Religious Pluralism, Part II: Overcoming the Conservative Hate Machine

This just in: today's Washington Post reports that opponents of presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) are spreading "rumors" that he is a Muslim. "Muslim" is obviously being used to associate Senator Obama with radical Islamic terrorists, and to otherwise smear him as un-American. How vile. And, given the current state of political discourse in the United States, how sadly predictable.

And, not to quibble, but although the definition of the word "rumor" is technically applicable to the particular innuendo and insinuations being made about Senator Obama, I think that the Post erred in its usage. You spread rumors about the teacher who is thought to be a child molester. You spread rumors about the mayor's alleged affair with a member of the city council. You spread rumors about the doting old biddy church volunteer who is suspected of pilfering donations from the collection plate. You don't spread rumors about what faith someone supposedly belongs to. So, please, writers and editors of the Post, stick to (return to?) accurate reporting and analysis. FOX, The Weekly Standard, The American Spectator, and other conservative "news" outlets have the rumor mill and character assassination beat covered.

(Tom Toles editorial cartoon: Washington Post, November 30, 2007)

So, now that we've got that settled, think this is the last time we'll see an American politician's alleged connections to the Muslim faith used against him or her? Sadly, no. There are loads of conservative Republicans who are all too happy to keep fanning the flames of ignorance, hate and divisiveness, such as:

• Glenn Beck, CNN

• Rush Limbaugh

• Michelle Malkin

• Ann Coulter

• Rudy Giuliani

• Pat Robertson

Tarring all members of a given faith or ethnic group with the same hateful brush is part and parcel of all of history's fascist movements and governments. Sowing the seeds of hatred and mistrust, fanning the flames of suspicion and fear: what good, constructive purpose can this possibly serve? And how can people who willingly engage in this type of behavior look at themselves in the mirror or sleep at night?

Where Is the Love? (Black Eyed Peas)


FOR FURTHER REFERENCE:

CBS: Obama is "Dogged by Muslim Rumors" (Talking Points Memo.com, November 29, 2007)

Ann Coulter: Jesus Christ's Happy Little Helper

The Christian faith teaches that the perfection of the self and salvation of the soul come from total supplication to Jesus Christ through His instrument on Earth. Now, each Christian denomination likes to claim the title of said instrument, but let's be honest, we all know who the real tool is: Ann Coulter. As if her mission to hate in the name of Jesus Christ and the Republican Party aren't admirable enough, she is now apparently on a mission to perfect Jews, i.e, convert them to Christianity. Leah Kauffman of Obama Girl fame is even on board.

Leah Kauffman: Perfect Me

So, let's hear it for the bestest little example of Gospel-based love and inclusion ever produced by the Republican Hate Machine. Anyone else out there interested in hopping on the Federal Conversion Express for an express conversion with Ann Coulter? I didn't think so.

-Doug L.

FOR FURTHER REFERENCE:

On CNBC's The Big Idea, Coulter said that "we" Christians "just want Jews to be perfected" (MediaMatters.org, October 10, 2007)

Jews Not Perfect Enough for Ann Coulter (Gothamist.com, October 11, 2007)

Come On, People, Ann Coulter Needs Some Attention! (HuffingtonPost.com, October 11, 2007)