the federal government, that chance is gone and never returning. It's power to do damage at the State level is still pernicious and widely spread, but will succumb to the same inevitable decline. In 50 to 75 years, the war will be over and religion will be isolated, as it should be, to governing individual's lives, not the lives of society as a whole. The problem will be how to deal with its increased radicalism is it goes through it's death throws.
7
I remember another pastor called Jeremiah Wright and I do not recall that candidate Obama suffered too greatly from his relationship with Wright.
I wonder how Mati Weiderpass and Ian Reiser (2 Gay men who make their living in and from the LGBTQ community in NYC) feel now after hosting a very public event for Sen Cruz in their home in April of this year as reported in this newspaper. See below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/politics/at-new-york-reception-ted-...
Sen Cruz is quoted at that event as saying " ‘If one of my daughters was gay, I would love them just as much." Well, that may be true but based on his appearance at the event reported in this article, he would love her so much that he would have her put to death.
I wonder if that applies to Gay men who make donations to your political campaigns Senator? Or, if they donate the maximum allowed, is that sort of like buying an "indulgence" and they'll get a pass when you and 'Pastor' Swanson begin your extermination of Homosexuals?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/politics/at-new-york-reception-ted-...
Sen Cruz is quoted at that event as saying " ‘If one of my daughters was gay, I would love them just as much." Well, that may be true but based on his appearance at the event reported in this article, he would love her so much that he would have her put to death.
I wonder if that applies to Gay men who make donations to your political campaigns Senator? Or, if they donate the maximum allowed, is that sort of like buying an "indulgence" and they'll get a pass when you and 'Pastor' Swanson begin your extermination of Homosexuals?
27
I am not sure why Mr. Swanson's expressed views are not explicitly labeled as hate speech. When calling for the death of a group of individuals, gays in this instance, isn't he giving permission to his followers to act in hateful and violent ways against such groups? Can we not be clearer in labeling this man's expressed views as mirroring those of Hitler whose desire to put to death all Jews, homosexuals, gypsies was put into action? Hitler rallied support for these hateful ideas and look what happened. . . . . Why do these conservative Republican politicians, ones who hope to hold the highest office in our country, get away with supporting this"pastor's" hateful ideas?
33
There is a reason so many people have given up on organized religion.
Organized religion, as opposed to spirituality and a belief in God, ethics and morality, are two very different things.
Organized religion is often a form of identity politics, fought to the death and absent morality and ethics.
ISIS and violent Radical Islam commit the most heinous atrocities supposedly in fealty to God.
It is easy for Westerners to see the madness of that, but Radical Islam and Radical Christianity are often two sides of the same coin.
Christian religious zealots also justify murder, torture, persecution, bigotry and hate in the name of God.
It is impossible to reasonably interpret the teachings of Jesus Christ as advocating murder or hate for anyone, much less for those living in a committed, monogamous relationship with another consenting adult.
When a crowd came upon Jesus intending to stone an adulteress to death, as per the old law of Moses, they asked Jesus what say you?
He said let the person without sin cast the first stone.
In response to the old Biblical law of an eye for an eye, Jesus said when struck by an enemy turn the other cheek.
In other words, endless cycles of vengeance only pile up the bodies of innocents.
Does that mean ISIS should not be stopped? No, they are dangerous killers.
But right-wing Christian zealots should see the comparison when they advocate murder, persecution and hate to please God.
It is just as mad as the views of Radical Islamists.
Organized religion, as opposed to spirituality and a belief in God, ethics and morality, are two very different things.
Organized religion is often a form of identity politics, fought to the death and absent morality and ethics.
ISIS and violent Radical Islam commit the most heinous atrocities supposedly in fealty to God.
It is easy for Westerners to see the madness of that, but Radical Islam and Radical Christianity are often two sides of the same coin.
Christian religious zealots also justify murder, torture, persecution, bigotry and hate in the name of God.
It is impossible to reasonably interpret the teachings of Jesus Christ as advocating murder or hate for anyone, much less for those living in a committed, monogamous relationship with another consenting adult.
When a crowd came upon Jesus intending to stone an adulteress to death, as per the old law of Moses, they asked Jesus what say you?
He said let the person without sin cast the first stone.
In response to the old Biblical law of an eye for an eye, Jesus said when struck by an enemy turn the other cheek.
In other words, endless cycles of vengeance only pile up the bodies of innocents.
Does that mean ISIS should not be stopped? No, they are dangerous killers.
But right-wing Christian zealots should see the comparison when they advocate murder, persecution and hate to please God.
It is just as mad as the views of Radical Islamists.
31
"wombat"???
From Wikipedia: Wombat
Animal
Wombats are short-legged, muscular quadrupedal marsupials native to Australia and are about 1 m in length, with small, stubby tails. All are members of the family Vombatidae. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Vombatidae
Mass: 44 – 77 lbs
Speed: 25 mph maximum (When threatened)
Why slam wombats by conflating them with religious bigots? Fecal matter would be closer to the the truth, not wombats.
From Wikipedia: Wombat
Animal
Wombats are short-legged, muscular quadrupedal marsupials native to Australia and are about 1 m in length, with small, stubby tails. All are members of the family Vombatidae. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Vombatidae
Mass: 44 – 77 lbs
Speed: 25 mph maximum (When threatened)
Why slam wombats by conflating them with religious bigots? Fecal matter would be closer to the the truth, not wombats.
26
In today's insult to the reputation of the Times, we are told that if some whack-o crazy person ever goes through Grand Central Station or the big arch in St. Louis, then no opposition politician can ever be seen there.
Meanwhile, no one writing in the Times is allowed to mention the totally bizarre stuff Mr. Obama's preacher in Chicago was saying in front of him for twenty years.
This is why nobody believes the liberal media any more - except the already-converted.
Meanwhile, no one writing in the Times is allowed to mention the totally bizarre stuff Mr. Obama's preacher in Chicago was saying in front of him for twenty years.
This is why nobody believes the liberal media any more - except the already-converted.
With the focus on religious freedom of late and the clear need to reform our criminal justice system, it is worth noting that whereas the US Supreme Court has recognized marihuana as a legitimate religious sacrament they ruled that the” health, welfare, and morals of society” outweigh that right to religious freedom. With 23 states now allowing medical marijuana and 4 states allowing its use outright, I believe this thinking to be outdated. All of which is not to mention the question of who’s morals?
The Court suggested that “It would be difficult to imagine the harm which would result if the criminal statutes against marihuana were nullified as to those who claim the right to possess and traffic in this drug for religious purposes. For all practical purposes the anti-marihuana laws would be meaningless, and enforcement impossible.” I find it difficult to imagine they can turn a blind eye to the societal damage being caused my Marijuana prohibition.
Herb can heal this nation in ways that guns can never. “God seeks that which has been driven away”.
A well opened mind being necessary to the exercise of a free religion, the right of the people to keep and bear bongs, shall not be infringed.
The Court suggested that “It would be difficult to imagine the harm which would result if the criminal statutes against marihuana were nullified as to those who claim the right to possess and traffic in this drug for religious purposes. For all practical purposes the anti-marihuana laws would be meaningless, and enforcement impossible.” I find it difficult to imagine they can turn a blind eye to the societal damage being caused my Marijuana prohibition.
Herb can heal this nation in ways that guns can never. “God seeks that which has been driven away”.
A well opened mind being necessary to the exercise of a free religion, the right of the people to keep and bear bongs, shall not be infringed.
4
1) I have tried to teach my to children that to have Freedom of Religion, a people must have Freedom From Religion.
2) Being a lifelong skeptic of religion, "miracles", "chosen people" and charlatans proclaiming to know what a God would actually want or not want, I smile as I think of the field day that Christopher Hitches could have with this latest crop of fraudsters were he alive.
2) Being a lifelong skeptic of religion, "miracles", "chosen people" and charlatans proclaiming to know what a God would actually want or not want, I smile as I think of the field day that Christopher Hitches could have with this latest crop of fraudsters were he alive.
19
as others have commented Swanson ideas sound so like ISIS/ISIL tactics...execute all who don't conform...I trust no one would seriously consider voting for any candidate who added credence to this by attending that conference...
24
It is shameful that this story has been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
If pastor Swanson had called for the punishment of death for blacks or Jews, it would have been front page news everywhere. It is a disgrace that the event was attended by three Republican presidential candidates. "The leaders of this movement are breathtakingly radical. Like Mr. Swanson, they feel persecuted and encircled in a hostile world. Like him, they believe that America will find peace only where all submit to the one true religion." Sounds familiar. This group thinks like the radical jihadists of ISIS and al-Qaeda.
If pastor Swanson had called for the punishment of death for blacks or Jews, it would have been front page news everywhere. It is a disgrace that the event was attended by three Republican presidential candidates. "The leaders of this movement are breathtakingly radical. Like Mr. Swanson, they feel persecuted and encircled in a hostile world. Like him, they believe that America will find peace only where all submit to the one true religion." Sounds familiar. This group thinks like the radical jihadists of ISIS and al-Qaeda.
31
WOW! Watching this whirling dervish Swanson on stage calling out the Satanic homosexuals in our country was terrifying.
I really thought he was going to fall to the floor and start speaking in tongues. Actually it looked like most Pentecostal services here in the South.
And to think that the GOP wanted to brand Obama because of a few things that Reverend Wright said! We understood that Obama had NOTHING to do with what Wright said...and Obama stopped going to that church.
Cruz and his fellow travelers shared the stage wth this evil man and continued the hatred. These are Christians? Like the Westboro Baptist Church? And they have tax exempt status?
I really thought he was going to fall to the floor and start speaking in tongues. Actually it looked like most Pentecostal services here in the South.
And to think that the GOP wanted to brand Obama because of a few things that Reverend Wright said! We understood that Obama had NOTHING to do with what Wright said...and Obama stopped going to that church.
Cruz and his fellow travelers shared the stage wth this evil man and continued the hatred. These are Christians? Like the Westboro Baptist Church? And they have tax exempt status?
53
The movement toward the 'biblification' of our legislative and judicial processes across the nation scares me. Using tactics similar to those used by Wheeler (the original Wheeler-dealer) to bring about the seemingly impossible--a constitutional amendment banning the production consumption of alcoholic beverages known as prohibition--the Christian right has gained a lot of ground, virtually unopposed.
I wonder why? Is it because, like me, most people aren't gay or females that are directly effected by anti-gay/anti-abortion laws? Are our more level headed politicians afraid to alienate the Christian right? I think so. But I do have children and friends with children and some will be gay and some will get pregnant when they wish they hadn't. So what are we going to do? Execute the unrepentent gays and leave the women to mercy of the underground abortionist? Really? Sounds like a plan ISIS would eagerly endorse.
I wonder why? Is it because, like me, most people aren't gay or females that are directly effected by anti-gay/anti-abortion laws? Are our more level headed politicians afraid to alienate the Christian right? I think so. But I do have children and friends with children and some will be gay and some will get pregnant when they wish they hadn't. So what are we going to do? Execute the unrepentent gays and leave the women to mercy of the underground abortionist? Really? Sounds like a plan ISIS would eagerly endorse.
34
Religious 'leaders' in America are not "breathtakingly radical" or "severely conservative." They are reactionaries. Reactionaries are, by definition, reacting to liberal ideas, and they want to go back to a previous system. Religious leaders who want to go back to a time when laws could be used to force Americans to observe Christian practices is reactionary; they are reacting to liberal ideas, and they want to return to a previous system.
Liberals and conservatives sit just to the left and right of America's political center. Radicals are the far left. They want to force change. Religious leaders in America today are the far right; want to force a return to a previous system.
Words are important. Religious leaders love to be called radical. It sounds as if they are doing something good. They are not. Their actions tear at the heart of our Constitution's separation of church and state. Do not use Fox News' terminology. Religious leaders are not radicals, they are reactionaries.
Liberals and conservatives sit just to the left and right of America's political center. Radicals are the far left. They want to force change. Religious leaders in America today are the far right; want to force a return to a previous system.
Words are important. Religious leaders love to be called radical. It sounds as if they are doing something good. They are not. Their actions tear at the heart of our Constitution's separation of church and state. Do not use Fox News' terminology. Religious leaders are not radicals, they are reactionaries.
18
Mr. Cruz as Mullah of the GOP caliphate?
40
Forget about politicians and Supreme Court justices embracing this repellent, backwards view of gay people. When are we going to ask the Churches themselves to stop the campaign against what has clearly become mainstream American values? Growing up in a Southern Baptist church showed me that even within one of the most restrictive denominations in the U.S., it is possible to evolve and deviate from dogma. Time has moved its great wheel. The Church had better catch up with the 21st Century before we're into the next one..
15
Mainstream Christian churches should be sending missionaries to convert people from this Christian Wahhabism to a Christianity that bears the same relation to these guys as the silent majority of Muslims do to their suicide bombers. Both the moderate silent Muslim majority and mainstream Christianity have been shirking their responsibility. Christians and Muslims are both responsible for defending their holy scriptures and their religion from abusers who pervert the faith. If they fail to accept and act on their responsibility, the state will either step in and suppress these faiths or allow them to flourish unchecked and suppress the moderate mainstream faithful, both of which are unsatisfactory. If the state is not going to suppress religious fanatics using its tools, they must be opposed by non-fanatical religious people and organizations using their tools, which are basically missionary efforts.
16
The idea that Cruz, Jindal and Huckabee have the right to force their god on me makes them no better than the individuals responsible for blowing up Paris. They are all evil.
72
Except that the people blowing up Paris probably actually believe in what they say. I think Cruz for certain and probably Jindal are just cynically look for votes, which makes them even more reprehensible.
3
The author should have included how many millions of dollars flow into these anti-gay political groups.
43
Mike Huckabee "pleaded ignorance"... wow that must have been a stretch, huh!
63
But for a few exceptions, every sect of every religion claims to be "the one" and all others are bound for damnation regardless of their good works and unfailing faith. I believe in God, accept Christ, been baptized. I do not, however, trust religion. Those who use religiosity to promote themselves in any arena, whether it be politics, education, business, entertainment, et al, are a dangerous lot in my book, not to be trusted.
31
America's survived slavery, Mormonism and the Sixties. It'll survive Cruz, who will likely go down in history somewhere in the zone of Father Coughlin and Senator McCarthy.
29
I sincerely hope that you are right.
6
"When they hail religious liberty, they do not mean the right to pray and worship with other believers. Instead, the phrase has become a catchall for tactical goals of seeking exemptions from the law on religious grounds."
No. What these people mean by religious liberty is genocide. It is outrageous that the mainstream media report so little on these purveyors of hate and their fellow travelers, who include Republican presidential candidates.
No. What these people mean by religious liberty is genocide. It is outrageous that the mainstream media report so little on these purveyors of hate and their fellow travelers, who include Republican presidential candidates.
31
Homophobic spite, misanthropy and ill will toward others are among "God's greatest gifts" to the religiously deranged and politically opportunistic.
Let us pray...for divine right-wing hate, apparently.
Let us pray...for divine right-wing hate, apparently.
20
The religious apologists will tell us that religion is necessary to provide society with its necessary moral underpinnings. However, one need only look to the headlines of the past week to see that religion's impact on society is more deleterious than beneficial. First, the Mormon church says god does not accept the children of married same sex couples into church; "Spotlight" a soon to be released movie about the sexual abuse and the cover up of the same by the Catholic church; a study that indicates that children raised in religious households are less emphatic and more judgmental than their nonreligious peers; and finally the horrific events in Paris carried out at the behest and approval of god. Now we have Cruz, Jindal and Huckabee seeking the blessing of the Christian right whose ultimate aim is to give us a Chrisitian caliphate. It is so ironical that these three candidates are the first to wrap themselves in the Constitution, all the while they are subverting the idea of religious freedom, by explicitly supporting those who would impose their beliefs on all of the rest of us. To borrow one of their tenets, by their fruit ye shall know them. We know them, we should do all in our power to ensure that they never achieve their goals.
19
While this article focuses on Swanson's horrific call for the execution of gay people (after sufficient time for repentance and conversion as if that gets him off the hate-speech hook), I find a much broader enemy of America in the likes of Swanson and those who would support his views such as Cruz, Huckabee et al. As a Jew, how long would it be before Swanson's America would demand that I repent and convert -- or die? Not just for me do I fear these people, but for all non-Christians, and for the "wrong kind" of Christians, and for attheists. and finally, for anyone who would get in the way of the power they these people seek to gain.
34
The sad truth about why this is not a national story comes down to the race and religion of the key actors. Almost nothing that White people do, no matter how extreme or anti-American it may be, is considered national news. It never has been. White Americans have this uncanny ability for self-absolution.
White America lost its collective mind when highly edited videos of Rev Wright preached about this very same situation - intolerance, racism, and discrimination. His now infamous "God Damn America" sermon was an indictment of America's sins. White America for the most part, continues to deny its sins, while continuing to commit them.
Think about it. These pastors wield enormous political power not just here, but in Christian Africa. These pastors were responsible for Uganda passing legislation to make homosexuality a crime punishable by death.
Their agenda is not secret. They publicly proclaim Seven Mountains Dominionism. But, they are White, so they are not a real threat. Sigh...
White America lost its collective mind when highly edited videos of Rev Wright preached about this very same situation - intolerance, racism, and discrimination. His now infamous "God Damn America" sermon was an indictment of America's sins. White America for the most part, continues to deny its sins, while continuing to commit them.
Think about it. These pastors wield enormous political power not just here, but in Christian Africa. These pastors were responsible for Uganda passing legislation to make homosexuality a crime punishable by death.
Their agenda is not secret. They publicly proclaim Seven Mountains Dominionism. But, they are White, so they are not a real threat. Sigh...
17
Dark Ages occur when religion and political power form an unholy alliance. It happened to Rome and it happened again to the world of Islam a few hundred years later. I'm sure it has happened repeatedly in our long journey toward civility, flawed as that quality may be in primate relationships. Religion occupies questioning minds by giving them quaint problems to solve (How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?) and by forbidding, on pain of death, expulsion for the herd and/or eternal damnation, any dissent (Luther declared that the great enemy of faith is reason). The weakening of the smothering grasp of Christianity on western civilization produced the Renaissance.
Our species faces what seems to be an appalling future - a scientific reason for Apocalypse - and yet one of only two political parties in the U.S. is the servant of faith as opposed to reason.
We should listen to these messages from America's Id. We should all be afraid. The power of stupidity has time and again gained the upper hand and is likely to do so again.
Our species faces what seems to be an appalling future - a scientific reason for Apocalypse - and yet one of only two political parties in the U.S. is the servant of faith as opposed to reason.
We should listen to these messages from America's Id. We should all be afraid. The power of stupidity has time and again gained the upper hand and is likely to do so again.
18
Ted Cruz and his evangelical compatriates are some of the scariest people on this planet. They are not Christians.
29
Thank you for asking why the press has failed to follow up on this. Three major candidates for the presidency of the United States attended that conference where its organizer urged – Bible waving above his head – that homosexuals be put to death (albeit only after they fail to repent). None argued with him. Would the press refrain from asking a presidential candidate who had attended a conference endorsing lynching black people or gassing Jews or beheading Muslims if they repudiate the conference? Of course not. How was this not a question at the last Republican debate? How can it not be a the next?
52
Katherine Stewart ably reveals the dangers of Ted Cruz and his and his father's beliefs. Swanson is an Elmer Gantry gone mad. For these three Republicans to even walk into the room where this villainous pastor is at work is criminal and un-American. The Cruzs' belief in Reconstructionism and establishing a theocracy are treasonous. He may be worse than others in the clown car, but his support among radical extremist voters is strong. A Trump and a Carson don't quite have the vicious spleen of the Cruddy Cruzes. His appearances between now and the next Repugnant debate in December need careful attention.
27
OK I just watched the video and words fail me.
It's not surprising which three candidates attended the event. They are the evangelical right's anointed ones after all. What I'm waiting for is the response, perhaps condemnation, from the rest of the GOP.
Any of the rest of y'all care to take your candidates to task here? No?
It's not surprising which three candidates attended the event. They are the evangelical right's anointed ones after all. What I'm waiting for is the response, perhaps condemnation, from the rest of the GOP.
Any of the rest of y'all care to take your candidates to task here? No?
25
Great article. I didn't realize that Cruz's father was such a driver. Diversity is the key to success. when societies exclude minorities (e.g. Jews in Spain 1492) they tend to take a significant loss. When they create a welcoming climate for diversity they tend to be more successful, because a greater pool of talent can be tapped. It's time for the business side of the Republican party to move on over to Hillary instead of pandering to these folks.
14
It seems clear to me from forty years of discipleship to Jesus and deep immersion in our scripture that these folks and their advocacy of murderous hatred are precisely the opposite of His Person and His teaching. Their claim to speak for Him may be the result of their being coopted by the Enemy to undermine Him. We must pray that He may set them free to love and serve Him and His children.
5
"they believe that America will find peace only when all submit to the one true religion."
Does that sound like radical Islam? For Cruz, homosexuality is just another thing that he's against. Other than Mom, Apple Pie, and the American Flag, he isn't FOR anything - and I'm not sure about Apple Pie.
Does that sound like radical Islam? For Cruz, homosexuality is just another thing that he's against. Other than Mom, Apple Pie, and the American Flag, he isn't FOR anything - and I'm not sure about Apple Pie.
44
The answer to the question what happened to the Republican Party immune system? One word: gerrymandering. We need help from the only nonpolitical branch, but the court has been effected by extremes on the right too. Don't vote for any presidential candidate who would further corrupt our last chance at salvation, other than a constitutional amendment requiring court commission-based redistricting that requires compact and contiguous districts.
24
Collecting his thoughts just before the Constitutional Convention in 1787, James Madison asked himself whether religion could prevent unjust laws. Clearly, it could not do so "on men individually considered." But he worried more about religion being "kindled into enthusiasm" and even "its coolest state it become a motive to oppression." He knew what he was doing and why when he wrote the First Amendment. The people with whom Senator Cruz associates have more in common with ISIS than with the Founders of this Republic.
17
Actually, Ed, as a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen, AND A FEMALE, I would have preferred that he would have given ME Constitutional inclusion before protecting any organization or Institution, including the institution of slavery. No, I will not go so far as to say that he would have been a defender of ISIS or putting gays to death, but I also don't agree that "he knew what he was doing". I don't read minds so I have no idea what he was thinking.... but he sure wasn't thinking of half of the human population of this country. In that he reflects the views of Cruz, Jindel and Huckabee... and Swanson.
3
We need to end the war on atheism. We need to recognize that religious beliefs have no special exalted status: they are human beliefs like any others. Those who believe have every right to do so. But not to claim that they have unique access to the truth that others must not debate or dispute. And not to amass wealth via tax exemptions that the Koch brothers envy. No. They should have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else.
14
Anyone who professes "the one true religion" is a danger to society, and the danger is proportional to the intensity of the belief. It should be obvious that monotheism is one of the most pernicious ideas ever invented.
21
hate to tell you this, but all religions fancy themselves th true one
only 1 of them can be right
or none of them
im going w th latter
only 1 of them can be right
or none of them
im going w th latter
13
Where are the moderate Christians speaking out against the intolerance, bigotry and hatred that spew forth so from so many Evanglical Churches? We demand it of Muslims. Why not Christians? Why are Chrisitans silent in the face of the extremism perpetrated by Evangelicals?
513
Evangelicals are not murdering anyone in the name of God.
"Men create God in their own image."
Those seven words more than adequately explain Keven Swanson.
Those seven words more than adequately explain Keven Swanson.
26
Why don't the Democrats call this for what it is? Hate speech and forcing "religion" down the throats of everyone else. How can we not stand strongly against such hideous nonsense if the press barely makes a peep? The headlines across the NYTimes should be screaming for action against these fanatics, but, as in the Middle East, those that should be speaking out against radicals who call themselves Muslims, those here who are Christians but not radical seem to say and do nothing at all. I'm not a believer, leaving each person to find their own higher power, but I do not accept that any religion has "the answer" and should be crammed down the throats of citizens. How dare the GOP candidates align themselves with these people and where is the justifiable outrage of the rest of the Republican party? Where?????
25
Finally! I watched some of this pastor's opening remarks on the web last week, days before the last GOP 'debate' thanks to a link sent by a friend. I was aghast, listening and watching this gesticulating tirade of spittle-filled hate, openly advocated in front of cameras no less, imagining that even for more 'normal' evangelical Tea Party-ers--especially those running for President--would be in the wings and turn on their heels, saying "No, I can't be associated with this". Even further, I thought "this is what the Christian Taliban looks and sounds like. The one they claim doesn't exist". See it to believe it.
But no. Huckabee, Cruz, and Jindal; all dutifully got up on stage with this maniac, gave a speech, and engaged in banter with Mr. Swanson. I didn't have a reason to ever consider voting for any of these guys, but more to the point, in the days (and debate) that followed, I wouldn't have expected that the GOP would allow an association with anyone explicitly or implicitly endorsing the likes of Mr. Swanson. This is no longer religion. This was sheer, self-righteous, murderous, rage, dressed up in a few bits of biblical verse. And 3 presidential aspirants of a major political party attended and spoke there. Not a word at the subsequent GOP debate about it, and not a word--until now--in the mainstream media. Huckabee, Cruz, and Jindal should be instantly disqualified as viable candidates, and the GOP needs to understand who its beginning to dance with for votes.
But no. Huckabee, Cruz, and Jindal; all dutifully got up on stage with this maniac, gave a speech, and engaged in banter with Mr. Swanson. I didn't have a reason to ever consider voting for any of these guys, but more to the point, in the days (and debate) that followed, I wouldn't have expected that the GOP would allow an association with anyone explicitly or implicitly endorsing the likes of Mr. Swanson. This is no longer religion. This was sheer, self-righteous, murderous, rage, dressed up in a few bits of biblical verse. And 3 presidential aspirants of a major political party attended and spoke there. Not a word at the subsequent GOP debate about it, and not a word--until now--in the mainstream media. Huckabee, Cruz, and Jindal should be instantly disqualified as viable candidates, and the GOP needs to understand who its beginning to dance with for votes.
337
Freedom allows all to believe (or not believe) as they wish. Just keep religion out of politics, government policy and law - we'll all be better off.
5
Huckabee claimed ignorance? That's the best he can do?
11
Ya gotta use what ya got...
12
The editorial says: "True, few share Mr. Swanson’s taste for genocidal fantasy. " I wonder, I bet MANY share his views, but are not stupid enough to share them out loud!. Most people could lose their job if they spouted this kind of thing in public.
10
At the next Republican debate, I would like to see Ted Cruz asked to explain his relationship with a leader who's called for genocide. How's that for a gotcha question?
I think that's a fair question, don't you RNC?
I think that's a fair question, don't you RNC?
29
Absolutely, it is fair.
7
The audacity of Ted Cruz! That he does not even put on a cloak of neutrality speaks volumes. The fact he is seeking the Republican Candidacy makes him really dangerous. We should be horrified and terrified and should give us a long pause. It's a long shot, but were he to become President, that would be the end of our cherished Democracy. The Right of Personal Freedom and Separation of Church and State afforded us by our Constitution would go right out of the window. Thank God, Ted Cruz did not hide behind a mask of tolerance!
7
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." (attributed to Sinclair Lewis)
Here we have Kevin Swanson's firm and stated agenda that would attempt to just that. That is disconcerting enough, but hopefully he is among a minority of religious extremists who would gain little traction on a national level.
But for the GOP's Presidential hopefuls to court such religious leaders is much more troubling. Even considering that the GOP primaries are traditionally the circus of the extremes and pandering by the candidates is not only expected, but required.
It seems the bar for conservative political quality is sinking to a new low.
Not that it had very far to go.
Here we have Kevin Swanson's firm and stated agenda that would attempt to just that. That is disconcerting enough, but hopefully he is among a minority of religious extremists who would gain little traction on a national level.
But for the GOP's Presidential hopefuls to court such religious leaders is much more troubling. Even considering that the GOP primaries are traditionally the circus of the extremes and pandering by the candidates is not only expected, but required.
It seems the bar for conservative political quality is sinking to a new low.
Not that it had very far to go.
20
“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” It’s a “quotation” that’s been going around the Internet lately, In one Facebook variation it was accompanied by a photo of a Sarah Palin lookalike wrapped in an American flag and holding a cross.
The “quotation” was attributed to Sinclair Lewis. In fact, it’s a misquotation of journalist Harrison Salisbury’s 1971 comment: "Sinclair Lewis aptly predicted in It Can't Happen Here that if fascism came to America it would come wrapped in the flag and whistling 'The Star Spangled Banner.'"
The “quotation” was attributed to Sinclair Lewis. In fact, it’s a misquotation of journalist Harrison Salisbury’s 1971 comment: "Sinclair Lewis aptly predicted in It Can't Happen Here that if fascism came to America it would come wrapped in the flag and whistling 'The Star Spangled Banner.'"
3
A church that decides to participate in politics should be taxed as the business they are.
25
I heard part of the main speech from that event on the Rachel Maddow show.
Any candidate who did not walk out or rebuke the speaker should be shunned. If they disagree with the speaker, they should have spoken up when given the stage; it they agree, then they are more to be feared than any other religious extremists.
Any candidate who did not walk out or rebuke the speaker should be shunned. If they disagree with the speaker, they should have spoken up when given the stage; it they agree, then they are more to be feared than any other religious extremists.
189
Truth of the matter is that they don't have the you-know-whats to stand up to that blather. People like Ted Cruz and Huckabee will continue to suck up to this sort of thing to hopefully gain some votes. It is sickening.
4
you never lose appealing to fear, ignorance and loathing
th success of religion is proof of that
th success of religion is proof of that
10
Appearances by candidates at these gatherings ought to be "A kiss of death" to their political careers. If they want to engage in religious wars, they ought to take their case to the Middle-East which has been been engaged for fourteen hundred years in religious and cultural wars...without any end in sight.
6
The National Religious Liberties Conference is advocating murder. They condone hate crimes and violence. They are therefore criminals, not a religious conference. Senator Cruz, Gov Jindal and Gov Huckabee should not be in government if they advocate criminal behavior. They all need to hold an open press conference and explain their affiliations with this organization and its criminal assertions.
14
As an atheist, while I do not normally agree with right-wingers, I do agree with the idea of calling the terrorists radical Islamists, as they DO base their ideas on a radical interpretation of Islam.
But at the same time, we need to call our 'local' terrorists what they are, radical Christianists. And we need to call out people like Cruz, Huckabee, Carson, et al, for supporting US-based terrorists.
Of course, this will never happen, because no matter how much it is claimed that we are a secular society, Christianity still rules the roost and insinuates itself into virtually every facet of American society.
While we certainly need to worry about the threats from without, we are long overdue in taking care of the threats from within. And the vast majority of those threats come from radical Christianists, not radical Islamists.
But at the same time, we need to call our 'local' terrorists what they are, radical Christianists. And we need to call out people like Cruz, Huckabee, Carson, et al, for supporting US-based terrorists.
Of course, this will never happen, because no matter how much it is claimed that we are a secular society, Christianity still rules the roost and insinuates itself into virtually every facet of American society.
While we certainly need to worry about the threats from without, we are long overdue in taking care of the threats from within. And the vast majority of those threats come from radical Christianists, not radical Islamists.
14
I'm sick of people allowing this type of behavior because everyone is entitled to their own religious views. It should simply not be acceptable to wish to kill people based on a specific and genetic trait. Have we learned nothing from history?
11
Great column. We need to see more of this. The cruel irony here is that dangerous zealots like Ted Cruz claim to be upholders of freedom when their real agenda is exactly the opposite, as the writer points out. This is exactly why our genius founding father Thomas Jefferson fought so hard for the separation of church and state and religious freedom - he even had it written on his tombstone. Ted Cruz is clearly the most dangerous politician in America today.
16
At last an op-ed about that matter in the NY time ! I watched the heinous rant from that so called pastor thanks to the Rachel maddow show few days ago
abosllutely gobsmacked. Huckabee Jindal and Cruz should be automatically disqualified as possible candidates to the presidency. Not one of them condemned a speech from a clearly demented individual calling for capital punishment towards gay women and men pushing the cruelty to suggest stoning them or pushing them from a cliff. Using extracts from the scriptures to give his proposal a biblical alibi is actually similar to islamic fundamentalists. Kevin Swanson should be held accountable in court for purposely spreading a hate crimes rhetoric publicly.
abosllutely gobsmacked. Huckabee Jindal and Cruz should be automatically disqualified as possible candidates to the presidency. Not one of them condemned a speech from a clearly demented individual calling for capital punishment towards gay women and men pushing the cruelty to suggest stoning them or pushing them from a cliff. Using extracts from the scriptures to give his proposal a biblical alibi is actually similar to islamic fundamentalists. Kevin Swanson should be held accountable in court for purposely spreading a hate crimes rhetoric publicly.
16
What all that talk about "Religious Liberty" really means.
5
Thank you for this insightful piece. Other than this article and Rachel Maddow's reporting, this story is not getting enough play. Republican candidates are not conservatives. They are right wing extremists. Sedition is not too strong a word. Let's hope this shines a light on their true motives.
13
I'm a gay man. In 40 years of actively following and participating in the politic process I have never seen the level of insane venom spewed by this nut. For Cruz, Huckabee, and Jindal to walk on the same stage moments after this "pastor" called for the extermination of all gay people is beyond a political story. It's a story of humanity. I always cringe when Hitler's name is invoiked in the political process. But as the entire mainstream media sits idly by with zero outrage it is definitely appropriate here. Where is the outrage? Where is the coverage of this insanity? This man and his political cronies in the GOP need to be condemned and then run out of the political arena permanently.
19
Complacent? Maybe. But also I'd offer 'powerless' over influences that, for political survival, are embraced and advanced by state and federal office holders and office seekers. I don't put myself in the category of 'most' Americans who purportedly support homosexual marriage, and I think there's a large group of Americans who believe there was a different and better way to get the job done without changing the paradigm and definition of traditional marriage. We don't get involved because we have other things to do with our time - like work, raise families, and help our local communities become better. We endure what happens on the political front because we aren't interested anymore in politicians who use a lot of words without saying much.
1
Two books on the subject;
It Can't Happen Here', Sinclair Lewis
A Handmaiden's Tale; Margaret Attwood
"It would be foolish to underestimate their resolve."
It Can't Happen Here', Sinclair Lewis
A Handmaiden's Tale; Margaret Attwood
"It would be foolish to underestimate their resolve."
7
Why hasn't even one moderator asked any of these candidates about their support for extreme religious leaders and groups? This is a real issue and should be addressed at the widely watched debates. It certainly could hurt Cruz's chances and maybe help some of the less extreme candidates like Bush and Kasich.
6
I saw this item several days ago on Rachel Maddow's show, and I could not believe it was not picked up immediately, heavily, and nationally by the mainstream media.
She showed clips of Swanson speaking. He appeared in all respects to be a raving lunatic, in desperate need of compassionate commitment in a locked facility providing care for the deranged. It was pitiable; why won't his family intervene and care for him?
However, for Republicans to have gone on and on about Ayers and Alinsky and yet to ignore Cruz's, Huckabee's, and Jindal's connection to this true deviant, is reprehensible (no matter how predictable it is, also).
She showed clips of Swanson speaking. He appeared in all respects to be a raving lunatic, in desperate need of compassionate commitment in a locked facility providing care for the deranged. It was pitiable; why won't his family intervene and care for him?
However, for Republicans to have gone on and on about Ayers and Alinsky and yet to ignore Cruz's, Huckabee's, and Jindal's connection to this true deviant, is reprehensible (no matter how predictable it is, also).
20
As a person who believes in a God who does not speak directly to me as others would like you to think He does to them. I question if what appears to be more and more persons joining the ranks of the homosexual community is not actually God's plan for reducing the over population of humans.
If these person are Christians and who believe in the Bible why don't they talk about divorce, sex outside marriage and other "sins" not just mentioned but which appear over and over as things Christians should not do?
If these person are Christians and who believe in the Bible why don't they talk about divorce, sex outside marriage and other "sins" not just mentioned but which appear over and over as things Christians should not do?
3
Thank you for exposing the seamy underbelly of Cruz and his campaign. This guy no more belongs in the White House than Huckabee or Jindal, but they present with a smarmy, sort of "pro-family" approach to their audiences when, in fact, they are purveyors of the worst kind of hate speech our country has to offer right now to our very own citizens. I totally agree it is foolish to ignore them or underestimate them, as doing so may elect one of them. No, we need Ms Stewart and others to continue to expose the basic bigotry at work amidst all the name calling and fear mongering that accompanies their political rhertoric. President Cruz? Never!
12
Criminal charges? Coercion statute at least?
1
There's nothing like an extremist to remind people of the things they hate about others: abortion, lesbians, gays, transsexuals, bisexuals, Muslims, Jews, Christians, infidels in general, African Americans, you name it. All it takes is one of them getting into political office or getting recognized by a politician to start the trouble rolling. What Americans, and humans in general need to understand is that we're all prejudiced but many of us can put aside our prejudices to deal with the person(s) in front of us. It's when we decide before meeting the person that he or she is less than human that the trouble begins. All Muslims are not terrorists. All Jews are not rich. You can't tell if a person is gay or straight just by looking at them. What you can tell by looking at a person is that he or she is a human being.
6
Fortunately Bobby Jindal, Mike Huckabee, and Ted Cruz have almost no chance of becoming the Republican candidate. Unfortunately the remaining contenders are virtually silent on the issue.
Where there should be universal condemnation there is silence, and yet at the presidential debates we see commentators asking the tuff questions like...tell us your views on fantasy football.
The really terrifying thing is that if one of these men were to become their party's candidate, they would still receive the full support of millions of Americans, simply because there is a R after their name.
I have several family members and friends who often explain to me that they are not really that conservative on social issues, yet when the curtain is drawn...which lever will they pull?
Sad.
Where there should be universal condemnation there is silence, and yet at the presidential debates we see commentators asking the tuff questions like...tell us your views on fantasy football.
The really terrifying thing is that if one of these men were to become their party's candidate, they would still receive the full support of millions of Americans, simply because there is a R after their name.
I have several family members and friends who often explain to me that they are not really that conservative on social issues, yet when the curtain is drawn...which lever will they pull?
Sad.
7
This "rounding up" of undesirable people is becoming a theme among Republicans, along with "Take Back America."
Notwithstanding history's big time frown on such activities, we have Trump proposing a federally commissioned posse to herd 10 million head of aliens in every state up to and then over the border wall he and Mexico will build. (And if a few dogies sneak back, hurl them farther south.) We have fresh voices calling for a mass roundup of American Muslims. And, of course, as Mormons kick infants seeking baptism out of their temples, we contend with ultimate roundup: homosexuals branded and marked for extermination.
The take back America theme is getting ominous. They might just be taking it back from your own kith and kin.
Notwithstanding history's big time frown on such activities, we have Trump proposing a federally commissioned posse to herd 10 million head of aliens in every state up to and then over the border wall he and Mexico will build. (And if a few dogies sneak back, hurl them farther south.) We have fresh voices calling for a mass roundup of American Muslims. And, of course, as Mormons kick infants seeking baptism out of their temples, we contend with ultimate roundup: homosexuals branded and marked for extermination.
The take back America theme is getting ominous. They might just be taking it back from your own kith and kin.
10
Hatred for its own sake is hard to hide. Likewise bigotry. So those who insist on their freedom to hate appeal to Higher Authority. Hate the Devil and his pawns. Hate those who war on Christmas. Hate those who are different. Hate the Western devils and their Great Satan. God demands your hate. Allahu Akbar.
Hate the Muslim terrorists. Hate the Hindu oppressors. Hate the non-believers. Hate the apostates. Hate the Crusaders, the Imperialists, the Commies, the right-wing wackos, and, of course, hate the Jews. So the Hate Preachers have told us since they began to explain how God(s) control(s) every aspect of our suffering and demands our hate.
God must love hate. He made so bloody much of it.
Or do we see in our God(s) our own image?
Hate the Muslim terrorists. Hate the Hindu oppressors. Hate the non-believers. Hate the apostates. Hate the Crusaders, the Imperialists, the Commies, the right-wing wackos, and, of course, hate the Jews. So the Hate Preachers have told us since they began to explain how God(s) control(s) every aspect of our suffering and demands our hate.
God must love hate. He made so bloody much of it.
Or do we see in our God(s) our own image?
9
"God must love hate. He made so bloody much of it."
That's one of the best lines of the day!
That's one of the best lines of the day!
6
These people do not object to homosexuality on religious grounds. There are many many things the Bible condemns or advocates that have long been rationalized away. The objection to gay rights is because they just don't like gay people, and it is inexcusable form of bigotry.
4
I guess I would ask why reporters from the New York Times are not positing these same questions to Mr. Cruz, Jindal and Carson? It's fine to publish an article about these lunatic haters, but the New York Times has a lot of reporters who are, supposedly, reporting on this election.
Why are the Time's reporters not asking very tough questions of Mr. Cruz, for example, about why he is so eager to pal with a genocidal savage? Does he really support the slaughtering gay people en masse? I have yet to hear a NYTimes reporter ask any of these men a question like this. Ms Stewart asks why we are so complacent on the matter? Yes, New York Times reporters? Why?
Why are the Time's reporters not asking very tough questions of Mr. Cruz, for example, about why he is so eager to pal with a genocidal savage? Does he really support the slaughtering gay people en masse? I have yet to hear a NYTimes reporter ask any of these men a question like this. Ms Stewart asks why we are so complacent on the matter? Yes, New York Times reporters? Why?
15
With the film clip and this article, it's time for all Republican candidates and the Republican National Party to state exactly where they stand on this. Anything less and their silence states that they are utterly on board with Cruz, Jindel, Huckabee and this 'pastor's' hate speech.
8
I hadn't picked up a Bible in awhile but listening to some of these anti-gay right wing preachers screaming about the evils of modern society's and cultures I went back and read some of Paul's rants like his letter to the Romans where you can find similar attitudes of self-righteous intolerance. Personally I like the parts of the New Testament that used to be printed in red, the things purportedly said by Jesus like "Judge not that ye be not judged."
5
Since Mr. Obama sat in front of equally strange things said by his pastor in Chicago for twenty years, we might wonder if he didn't have exactly the same reaction as Peter.
Are these the new Nullifiers? One wonders what John C Calhoun would think.
1
Even Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has said that some Supreme Court decisions - like Roe vs Wade - went ''too far, too fast'' in changing how America deals with such societal changes as this gay marriage decision.
She has said that the decision should have been in the narrow case at hand, and of course ''Jane Roe'' has since agreed. These changes should come up through the states; even the Civil War amendments were in large part accepted by half the country before they were added to the Constitution.
She has said that the decision should have been in the narrow case at hand, and of course ''Jane Roe'' has since agreed. These changes should come up through the states; even the Civil War amendments were in large part accepted by half the country before they were added to the Constitution.
Steve, there are specific rules for how the Constitution can be amended. However, neither a Supreme Court ruling nor federal legislation is an amendment to the Constitution. Therefore, your reference to the post-Civil War amendments is irrelevant.
1
Mr. Swanson and those like him, along with the political figures that coddle him, are modern-day brownshirts, pure and simple. They may reside along a spectrum ranging from accommodationist to raging extremist, but they all want a totalitarian society. The fact that they cloak themselves in religious rhetoric is immaterial. ISIL does the very same thing. The only difference is that most of them have yet to take up arms. Some have, though, aiming them at clinics and doctors who perform abortions. We ignore or dismiss them at our peril.
22
Subconsciously, people like Swanson just want to be persecuted contrarians. They put their finger up to see which direction the wind of progress is blowing and march against it. They are obsessed with a narrative of crucifixion, persecution and social luddite-ism. They pick and choose which Bible verses they want to follow, etc.
5
(Excuse me a minute, gang, I have to warm up the Kevin Swanson Tabernacle Choir.)
Okay, ready? 1, 2...
We people of faith, persecuted for righteousness' sake, are the real victims. I thought liberals believed in tolerance and open-mindedness, but it seems only when it fits in with their pro-homosexual agenda. It's so unfair: make one offhand remark about putting homosexuals to death and it gets taken out of context and you get labeled a "bigot." We don't "hate" homosexuals; we love homosexuals. We'll just love them more when they no longer exist.
Okay, now that that's over with...
The fact that the Republican presidential candidates are claiming ignorance of this attitude from their key constituents bodes ill for their future as potential future leaders of the free world.
Okay, ready? 1, 2...
We people of faith, persecuted for righteousness' sake, are the real victims. I thought liberals believed in tolerance and open-mindedness, but it seems only when it fits in with their pro-homosexual agenda. It's so unfair: make one offhand remark about putting homosexuals to death and it gets taken out of context and you get labeled a "bigot." We don't "hate" homosexuals; we love homosexuals. We'll just love them more when they no longer exist.
Okay, now that that's over with...
The fact that the Republican presidential candidates are claiming ignorance of this attitude from their key constituents bodes ill for their future as potential future leaders of the free world.
18
We are witnessing the potential for faith-based violence, by evangelicals using the bully pulpit to sow intolerance and hate. And Cruz its avant- garde crusader, a charlatan and a hypocrite of the first order. Can anybody imagine this individual becoming president of the U.S.? It would be disastrous, an abomination of sorts. For now, Ted Cruz remains the most hated man among most of his own republicans, given his arrogant stance.
20
"The comfortable thing to do would be to dismiss Mr. Swanson as just another wombat from the embarrassing fringe of American politics. But that would be a mistake."
That would also be a grave injustice to wombats.
That would also be a grave injustice to wombats.
17
What we have to do is not allow this hateful talk in our lives. When some "wombat" says a crazy; we need to say no!!! That is not OK. One opinion made the point that many of us are not affected by this hate, because we have the resources to avoid it. I f these are true Christians(& they are not) they would be protecting the marginal and defenseless and the sick and needy. Shouldn't they be reading the bible that they say they are protecting?
7
I'm surprised in this otherwise excellent article that no mention was made of the involvement of the Mormon church in pushing far-right political agenda under the guise of religious freedom, and in promoting rabid resistance to what its leadership describe as the LBGT agenda. Internal to the church (as everyone now knows), the leadership has drafted a policy that promises to rid the church membership rolls of LBDT members complete - and their children. Externally the Mormon church proved a few years ago in California that it will appropriate millions of dollars to have discriminatory measures like Prop 8 enacted, and its leadership roles are populated 100% by right-wing Republicans. In watching the march of the evangelical far-right, everyone should keep their eyes on the Mormon church as a collaborator.
13
Religious liberty is one of those things we have to put up with because the known alternatives are worse. If only these proponents of religious liberty would do this for their children: give them the opportunity for liberty rather than indoctrination from birth into superstition and fantasy.
7
The author suggests that we might "dismiss Mr. Swanson as just another wombat... ." Let's not. Wombats are adorably pudgy marsupials who mean no harm. Mr. Swanson -- and anyone who has any truck with him -- are nematodes, the parasitic ones. Not at all, ever, adorable.
Sadly, this ugly crowd of worms calling for the destruction of anyone they perceive as threatening their religious liberty is no different from the monsters who slaughtered our brothers in Paris this weekend.
When will humanity finally shed itself of religion?
Sadly, this ugly crowd of worms calling for the destruction of anyone they perceive as threatening their religious liberty is no different from the monsters who slaughtered our brothers in Paris this weekend.
When will humanity finally shed itself of religion?
15
I find it intriguing that the needs being expressed by these demands for exemption for, and "safety" of, religious practice do not seem to be that different from the needs being expressed by minorities for safe environments. Both feel persecuted and marginalized by the larger society and yearn for somewhere that they do not have to deal with a threatening world.
The difference in the response is that the likes of Swanson demand that everyone must become just like them, while the minorities are asking to be treated just like everyone else.
The difference in reality is that the religious groups wailing the loudest are already coddled and privileged, but apparently that does not satisfy them. So they must manufacture crises like a "gay agenda" or a "war on Christmas" to give their followers' fears a cause against which they can wage a holy crusade.
So which response to a fearful world is more worthy of respect: "be me" or "accept me"?
The difference in the response is that the likes of Swanson demand that everyone must become just like them, while the minorities are asking to be treated just like everyone else.
The difference in reality is that the religious groups wailing the loudest are already coddled and privileged, but apparently that does not satisfy them. So they must manufacture crises like a "gay agenda" or a "war on Christmas" to give their followers' fears a cause against which they can wage a holy crusade.
So which response to a fearful world is more worthy of respect: "be me" or "accept me"?
6
I believe many of these radicals, Christian, Islamic, anti-gay/lesbian, anti-tax, anti-race, pro gun, etc, are so intolerant because deep down they know that their cause is fundamentally flawed and does not stand up to intellectual, reasoned scrutiny. As such it is doomed. When you deny factual evidence and science - things intelligent people have logically presented - you are grasping at straws. When support for your position depends on magic and people who claim to hear a god talking to them, deep inside, if you have a brain, you can't help but think there might be some other position worth looking into and, just maybe, you might be on the wrong track. Why do they persist in their nonsensical positions? Because by now they have too much invested emotionally or financially. There's money to be made in selling nonsense to the gullible public that wants to believe in nonsense - always has been and always will be.
4
I grew up in the home of a broad-minded, liberal clergyman who introduced me and my siblings to other religions and cultures throughout childhood. My dad understood "religious freedom" in the way our country's founders did. It is more than slightly disturbing that "religion" throughout the world has become so militant. The most divisive influence of our time is religion based. The Middle East is afire from Muslim sectarian wars and here in America ultra-conservative, deranged Christian fundamentalists are trying to "save" the rest of us from the non-existent threat of homosexuality. We are supposed to maintain a separation of church and state by law. It is probably way past time to repeal the tax exempt status of Mr. Swanson's church and those just like his.
16
Finally - way too late, but finally - the media is calling out the hatred, duplicity and un-American unconstitutional views of these "pastors" and their Right-Wing (mostly Republican) candidates. For more than two decades Tony Perkins (and others like him) have been trotted out by our TV networks and newspapers to spout their animus and ignorance - all in the name of "fairness" and "balance". If you are upset about our national politics being infected by these people you should see what is going on on the state and local levels.
There is a saying (often attributed to Sinclair Lewis) that was popular in the days before WWII - "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the American flag and carrying the cross." Too strong? Well check out what is being said at these revival meetings and in some our state legislatures. They are very busy trying to get the government to impose their sectarian religious beliefs on all.
In Hawaii certain churches are working hand in glove with right-wing politicians to make this a reality. Several years ago an international anti- gay Evangelical Group (Transformation International) held their world conference in Honolulu. The intent was to use the election of the Republican candidate for governor to have Hawaii declared "the first Christian State" in the USA. He lost - but not by a landslide. We should not dismiss these "Pastors" and their political allies as powerless wingnuts.
There is a saying (often attributed to Sinclair Lewis) that was popular in the days before WWII - "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the American flag and carrying the cross." Too strong? Well check out what is being said at these revival meetings and in some our state legislatures. They are very busy trying to get the government to impose their sectarian religious beliefs on all.
In Hawaii certain churches are working hand in glove with right-wing politicians to make this a reality. Several years ago an international anti- gay Evangelical Group (Transformation International) held their world conference in Honolulu. The intent was to use the election of the Republican candidate for governor to have Hawaii declared "the first Christian State" in the USA. He lost - but not by a landslide. We should not dismiss these "Pastors" and their political allies as powerless wingnuts.
6
Ms. Stewart claims that Kevin Swanson and his ilk are "breathtakingly radical." No, to advocate violence is a typical human response to fear. To love your enemy is radical.
6
I viewed videos of Kevin Swanson's opening rant. He appears to be seriously mentally ill. That Mr. Cruz feels the necessity to kow tow to people like this is beyond worrisome.
23
I’m sure a lot of Times readers have concluded that Pastor Kevin Swanson is a pretty nifty guy.
Religion, and not just extreme religion, has always been about defining community. When put that way, it sounds pretty innocuous -- one might conclude that people of similar beliefs have the right to congregate as a community so long as I don’t need to join them. But when the community seeks to define the boundaries of acceptable behavior for everyone because of requirements laid down by the deity, serious problems develop in most diverse societies. One doesn’t need to be as extreme and genocidal as the good pastor to cause such problems – and, actually, to one extent or another, one sees this desire to bend society to the beliefs of this or that community throughout society.
When presidential candidates court the exponents of such beliefs, and not just the Swansons of America, they’re usually courting sizable communities, which they must in order to be elected. A voter really needs to judge how much of the Kool-Aid has been swallowed by the candidate. After all, Ted Cruz and his Kevin Swanson, Barack Obama and his Jeremiah Wright. Few honestly believe that Mr. Obama embraces the wilder pronouncements of the Rev. Wright, any more than Ted Cruz buys Pastor Swanson’s repulsive solution to his problem with gays. Ted Cruz is not my favorite guy, but I don’t believe he favors killing gays. Yet Barack Obama needed to stitch together communities to be elected, just as Ted Cruz does.
Religion, and not just extreme religion, has always been about defining community. When put that way, it sounds pretty innocuous -- one might conclude that people of similar beliefs have the right to congregate as a community so long as I don’t need to join them. But when the community seeks to define the boundaries of acceptable behavior for everyone because of requirements laid down by the deity, serious problems develop in most diverse societies. One doesn’t need to be as extreme and genocidal as the good pastor to cause such problems – and, actually, to one extent or another, one sees this desire to bend society to the beliefs of this or that community throughout society.
When presidential candidates court the exponents of such beliefs, and not just the Swansons of America, they’re usually courting sizable communities, which they must in order to be elected. A voter really needs to judge how much of the Kool-Aid has been swallowed by the candidate. After all, Ted Cruz and his Kevin Swanson, Barack Obama and his Jeremiah Wright. Few honestly believe that Mr. Obama embraces the wilder pronouncements of the Rev. Wright, any more than Ted Cruz buys Pastor Swanson’s repulsive solution to his problem with gays. Ted Cruz is not my favorite guy, but I don’t believe he favors killing gays. Yet Barack Obama needed to stitch together communities to be elected, just as Ted Cruz does.
11
I'm calling false equivalency. Kevin Swanson and Jeremiah Wright? C'mon. Exactly how many votes did Wright deliver for President Obama?
10
Nice try at false equivalence. I see you have once again duped the Times into believing that you are a rational conservative voice.
Cursing America for it's long history of sins regarding race in one speech is not the same thing as calling for the killing of gays.
And Obama did try and distance himself fro Rev. Wright, even if it was only for political expediency.
I have yet to hear or see anything similar from Cruz and doubt I ever will.
Cursing America for it's long history of sins regarding race in one speech is not the same thing as calling for the killing of gays.
And Obama did try and distance himself fro Rev. Wright, even if it was only for political expediency.
I have yet to hear or see anything similar from Cruz and doubt I ever will.
10
Really? It's all just about stitching together communities? How naive. Just wait for the first murder of gays in the name of Kevin Swanson and his credo. And it's not a question of it will happen, but when. And when it happens, let's see how that "stitching together" is working for Ted Cruz. This is even worse than hate speech; it's incitement to murder. No political candidate should be seen on the same stage with Swanson, and all of them should denounce his criminal rants. Embracing is irrelevant; it's rightfully guilt by association.
6
I seem to remember the hullabaloo when Obama was a member of the reverend Wright's congregation. The horror of it!
So why not now?
So why not now?
4
It wasn't a "hullabaloo." It was a YouTube clip that became a Fox News talking point.
6
People should be a little less worried about the completely imaginary problem that Muslims are going to enact Sharia Law in this country and a bit more worried about the real problem of Christians using our elected politicians to force their beliefs on everyone, either through enacted law or the still-imaginary (but for how long?) notion of 'religious right to opt-out of laws'.
30
Although the evolution of religious bigotry described in this article is a uniquely homegrown, All-American phenomenon, it is part of a much larger and worldwide process. The Islamic terrorists responsible for the Paris, Beirut, Russian airline and other attacks are only the most obvious and vile parts of what is occurring. World leaders such as Netanyahu in Israel, Putin in Russia, Erdrogan in Turkey, and Modi in India all share the same reactionary, religiously fundamentalist playbook – and those people were elected to their positions. Remember the Balkan wars of the 1990s? There was an underlying theme of religious self-righteousness that, when fueled by toxic nationalism, allowed Eastern Orthodox Serbs, Roman Catholic Croats, and Muslim Bosniaks to enjoy butchering each other in the name of their god. We are only two or three generations removed from the ovens of World War II but something has definitely changed, and that something appears to be dragging the world back to the kinds of religious extremism and violence that many people thought we had left behind.
247
Religious extremists forever tying themselves in knots trying to be both the bully and the victim--at the same time. Poor souls denied their religious freedom because they can't persecute another group.
388
"They will know we are Christians by our love - by the doors we fling open, by the grand tables we set. Not by our exclusion, not by our fear"
By someone i follow on twitter
Jerry
By someone i follow on twitter
Jerry
6
"They will know we are Christians by our love.." is from an old hymn. One I imagine is not sung in conservative churches.
2
Our own jihadists. How telling is that?
Huckabee, Jindal and Cruz, oh my. There is no yellow brick road here. Courting radical religious groups speaks for itself and a peek at the rest of the world would indicate that there are many other deeply troubling issues to focus on as these "candidates" seek out votes.
Right now, today, there are a lot of people looking for something to follow and our politicians need to look elsewhere. If elected, they have a country to run. The courting of religious extremists speaks for itself.
Huckabee, Jindal and Cruz, oh my. There is no yellow brick road here. Courting radical religious groups speaks for itself and a peek at the rest of the world would indicate that there are many other deeply troubling issues to focus on as these "candidates" seek out votes.
Right now, today, there are a lot of people looking for something to follow and our politicians need to look elsewhere. If elected, they have a country to run. The courting of religious extremists speaks for itself.
9
Christianity is indeed under attack; however, the attackers are those political panderers who use Jesus's teachings and the Bible to prop up their hateful ideas and extreme agendas that seek to marginalize parts of our population, much like what was espoused in WWII Germany. The lead attackers on Christianity include Mr. Cruz, Mr. Huckabee and Mr. Jindal.
17
Ed, they are indeed using the Bible, but by and large they are not using the teachings of Jesus. Jesus preached love, not judging lest one be judged, separating Gods laws and the laws of man (Luke 20:25: , “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
I agree with your assessment of the real attackers of Christianity.
I agree with your assessment of the real attackers of Christianity.
1
One of the talking heads said the other day that the Republican party is the last sanctuary for bigots. If you have heard the hate speech of Swanson you will know that this is a correct assessment.
21
Let's not forget that Cardinal Timothy Dolan has dipped his feet into the religious liberty pool. Remember the Fortnight of Freedom in 2012?
7
This conceptual room is created by pandering politicians like Cruz whose ambition and mendacity have no limits. We need to include the Supreme Court which has created with its rulings, Hobby Lobby and Citizens United, a false set of 'rights' which satisfy Scalia and worlds worst Justice, Clarence Thomas. When one realizes that this thinking emerges from the lazy Justice whose bitterness at being treated well is unfathomable.
20
I just finished watching the panel on Morning Joe (my bad) rant about the Democratic candidates' refusal to say we are at war with radical Islam. I have to agree. Our politicians and mainstream media have always called out domestic terrorists and people like Kevin Swanson as Christian terrorists.
The KKK, which was a Protestant organization that used the Bible to justify their hatred for Catholics, Jews and African Americans and their violent tactics was always labeled a Christian terrorist group by the media and politicians. Ditto for the Dominionists, Reconstructionists and other extremist explicitly "Christian" groups that have used or planned to use violence against abortion clinics, doctors, planned parenthood, Muslims, gays, etc. in their attempt to overthrow our democracy and impose a "Christian" theocracy enforced by violence just as Jesus advocated. Oh wait............
The NY Times recently reported that our law enforcement organizations say that the greatest threat by far to us - and them - is domestic terrorists. And many of them justify their extremist ideology by citing "Christian" teachings yet the MSM refuses to make this clear, preferring instead to stoke fear of Islamists and pretend they are just being honest and objective all the while fanning the flames of hate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/opinion/the-other-terror-threat.html
The KKK, which was a Protestant organization that used the Bible to justify their hatred for Catholics, Jews and African Americans and their violent tactics was always labeled a Christian terrorist group by the media and politicians. Ditto for the Dominionists, Reconstructionists and other extremist explicitly "Christian" groups that have used or planned to use violence against abortion clinics, doctors, planned parenthood, Muslims, gays, etc. in their attempt to overthrow our democracy and impose a "Christian" theocracy enforced by violence just as Jesus advocated. Oh wait............
The NY Times recently reported that our law enforcement organizations say that the greatest threat by far to us - and them - is domestic terrorists. And many of them justify their extremist ideology by citing "Christian" teachings yet the MSM refuses to make this clear, preferring instead to stoke fear of Islamists and pretend they are just being honest and objective all the while fanning the flames of hate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/opinion/the-other-terror-threat.html
5
Hmm, calling for the extermination of millions of people, who have a hidden agenda, based on their "impurity"? Rings familiar, no?
30
Free speech is free speech and free association is free association. Seems to me the issue at hand here is whether this free speech and free association will impact how people vote. Let's hope the majority of Americans see through this vileness and send a message to these cretins. Swap Kevin Swanson for a black pastor (Jeremiah Wright, anyone?) and see the outrage, the absolute outrage from the right. Swanson is white, focusing on gays and zip, nada, zilch from the right. Guess we know where they all stand...let's hope the rest of America does too.
195
Liberty Counsel? Alliance Defending Freedom? How ironic, since their only agenda is eliminating freedom of religion.
9
...and Freedom From Religion!
8
Taliban tactics. Similarities abound in religious zealots of all faiths.
14
The Christian right is not so different from ISIS, the Taliban or similar 1st millennium theologies. Whether the Old Testament or the Koran, individuals who yearn for those good old days marinate in an image of their own neighborhood, state, country and world as a place where people are submissive to the priests and petty gods who get to make up the rules. Whether it is a requirement to cover your hair, or deny sexuality, to forbid or destroy art and music, to wrestle snakes or shun modernity, these citizens of the planet believe they can and must kill the humanity in humans to achieve a pie-in-the-sky promised land. They, all of them, demand a return to a time when men were in charge of everything and the punishment of any rule or infraction was fierce, swift and uncompromising. Once we’re all of us back under the thumb of the 4th or the 7th century all will be right with the world. As historians know, the ebb and flow of various armies over thousands of years, the conquering of whole regions and enemy states—whether Hapsburg Ottoman or Mongol-- and the establishment of their “one true religion” in the aftermath, illuminates how there is nothing new under the sun.
15
Domestic hate groups aiding and abetting the creation of domestic terrorism? These religious extremists are no different at all from ISIS except in power and ability. The ideology/pathology are identical
22
While religion can be an opiate, and badly used; "do onto others as you would have them would do unto you" remains a profound a profound piece of religious advice which we all could and should honor, Mr. Swanson should think a bit.
11
Sounds a lot more like Sharia law than religious liberty.
24
Thank you Ms. Stewart. I don't think we are complacent; we are mostly ignorant or poorly informed about this religious radicalism. If news media shined light on this threat to our democracy and our values (and yes, acknowledging the rights of gays is a human and family value!) then we would not only call out Republicans who pander to these religious radicals, but stand up to these bigots and call them out for radicalism.
It is disheartening to consider the hatred that these people hold in the name of their god and it is truly amazing how faith in a god of wrath licenses them to threaten and harm others. They are an insight into the dynamic and followers of ISIS.
It is disheartening to consider the hatred that these people hold in the name of their god and it is truly amazing how faith in a god of wrath licenses them to threaten and harm others. They are an insight into the dynamic and followers of ISIS.
13
What is there to choose between ISIS and our own homegrown "Christian" extremists? Nothing. But in a country where the Second Amendment is an established religion of its own, one should shudder at the prospects of any religious-based extreme repressions.
13
"The one true religion?" Golly, are we discussing the US or IS? Makes one stop and wonder.
13
Amazing to me is how many "one true religions" there are out there. Hard to choose among them!
5
Kevin Swanson is ISIS with a different target. By their presence, Huckabee, Jindal and Cruz provide support, and then Huckabee cowards-out by pleading ignorance. We can all agree that Huck is ignorant--broadly, widely, pathetically ignorant. Doesn't it make your heart ache just a few days after Paris?
14
morfuss5, the target is pretty much the same. Isis and other jihadist radicals have no use for homsexuality or homsexuals. They are just a bit more open than Swanson and his ilk (and Cruz and Huckabee) about who they hate and who they want to eliminate.
3
I'm going to give Christianity a pass on this one, not because there is anything inherently admirable about this religious sect, but because most in it are not the psychologically deformed monsters that Swanson and his deranged ilk represent. But I will note that religious extremism, as with all extremism, is one of the worst aspects of human existence. Christian or Muslim...it doesn't matter. There cannot be human and civil rights when evil in the name of religion and religious freedom exists.
Ted Cruz has no moral integrity. He's just another angry narcissist who predictably uses religion to justify his loathsome values.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
Ted Cruz has no moral integrity. He's just another angry narcissist who predictably uses religion to justify his loathsome values.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
6
I've never heard the phrase "angry narcissist", but boy does that hit the nail on the head. Hope it's not copyrighted!
Not hard to think back 70 or 80 years and name a few others who fit that description.
Not hard to think back 70 or 80 years and name a few others who fit that description.
4
What would Jesus say?
4
"What would Jesus say?"
To Swanson and others like him "Whoever is without sin, cast the first stone."
To everyone else "Is there no one left to condemn you? Neither do I"
To Swanson and others like him "Whoever is without sin, cast the first stone."
To everyone else "Is there no one left to condemn you? Neither do I"
5
The Republican Party has embraced religious extremism and is trying to break down Separation of Church and State. You don't need to look far from home to find this. In New Jersey, Representative Chris Smith said that LGBT rights are not human rights. Also in NJ- Rep Scott Garrett would not give money to the GOP arm that promotes candidates because they give also to Republican candidates who are gay. If you cannot Represent ALL of the People- then you shouldn't be in "our" government- let alone- run for President!
15
On social issues, seems to me that the people Cruz hangs out with have a lot in common with ISIS. Extreme religions of any kind are dangerous.
13
One true religion? Sounds like Daesh to me.
13
A t-shirt that "The Onion" used to sell says it all; "My vote cancels ya'll's vote".
And with the 2014 voting numbers showing voter participation at historical lows nation wide (36% of registered voters came out and voted), those 'nut case' votes are really important.
So, of course, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Jindal and Mr. Huckabee must appear at any function sponsored by well funded zealots just to garner any interest at all in their sputtering 'campaigns'.
Too bad one of their cohorts, The Donald, seems to have single handedly pushed the minority, female and LGBT vote squarely into the Democratic corner. It's possible all the 'dumb voters' those three candidates may collect will not be greater than the voters shunned by the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE.
Otherwise, it is rather nice to have all those nuts in one can.
And with the 2014 voting numbers showing voter participation at historical lows nation wide (36% of registered voters came out and voted), those 'nut case' votes are really important.
So, of course, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Jindal and Mr. Huckabee must appear at any function sponsored by well funded zealots just to garner any interest at all in their sputtering 'campaigns'.
Too bad one of their cohorts, The Donald, seems to have single handedly pushed the minority, female and LGBT vote squarely into the Democratic corner. It's possible all the 'dumb voters' those three candidates may collect will not be greater than the voters shunned by the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE.
Otherwise, it is rather nice to have all those nuts in one can.
9
Who needs ISIS? We have our own religious terrorists. We are doomed if we elect the likes of Ted Cruz to be our president.
13
"ELIMINATING" the gay population in America? The equivalent of ethnic cleansing? Except just "not yet"?
Cruz is not stupid. And his name is attached to this?
Cruz, in Spanish, means cross. So cross him off your list! He is not fit to serve!
Cruz is not stupid. And his name is attached to this?
Cruz, in Spanish, means cross. So cross him off your list! He is not fit to serve!
18
Silly me. Here I was thinking, in response to another editorial on this page, that yes, ISIS could strike here. Hell's bells, why worry about those guys when we have our own religious terrorists right here - in plain sight - growing more insidious by the day, and having the audacious but brilliantly deceptive tactic of referring to themselves as Christians. Jesus would gag.
193
Listen to this guy speak for 5 minutes and ask yourself how this isn't a controversy and Rev. Wright was ?
74
Exactly. This can and should be a millstone around the necks of the candidates, and the party. This is unacceptable discourse, for politics OR religion.
7
Putting this in historical context, Hitler called for the extermination of homosexuals, too.... along with the Jews, trade unionists, Gypsies, anyone who was mentally or physically inferior, socialists, communists, anarchists, etc.
I'm a female and an atheist. I know exactly where I stand with Cruz and Swanson.... exactly where the Jews stood with the Third Reich.
This is hate speech.
I'm a female and an atheist. I know exactly where I stand with Cruz and Swanson.... exactly where the Jews stood with the Third Reich.
This is hate speech.
108
UnGodly travesty.
16
Swanson is a false Christian in the same way that ISIS are false Muslims. Deliberate misreadings of their respective scripture fills their minds with delusions of God-given power to do whatever's necessary to prepare the world for what's next.
38
I've said it before, Lincoln's big mistake was going to war. The U. S. would of been much better off for the past 155 years without the South, and all its ugly baggage.
4
"Mr. Swanson’s murderous imaginings did not interfere with his ability to attract senior Republican figures... ."
They are far more than imaginings; they are dangerous signs of profound psychopathology.
They are far more than imaginings; they are dangerous signs of profound psychopathology.
48
At home and abroad, I am with the Charlie Hebdo cartoonist whose response to the #prayforParis meme was "Thank you...but we don't need more religion."
47
Oh gee, our very own caliphate. Our very own "one true religion". Extermination of evil, those not of our own superior belief system. HELLO! Sound familiar, anyone?
51
"...When presidential candidates court support among the audience of a pastor who openly discusses the extermination of millions of their fellow citizens, why is this not major news?..."
Indeed.
Indeed.
51
When is the NY Times going to have the moral courage to really compare people like Swanson to to their real peers in the world? Their true soulmates go by names like Taliban, ISIS, Boko Haram and Al Qaeda. Both share the same perverted notion of "religious freedom"; the ability to impose by any means available their particular brands of faith. They aren't content to live and let live. The key difference between them operationally is that groups like ISIS and the Taliban operate in areas where they can use violence and terror with impunity. Swanson and his ilk are a bit more constrained; not by their desires but the force of our laws and government.
85
Karl Marx was right... it is an opiate, and those seeking to subjugate the masses are hopelessly addicted.
16
The advocacy by Swanson and his ilk, as with Daesh*, is a nascent religious fascism. And there are many sheeple in conservative churches who will follow their pastors into that religio-political abyss.
* We should not use the term Islamic State or ISIS. It give legitimacy to the very idea of an Islamic caliphate, a government by Islamic radicals based in their misinterpretation of the Koran and other Islamic writings.
* We should not use the term Islamic State or ISIS. It give legitimacy to the very idea of an Islamic caliphate, a government by Islamic radicals based in their misinterpretation of the Koran and other Islamic writings.
14
MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show covered the story of Pastor Kevin Swanson's "Kill the Gays" speech and that the three GOP Presidential Candidates Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee and Bobby Jindal attended the event. The video was available on the internet until it was pulled under a copyright claim by Swanson. But why the mainstream media including Newspapers did not cover this as front page news in beyond me.
80
Thank you. Maddow was fantastic. I cannot understand the legitimacy of the copyright claim - surely this counts as news and therefore fair use.
Copyrighting hate. Just wow.
Copyrighting hate. Just wow.
12
Rachel Maddow's coverage piece is still online including the video where "pastor" Swanson calls for gay people to be killed (after they have time to repent and convert, of course). The video is here (starting at about 5:50 into the video) www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/watch/anti-gay-pastor-event-hosts-3-gop...
9
I saw the film on TRMS. I wasn't aware that it had been yanked. It must now reside next to the PNAC compact. Wherever that area is in cyber-space, it must be getting really crowded!
4
“Religious freedom” and “reproductive freedom”. Both rather spun phrases meaning something other.
9
I saw this lunatic [and I use the word literally ] on MSNBC and I was totally in disbelief: rounding up all gay people and executing them? This man ranting and raving, practically foaming at the mouth? Then I found out three GOP candidates would be sharing the stage with him, evidently in agreement with his agenda.
Can you imagine Mitt Romney, John McCain never mind Barack Obama coming within a thousand miles of this guy?
Can you imagine if Cruz actually gets elected with a Republican Congress and a very conservative Supreme Court?
Can you imagine Mitt Romney, John McCain never mind Barack Obama coming within a thousand miles of this guy?
Can you imagine if Cruz actually gets elected with a Republican Congress and a very conservative Supreme Court?
65
Scalia believes that Satan is a real, live actual guy, not an Ideal/Idea, but a 'person' who moves amongst us. This is not 'conservative', but shaky mental health.
15
Conservative?
i think he means ginsburg
Dear America,
You DO know that we foreigners out here in The Great Wasteland that stretches all the way from New York to Los Angeles note everything that Ted Cruz (and the other stupendously unqualified, hatemongering Republicans competing to be President) are doing and saying, right? Right?!
In times when we see terrorists attacking the French-but-universal themes of “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”, and the very notion of a shared community and state in which peoples of all races, faiths – and sexual orientations – can live together, we see Ted Cruz, and a number of other such Republicans (and, sadly, they are always, Always Republicans) getting up to such ... shenanigans, based on hate and intolerance, and increasingly hiding behind cowardly cries of ‘religious freedom’.
“Shenanigans” is used as a pointed nod here at Ireland, where from today, full and equal gay marriage is now officially legal. Can we expect Cruz, Carson and Huckabee (to pick just three ‘Conservatives’ from that race – or “radical, dangerous religious extremists”, as they're near-universally viewed abroad by Us Lot, here in The Rest of The World) to boycott Ireland, if elected? Can we expect pulpit damnation from (theoretically) the leader of the Western World?
Liberté, égalité, fraternité. Even if they weren’t French words, they’re terribly unamerican concepts in the new order that Cruz et al are trying to create.
So, a last French word to describe him/them, mes amis: "crétin".
Yours,
Everyone Else
You DO know that we foreigners out here in The Great Wasteland that stretches all the way from New York to Los Angeles note everything that Ted Cruz (and the other stupendously unqualified, hatemongering Republicans competing to be President) are doing and saying, right? Right?!
In times when we see terrorists attacking the French-but-universal themes of “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”, and the very notion of a shared community and state in which peoples of all races, faiths – and sexual orientations – can live together, we see Ted Cruz, and a number of other such Republicans (and, sadly, they are always, Always Republicans) getting up to such ... shenanigans, based on hate and intolerance, and increasingly hiding behind cowardly cries of ‘religious freedom’.
“Shenanigans” is used as a pointed nod here at Ireland, where from today, full and equal gay marriage is now officially legal. Can we expect Cruz, Carson and Huckabee (to pick just three ‘Conservatives’ from that race – or “radical, dangerous religious extremists”, as they're near-universally viewed abroad by Us Lot, here in The Rest of The World) to boycott Ireland, if elected? Can we expect pulpit damnation from (theoretically) the leader of the Western World?
Liberté, égalité, fraternité. Even if they weren’t French words, they’re terribly unamerican concepts in the new order that Cruz et al are trying to create.
So, a last French word to describe him/them, mes amis: "crétin".
Yours,
Everyone Else
49
The real enemy is not abroad (Taliban, Al Qaeda, Isis) but within our own borders...Where is the law of hate crime? Instead to send thousands of soldiers for invading other countries, how about cleaning our own house......and stopping the tax free ride for extreme religious fanatics disguised as God's messenger via fake churches......How more stupid can we be.....Time to tax Church revenues......and their planes, cars, trips abroad, mansions......
66
1) With you on the taxes - especially on churches that engage in open political advocacy and non-religious commercial activity.
2) Hate speech falls under the protection of the First Amendment. In other countries, people are jailed for shouting racial slurs, or tweeting them. Here, no. I personally would rather this stuff be out in plain view, for the rest of us to understand and condemn. But that would involve media outlets reacting a lot faster (it's been well over a week since this event).
2) Hate speech falls under the protection of the First Amendment. In other countries, people are jailed for shouting racial slurs, or tweeting them. Here, no. I personally would rather this stuff be out in plain view, for the rest of us to understand and condemn. But that would involve media outlets reacting a lot faster (it's been well over a week since this event).
2
Please do not use one Christian to smear all Christians. Most Christians are NOT calling for the killing of people who identify as being gay/lesbian, etc. In the Holy Bible, Almighty Gods says (COMMANDS), "Thou shalt not kill". Christians should NOT be about the business of killing people. NO one should be about the business of killing people who identify as gay/lesbian, etc.
THOU SHALT NOT KILL!!!
God's word (the Holy Bible) identifies homosexual activity as "vile affection". It is EXACTLY what God says it is. Man cannot change God's word.
Your article rants against certain aspects of the family that God approves: You mention, "a world in which men rule in families, women’s reproductive freedom is curtailed and “Bible believers” run the government". Apparently your preferences are as follows:
1. Women should rule the family (This is contrary to God's will)
2. Women should kill babies in the wombs at will (This is contrary to God's will)
3. Non Bible believers should run the government (is that what you really want?)
I was born in the United States of America. It was an America that had some respect for Almighty God. Your article basically rejects the teachings of the word of Almighty God. That means that you and your adherents have become your own idol "gods".
www.ltgof.net
THOU SHALT NOT KILL!!!
God's word (the Holy Bible) identifies homosexual activity as "vile affection". It is EXACTLY what God says it is. Man cannot change God's word.
Your article rants against certain aspects of the family that God approves: You mention, "a world in which men rule in families, women’s reproductive freedom is curtailed and “Bible believers” run the government". Apparently your preferences are as follows:
1. Women should rule the family (This is contrary to God's will)
2. Women should kill babies in the wombs at will (This is contrary to God's will)
3. Non Bible believers should run the government (is that what you really want?)
I was born in the United States of America. It was an America that had some respect for Almighty God. Your article basically rejects the teachings of the word of Almighty God. That means that you and your adherents have become your own idol "gods".
www.ltgof.net
Sir.... I want a country run according to the principles of our consitution, which clearly states that religion.... any religion... is neither to be excluded from the lives of citizens, or forcibly (via the govt.) INcluded. It is to be a CHOICE, and not to be interferred with by the government. Believing that women should not be subservient to their husbands does not mean that women should "rule the family". Families should ideally be cooperative and interactive, not a group "ruled" by some 'supreme authority'. As you undoubtedly well know, one can search the Bible for "proof texts" that will support just about anything you wish, so long as you're willing to ignore all the others that contradict. No one says that "non-believers" should run the government, only that those beliefs are a matter of private and personal concern, not national policy. The 'vile affection' you identify as "God's word" is nowhere alluded to by the person you regard as "savior". Jesus would seem to have no opinion whatever on this subject on which so many who call themselves "Christian" seem so obsessed, meanwhile ignoring the many other "abominations" required "they shall be put to death", because they would interfere with commonly accepted "norms" of 21st century life. Consistency seems never to be part of "Christian" or "Biblical" practice.
15
Whose god and whose bible? You say men should rule -- what about Deborah? What about Tzipporah? What about Ruth? What about Judith? What about Esther? What about Miriam?
As with many, many fundamentalists, you are reading a work incorrectly translated to support the furthering of an agenda far after the fact, having deleted all the relevant rabbinical and scholarly commentary on how to interpret each sentence, and, sometimes, each word; based on a time in which the concepts of equality, freedom, and individual rights did not exist. We as human beings have grown since then, yet you are no different from ISIL or Al Qaeda or the Taliban or any other fundamentalist sect in that you would have humanity return to the Dark Ages.
This country was based on what is said in the Bill of Rights and in the preamble to the Constitution. This country was founded by people who believed strongly in individual rights and freedoms not to be restricted by religious beliefs.
If you want a theocracy, there are many countries who no doubt will support your beliefs. Don't let the door hit your tuchis on the way out.
As with many, many fundamentalists, you are reading a work incorrectly translated to support the furthering of an agenda far after the fact, having deleted all the relevant rabbinical and scholarly commentary on how to interpret each sentence, and, sometimes, each word; based on a time in which the concepts of equality, freedom, and individual rights did not exist. We as human beings have grown since then, yet you are no different from ISIL or Al Qaeda or the Taliban or any other fundamentalist sect in that you would have humanity return to the Dark Ages.
This country was based on what is said in the Bill of Rights and in the preamble to the Constitution. This country was founded by people who believed strongly in individual rights and freedoms not to be restricted by religious beliefs.
If you want a theocracy, there are many countries who no doubt will support your beliefs. Don't let the door hit your tuchis on the way out.
15
"God's will" is a curious idea that all religions claim as their own. What religion does not claim to represent the will of God? How many Gods are there? Certainly Leviticus, which Swanson cites, is full of reasons to kill people as God commanded. It's just that we don't sacrifice bulls or rams to other animals to appease God before his tent and we don't stone or burn or kill persons who are adulterers or do other nasty things to women who are "unclean". It's a good thing too because there would be blood running in the halls of Congress and from the podiums during the Republican debate.....
5
This is a simply horrifying article. The one true religion? Murdering homosexuals for religious Reasons? Imposing one's religious beliefs on an entire nation? Making women subservient to men? How is this different from the very people in the news these days, the barbarians of terrorism.?
I had heard about this from other sources mainly posters to the New York Times and like the authors am infuriated it has not made major news. Fooling around with the First Amendment is not funny. And the fact that Ted Cruz is exploiting this religion zealotry should be condemned.
The term religious liberty is simply a cover for religious fascism. We are spending a lot of time these days obsessing about medieval religious war overseas. But we would do well to focus at home in order not to lose our own precious religious liberty as established by the founding fathers in the first amendment
I had heard about this from other sources mainly posters to the New York Times and like the authors am infuriated it has not made major news. Fooling around with the First Amendment is not funny. And the fact that Ted Cruz is exploiting this religion zealotry should be condemned.
The term religious liberty is simply a cover for religious fascism. We are spending a lot of time these days obsessing about medieval religious war overseas. But we would do well to focus at home in order not to lose our own precious religious liberty as established by the founding fathers in the first amendment
83
"All of this raises some unsettling questions about political life in the United States. When presidential candidates court support among the audience of a pastor who openly discusses the extermination of millions of their fellow citizens, why is this not major news?"
Agree. So why was this not on the front/home page of the NYT?
Agree. So why was this not on the front/home page of the NYT?
70
Dear Editorial Staff,
While I was interested in this overview of several organizations with crazy and offensive missions, I would be interested in the Times reaching out to the leaders of these organizations and letting them put their crazy into the Times opinion pages unadulterated and without comment. Perhaps publish an interview with some of them on particular topics and let them explain their radical positions. I am confident that this would have even more effect than a liberal columnist giving us her take on this crazy conservative world. Let them hang themselves.
While I was interested in this overview of several organizations with crazy and offensive missions, I would be interested in the Times reaching out to the leaders of these organizations and letting them put their crazy into the Times opinion pages unadulterated and without comment. Perhaps publish an interview with some of them on particular topics and let them explain their radical positions. I am confident that this would have even more effect than a liberal columnist giving us her take on this crazy conservative world. Let them hang themselves.
26
"Let them hang themselves."
Twenty years ago, that might have been the outcome. Today? Just look at who's leading in the Republican primaries: men who have expressed similarly malevolent sentiments, only directed against Hispanics or Muslims. The only reason Huckabee isn't among the frontrunners is, he had his moment of shiny newness in 2012; this time, it's Trump, Carson, and Cruz. (Rubio is the nervous establishment's choice.)
The relentless drip of toxic prejudice espoused by so many far-right pundits and local politicians has made it safe for the likes of Swanson to express himself without reservation. The more you say something outrageous, the less it shocks, and the greater the likelihood a subset of the populace will respond favorably. (One guesses that this is how they feel about "gay rights".)
"Religious freedom" is debased as a term due to its wholehearted embrace by Swanson and his ilk.
(Oh, and Huckabee pleading ignorance of a fellow religious leader's sentiments? That's worth a chuckle. He would have been better served to follow Cruz's example. His critics know the truth, and his followers don't care.)
Twenty years ago, that might have been the outcome. Today? Just look at who's leading in the Republican primaries: men who have expressed similarly malevolent sentiments, only directed against Hispanics or Muslims. The only reason Huckabee isn't among the frontrunners is, he had his moment of shiny newness in 2012; this time, it's Trump, Carson, and Cruz. (Rubio is the nervous establishment's choice.)
The relentless drip of toxic prejudice espoused by so many far-right pundits and local politicians has made it safe for the likes of Swanson to express himself without reservation. The more you say something outrageous, the less it shocks, and the greater the likelihood a subset of the populace will respond favorably. (One guesses that this is how they feel about "gay rights".)
"Religious freedom" is debased as a term due to its wholehearted embrace by Swanson and his ilk.
(Oh, and Huckabee pleading ignorance of a fellow religious leader's sentiments? That's worth a chuckle. He would have been better served to follow Cruz's example. His critics know the truth, and his followers don't care.)
3
What would be foolish is for these radicals to believe that they are not being observed. It would also be foolish for them to believe that there is not a constitutional remedy for this problem.
10
The only constitutional remedy I see is the ability to not vote for the people who appear at events like this.
5
It's not enough to not vote for them, H.Graves. One must affirmatively vote for their opposing candidates.
4
Why is it acceptable amongst the GOP to ignore divorce (Ted Cruz's father- twice) as a breaker up of American families but to go full assault on the LGTB community?
Jesus spoke about divorce - never about homosexuality. He also spoke about removing the log in your own eye before talking about the speck in your neighbors.
As a Christian, I am appalled at the self serving interests in the GOP. There is no compassion, no love, no reaching out to the disenfranchised. This was Jesus entire ministry.
Jesus spoke about divorce - never about homosexuality. He also spoke about removing the log in your own eye before talking about the speck in your neighbors.
As a Christian, I am appalled at the self serving interests in the GOP. There is no compassion, no love, no reaching out to the disenfranchised. This was Jesus entire ministry.
63
The usual apologia for the divorce business is that they're "not perfect." Gay people, being perfect (or so the logic of Not Perfect would infer), are held to an ironically higher moral standard.
3
I remember the line from the Canadian poet and curmudgeon Irving Layton, "Lets stop talking about the Holocaust, it might give them ideas." It might be jarring too recall that those that wore pink triangles and yellow stars suffered much the same fate in the world of us and them.
The GOP has not left Philadelphia Mississippi since Reagan made it his first stop after his nomination as GOP presidential nominee. Reagan's visit was not to honour Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner it was a statement affirming their fate was justified. We are inheriting the wind.
The GOP has not left Philadelphia Mississippi since Reagan made it his first stop after his nomination as GOP presidential nominee. Reagan's visit was not to honour Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner it was a statement affirming their fate was justified. We are inheriting the wind.
30
Ted Cruz is truly terrifying. In addition to the cause of deadly-violent homophobia that he espouses, to judge from the friends he cultivates, consider also the recent news article by Patrick Healy, on the Republican candidates' reactions to the Daesh attacks in Paris, in which Cruz is said to recommend that Americans stop being squeamish about causing civilian casualties in military operations. He really wants to impose a régime of savagery.
67
They always feel persecuted. They want the freedom to impose their religion on the rest of us. When we are a theocracy ruled by them, even then they will probably feel persecuted.
29
Hobby Lobby can decide "it" is against "its" belief to allow health insurance to cover all reproductive health for women; Catholic hospitals (15% of all hospitals in nation) that receive federal funds receive guidelines on reproductive care from Bishops -- not doctors. Kim Davis wants the right to NOT DO HER JOB - because of her religious beliefs -- and she is heralded by tax-paid politicians. The Times recently did a story of how religious institutions have carved out in the fine print that any disputes would be handled by religious mediators -- superceding our court system. It is happening. But the mainstream of us -- who are well off enough to not be infringed on by these actions -- just shrug and roll our eyes. These are dangerious precedents. And what is worse is that we can NOT have a discussion on it - because the meme of "War on Christians" has been invoked.
The Sauds have been getting in bed with the clerics to hold down the people so they can continue their oppulent lifestyle unfettered. It does work for a while. Unfortunately, we know how well the story eventually turns out.
The Sauds have been getting in bed with the clerics to hold down the people so they can continue their oppulent lifestyle unfettered. It does work for a while. Unfortunately, we know how well the story eventually turns out.
41
This is somewhat of a tangent but not too much. I believe it was in the same series of articles that dealt with religious mediators that the Times also wrote about people being effectively forced to accept private arbitration as a condition of signing up for a service they want, eg a charge card. In other words, privatized (and far from neutral) justice is being substituted for the real thing. Our constitutionally guaranteed system of public justice is has been perverted for a while by immensely powerful commercial interests. Is it any wonder that our Christian Taliban want to follow suit?
14
I would love to see ISIS, the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and the American thugs and haters who call themselves Christians all placed together in a fenced preserve, prison colony, or deep pit somewhere. Do it in America, so that they can all enjoy the full benefit of the Second Amendment.
Worried about this being too much big government? It could be done in a free-market model: film the festivities with drones, so as to produce footage for reality shows or video games that would cover the cost of the project. And it would put those black helicopters and FEMA camps to a good use.
Worried about this being too much big government? It could be done in a free-market model: film the festivities with drones, so as to produce footage for reality shows or video games that would cover the cost of the project. And it would put those black helicopters and FEMA camps to a good use.
4
To me this just proves what the Republican arty has become,that being a rights wing group of fanatics. Any candidate sharing the platform with Mr. Swanson should not be given the opportunity to become the President of the United States. This man, and those who stand with hm, stand for everything this country was founded to prevent, bigotry, hatred and freedom of choice in life.
27
Wasn't it just a few presidential elections ago that GOP candidates were distancing themselves from visits to Bob Jones University? Now, GOP candidates vigorously compete for endorsements from an ultra-conservative, Christian university that embraces socially repugnant policies and almost nobody notices. How long before we become so desensitized to politicians leveraging hate to win primaries that an endorsement from the KKK doesn't even raise an eyebrow? To hear statements like "the one true religion" uttered by lunatics who are being courted, rather than denounced, by people who seek leadership of the free world in the wake of extremist attacks in Paris by those with the same viewpoint sends a chill up my spine and leaves me wondering if concerns about man-made climate alterations are overblown. Seems like we're destined to eliminate the species in the name of God long before the planet gets us.
26
I've looked: and no where in the Constitution of the United States have I ever found any phrase that dictated tax-exemption to any religion or any religious-held property.
Could someone point out to me exactly where that is?
Could someone point out to me exactly where that is?
29
not in th constitution
US churches* received an official federal income tax exemption in 1894, and they have been unofficially tax-exempt since the country's founding. All 50 US states and the District of Columbia exempt churches from paying property tax. Donations to churches are tax-deductible. The debate continues over whether or not these tax benefits should be retained.
http://churchesandtaxes.procon.org/
US churches* received an official federal income tax exemption in 1894, and they have been unofficially tax-exempt since the country's founding. All 50 US states and the District of Columbia exempt churches from paying property tax. Donations to churches are tax-deductible. The debate continues over whether or not these tax benefits should be retained.
http://churchesandtaxes.procon.org/
5
Thankx, thx! I'll check the link!
2
Fascism has historically taken different forms and was often given scant attention until a storm fully gathered. Don't think for a minute that this latest cancer is not a threat to our democracy nor that its cure is a simple one. It must be excised, and soon.
24
There's some dispute about the source, but there's a saying that "when fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a cross".
I would add "brandishing a copy of the US constitution", given how that document is being increasingly interpreted to assault the rights of citizens rather than defend them.
I would add "brandishing a copy of the US constitution", given how that document is being increasingly interpreted to assault the rights of citizens rather than defend them.
20
Why would the Reverend only stop at exterminating gay people? Though, actually the Bible only requires killing gay men (Exodus 21). Sorry guys.
The Bible also requires death for taking advantage of widows or orphans (Leviticus 20), adultery (Deutoronomy 22), fortune tellers (Leviticus 21), working on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 24), prophets who try to lead you astray (Deutoronomy 13), not accepting the judicial decision of a priest or judge (Deutoronomy 17 - this for anyone who does not accept the judicial decision of Roe v. Wade!), falsely claiming a message from God (Deutoronomy 18), and on and on.
We do not want Sharia law; we do not want Old Testament law; we do not want any kind of religious fundamentalism. We do not want the death penalty for anyone. Jesus came as the FINAL blood sacrifice for the sins of all mankind - Christians are required by their religion to stop killing other people in the name of religion.
The Bible also requires death for taking advantage of widows or orphans (Leviticus 20), adultery (Deutoronomy 22), fortune tellers (Leviticus 21), working on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 24), prophets who try to lead you astray (Deutoronomy 13), not accepting the judicial decision of a priest or judge (Deutoronomy 17 - this for anyone who does not accept the judicial decision of Roe v. Wade!), falsely claiming a message from God (Deutoronomy 18), and on and on.
We do not want Sharia law; we do not want Old Testament law; we do not want any kind of religious fundamentalism. We do not want the death penalty for anyone. Jesus came as the FINAL blood sacrifice for the sins of all mankind - Christians are required by their religion to stop killing other people in the name of religion.
25
I've never understood Christians who quote the Old Testament.
Jesus said that "The old law is dead in me."
That statement absolutely removes any consideration of OT Law from any Christian discussion.
What is it about Christianity that Christians don't get?
Jesus said that "The old law is dead in me."
That statement absolutely removes any consideration of OT Law from any Christian discussion.
What is it about Christianity that Christians don't get?
12
I have been present when people have strongly expressed sentiments similar to those of Mr Swanson. The experiences have always made me crave fresh air and a hot cleansing shower.
I'm not surprised Huckabee, Jindal and Cruz court such people. Cruz embraces his father's strange stories and embellishes them at every opportunity.
I'm not surprised Huckabee, Jindal and Cruz court such people. Cruz embraces his father's strange stories and embellishes them at every opportunity.
22
Maybe you should speak up next time. Remind them which country they're in. Loudly.
11
Robert, while I agree with you entirely, you have to be very, very careful about annoying a crazy person.
5
It's been too long since I re-read the Constitution, but I seem to remember a clause that declares that there "shall be no religious test for holding any office in the Government of the United States", or words to that effect. Whatever happened to that principle?
213
It seems to have gone the way of "a well regulated militia" when background checks are talked about.
13
We have to speculate not about Swanson, Huckabee, Cruz, et al. but about why most major media won't lead with headlines that highlight unfolding alliances like this. Why don't they? Somehow, much media has been bent to the (false) idea that "objectivity" means burying the lede about hate groups and their political haymakers, like Cruz. They worry that they'll be pilloried by the right wing echo chamber for being "unfair." Those that seek "balance" leave such pieces for their columnists to opine about. (While many papers just let the event go unremarked, entirely.) But if the rise of such hate is not news, what is? The result is that hatred-activism is not described for most Americans to consider and reject. And what is the reward for these (ostensibly "liberal") editors for going easy on hatemongers? The right wing hates them anyway, while the rest of us continue to watch our confidence in the news media ebb away.
41
First, it's Queen Elsa, not Princess.
Second, the presence of these noxious homophobes within the core of the Republican party is helpful in illustrating to the rest of America that the Republican party has contracted a terminal sickness. Anyone with a shred of decency should vote for Democrats until a new party emerges that is actually interested in governing and competing on the basis of policy versus the fear and hate that have taken over the formerly Grand Old Party.
Second, the presence of these noxious homophobes within the core of the Republican party is helpful in illustrating to the rest of America that the Republican party has contracted a terminal sickness. Anyone with a shred of decency should vote for Democrats until a new party emerges that is actually interested in governing and competing on the basis of policy versus the fear and hate that have taken over the formerly Grand Old Party.
477
The First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,..." is violated by attempting to capture"the power of the state and remaking society in ways most Americans would find extreme: a world in which men rule in families, women’s reproductive freedom is curtailed and “Bible believers” run the government." Murdering gay people, forcing all Americans to follow the "one true faith", sounds crazy but it must be taken from the perspective of LGBT community and of all women. In particular the "Christian" extremists have succeeded in enticing Americans to adopt their dogma that "life begins at conception" (to mean that fetuses have souls) which magically removes the rights of pregnant women. Americans have been tricked into imagining that abortion is murder in disturbing large numbers. That fetuses have rights is profoundly absurd, yet it is also a tenet of these "Christians". It is a short stretch for those who consider gay "sinners" lost, and worthy of death so that they can not spread their "sin". Science and evidence are not only rejected but considered the work of the devil when they contradict dogma. These "Christians" cannot be persuaded or convinced. It is no wonder that our founders sought to protect us from religious governmental power. Theocracy and democracy are forever and always enemies. Theocrats and those who sympathize with their absolutism are unfit for office.
37
It has become almost cliché to compare American religious conservatives to the Muslim fundamentalists they abhor. And yet, there is more than a grain of truth in that comparison.
The author has it exactly right: if we value our freedom, we should be especially wary of those who would use religious exemptions from laws to discriminate and damage the rights of others -- whoever they may be. If a group of Wahhabis were going down that same path, seeking to undermine in similar fashion that we are a nation with "a government of laws and not of men," we would recognize the danger immediately.
Our relative blindness to what American religious conservatives are doing is partly tribal (they are "our" religious nuts, not some foreigners), and partly a mix of good PR, a largely conglomerated media willing to ignore outrageous statements by prominent "religious" Americans, and frankly, bad public education that has left many Americans clueless about the proper role of religion in our politics and our government.
If these people get what they want, how will they enforce their conservative religious ethos on everyone? It's not too much of a stretch of the imagination that we could have enforcers roving the streets, shaming those who do not toe the proper line. Does that sound familiar?
The author has it exactly right: if we value our freedom, we should be especially wary of those who would use religious exemptions from laws to discriminate and damage the rights of others -- whoever they may be. If a group of Wahhabis were going down that same path, seeking to undermine in similar fashion that we are a nation with "a government of laws and not of men," we would recognize the danger immediately.
Our relative blindness to what American religious conservatives are doing is partly tribal (they are "our" religious nuts, not some foreigners), and partly a mix of good PR, a largely conglomerated media willing to ignore outrageous statements by prominent "religious" Americans, and frankly, bad public education that has left many Americans clueless about the proper role of religion in our politics and our government.
If these people get what they want, how will they enforce their conservative religious ethos on everyone? It's not too much of a stretch of the imagination that we could have enforcers roving the streets, shaming those who do not toe the proper line. Does that sound familiar?
379
Listening to a huge crowd cheering when a Christian holy man calls for the genocide of homosexuals is bad enough, but it is particularly execrable when publicly endorsed by leading Republican candidates for the presidency of the most powerful nation on the planet.
I never see these evangelical preachers called out to prove their claims on public television, yet the tax payer is knowingly funding their activities, which net them huge personal wealth that allows them to dwell in multi-million dollar mansions, be transported around the nation in chauffeur driven stretch limousines and private helicopters.
I never see these evangelical preachers called out to prove their claims on public television, yet the tax payer is knowingly funding their activities, which net them huge personal wealth that allows them to dwell in multi-million dollar mansions, be transported around the nation in chauffeur driven stretch limousines and private helicopters.
47
I no longer know which country I'm living in and which century. The radical Christian right has perverted not only Christianity but also democracy. It is terrifying that they have such a powerful voice and no one in a major political party will disown or condemn them. And the press remains silent! We think that radical Islamic terrorism is a danger? Look around; the terrorist is at our own doorsteps. How do these views differ from radical Islam? They don't. When will some deluded individual who has access to dangerous weaponry start slaughtering gays? Who will be next? Agnostics? Atheists? Pagans? Will we start burning witches at the stake? After all according to moon-bat Bachmann and Kevin Swanson as well, Harry Potter teaches witch craft to impressionable children. According to Ben Carson fossils were planted by the devil to trick us into believing in evolution and that the earth is indeed older than 6000 years. These dangerously deluded people are insane, caught up in some religious hysteria and we are at the threshold of electing them to the highest position of power in our nation. The direction our country is heading is terrifying. Many European nations are following suit where right wing ideology support is growing at an alarming rate. There's little refuge in the world and seemingly our grip on sanity and reality is weakening. I fear that the latest terrorist events will result in a majority election of Tea Party candidates. I fear for us all, especially the children.
51
When Ben Carson states that we non-believers "are trying to push God out of our lives," I am amused. As far as I can tell, no one on my side of the argument is trying to push any deity out of anybody's life, although we would like America to quit using our tax dollars to subsidize privately-held beliefs.
Iran's theocracy that Cruz might emulate is dominated by religious apologists. Our friends on the right, especially those who are eager to remind us how dedicated they are to a Jewish mystic who may have lived two millennia ago, would impose their Brothers Grimm beliefs on a government that must rule in a Newtonian world.
No one I know is disputing their right as Americans to believe anything they please. They can believe that snowflakes are individually crafted by elves, a proposition that is marginally more likely than a virgin birth. They can impose their beliefs on themselves to their hearts' content.
While no evidence exists that gay Americans have an agenda in which they will inexorably ensnare priests and altar boys (wait, bad example), there is evidence aplenty that religious zealots champ at the bit to weave their faith in the occult into our Constitution. When Ted Cruz, who was exposed to his father's rabid Christianity during his Wonder Years, endorses the dire repercussions of theocracy on gay people and the press yawns, I have to conclude either that no one takes Cruz seriously or the injection of religion into government, taboo in Iran, is OK in Real America.
Iran's theocracy that Cruz might emulate is dominated by religious apologists. Our friends on the right, especially those who are eager to remind us how dedicated they are to a Jewish mystic who may have lived two millennia ago, would impose their Brothers Grimm beliefs on a government that must rule in a Newtonian world.
No one I know is disputing their right as Americans to believe anything they please. They can believe that snowflakes are individually crafted by elves, a proposition that is marginally more likely than a virgin birth. They can impose their beliefs on themselves to their hearts' content.
While no evidence exists that gay Americans have an agenda in which they will inexorably ensnare priests and altar boys (wait, bad example), there is evidence aplenty that religious zealots champ at the bit to weave their faith in the occult into our Constitution. When Ted Cruz, who was exposed to his father's rabid Christianity during his Wonder Years, endorses the dire repercussions of theocracy on gay people and the press yawns, I have to conclude either that no one takes Cruz seriously or the injection of religion into government, taboo in Iran, is OK in Real America.
46
One piece of relevant information left out of this column is the fact that Rafael Cruz, whom Ted Cruz has made clear he reveres, follows, and is arm-in-arm with on the campaign trail, is a follower of Christian Dominionism. Rafeal Cruz has declared, along with other radical evangelical pastors, that his son is the one intended by God to lead our country to a biblical government that they envision replacing our secular Constitutional government. Sounds crazy? Take a few minutes to research Christian Dominionism and Cruz's close ties to its proponents. Ted Cruz's biggest supporters are not only anti-gay; they are anti-Constitution and anti-anyone who doesn't believe in their brand of Christianity - and he has never once distanced himself from their words and beliefs. Although one's faith should not be a factor in political races, in this instance I believe it is relevant given the hostility of his major supporters and fellow campaigners to our secular form of government.
349
It would make a great question for a moderator of a debate to ask. Do those folks do any real research before they ask questions?
15
Well written. I often think I am the only one who sees the similarities between extreme radical Muslims and the "Ted Cruz bunch". Both groups feel compelled to clean out the debris and let their God rule.
10
Crisis produces extremes on both the right and the left. Unfortunately the innate conservatism of America along with its well established anti-intellectualism and racism are leaving the door wide open to a radical religious minority to achieve its aims.
53
It's the old story: Evil wins when good people do nothing - especially when it comes to voting.
15
So, Sen. Cruz is ' palling around ' with radicals, consorting with vehement extremists, cultivating them for votes and cash - just like GOP'ers as a whole have done since about 1980 ?
Quelle surprise !
Can't we at least revoke the tax-free status most of these extremist groups surely hide behind ?
Quelle surprise !
Can't we at least revoke the tax-free status most of these extremist groups surely hide behind ?
340
I had the opportunity to watch Mr. Swanson's rant on Rachel Maddow the other night, and it was hair-raising in the extreme.
Swanson is calling for imposition of religious totalitarianism - not unlike that advocated by groups like Daesh, citing the dubious ravings of the men who wrote the Hebrew Bible and the earliest books of the New Testament as justification.
I fail to see why contemporary civilization (and the United States Constitution, to be specific) should continue to protect a right to advocacy for totalitarianism - be Christian, Muslim, or secular in origin.
The establishment of a totalitarian culture would necessarily invalidate any protection currently afforded by the First Amendment.
I fail to see why we should allow speech that would take America (or human civilization) down the road to totalitarianism.
It seems to me that the protections afforded by the First Amendment in the modern age must be contingent on an individual or group explicitly accepting the broader implications of this Amendment - that is, the right of other men and women of good will to arrive at a fundamentally different set of conclusions about what God or nature's intention might be, and live their life accordingly.
The Constitution is not a suicide pact. If you wish to be protected by the rights implicit in the First Amendment, then you must be willing to grant those same rights to others.
Swanson is calling for imposition of religious totalitarianism - not unlike that advocated by groups like Daesh, citing the dubious ravings of the men who wrote the Hebrew Bible and the earliest books of the New Testament as justification.
I fail to see why contemporary civilization (and the United States Constitution, to be specific) should continue to protect a right to advocacy for totalitarianism - be Christian, Muslim, or secular in origin.
The establishment of a totalitarian culture would necessarily invalidate any protection currently afforded by the First Amendment.
I fail to see why we should allow speech that would take America (or human civilization) down the road to totalitarianism.
It seems to me that the protections afforded by the First Amendment in the modern age must be contingent on an individual or group explicitly accepting the broader implications of this Amendment - that is, the right of other men and women of good will to arrive at a fundamentally different set of conclusions about what God or nature's intention might be, and live their life accordingly.
The Constitution is not a suicide pact. If you wish to be protected by the rights implicit in the First Amendment, then you must be willing to grant those same rights to others.
870
I do not agree with anything the man says, but I will defend his right to say it. If however, if he takes action to put those words into practice I will fight him. There is a very fine line there, but a line nonetheless.
13
Jim, the reality is that one of these days a gay person is again going to be murdered as result of this type rhetoric - especially given this moron's assertion that the Bible justifies such an act.
When this finally happens, it will not be your life that will be cut short. It will be someone else's.
I used to live on the street in Jackson Heights where Julio Rivera was murdered. Rational people of faith, spirit and conscience must not tolerate this nonsense one minute longer.
Believe me, if this dude was a Muslim, I guarantee you that he would be shut up in a New York minute.
When this finally happens, it will not be your life that will be cut short. It will be someone else's.
I used to live on the street in Jackson Heights where Julio Rivera was murdered. Rational people of faith, spirit and conscience must not tolerate this nonsense one minute longer.
Believe me, if this dude was a Muslim, I guarantee you that he would be shut up in a New York minute.
33
Completely agree with the sentiment, but putting restrictions around free speech to protect free speech is a slippery slope to say the least. The more you let these people speak they eventually start to lose people who might originally like what they say. If you cap it it proves their point.
Crazy eventually starts to sound crazy to most. (right Mr. Trump?)
Crazy eventually starts to sound crazy to most. (right Mr. Trump?)
5
Please, please Hillary, Use this information in your campaign and during upcoming debates with the GOP candidate
220
What is the difference between an ISIS leader in Syria killing in the name of Allah and a "Christian" pastor in America who believes we ought to round up and kill millions of Americans because according to his reading of the bible, they are living contrary to god's teaching and are destroying our nation because they anger god. Is that really any different than an Islamic radical saying that Christians are living contrary to god's teachings and should convert or die?
We need to open our eyes and ears and pay attention. We need to understand there is no difference. Radical believers in any religion who insist on making their beliefs the law of a country or an area are equally dangerous to free societies. To use a favorite saying of our Republican candidates when speaking about ISIS - these radical Christians hate our freedom. We had better start fighting to preserve it here while we can still use the law and our Constitution or we will wake up one morning and find it's too late.
We need to open our eyes and ears and pay attention. We need to understand there is no difference. Radical believers in any religion who insist on making their beliefs the law of a country or an area are equally dangerous to free societies. To use a favorite saying of our Republican candidates when speaking about ISIS - these radical Christians hate our freedom. We had better start fighting to preserve it here while we can still use the law and our Constitution or we will wake up one morning and find it's too late.
848
Exactly. And what is striking are the similarities between Sharia and Mosaic Law as spelled out in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which is the "moral" code the religious right seeks to impose.
If American voters were given a choice between Sharia and Mosaic Law, I suspect they would choose "none of the above." But blessedly, the founding fathers anticipated the voter's preference and passed the First Amendment to the constitution. Consequently, "none of the above" is the law of the land.
If American voters were given a choice between Sharia and Mosaic Law, I suspect they would choose "none of the above." But blessedly, the founding fathers anticipated the voter's preference and passed the First Amendment to the constitution. Consequently, "none of the above" is the law of the land.
19
There's no reason why an ultra-orthodox Christian sect could not in future emerge that imposes a literal interpretation of the Bible, in the same way as ISIS imposes a literal interpretation of the Qur'an.
21
Today's GOP is not conservative, it's a right-wing radical movement.
532
What is frightening is that the religious right brays about religious liberty while strenuously battling to curtail all religious beliefs that don't align with their constricted view of "Christianity". Insidiously trying to introduce legislation to support their rights to be above the rule of law is appalling. I agree with N B - Cruz is an evil charlatan - among other things.
380
No matter your beliefs or identity, and even taking Cruz out this headline and equation, the entire article is beyond disturbing. It's a picture of a frightening, shameful and dangerous slice of our country.
365
The national media is reluctant to examine the relationship between Relgious fundamentalism and naked bigotry. The incidence of racism, homophobia,and misogyny is part of the DNA of many Christian fundamentalists. When they exhibit an almost pathological paranoia about the non existent "war on religion" they may be recognizing a visceral revulsion to their unmitigated bigotry.
140
Under generally accepted notions of the freedom of religion, anyone, including Mr. Cruz, is free to have religious beliefs that we might personally consider to be extreme. We are not required to accept those views as our views or support them in any way. More important, we are free to take those views into account in deciding if we want to vote for someone who might hold them. Happily, most of us would probably eschew voting for someone who holds extreme views, religious or otherwise.
201
are you sure? you give too much credit to the intelligence of American voters....
14
What do you do when a majority is coerced or "convinced" to vote for an extreme party willing to actually kill its opponents ? Freedom of speech ? yeah right die peacefully with a preserved sense of honour !!!
Remember Germany 1933 and see how easy it is to subvert democracy with fanatism, whether religious or anti-religious.
Religion is a disease ( specially monotheism !).
Remember Germany 1933 and see how easy it is to subvert democracy with fanatism, whether religious or anti-religious.
Religion is a disease ( specially monotheism !).
14
It's not that simple , it's not a matter of just not voting for them. There is radicalization going on right now in this country, pushing to eliminate public schools, using tax dollars to pay for religious schools, how many of those people on the right are locked away in echo chambers where they never hear anything other than what the extremist want them to hear. Right now, all this benefits the billionaires they're trying to buy elections, because those radical religious people are the easiest to brainwash.
Because Christian radicals use the exact same tactics as islamic radicals, we are unable to talk about and deal with the real issues of the radicalization of Islam and Islamic terrorism. We like to fool ourselves that radical Christians can't be as cold and in human as radical Islam. That is a big mistake.
Because Christian radicals use the exact same tactics as islamic radicals, we are unable to talk about and deal with the real issues of the radicalization of Islam and Islamic terrorism. We like to fool ourselves that radical Christians can't be as cold and in human as radical Islam. That is a big mistake.
19
Naturally the only people that would have so called "religious liberties" are the one that agree whole heartedly with pastor Swanson and their ilk. There will always be extremists that preach hate is love, greed is sharing, killing is compassionate and the list goes on. The most extreme leaders often display sociopathic tendencies with a psychopathic bent. They can call themselves christians but the press and society should not call them christians. They are predators and as such should be subject to the laws of the land. Threatening to kill millions of people is not free speech, it is a threat. If I threaten to kill someone I go to jail and trial. Why is pastor Swanson and those like him free to break the law?
155
Makes you wonder about how the Reactionary Republican Right got so much mileage out of Barack Obama's "associations" with radicals. Of course, if you are a Reactionary Republican Rightist there is nothing radical about mass murder in the name of their twisted idea of religion.
In the unlikely event they are called out on this issue, Cruz and the ilk will simply blame the media for "biased" reporting and move on to other opportunities to sow fear and loathing amongst an anxious electorate.
In the unlikely event they are called out on this issue, Cruz and the ilk will simply blame the media for "biased" reporting and move on to other opportunities to sow fear and loathing amongst an anxious electorate.
191
Thanks for this enlightening article. I think this would make really interesting debate questions for the next installment of republican debates. Oh well, dreaming is free...
70
Kevin Swanson's sermons can be found here & there; one showed on MSNBC. He's a loud, vigorous, astonishing actor, rather in the style of 19th century actors like Edmund Booth (John Wilkes' relative).
Frightened people vote their fears. (I know I do.) And people of good will, listening to Kevin Swanson preach, & believing that what he so dramatically shouts (Bible held aloft in one hand) comes from Omnipotence, -- conclude that they have very good reasons to *be* afraid, for themselves & for our entire republic.
How best to respond to those badly frightened (& highly motivated) by Kevin Swanson's preachments? There are many ways, but I myself rather favor (a) reasoned discussions, (b) kindness to those who do not see the world as I see it, & (c) voting Democratic, in the hope that the GOP will soon have a stronger "immune system."
Frightened people vote their fears. (I know I do.) And people of good will, listening to Kevin Swanson preach, & believing that what he so dramatically shouts (Bible held aloft in one hand) comes from Omnipotence, -- conclude that they have very good reasons to *be* afraid, for themselves & for our entire republic.
How best to respond to those badly frightened (& highly motivated) by Kevin Swanson's preachments? There are many ways, but I myself rather favor (a) reasoned discussions, (b) kindness to those who do not see the world as I see it, & (c) voting Democratic, in the hope that the GOP will soon have a stronger "immune system."
40
For all their talk about God and all their dogmatism, those extremist evangelicals are not compassionate or empathetic.
69
Regarding traditional intolerance and oppression:
How should we treat each other?
Is it our privilege to decide the marital, medical, and legal relationships of strangers? Is faith more important than mercy? Must women and minorities submit to men and majorities? Must we stone to death our rebellious children? Are we obliged to feed, clothe, shelter, teach, employ, care for, and protect the hungry, naked, homeless, uneducated, jobless, disabled, and vulnerable? Is it proper for us to confidently define the histories, character, motives, and worth of people we don’t know, and to treat them accordingly? Are foreigners ours to attack and enslave, and their property ours to take? When we offend others’ beliefs, is that as wrong as when they offend ours? Should we have more rights than they?
Are we their equals?
Do all members of any group, religious or otherwise, agree on the answers to all of these questions?
Is respecting each others’ boundaries a reasonable compromise?
We live in a crowded theater. Is it good to express our "Fire!" simply because we can? We have our beliefs, and they have theirs. Are only ours sacred? They have their values, and we have ours. Are only ours inviolate? Both we and they have lives, find loves, and make choices. Are only ours rightful?
Are their lives really ours to judge? To restrict? To control?
What happened to humility? Compassion? The Golden Rule?
Should we ask and answer these questions as individuals? As a family? A society? A world?
How should we treat each other?
Is it our privilege to decide the marital, medical, and legal relationships of strangers? Is faith more important than mercy? Must women and minorities submit to men and majorities? Must we stone to death our rebellious children? Are we obliged to feed, clothe, shelter, teach, employ, care for, and protect the hungry, naked, homeless, uneducated, jobless, disabled, and vulnerable? Is it proper for us to confidently define the histories, character, motives, and worth of people we don’t know, and to treat them accordingly? Are foreigners ours to attack and enslave, and their property ours to take? When we offend others’ beliefs, is that as wrong as when they offend ours? Should we have more rights than they?
Are we their equals?
Do all members of any group, religious or otherwise, agree on the answers to all of these questions?
Is respecting each others’ boundaries a reasonable compromise?
We live in a crowded theater. Is it good to express our "Fire!" simply because we can? We have our beliefs, and they have theirs. Are only ours sacred? They have their values, and we have ours. Are only ours inviolate? Both we and they have lives, find loves, and make choices. Are only ours rightful?
Are their lives really ours to judge? To restrict? To control?
What happened to humility? Compassion? The Golden Rule?
Should we ask and answer these questions as individuals? As a family? A society? A world?
22
Well said!!!!!
3
Ben Carson also believes that we are in the "end times", an apocalyptic period for those filled with religious mania. Probably not the guy you want in charge of any weaponry f he thinks armageddon is designed to weed out the faithful from the damned.
Rafael Cruz spoke in Salt Lake City recently where he said that gay marriage was the single biggest threat to the United States. Granted it is his son who is running for president but they are reported to be close, even politically close. Another candidate to avoid.
Rafael Cruz spoke in Salt Lake City recently where he said that gay marriage was the single biggest threat to the United States. Granted it is his son who is running for president but they are reported to be close, even politically close. Another candidate to avoid.
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It seems there is an element in the Republican Party that tolerates Hate The Gays; such a far cry from the once grand old party, the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower. This element is part of the evangelical cherry picking Bible brigade that targets American citizens who happen to be gay or lesbian with spiritual abuse and civil discrimination.
Hate is the very opposite of what Paul says in Galatians 5:14: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word: Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself."
Hate is the very opposite of what Paul says in Galatians 5:14: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word: Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself."
94
The GOP pattern is obvious: associate with vile intolerance, then declare innocence, and blame the press. The rubes don't care. Everyone else must vote accordingly.
113
It's far better to know now that Ted Cruz is a homophobic panderer to the very worse elements of the Republican base than after the nominating process, when millions of my unthinking and uninformed fellow Americans would vote him, were he the nominee, simply because he has a scarlet R after his name. So let's have ample coverage of every odious, intolerant, bigoted association of this evil man until he becomes intolerable even for today's fear-mongering GOP.
227
It seems that hate speech is only a problem when the speaker is not white. The press had no problem reporting extensively on Rev. Wright and Candidate Obama. Race is ever present. Sad. How can a person call for the extinction of fellow citizens and not be tried as a terriorist?
171
And don't forget that Mike Huckabee has explicitly advocated rewriting the US Constitution to conform to the Bible. The reason the rest of us are complacent is because these three wingnuts (Cruz, Jindahl, and Huckabee) are truly fringe candidates whose political viability is on financial life support. Of the three, only Cruz has any sort of wider support, and consorting with this sort of religious blarney will only serve to marginalize him further. Even Republicans are not terminally stupid.
76
you hope...
14
Demogogues seeking to power by demonizing a small, relatively powerless minority and blaming them for all the perceived ills befalling society is nothing new.
It happened in Europe 90 years ago; in Spain during the Inquisition, in the killing fields of Cambodia.
Will it happen here? One hopes not, but now is the time for all moral, ethical citizens to reject the politics of fear.
It happened in Europe 90 years ago; in Spain during the Inquisition, in the killing fields of Cambodia.
Will it happen here? One hopes not, but now is the time for all moral, ethical citizens to reject the politics of fear.
609
This column exemplifies why agenda driven op-ed's will not achieve their intended objective- to try and convince reasonable and more neutral people of their position. Of course Ted Cruz, does not want homosexuals eliminated and neither is Reverend Swanson's position presented accurately. There is no need to dignify such a biased column with any further comment.
2
The presentation of Swanson's position is not so inaccurate as you imply:
“There are instances in which both the Old and New Testament speak to the matter with unbelievable clarity. You know what that sin is – it’s the sin of homosexuality. In fact in Romans 1 Paul affirms that this particular sin is worthy of death. The Old and New Testament, I believe both speak with authority and we outta receive it.” (from a Nov. 6 speech at the rally where Huckabee, Jindal, and Cruz were in attendance)
He doesn't actually put out a plan for murdering homosexuals, but puts forward the authority the Bible in its support. For the steps he would take for now:
"Here is what I would do: sackcloth and ashes at the entrance to the church and I’d sit in cow manure and I’d spread it all over my body. That is what I would do and I’m not kidding, I’m not laughing.” “I’m grieving, I’m mourning, I’m pointing out the problem,” Swanson screamed as he went off about people trying to “carve happy faces on the sores” of a society that is utterly “messed up.”
So the initial actions are symbolic, but why should I believe that he wouldn't attempt to devise "legal" ways to actively punish or condemn homosexuals to death, if he could find a way? Perhaps his hopes that Cruz, Jindal, or Huckabee would pave the way for him are misplaced -- I hope so -- but your trust in their good sense is far stronger than mine.
“There are instances in which both the Old and New Testament speak to the matter with unbelievable clarity. You know what that sin is – it’s the sin of homosexuality. In fact in Romans 1 Paul affirms that this particular sin is worthy of death. The Old and New Testament, I believe both speak with authority and we outta receive it.” (from a Nov. 6 speech at the rally where Huckabee, Jindal, and Cruz were in attendance)
He doesn't actually put out a plan for murdering homosexuals, but puts forward the authority the Bible in its support. For the steps he would take for now:
"Here is what I would do: sackcloth and ashes at the entrance to the church and I’d sit in cow manure and I’d spread it all over my body. That is what I would do and I’m not kidding, I’m not laughing.” “I’m grieving, I’m mourning, I’m pointing out the problem,” Swanson screamed as he went off about people trying to “carve happy faces on the sores” of a society that is utterly “messed up.”
So the initial actions are symbolic, but why should I believe that he wouldn't attempt to devise "legal" ways to actively punish or condemn homosexuals to death, if he could find a way? Perhaps his hopes that Cruz, Jindal, or Huckabee would pave the way for him are misplaced -- I hope so -- but your trust in their good sense is far stronger than mine.
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I watched one of Swanson's sermons. The column presents it accurately. Having been brought up in fundamentalism, I am well aware of what I will call the "shadings of love" that can be the hallmarks of a fundamentalist sermon and that fundamentalist believers always claim is truly at the core of their hatred, for those who are filled with hatred. While not all fundamentalists are so hate filled, Swanson certainly is as is Cruz, Sr., whose sermons I have also heard.
Swanson did say that we had not yet reached the point of executions. He did say that we had to give time for repentance. He also made clear that the executions would follow for those who did not repent.
Samuel, if anyone has twisted the truth here, it is you.
Swanson did say that we had not yet reached the point of executions. He did say that we had to give time for repentance. He also made clear that the executions would follow for those who did not repent.
Samuel, if anyone has twisted the truth here, it is you.
57
Anyone taking the trouble to watch the video of Rev. Swanson's address will recognize it for exactly what it is; the demonization of America's homosexuals and a call for their elimination. Disgraceful!
36
In the end, what pastor Kevin Swanson and, by extension, the right wing's right wing of the GOP want to do is to control others. What others say, what others do, and whom others are *permitted* to associate with.
For my former party to claim they have any legitimacy in proclaiming they are for "freedom" is laughable.
Especially in light of the fact they can not grasp that their actions and what they and their supporters, like Mr. Swanson promote is the antithesis of Freedom.
For my former party to claim they have any legitimacy in proclaiming they are for "freedom" is laughable.
Especially in light of the fact they can not grasp that their actions and what they and their supporters, like Mr. Swanson promote is the antithesis of Freedom.
218
"It is only the savage, whether of the African bush or the American gospel tent, who pretends to know the will and intent of god exactly and completely".
H.L. Mencken
"The purpose of the separation of church and state, is to keep forever from these shores, the ceaseless strife, that has soaked the soil of Europe, in blood, for centuries".
James Madison.
Ah, for the good old days when the cowtown ayatollahs were content to lead their flock in fondling poisonous snakes, gibbering in tongues and extorting, under the threat of eternal damnation, a decent living from the credulity of the sheeple.
H.L. Mencken
"The purpose of the separation of church and state, is to keep forever from these shores, the ceaseless strife, that has soaked the soil of Europe, in blood, for centuries".
James Madison.
Ah, for the good old days when the cowtown ayatollahs were content to lead their flock in fondling poisonous snakes, gibbering in tongues and extorting, under the threat of eternal damnation, a decent living from the credulity of the sheeple.
183
There is no stronger bond that the tribal one, which is often solidified with fear of the "other," whomever that might be. There is no more dangerous brand of hate and fear that that driven by a belief that God is on your side (something these "Christian" haters and ISIS have in common).
Yes, we should take them seriously. Their current method is to begin to take control at the local level - school boards, library boards, and town councils. Those may seem like minor areas, but they are true areas of influence over the lives of ordinary Americans.
Yes, we should take them seriously. Their current method is to begin to take control at the local level - school boards, library boards, and town councils. Those may seem like minor areas, but they are true areas of influence over the lives of ordinary Americans.
274
We should never underestimate the resolve of religious fundamentalists. People like Kevin Swanson would be dismissed and pitied if their views didn’t have sympathizers on the Supreme Court, or if major political parties didn’t run the likes of Cruz and Jindal and Huckabee for president, or if denial of science was not a badge of honor in Congress.
We can’t ignore the lunatic fringe when their confidence in everlasting life allows them to strap on explosive vests and take innocents with them to their heavenly reward. If religion can do this much damage when it’s under attack, I’d hate to see it at full strength.
If your worldview can be threatened by a lesbian, you might want to shop around for a more robust worldview. If a gay man brings out your homicidal tendencies, there are other countries that would welcome you into the fold. These are the ones that have taken conservative religious views to their logical end, stoning women for having been raped, and imprisoning or killing homosexuals.
Those of us who aren’t threatened by gay people wonder why their very existence strikes such fear and loathing into some religious zealots. The percentage of gay people in the population appears to be a fairly reliable three to five percent. I wonder if three to five percent of religious fundamentalists are virulently anti-gay. I wonder if there’s a connection.
We can’t ignore the lunatic fringe when their confidence in everlasting life allows them to strap on explosive vests and take innocents with them to their heavenly reward. If religion can do this much damage when it’s under attack, I’d hate to see it at full strength.
If your worldview can be threatened by a lesbian, you might want to shop around for a more robust worldview. If a gay man brings out your homicidal tendencies, there are other countries that would welcome you into the fold. These are the ones that have taken conservative religious views to their logical end, stoning women for having been raped, and imprisoning or killing homosexuals.
Those of us who aren’t threatened by gay people wonder why their very existence strikes such fear and loathing into some religious zealots. The percentage of gay people in the population appears to be a fairly reliable three to five percent. I wonder if three to five percent of religious fundamentalists are virulently anti-gay. I wonder if there’s a connection.
487
I am a firm believer in the idea that religion poisons everything. It is poisoning our country as well as much of the world around us. The dead Middle Ages are being revived with a vengeance.
116
"If religion can do this much damage when it’s under attack, I’d hate to see it at full strength." Me too. We have seen it (if not personally). It was labeled "the dark ages".
18
Religion run amuck can poison everything; capitalism run amuck can poison everything. I'm not religious myself, but I've seen much good done by religions, both on an individual and a societal level. Unfortunately, it does seem attract those who hate as well as those who love. Just as out-of-control capitalism is the realm of the greedy.
12
Are you suggesting that Cruz is an evil charlatan? If not, I am.
629
Swanson says "gay people must be allowed to repent and convert."
Swanson and company are the ones that "must be allowed to repent and convert."
It will be interesting to see what happens to them at the pearly gates. Oh, I suppose 75 virgins will be waiting for them