All this time politically conservative Christians have been claiming that they are motivated by Christian principles rather than by old-fashioned and quite simple bigotry. However, this has just been called into question by a report on FOX NEWS. Let me repeat that. This news comes from FOX NEWS. Please read the following excerpts, then follow the link and read the full article. Listed below are some quotes from the FOX NEWS article:
The race to lead the Texas House of Representatives has taken a religious turn, with some conservatives in the state suggesting that the speaker of the House, who is a Jewish Republican, should be replaced by a “Christian conservative.”
Over the past month, in a spate of e-mails and political pitches, conservative opponents of incumbent Speaker Joe Straus have said they want him replaced not because of his Jewish religion, but because of his betrayal of Republican principles.
But several of Straus’ critics have noted how important it is that a Christian be named to take his place. These discussions have been made public by a series of media reports.
Of course, I most certainly would yell rather loudly that being a theologically conservative Christian does not mean that one is biased. I AM A THEOLOGICALLY CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN. But, I am not a politically conservative Christian. I am a politically moderate, but theologically conservative Christian. In fact, I would argue most of my positions would agree with the papal bulls of the Roman Catholic Church and the hierarchical pronouncements of the Orthodox Church.
Sadly, what this FOX NEWS article confirms is that all too many people are hiding under the conservative Christian label in order to advance a biased and anti-Semitic agenda. More than that, it helps me to make the point that it is very appropriate for moderates and liberals to argue that in the areas of immigration, as well as religious relations, the politically conservative religious agenda thoroughly violates everything that Americans believe about freedom of religion and about neutrality under the law.
The issue is the Constitution of the Unites States of America. Sadly, all too many people have been trying to argue that we are a Christian country and that this means that non-Christians should have, at best, a limited status. This article from FOX NEWS points out that the arguments that are being made by those people are neither Christian nor American.
So, you have a choice. Support biased, xenophobic, and racist policies, or be a true American Christian and be willing to accept Jewish speakers, Black Presidents, and women in leadership. This does not mean that one must accept each and every policy that comes from people’s mouths. But, it does mean that you must give up the John Birch Society version of what it means to be a Christian America.
I read the Fox News article and feel your tarring the whole conservative Christian movement with the bigotry brush is unfair. Yes, there are probably some bigots, but there are bigots in every group.
Like the reply below by Dianne, there are significantly more episodes happening than what most politically conservative people are willing to admit, mainly because silence does give votes. Let me give you one example. After 9/11 and as the immigration debates became rancorous, laws started being passed in Arizona (and a couple of other places) that would have allowed police to stop “Latinos” for extra processing. This followed from the many calls that “Arabs” should be automatically picked out for extra screening at airports. This was justified by a spurious claim that this was not discrimination, but rather intelligent screening.
However, when those good white folk began to be screened at airports in the way they wanted to screen “those” people, it suddenly became what we have always said, a privacy and civil rights issue. Suddenly “don’t touch my junk,” became a cry for freedom. I doubt that many of the politically-conservative Christians who were in favor of those policies have taken the time to reflect and realize that their sudden change of opinion reflects very badly upon their earlier opinions. I rather suspect that they have not even noticed.
Father, I just want to say that I am really glad that I found your blog recently. Thank you for speaking up.
I don’t think Fr. Ernesto is “tarring the whole conservative Christian movement.” He is pointing out that this kind of thing is happening with increasing frequency and is becoming more widely acceptable, and I think that is indisputable. It is also troubling that as incidents like this among “conservative Christians” increase in number, the GOP leadership’s response is so disturbingly weak, compromised, or simply absent. There are sometimes attempts to distance themselves from the more blatant episodes, like this one, but mostly what I see is a willingness to let it fly, because to stand against it would cost them votes.
For a priest, you’re such a hater.
When unable to contradict facts, attack the character of the person. If you are lucky, people will forget the argument and concentrate on the character accusation.
Of course, Father, in order to be effective, such “character accusation” must, however tenuously or tangentially, engage with the facts. JD’s character attack here in no way comes close to doing that and so, simply reflects badly on him who has written it.
Contentless rhetoric will get you nowhere, JD.
JD, assuming this is your real name, did you grow up in NE Montana by any chance?
Fr. Ernesto
I live in the next district over from Joe Straus the current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. I’m not sure what sources you found to support your contention that this is an example of a biased and anti-Semitic agenda. However, Joe has made it clear that his objectives are not consistent with the party that he supposedly represents. Here are some facts to consider that far outweigh any anti-Semitic agenda claim:
1. The current Speaker Joe Straus was selected last time by 65 Democrats and 11 Republicans (out of 150 total Texas House members).
2. On sanctity of life, Straus received money from Planned Parenthood (PP), got a 100% rating from the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), and PP even “thanked” him recently for his “tireless work.”
3. After being chosen as Speaker, Straus appointed Committee Chairs, moving the House way to the left, including appointing a very liberal Democrat to chair the committee that handles bills on taxes and revenue.
4. He stated publicly he is considering taking away the right to vote on State Board of Education members.
5. Straus received the support of the LGBT community, stating that “[R]ight now, Joe Straus may be the LGBT community’s best friend in the Texas Legislature.”