January 29, 2015

Everything that is wrong with modern Christianity

Saw this the other day, and while I didn't think it was possible for me to dislike the former Minister from Arkansas any more, I found that I can muster more dislike after he said that women who curse in public are just "trashy."

This isn't about cursing, really. While I really like it, and hang out with a lot of friends who like to curse in humorous ways, I recognize that it isn't for everyone, and it isn't for every setting. When I was teaching in the classroom, I kept the cursing to a minimum, and avoided any of the potentially offensive words. Context matters.


But this isn't about cursing, it is about priorities. Huckabee is shocked that women throw around the f-bomb, but isn't at all offended by massive cuts to food stamps. He isn't offended when Republicans question rape victims. He isn't offended when Ted Nugent calls Obama a "chimpanzee" or Hillary Clinton names that even I won't write here.


And he isn't offended by torture. Why should he be? He is part of the American demographic (white evangelical) with the most support for torture.

But swearing is bad.

January 23, 2015

Gun culture

As one of my friends said, "literally the dumbest thing ever."  I am not sure.  I fully expect the Republicans to do something dumber this next week.  There appears to be no bottom.



Kansas Senate bill would let any legal gun owner secretly carry without permit | The Wichita Eagle The Wichita Eagle

January 17, 2015

Majority of U.S. public school students are in poverty

I knew inequality was bad, but didn't realize it was this bad.  For the first time in 50 years, more students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.  When you put this in the context of the modern governing philosophy of the Republicans and far too many Democrats, you see the farce of supply side economics.  You see the inhumanity of tax cuts and growing inequality.  You see the insanity of the people proclaiming "family first" who place more than half the nation's students in poverty, and refuse to address it beyond cutting taxes for the rich.



Majority of U.S. public school students are in poverty - The Washington Post

January 2, 2015

Sigh. Evangelicals can push back against some things.

Of course they can. And they do. Evangelicals will mobilize and push back against gay marriage or teaching the scientific facts about climate and evolution. And as we see here, they will absolutely get angry about an article criticizing their view of the Bible.

But those evangelicals look the other way (or worse, cheer) torture, demonizing the poor, depriving people of color the right to vote, and even feeding the poor. Just put Jesus in the role of all of those and seriously tell me those views have any Christian validity? Seriously?

But don't dare question the inerrancy of Scripture. That makes them angry.