Ed Brayton is a journalist, commentator and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
Tis the time for end-of-year lists and this one may be my favorite: the top ten "anti-Christian attacks of 2009" put out by the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. The list is supposed to be examples of "anti-Christian defamation, bigotry and discrimination" over the past year. My favorite one of the top ten is this one:
7. The overt homosexual participation in Obama's presidential inaugural events by "Bishop" Vickie Eugene Robinson, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D. C., and a homosexual marching band.
Yes, the mere fact that gay people got to take part in the inauguration of President Obama is an example of Christian persecution - never mind that the person they mentioned is a Christian bishop himself. Dispatches reader Barry goes through them one by one at Is It Luck and finds that nearly all of them are either wildly exaggerated or outright false. Like this one:
10. Pro-life Pastor Reverend Walter Hoye of Oakland, was jailed for exercising peaceful, pro-life speech.
Barry points out:
Hoye violated a city ordinance that established an 8-foot boundary around people entering and exiting abortion clinics. Time, place and manner restrictions are well-established, entirely Constitutional limits on where, when, and how free speech can be delivered. In this case, the restriction simply prevented him from getting right in women's faces as they entered medical clinics. Furthermore, Hoye was offered alternatives to jail, but he rejected them in protest of the reasonable restrictions by which we all must abide. Of course, the top 10 list didn't mention any of the facts behind the story; they create the impression of a guy just doing his thing and getting thrown in the hoosegow willy nilly.
Politics
Comments
Sounds like we need to organize some real anti-christian behavior so they can have a true comparison and stop exaggerating this crap.
Posted by: MikeMa | January 7, 2010 9:27 AM
I wasn't too surprised to see that the shooting death of Christian Dr. Tiller in his church failed to make the list.
Posted by: Kindred16 | January 7, 2010 9:32 AM
Ah but he is the wrong type of Christian, not a self-loathing gay. They also got his name wrong it is Vicki Gene not Vickie Eugene (his parents were expecting a girl and instead got a boy who everyone thought would die within hours so he was quickly given the name chosen).
Oddly enough his theology seems to be fairly orthodox for Episcopalian/Anglican bishops (contrast former Bishop Spong or former Bishop Holloway [who wrote a book called Godless Morality and calling it a good thing]).
Posted by: Erp | January 7, 2010 9:37 AM
I note that not one of these "Top 10 Persecution Stories" involve foreign countries where Christians and Christian evangelism are actively suppressed, such as Saudi Arabia or China.
Posted by: DaveL | January 7, 2010 9:38 AM
What, no mention of cashiers at department stores wishing customers Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas? That should be #1!
Posted by: Ericb | January 7, 2010 9:41 AM
Hey, I know a couple of people in the 'gay marching band' that participated in the parade. They are the National Rainbow Band, I think. I watched the parade and they were one of the most entertaining groups out there.
Posted by: Bourgeois_Rage | January 7, 2010 9:43 AM
The full title of the list added in the US so it is not surprising non US events weren't included.
Posted by: Erp | January 7, 2010 9:49 AM
Thanks for the link, Ed!
Posted by: barry | January 7, 2010 9:50 AM
I tried to follow up on a few of the stories.
I was unable to find any references for Jim Pullion (reported murdered) outside of the list except for a utube memorial.
I was also unable to locate an actual news item regarding the home schooling lady.
Anybody have better luck?
tq
Posted by: netjaeger | January 7, 2010 9:53 AM
That explains it, though it makes the list kind of like "Top Ten Worst Ice Storms in Barbadian History."
Posted by: DaveL | January 7, 2010 9:55 AM
The actual title used by the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission is identical to Ed's but in fairness the US is mentioned in the first sentence.
A more serious question is why people who claim to be concerned about the persecution of Christians ignore the worst examples from around the world to concentrate on a country where they have to include a sitcom and a marching band just to get the list up to ten.
Posted by: Matty | January 7, 2010 10:00 AM
It took less than a minute to find a more convincing news story about persecution of Christians. Seriously why are they ignoring this stuff? they could stand up for their co-religionists, strike a blow against Islamic extremism and get to ally with civil liberatrians for a change. It looks like a perfect case.
Posted by: Matty | January 7, 2010 10:12 AM
#9 happened in a neighboring town to mine and co-workers live in the same neighborhood as the shooter did.
Posted by: MartyM | January 7, 2010 10:16 AM
Just what kind of ceremony was Obama's inaguration if it included "overt homosexual participation" by a bishop and a marching band? I though he just had to say a few words in front of the Chief Justice now I find out there was some kind of wild orgy.
Posted by: Matty | January 7, 2010 10:25 AM
netjaeger @ # 9: I was unable to find any references for Jim Pullion...
His name is actually spelled Pouillon. He was murdered this September in Owosso, Michigan, allegedly by a mentally disturbed truck driver who also killed his former boss (and was reportedly talking about going after a real estate agent next). Pouillon spent much of his time outside a local high school carrying big pictures of chopped-up fetuses (in a town without an abortion-providing clinic), and had been on the accused's "can't stand that guy" list. (No word about the suspect's views on abortion per se; I don't think there's even been a trial date set.)
Pouillon was promptly declared "Pro-Life's First Martyr" (quietly displacing at least one guy who had a fatal heart attack picketing a clinic in Arizona during summer a decade or so back, for whom pro-choicers had been blamed (just because)).
I couldn't help but be reminded of a G.B. Shaw line from The Devil's Disciple:
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler | January 7, 2010 10:32 AM
What, nobody thrown to the lions? No one had a Nero pulled on them and were used as human garden torches?
This is persecution?! Gimme a break.
Todays christians are really a bunch of super-softies...total wusses.
Posted by: William | January 7, 2010 10:42 AM
Free Students has a good takedown of all 10 claims.
Posted by: James Hanley | January 7, 2010 10:48 AM
I have a dream, that someday my children's children will be persecuted like a Christian in 2000s America...
Posted by: James Sweet | January 7, 2010 10:55 AM
Grr. American Christians really piss me off sometimes.
Posted by: heddle | January 7, 2010 10:57 AM
What, no references to Sarah Palin? Doesn't she count as a holy Christian martyr anymore?
Posted by: Emily | January 7, 2010 11:11 AM
heddle stated:
Yeah how 'bout those Ugandans.
You walked right into that one. ;)
Posted by: Michael Heath | January 7, 2010 11:13 AM
Christians crying persecution in 2010 America is like a middle-class white man doing the same in 1984 South Africa.
Posted by: CHV | January 7, 2010 11:24 AM
I liked this guy's take down of the list too: http://open.salon.com/blog/ethicalhedonist/2010/01/05/anti-christian_bigotry_oh_this_ought_to_be_good
It's weird that almost no one can find info on #6 (the eighth graders in Lexington).
Posted by: Iason Ouabache | January 7, 2010 11:41 AM
BTW, Science Fiction is anti-Christian as well:
http://wayoflife.org/files/2fd19aa02a25c87c4946a653a20f1344-486.html
Posted by: Madrocketscientist | January 7, 2010 12:22 PM
Since I've got nothing else to do right now let’s take a look at number 3
Searching this document for Christian gives
I get no results for church, faith, religion or Jesus and none on conservative.
Posted by: Matty | January 7, 2010 12:26 PM
That's the thing about fundies, they are all guilty of the sin of omission. That's a biggie too but they don't recognize it as such.
Posted by: Tony P | January 7, 2010 12:26 PM
Oh how downtrodden and persecuted they are when the persecution they engage in is disregarded.
Posted by: TheDude | January 7, 2010 1:24 PM
DaveL:
Posted by: Calli Arcale | January 7, 2010 1:30 PM
5. Pro-life activist Jim Pullion was murdered in front of his granddaughter's high school for showing the truth about abortion.
This says he was killed for his anti-abortion activism. Is this somehow an exclusively and intrinsically Christian position? Did I miss a meeting?
Posted by: KacyRay | January 7, 2010 1:44 PM
I may kick an ass. No. 1 is the Hate Crimes legislation.
Posted by: Rutee | January 7, 2010 2:18 PM
I like the "support for homosexuality"= Christian prosecution. Does that mean I'm anti-Semitic by ordering a pork sandwich?
Posted by: Mu | January 7, 2010 2:33 PM
Wow, a homosexual marching band. Those poor, poor Christians. It must be really tough for them.
Posted by: 386sx | January 7, 2010 2:54 PM
@32 - I LOVE the idea of some uptight fundie sitting home being totally openminded and fair about the Obama inauguration (ha) until he sees the gay marching band, at which point he decides Obama is a communist socialist fascist from Kenya who has gay sex in the presidential limo and has a deep seated hatred for white people.
Posted by: barry | January 7, 2010 3:50 PM
Many Christians disagree.
Many Christians disagree.
If you chose to be straight, did you announce it to the world, for instance by openly dating or marrying a member of the opposite sex?
Posted by: DaveL | January 7, 2010 5:50 PM
Revered Pollen.
Posted by: Sadie Morrison | January 7, 2010 5:56 PM
God also thought you should be stoned to death for wearing polyblend fibers and eating shellfish, so I'm not sure his judgement is entirely sound.
If Satan exists, he's complaining that God doesn't have anything for him to do anymore because his followers obviously don't give a damn what he has to say, so there's no point in testing their faith.
Posted by: Rutee | January 7, 2010 6:01 PM
If you were born straight, what makes you think other people weren't born gay? What about animals? Are homosexual animals making a choice?
Posted by: DaveL | January 7, 2010 6:08 PM
>I guess the next thing we will see if the world's first serial killer marching band.
Yeah, because loving and supporting my partner of 17 years through thick and thin is the EXACT SAME THING as murdering lots of people.
I don't want to have anything to do with your tiny, idiotic, dim-bulb version of religion.
FWIW, I played clarinet with the "homosexual band" in the Parade. There were a lot of bisexuals, transgendered folks and even STRAIGHT people too, OMGWTFBBQ. The one thing we have in common? We love music and we love performing.
And oh yeah, one of our sponsors was the head Chaplain at St. Elizabeth's Hospital.
Posted by: Mojave66 | January 7, 2010 6:12 PM
Sadie,
Yes, you're probably right.
Posted by: DaveL | January 7, 2010 6:13 PM
Hm, sadie was correct. A thousand pardons, you do a fine imitation of their dances, Rev.
Posted by: Rutee | January 7, 2010 6:58 PM
I actually share your position that Christians that are okay with homosexuality and accept evolution and the Big Bang etc are being stupid. They should just chuck the whole book out, instead of picking and choosing Biblical "truths".
However, I'd interested in what your position on the nativity of Jesus is? Could you tell me how the story goes? Without picking and choosing Biblical "truths"?
Posted by: Alex | January 7, 2010 7:22 PM
Reveren Pollen "You cannot be gay and Christian at the same time."
Is he actively gay, or just gay? If the latter, then he's the same as every other Christian; imperfect. If the former, you're a douche.
"Besides if someone decides to be gay, why do they have to announce it to the world in the first place?"
If you decide to be heterosexual, why don't you shut your fucking mouth?
"They should keep that personal decision to themselves if they like that lifestyle choice so much."
…says the Christian about a homosexual...
"I guess the next thing we will see if the world's first serial killer marching band."
Naw. Blackwater's too busy not being held accountable for their crimes.
"http://exposingliberallies.blogspot.com/"
What's a "liber" and why do we care who its allies are?
"You might occassionally see two males dogs trying to go at it, but they are not homosexual."
Pervert.
"Besides, we are not animals. We are humans."
Actually, we're both.
"We have a soul…"
{citation needed}
"...and are in charge of this earth (see Genesis)…"
Obviously you're down with Gen 1:28's "subdue it" and "dominion" and whatnot, but don't forget Gen 2:15's "dress it and to keep it".
"Homosexuality is just like any other disorder such as serial killers and serial rapists."
Is douchery Nature or Nurture?
"All are sins, but the environment in which the child grew up has much to do with adult behavior including homosexuality."
I would add that pre-natal conditions (hormones, etc) also have an effect on the forming brain.
Mojave66 "Yeah, because loving and supporting my partner of 17 years through thick and thin is the EXACT SAME THING as murdering lots of people."
Posted by: Modusoperandi | January 7, 2010 7:36 PM
Ever prayed out loud in front of others, Reverend?
Don't lie; of course you have. But you cannot be a Christian and pray in front of others, hypocrite. Matthew 6:5-8.
It would appear you yourself do not believe the book you read from to get your scriptures. Perhaps there's a church or something where you might go to learn about the bible.
Posted by: Brownian | January 7, 2010 7:45 PM
I'd like evidence you know anything about Christianity before you go about telling everyone else what you think you know.
Posted by: Brownian | January 7, 2010 7:48 PM
I suppose when you put it in such an ungrammatical way, yes you're quite correct, there are no "a homosexual animals".
Of course, I'm sure what you really meant was that are no homosexual animals. In which case, evidence or STFU.
Just roleplaying right?
And when you wank off to the hounds going at it, you're not engaging in voyeuristic zoophilia at all are you?
By the definition of "animal", we are animals. Or do you have some evidence that we aren't?
Or does it just offend your sensibilities?
No shit. But that doesn't stop us being animals too. Just like I'm an English, British, European, liberal, atheistic, white, heterosexual, male physics student who happens to be wholly human, wholly animal and a living organism.
Maybe it's just that your brain is too simplistic to hold more than one separate identities?
Evidence?
Evidence that Genesis isn't fictional? Or that we should accept it's twisted morality?
Thankfully, I don't still live with my parents.
Probably true. Similarly, no-one is born straight either.
Evidence? Did you choose to be straight?
And what if it was a choice? Does the thought of penises in male arses offend you somehow? Surely as long as no-one is harmed, it should be tolerated and legal?
Or is your utopia one where no-one has any freedom to make any choice you don't approve of?
Do you perchance have any evidence that homosexuality is just like those two things?
Or that there exists something called "serial killer disorder" or "serial rapist disorder"?
Do you not see a rather large moral difference between repeatedly raping or killing people, and loving someone of the opposite sex?
And can you deny that your imaginary friend in the sky is a serial killer?
Why?
(FYI, you also need to get yourself some new commandments. I see rape is not mentioned.)
You have, of course, plenty of evidence of this?
I hope they knock on your door first.
Posted by: Alex | January 7, 2010 7:50 PM
Wups. I forgot a line:
Mojave66 "Yeah, because loving and supporting my partner of 17 years through thick and thin is the EXACT SAME THING as murdering lots of people."
It could be worse. He could've also conflated homosexuality with pedophilia.
Posted by: Modusoperandi | January 7, 2010 7:56 PM
Don't lie: if the second sentence were true you wouldn't bother with the first.
Is it the telling of truth that you find so difficult, or do you have some sort of learning disability that makes reading and writing a problem?
Just let us know if you were homeschooled, and we'll cut you some slack.
Posted by: Brownian | January 7, 2010 7:56 PM
You know how I know you are not a True Christian MR POLLEN??? It is because you said Islamofascists when all True CHRISTians know they are islamoathisticsocialistfacistcommunists.
AND what is WRONG with a serial KILLER as a security guard at the mall. I bet then those little BASTURDS would stop steeling STUFF from my KIOSK!!!!
Posted by: Major Malfunction | January 7, 2010 7:57 PM
If you're gonna tell so little of it in one comment, we'll be here all day.
Since you're a bit slow, what I really wanted to know was which Biblical "truth" do you reject? Is it the nativity according to Matthew? Or the nativity according to Luke?
Posted by: Alex | January 7, 2010 8:00 PM
Alex:
A True Christian believes that everything in the BIBLE is TRUE, even the things that contraDICT theirselfs. That is why we are ALWAYS right because whatEVER we are doing is SUPPORTED by the Bible.
Posted by: Major Malfunction | January 7, 2010 8:05 PM
Reverend Pollen "Modusoperandi: " I just hates them there Christianseseses so much. They just pick my little brainsesesesese."
Don't mistake criticism for hate.
I don't hate Christians (even Falwell at his worst mostly just made me sad). I don't hate anybody. Hate is a wasteful and counter-productive emotion.
"Don't pick on Blackwater. They were just doing their job."
I'm sure that most of them are fine, upstanding people just trying to make the best of a bad situation. The problem isn't them, it's the twofold issue of: everybody there who isn't fine, upstanding person just trying to make the best of a bad situation & no oversight/no controls.
Ergo, no punishment for those that do wrong and no justice for those they wronged. Both of those, to steal a phrase "give aid and comfort to the enemy". Take from that what you will.
"Don;t pick on navy Seals for punching (much needed) Islamic terrorist in the face when he don't shut his pie hole."
I'm not picking on Navy Seals. They, for one, fall under someone's Law. Mercenaries don't. That's the problem.
"They were doing their job - keeping you on this website and keeping you alive by killing freakshow Islamofascists who would nuke us all if they had the opportunity."
Actually, some of them are "doing their job" by firing blindly in to whoever happens to be nearby as they drive down the road. That's the problem.
"As far as I am concerned we should give Blackwater the weapons of their choice, send the [sic] to Yemen and Pakistan, and let them party all night long with no rules - anything goes."
Because the way to prove our righteousness is to become our enemy?
Because the path to justice is paved with the bones of whoever happens to be in the way, whether they're involved or not?
"The governemnt cannot force the church to hire gays either."
Non sequitur. Does not follow from anything discussed on this page. Alternately, red herring.
In any event, as long as they aren't suckling at the State teat, they're welcome to be assholes.
"That's a church/state seperation issue."
Isn't it nice to have your petty arrogance protected by the Constitution? It's too bad that the Christian Right doesn't take it going the other direction to also be true.
Posted by: Modusoperandi | January 7, 2010 8:11 PM
Not all rape results from lust.
Lust is not adultery. Having extramarital sex is adultery.
Rape is not mentioned in the ten commandments.
Who was your first crush? Abby Cadabby?
Exact semantic content of this sentence: nil. All humans are animals, did I forget to ask you for evidence otherwise?
And do you have evidence that I was straight when I was born? I don't think the crying was because I was horny.
Correct. You can't inherit things that you choose. I'm glad you're sticking to the definitions of words this time, the linguistics were getting quite irate over the "animal" and "adultery" debacles.
Can you tell me what this sentence was supposed to prove?
Yeah. You missed off answers to like a dozen other questions in my comment.
Posted by: Alex | January 7, 2010 8:20 PM
If stuff about homosexuality can get such championing in this day and age, to the point that the mere acknowledgement of gays by the government is some sort of attack on christianity, why is it one of the few obscure rules treated so?
Why isn't the refusal to repeal anti-slavery laws a perennial slap in the face to good bible following christians?
Posted by: Muzz | January 7, 2010 8:28 PM
Reverend Pollen - "Not all rape is from lust? Yeah. I suppose that rapist just did it out of pure love eh?"
Nope, it's mostly about dominance and control. Anger is the key, not lust and/or love. - Dingo
Posted by: DingoJack | January 7, 2010 8:47 PM
Reverend Pollen "Lust is considered adultery in the Bible."
That's says a lot about the authority of the Bible, don't it?
On a related note, this morning while eating breakfast I thought about jaywalking. A knock on the door from a cop later and I got a ticket.
Posted by: Modusoperandi | January 7, 2010 9:08 PM
PZ pointed to yet another takedown of that list. Now let's all hold hands, bow our heads, and lie bitch and moan for jesus.
Posted by: MadScientist | January 7, 2010 9:11 PM
And we have laws that protect the freedom of conscience so we can all make the choices that are best for us and for our families. (As you might have surmised, gay people have families too.)
I don't believe that sexual orientation is a choice, but even if it was, I would fight for people's right to make that choice without creepy assholes like you unjustly interfering with their right to live as they see fit. They do not harm you, they do not harm society. What harms us is the injustice, prejudice and discrimination that is largely driven by the homophobia and ignorance of the Christian masses. In other words, you.
And the fact that you do believe isn't our problem. Or gay peoples' problem. Oh wait, yes it is. Because gay people still can't get married in most states.
No, it isn't like that at all. Gay people are not like murderers, you stupid asshole. And gay people work for all kinds of churches.
I find it amusing that you are suddenly so interested in church/state separation issues when it is your interests that are being protected. You don't seem to mind that your "homosexuality is a sin" religious bullshit gets enshrined into law and prevents millions of people from sharing the same rights and privileges that a piece of shit like you can get for doing absolutely nothing.
Posted by: Leni | January 7, 2010 9:18 PM
Even buying into the claim that the ordinance in question in the Rev. Hoye matter is unconstitutional, I still don't see how this can accurately fall under the category of "anti-Christian defamation, bigotry and discrimination." NO ONE is allowed to breach the boundary around the clinics, not just Christians. Unjust laws that happen to be violated by Christians does not automatically ="anti-Christian defamation, bigotry and discrimination."
Posted by: daniel rotter | January 7, 2010 9:34 PM
"Lust is considered adultery in the Bible."
LOL, what if you engage in lustful thoughts about your wife/husband? For THOSE instances of lust to be consistent with the "lust=adultery" equation, you would have to stretch the definition of "adultery" to include having sex with your own spouse!
Posted by: daniel rotter | January 7, 2010 9:43 PM
Reverend Pollen
If you believe homosexuality is a sin and you believe everyone is born straight--well that amounts to the heresy of Pelagianism.
You have, I gather, at least heard of the doctrine of Original Sin?
Posted by: heddle | January 7, 2010 9:45 PM
Rev. Pollen - If god doesn't like homosexuals (and there no definitive evidence of that) and the laws of US pertaining to homosexuals, he can get himself naturalised as a citizen and register to vote*, until then he can just STFU. - Dingo.
---------
* Which leads one to ask: if you follow god is your allegiance to a foreign power? God isn't a US citizen (show me god's 'long' or vault' birth certificate, and/or naturalisation papers) nor is god a citizen of a US Dependency or Territory, thus god is a foreigner.
Posted by: DingoJack | January 7, 2010 9:51 PM
Hey Reverend Pollen, which god are you talking about?
Posted by: Harry Bosch | January 7, 2010 9:52 PM
Which, of course, leads on to:
If 'evil' US government is engaged in 'a war against god' (or some such nonsense), then is being a Christian, giving aid and comfort to the enemy of the United States of America (the very definition of treason)? - Dingo
Posted by: DingoJack | January 7, 2010 10:01 PM
@Reverend Pollen: Don;t pick on navy Seals for punching (much needed) Islamic terrorist in the face when he don't shut his pie hole.
Why do we need those Islamic terrorists so badly? Is it to punish America for not treating gays brutally enough, or just so the Navy Seals have a steady supply of people to punch?
Posted by: Emily | January 7, 2010 10:12 PM
Wow, look at the discussion after posts 44 & 45!
Posted by: Major Malfunction | January 7, 2010 10:19 PM
Nope, nobody has taken that bait yet. Are you gonna keep using it or start dangling something else out there?
Posted by: Major Malfunction | January 7, 2010 10:27 PM
"Well, the Seals do need alot of punching practice. Why not practice on Islamic Terrorists."
This has to be a joke, a "man of the cloth" endorsing assault and battery (and yes, assault and battery on Islamic terrorists is still assault and battery)? WWJAB (Who Would Jesus Assault and Batter).
"But then again thise Navy Seals, according to our wonderful government are more of a threat to American than Islamic terrorits are. After all they are right wing extrmeists right?"
I must have missed something, Reverend when did "our wonderful government" label Navy Seals as "more of a threat than Islamic terrorists?"
Posted by: daniel rotter | January 7, 2010 10:36 PM
Posted by: llewelly | January 7, 2010 10:44 PM
Ed or PZ or someone need to be blogging about this NOW:
http://www.revivingliberalism.com/child-abuse-goes-national/2010/01/
Posted by: First Amendment man | January 7, 2010 11:01 PM
So Islamic terrorists have been the only serial killers, N.P? Normal person, maybe. Factual person, not so much.
Posted by: daniel rotter | January 7, 2010 11:02 PM
Noramlpeson - Nah, they'd be getting the tempo, score and marching directions from voices inside their own heads. They'd spend the whole time marching in different directions, playing different tunes at different speeds, while yelling at everyone else that they're wrong, 'evil darwinists' and that 'they're all gonna go to hell', totally ignoring the self-evident reality around them.
The result would be an amusing disaster at best. - Dingo
Posted by: DingoJack | January 7, 2010 11:04 PM
DingoJack; Creationist musicians and Darwinist musicians both read the same notes. They, via their differing worldviews (the Creationists' on God's Holy Bible, the KJV, and the Darwinists on their denial and hatred of Our Lord), simply interpret them differently.
Posted by: Modusoperandi | January 7, 2010 11:23 PM
I've had enough of the stupid trolls here. Normal Person/Captain Patriot/whatever the fuck he's calling himself these days and Reverend Pollen are history here. If they get through, their messages will be immediately deleted so don't bother replying to them. Go be fucking idiots somewhere else.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | January 7, 2010 11:24 PM
Ed Brayton, if this was a party, you'd be a pooper.
Posted by: Modusoperandi | January 7, 2010 11:39 PM
MO - the darwinists read the only hemidemisemiquavers to crotchets, the creationists only minims, semi-breves and breves. But who reads the rests? God I suppose, since on the seven day he rested, and object at rest tend to stay at rest. - Dingo
Posted by: DingoJack | January 7, 2010 11:56 PM
Your point aside, this is not an good metaphor. In a religio-fascist society such as we had, everyone was open to persecution. Christianity was practically enforced in public intstitutions. Atheism, homosexuality, interracial relationships, refusing military conscription - you name it, it was persecuted.
Posted by: Joe | January 8, 2010 3:38 AM
It's a shame I got here after the trolls have been banned. For years I've been trying to figure out how conservatives justify their stance against abortion based on the Bible. Since Mr Pollen seemed to care so much about biblical truths, I wish I could have asked him where, specifically, the Bible says that abortion is wrong.
Personally, I think our laws should say exactly what they Bible says about abortion, which is absolutely nothing.
Posted by: catgirl | January 8, 2010 10:16 AM
I don't think Rev Pollen cares much about Biblical "truths" at all; he just plays someone who does on a blog.
Posted by: DaveL | January 8, 2010 10:23 AM
I think the article is pointing out that our country is becoming anti-Christian in that it is trying to force individuals to accept things that go against their conscience and what the Bible says. The same Bible that is used as a standard for people to swear to tell the Truth against.
It seems that many Christians have bought into the idea that American ideals of health, wealth, and happiness are the same thing that Jesus
Posted by: goatheadbob | January 18, 2010 3:31 PM