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07/09/2007
Wait, how exactly did we become the 'Hitler' here?
Consider this passage:
When one studies history, it is hard to ignore the process that targets people for persecution. For instance, how did Hitler convince Germany to cooperate with his “Final Solution” against the Jews? He managed it by marginalization by passing laws to deny them freedoms, by using the media to dehumanize them, and then by setting them up to become the scapegoat of Germany’s self-loathing, hatred, and failure as a nation.
Now, we are uncomfy with using this imagery for any modern political fight, as the Holocaust and he Hitler regime were tragedies of epic proportions, the likes of which should not be trivialized. However, if you were to apply the idea of "tyranny vs. a minroity" to modern day America, who would you most readily cast in which role? Who in this nation has been greatly marginalized for centuries? Who has had laws passed to deny them freedoms? Who has been dehumanized by unflattering media portrayals? Who has been used as a scapegoat by the nation's leadership? Who has faced real hate? Hell, WHO WAS IN THE DEATH CAMPS ALONGSIDE THE JEWS?!?!?!
If you said "gays," you would of course be close to the mark. However, if you said "Christians," you would be Michael Marcavage.
Yes, the above passage comes from a new anti-hate crimes legislation document (pdf) being distributed by Repent America, the group headed by Michael "gays are to blame for Hurricane Katrina" Marcavage. And their invoking of brute history to make a modern point, Marcavage and company have cast Christians as victims, and the big, bad, scary gays as "Hitler-like" tyrants hellbent on persecuting Christians via hate crimes legislation (which they say are "intended to prevent Bible-believing people and pastors from preaching the Word of God"). This despite the truth of the matter, which is that proposed hate crimes laws would not target anti-gay religious speech in any way, shape, or Leviticus, but would simply work to keep the LGBT population just a little but safer from bias-motivated violence. But since these anti-gay folks know that measures that make the world more tolerant are ultimately not conducive to the gay-unfriendly world in which they want to reside, they will pull out any card that they think might help their team thwart the truly righteous measures (even if that tactic involves repositioning the sect that they so staunchly demonize as the tyrannical aggressors in the situation).
It would be sort of comically unhinged if the implications weren't so frightening!
To pour over the rest of Repent America's document for yourself, the pdf is below. Just be careful to not get too enraged by all of the demonization, morality-robbing, offensive dehumanization, judgment, and stone-casting contained within the document, as we wouldn't want our reactions to the mean-sprited persecution to earn us a "Hussein" label.
Hate Crimes Packet [Repent America document uploaded to our own server]
**UPDATE: Repent America is taking these documents down to Washington for a series of press conferences, meetings, and events. So don't think they are just confined to Internet nuttery. They are trying to get political mileage out of them.
**UPDATE2: So how truthful and well-researched are these Repent America documents? Well, just consider this passage:
The following is part of the debate that ensued in Congress over HR 1592. “Congressman Gohmert asked, ‘If a minister was giving a sermon, a Bible study or any kind of written or spoken message saying that homosexuality was a serious sin and a person in the congregation went out and committed a crime against a homosexual would the minister be charged with the crime of incitement?’ Gohmert was attempting to clarify and emphasize that the legislation would have an effect on the constitutional right to religious freedom and thus the Pence amendment was needed to protect religious speech. The Democrats refused to accept the amendment. Lundgren pressed them on his question, ‘What is your answer? Would there be incitement charges against the pastor?’ Finally, Democrat Congressman Arthur Davis from Alabama spoke up and said, ‘Yes.’”
Look familiar? Yep, this is the SAME EXACT false transcript that was disseminated back in May by the Traditional Values Coalition. It is a complete and utter bastardization of what actually transpired between Gohmert and Davis!! For the ACTUAL transcript, read here.
We have left both an email and a voicemail for Mr. Marcavage...
...so we are expecting that before these packets are distributed in Washington tomorrow and Wednesday, a correction will be made!!
Your thoughts
Certainly not very Christ-like behaviors on many counts. Sad when you consider that followers of Jesus are called to imitate or "mimic" Jesus. And I just do not see Jesus doing many of these sorts of things.
He surely wasn't known for His political posturing against groups which engaged in a particular sin. Should followers of Christ today be known for their political posturing against homosexuals? Jesus certainly was not known for calling for laws against prostitutes and tax collectors. Should today's followers of Christ be known for calling for laws against homosexuals?
Incredibly, sinners like prostitutes and tax collectors enjoyed hanging out with Jesus and hearing His message of sacrificial love and repentance and deliverance and freedom from sin. Yet how many homosexuals would enjoy hanging out with a follower of Jesus and hearing His message of sacrificial love and repentance and deliverance and freedom from sin? Relatively few (for many reasons obviously, but certainly including the un-Christ-like conduct of far too many self-proclaimed Christians).
Followers of Jesus are commanded by Jesus to mimic His example – which would not seem to include standing up in "superior righteousness" (sarcasm emphasis) and demand laws that single out and punish homosexuals. Christians should be known for their sacrificial love and devotion to Christ and preaching of the Gospel, not known for the coercive laws we try to pass.
Posted by: AJ | Jul 9, 2007 6:10:20 PM
Your country is seriously nuts.
I read your site every day, and appreciate your words, given the crap you obviously have to put up with, given the religio freaks that breed bile over there, all in the name of their indoctrination.
Its also prevalent in the tripe that comes out of the US administration.
Fortunately, Tony Blair left before he could do more damage, or be damaged himself.
See www.dailymail.co.uk ( GOD told him that Iraq War was a good thing ) apparently. :-)
My rights in the UK all come from the EU administration and not the last/incumbent Govt, and even then its with caveats.
The UK Govt wants to "Opt Out" of human rights legislation. Well, thats bloody nice of them.
The opposition idiot is on a Family Values bandwagon,
You know what that means, no doubt...
Unfortunately the UK attempts to follow the US, but it always f*c*s it up....
Posted by: Derek Northcote | Jul 9, 2007 6:27:20 PM
"Just be careful to not get too enraged by all of the demonization, morality-robbing, offensive dehumanization, judgment, and stone-casting contained within the document, as we wouldn't want our reactions to the mean-sprited persecution to earn us a "Hussein" label."
Also be sure not to let your own moral outrage lead to an actual physical attack as Christians are all ready covered under existing hate crimes laws...
Posted by: Todd | Jul 9, 2007 6:33:16 PM
This Marcavage fellow is just nuts, but Christians were indeed alongside Jews, gays, Gypsies, and others in the camps as well. While Christianity itself wasn't persecuted like Judaism, it was generally considered useful by the Nazis to corrupt, millions of Christians were killed though mainly for sick reasons involving race (Poles, Slavs, etc.). The exception of course were priests/ministers and anyone else considered a threat to the Nazi regime, they were ruthlessly killed. Jews were the main target of the Nazis for extermination, for racial & religious reasons, but Christians died in the millions as well. Frankly when you look at the history of the Holocaust it's enough to make one despair of man's inhumanity to their fellow man given the wholesale slaughter of innocent life.
Posted by: John | Jul 9, 2007 6:43:46 PM
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