Folks, one of the "Signs of the Times" put forth by the Mormon faithful is the idea that an awful scourge will cover the face of the earth. This may actually be something common to other sects as well, but Mormons are the only ones I can speak authoritatively to.
Various ideas have been proffered as to what this scourge might be. When I was a kid, it was AIDS, and more recently I've heard it to be Homosexuality.
While I reject the whole signs of the times thing as a bunch of crap, designed only to instill fear in the faithful, and get them to cough up more money for church coffers, I do believe we face a scourge.
Extremist Religion, and I'm not just talking about Islamic Extremists either.
Considering comments which Glenn Beck made (or did not make, or did not, not make). I think it appropriate to make a little comparison.
Consider Glenn Beck the Osama Bin Ladin of the Christian Extremist movement.
Is there a difference, aside from language?
Consider the faithful Glenn Beck devotee, the little Jihadist of the movement.
9/11 happens, and Bin Ladin takes responsibility and talks about how it is a warning to infidels from Allah.
The horrendous Japanese earthquake happens, and Glenn claims responsibility for his God (or rather, doesn't not, not claim responsibility for his God), and talks about how it is a warning from God.
And all the little Beck Jihadists take to the internet, and in a manner similar to the Jihadist chanting death to the infidel, and burning the American Flag, they defend the ass hat that is Glenn Beck, and criticize any who might question his holiness.
Am I completely off base here?
If Beck is Bin Laden, he's a very passive one. I can't help wondering if he's actually trying to cause the chaos he keeps predicting.
ReplyDeleteI was just trying to figure what exactly he didn't not say. The earthquake was caused by progressive politics? By somebody or other not being Christian or Christian *enough*? Was the earthquake in Japan because they're not Christian? Or did God kill thousands of people as a message to Americans to be more conservative? He was very careful not to actually say *anything*. I guess that's because he knows the people he's talking to will interpret it in the way he wants them to.
As a rule, I don't agree with conservatives or liberals, and feel a similar amount of disdain for both. It is notable to criticize a large group of people, with varying allegiances to disparate ideologies, and watch the reactions. Liberals tend to be far more engaging, albeit just as vitriolic, in their responses when challenged. Conservatives prove themselves to be, 9 times out of 10, the usual dittoheads who will not even come back with a relevant response. Generally, you can expect to be called a Nazi or Communist, or some other nonsense, then they'll revert to childish mantra-chanting rather than arguing the real issues.
ReplyDeleteI consider conservatism to be more a religious movement than an ideology. Its adherents have been trained to take things on faith, demonize outsiders and rely upon the "inspired" teachings of a few "great leaders" for meaning in life.
It's a concern. There's religious fervor all around, and it's not good.
ReplyDelete