Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
The question is somewhat rhetorical since I wrote a book about this subject, but current events continue to vindicate my position that liberals are waging war on Christianity. I won't rehash arguments in this post about the absurd degree to which the Establishment Clause has been distorted to suppress religious freedom in the name of protecting it, but consider this case reported in The Hill.
The Federal Reserve issued an order to an Oklahoma bank to remove religious items from public view because they could discourage people from seeking loan applications. The items were a link on the bank's website to a Bible verse of the day and buttons saying "Merry Christmas, God With Us."
Do you agree with the bank examiners? Or with Sen. James Inhofe and Rep. Frank Lucas, who fired off a letter to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke objecting to this? Inhofe claims it discriminates against Christians and their freedom to express their faith. I agree.
If these had been references to a religion other than Christianity the examiner probably would have directed the bank to give bonuses to the employees involved. There is a disturbing paranoia about Christianity in our modern culture -- so ironic, given its putative majority status. The story says the Federal Reserve withdrew the order after Inhofe and Lucas complained.
- Comment (124)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (6)
Comments :
Nov '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
David,
I think there a number of reasons. One reason that things like this are given a pass is that nominal Christians don't really believe what they say they do. If they did, they wouldn't be so keen to get along. They'd be willing to stand up for what they believe, and they wouldn't be so scared to be labelled "intolerant."
The other element is that there are a growing number of people who believe that the Christian faith, with it's view that there is only one way to God, is wrong and repressive.
It remains another mystery why those same people don't have the same view of Islam. I think that is political. The left, at best, give Islam a wide berth, and at worst embraces it in the name of diversity. They view America as largely Christian, and it needs a dose of something different to straighten it out and see that there is something else out there besides Christianity.
Thats what I think anyway.
May '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
That's good news. But, as I said when Lileks raised the subject, it is unacceptable that the defense of our freedoms rests solely in the hands of politicians.
Humility before the law (social agreements) is one thing. Appealing to bureaucrats and lawyers as our only hope, as if we are beggars, is entirely different. Americans act more like subjects than citizens these days.
I readily admit, though, that it is far from obvious when civil disobedience is justified.
Edited on Dec 17, 2010 at 6:22pmJul '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
Christians believe in individual responsibility and self-reliance.
Socialists believe in class warfare and reliance on government.
End of story.
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
My apologies. I didn't realize James had covered this already. Been busy today and haven't but skimmed the other posts and when I did a search I didn't search well enough. Sorry about that.
May '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
Is this Oklahoma bank a member of the Federal Reserve system? If it was not, I don't see why the Fed is going around telling banks what they can and cannot post on their websites.
If it is a member, I wonder if the Fed examiners have empirical data on hand that suggests that such an online item would discourage the search for loan applications. I doubt that they do and I also doubt that such an item would discourage the pursuit of loan applications.
As to why Christianity receives this asymmetric treatment, that's easy. Its thought that Christianity is the religion of the oppressors, of the wealthy and fortunate Anglo-Saxons of the world. By contrast, Islam, the practitioners of whom attract propitiations and apologies from the West, receives far more deferential treatment because it is seen as a religion of oppressed, brown peoples. I put it vulgarly, but I think its accurate nevertheless.
Edited on Dec 17, 2010 at 4:55pmJul '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
David, you're asking a broader question than that posited in James' post.
May '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
I still don't buy the argument that Obama is an atheist. He is definitely a Christian, but he's a "postmodern" president as Victor Davis Hanson argues. I think that cultural relativism, the idea that no cultural can be assessed as morally superior than another, has some influence on his reasoning.
Nov '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
By what standard do we judge Obama a Christian?
Aug '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
It's not so complicated. People tend to equate different religions because of similar moral rules, but evil is only threatened by the truth.
May '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
By his statements and, better yet, by his actions.
Jul '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
Michael Labeit
By his statements and, better yet, by his actions. · Dec 17 at 5:45pm
How have his actions shown that he is a Christian? By bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia? By giving an obsequious speech in Cairo? By apologizing to the Islamic world for our behavior? By failing to protect Christians in Iraq? By declaring that the United States is no longer a Christian nation? By claiming that the United States is one of the largest Muslim nations on Earth? By having Mao ornaments on the White House Christmas tree?
Edited on Dec 17, 2010 at 5:53pmNov '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
I'm with Kenneth, just because I like his name. I don't see evidence of Christianity. Having said that, I don't really want to get into the whole "I'm more Christian than you are" debate.
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
Here I go to a Christmas party and come back to discover that you guys discussed whether BHO is a Christian. I wrote a column on that not long ago expressing my doubts. I see him more as a secularist kind of guy. I don't know -- obviously -- if he's an atheist, a Muslim or even a Christian. But I seriously doubt that he's a Christian as I understand the term.
Jul '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
Well, perhaps he's a Christian as the Reverend Jeremiah Wright understands the term. The kind of Christian who makes pilgrimages to Havana to refresh his faith.
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
Kenneth
Well, perhaps he's a Christian as the Reverend Jeremiah Wright understands the term. The kind of Christian who makes pilgrimages to Havana to refresh his faith. · Dec 17 at 7:07pm
Yes, and, I imagine, he's a Castroian capitalist as well.
May '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
I think Obama's brand of progressivism gives him the idea that traditional Christianity is regressive. Traditional Christians are holding the nation back, as, for instance, when they cling to their guns, oppose abortion and homosexual marriage, and demand tax cuts and smaller government.
In his religion (i.e. quasi-marxist progressivism with some Christian window dressing), all the valid ideals of Christianity have been transmuted into a political ideology and earthly program. He's for immanentizing the escaton as much as anyone ever was.
He thinks that's what enlightened people realize Jesus was all about.
Jul '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
katievs: I think Obama's brand of progressivism gives him the idea that traditional Christianity is regressive. Traditional Christians are holding the nation back, as, for instance, when they cling to their guns, oppose abortion and homosexual marriage, and demand tax cuts and smaller government.
In his religion (i.e. quasi-marxist progressivism with some Christian window dressing), all the valid ideals of Christianity have been transmuted into a political ideology and earthly program. He's for immanentizing the escaton as much as anyone ever was.
He thinks that's what enlightened people realize Jesus was all about. · Dec 17 at 7:13pm
My guess is that the only time he thinks of the name Jesus is when Michele comes down the stairs with the look on her face.
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
Kenneth
My guess is that the only time he thinks of the name Jesus is when Michele comes down the stairs with the look on her face. · Dec 17 at 7:20pm
Yes, Kenneth, at which point -- he is snapped out of his delusion that he is the messiah. Speaking of which, can you imagine what Obama must be going through psychologically in experiencing real opposition and disapproval -- think of how far and fast the fall has been. If he truly believed he was virtually other worldly, and all indications are that he did, he has to be in a constant state of shock AND bitterness. Of course, we saw ample evidence of the bitterness preceding the fall, so just imagine what it's like now.
Jul '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
David Limbaugh
Kenneth
My guess is that the only time he thinks of the name Jesus is when Michele comes down the stairs with the look on her face. · Dec 17 at 7:20pm
Yes, Kenneth, at which point -- he is snapped out of his delusion that he is the messiah. Speaking of which, can you imagine what Obama must be going through psychologically in experiencing real opposition and disapproval -- think of how far and fast the fall has been. If he truly believed he was virtually other worldly, and all indications are that he did, he has to be in a constant state of shock AND bitterness. Of course, we saw ample evidence of the bitterness preceding the fall, so just imagine what it's like now. · Dec 17 at 7:24pm
I predict he shortly goes out on another campaign swing through colleges and blue enclaves, where carefully-selected audiences of fainting admirers will bolster his spirits. That's all he really knows how to do.
Nov '10
Re: Seriously, Why is this Administration So Contemptuous of Christianity
I guess that's true. If you define "Christian" as "believes oneself to be Christ", then yes, he's a Christian.