Archive for October, 2007
Prayer in the State House
This is a letter to the editor sent to the Indianapolis Star, 10/31/07 (which I’m sure they won’t print!) – I was wrong, they printed it!:
I am discouraged by the recent turn of events regarding prayer in the Indiana Statehouse. While I respect the due process of law, I am concerned by the smug attitude of Brian Bosma and others who see this as a victory. The issue is not about prayer in a public venue as much as it is the majority religious view – Christianity – flexing its muscle over the minority – non Christians. While this intolerance is nothing new, it is disappointing that the state of Indiana is a proponent of such narrow-mindedness.
I tried to express my outrage as moderately as possible. What I really wanted to say was “What the f$*k are you doing?”
Brian Bosma and his posse seem determined to make Indiana a Christian state. Rabbi Arnold Bienstock was quoted as saying, “It is very hard to encourage people to come to a state that basically seems to be exclusivist. The bottom line is that non-Christians feel uncomfortable, and they don’t feel like they are part of the group.” He’s absolutely correct – Christian exclusivism dominates this state, at least in public. Since I live here I know there are intelligent, tolerant, accepting Christians who value and support their non-Christian friends and neighbors. The question is, where are they in this public debate?
Ann Who?
By now, anyone who is awake and aware of current events has heard about Ann Coulter’s current blunder. Coulter made the mistake (or maybe not) of going on Donny Deutsch’s show, Big Idea. Deutsch, by the way, handled Coulter wonderfully. If this were a daily show – Jon Stewart vs. a guest duke it out – Deutsch clearly won.
However, Coulter still caused harm. She claims that Jews are “unperfected” unless they become Christian. While she tried to explain this as a benign statement and not meant to offend – it isn’t, and it did.
As my Quaker brother Brent Bill wrote on his blog:
“What do you call a woman who goes on television dressed like a sluttier version of Britney Spears, spewing venom about anybody she disagrees with, confusing being a smart-ass with being funny, and spouting things completely against Jesus’ message?A ‘conservative Christian.’ At least that’s what Ann Coulter said about herself yesterday on The Today Show. True conservative Christians like Billy Graham must be so proud.”
Another pastor friend of mine was less kind about his comments. He said “Coulter is a NAZI with less class!”
Why isn’t the Jewish community responding to Coulter? To date, the only communal response is from the National Jewish Democratic Council. They’ve started a “Stop Coulter” campaign, urging those in the media to stop interviewing her. I agree with them and signed their petition, but I’m sure it’s a move that’s preaching to the choir. This message won’t reach those who believe Coulter’s statements, whether publically or, in most cases, privately.
I think we’re all too stunned to marshall our forces in response. There are those who believe any response gives her the publicity she seeks. They may be right so I will offer a personal response – ouch, that hurts!
Added 11/9/07 – too funny!
Ma Hamatzav? (Was' Up?) 