When Barack Met John...
Part of this post was reblogged by Marco so I am sure it is getting widely read in Tumblrdom. I was dissappointed after reading it because Topherchris doesn’t explain why the planned debate doesn’t “smell right”. Does Chris have a problem with it being held in a church? Or (God forbid) an evangelical church? Would Chris feel better if it was held in a Small Unitarian Church? Would it be more appropriate to have the debate hosted by Richard Dawkins than a Pastor? Just what is the problem here?
With your permission, I’ll respond to this in two parts: A sarcastic section followed by a serious section.
Sarcastic
What would make me feel better if the event took place in the middle of a blood orgy, overseen by the High Priest of the Church of Satan himself. I’d expect the usual arrangements for this type of forum: a giant fire pit to sacrifice virgins, bizarre synchronized dances performed with live chickens, and a glorious finale wherein both candidates are placed into a large ring wearing nothing but loincloths and are expected to fight to the death with their bare hands. This is just how I roll, and I expect the rest of the world to have no problem with my personal beliefs and rituals.
Serious
The problem, as I said, is that I’m skeptical that serious political discourse can occur in a place of worship — Evangelical Christian, Judaism, Muslim, Jainism, or whatever you like. Frankly, I’m surprised that this would be a controversial thought. Churches and other places of worship weren’t created for such a purpose, were they? A Pastor’s training doesn’t require knowledge of the wide array of topics that a serious political discussion should touch on, does it?
It’s more complex than that, though. Evangelical Christians and many other religious persons have beliefs which are completely incompatible with political realities: Abortion is safe and legal, gay marriage is gaining legitimacy, and it’s legal for a man to shave his face (sorry, I couldn’t resist). This influential Evangelical leader, as intelligent and thoughtful as he may be, shouldn’t be expected to disavow his own core beliefs for the sake of a fair and open conversation about these kinds of issues. Fortunately for him, he won’t be expected to do that.
Obviously, a serious discussion isn’t the goal here. I’d feel better if it were, because Americans are already ignorant enough about politics to be mucking it up any further. But we do our best.
What would be more appropriate, of course, is for an event of this nature to be conducted by journalists. Good ones. Real ones.
↓ Tumblr users who liked, reblogged, or answered
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psychoviolinist
reblogged this from
squashed
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…Watch for my response to this when I get home this afternoon…
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waterloobridge
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and added:
______________________________________________________ Although I am a Christian I can separate certain ideals. Yes, I...
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apileofblog
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topherchris
and added:
well, they ARE politicians -...surprised they’re pandering
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msbadkittie
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from Wikipedia: “The phrase “separation of church and state” is derived from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in...
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squashed
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As a religious person, I don’t think my beliefs are incompatible with political realities. But rather than...
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jgh
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Have you ever read up on Rick Warren (the man hosting these discussions)? He may...part of...
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funinside
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When Barack Met John…
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topherchris
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dansaid
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With your permission, I’ll respond to...in two parts: A sarcastic section followed
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missingmuse
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joeypants-deactivated20090410
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even allowing the Democratic candidate in is pretty good news for Obama. Last election cycle, the Vatican (unofficially)...
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hardcorejudas
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craigz
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msbadkittie
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i completely agree.
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brigno
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mandalay
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Im still waiting for a debate about the state of science in our country. A debate which would really tell us something...
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mandalay
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problem with this? the most glaring point...we have a (tragically waning) separation
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dansaid
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Part of this post was reblogged by Marco so I am sure it is getting widely read in Tumblrdom. I was dissappointed after...
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marco
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