On the ChristianNewsWire site I see that something called “The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission” has released a list of what it’s pleased to call “the top ten incidents of anti-Christian defamation, bigotry and discrimination in the US from last year.” According to its own press release, the list was “…selected by the subscribers to CADC’s e-mail list and was selected from a list of twenty of CADC’s top stories from 2009.”
“It is arguable that anti-Christian hatred has spilled over into material forms of persecution in 2009,” said Dr. Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. “Christians were killed and bullied for their witness, ministers and churches threatened with violence and vandalized for standing for marriage, and Christians were fired for not compromising their faith. If these are not bona fide examples of persecution, than I wonder what more it might take?”
Nobody should have to suffer acts of violence simply for expressing a religious faith. It would be really swell if these very nice christian people would take the same attitude toward violence against gay people, expressed the same tone of outrage that they express here toward violence against themselves. Do unto others and all that. But right there at Number One is, of course…
1. The Federal Hate Crimes Bill that attacks religious liberty and freedom of speech. For the first time in our history ministers are vulnerable to investigation and prosecution for telling the truth about homosexuality.
You saw that coming…right? Yes…protecting gay Americans from hate motivated violence isn’t just one of many attacks on Christianity, but The Number One attack during 2009. Poor reverend Walter Hoye who got himself jailed “for exercising peaceful, pro-life speech” only made number 10. Rev. Fred Winters’ murder “while preaching in his pulpit in Maryville, Illinois” only made number 9. The Matthew Shepard/James Byrd act was the Number One attack on Christians last year. Who knows, maybe the trial of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado’s killer will make number one this year.
But this eminently predictable religious right boilerplate about the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd act wasn’t what caught my attention. This is what did it…
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.
Number 7. Dig it. We attack christians simply by being visible in public. We don’t have to kill anyone, bully anyone, threaten anyone, vandalize any churches. Just be visible. We are walking talking attacks on christians. And…singing. And marching too. Whenever one of our marching bands strikes up a tune, we attack christains even more then a murder committed in a church…which let it be said, was also less of an attack on christianity apparently then HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm. The Gay Men’s Chorus and a “homosexual marching band” was a bigger attack on christianity last year then jailing one preacher, murdering another and HBO. If Eugene Robinson had sung Just As I Am during the inauguration it might have made number 2.
They are such victims.
I’ve had an idea rolling around in my head about this issue, because they cry WAAAAAAH every time they’re confronted with something they don’t like, but the gay community actually has a body count because of these teachings.
Stay tuned.
It would be nice if they could spell his name correctly: Vicki Gene Robinson (not “Eugene”). And what’s with the quotes around “Bishop”? As an Episcopalian, I can assure you that he was validly consecrated. They may not like that he’s a bishop in my church, but he most assuredly is one.
Pax,
Doxy
Also an attack on Christians?
Glee.
How can you not see the uber-victimization going on there? Every show on teevee should be Seventh Heaven, and the kids need to stop playing with their wiggle-waggles and listen to their father!
Do you remember the freakout they had a couple years ago over that show “Book of Daniel”? That was funny.
It is astounding how irrational these people are. They also seem discontent with their faith and feel the need for martyrdom to justify themselves.
I hope they find true peace. It is clear that the version of religion they have adopted has brought nothing but fear, paranoia and unhappiness.
The paranoid heterosexists defame God far more than any law can aspire.
Let’s not miss the number two attack which includes the appointment of Kevin Jennings and Kathleen Sibelius.
This BS just pushes further and further into my mind and spirit never trust a Christian.
Well these are the same people who defended Paul Cameron and that church which tried to exorcise the 16-year-old
Jeff,
Umm, Vicki Gene Robinson is a Christian. So he’s untrustworthy?
And what about all the Episcopalians, Quakers, ,United Church of Christ, and MCC members who support equality?
Just one more tool in their arsenal to rile up the troops to feel anger, and hate, and to loathe gay people. It used to be “hate the sin” but it has turned a mainstream corner into “hate the sinner”. Well, I refuse to leave this town in a boxcar…
These days if you turn the other cheek they take that slap too and grind your face into the dirt with their Nazi boots.
…sigh.