political correctness

It’s the Culture, Stupid

Frank

This week my Facebook timeline blew up (no pun intended) with post after post regarding the 2nd Amendment. Part of it is the fact that many of my Facebook friends are from my hometown or college- a culture where hunting is a way of life and some children are practically born with a Remington in their hand. The other part of it is simply that some people really, really love their guns, some to the point of near-worship. In fact, roughly half of the employees in my building at work was in Las Vegas this week for the “Shot Show”.

Meanwhile, 9 people were killed by gun violence in Chicago last weekend. If this would have happened in a single place as an isolated incident it would’ve been front-page news. But it only added to the 500 homicides from 2012, making 9 a relatively small number.

We, as Christians, need to own up to the fact that we’ve lost the Culture War in America. We lost because we fought on the wrong front. We turned Christianity from a lifestyle to a political platform. We choose to fight immorality in our culture with legislation, putting our trust in politicians to enforce morality rather than allowing our lives to be Christ-like examples worth following.

We fought to limit abortions while neglecting the single mother. We fight against amnesty for immigrants while ignoring the Biblical examples of refuge. And now we fight for our right to own Assault Rifles, just because.

I don’t know what the answer is to gun violence. I know better than to blame video games. I want to blame fatherless homes, but that’s part of a larger problem. It wouldn’t be fair to blame gun manufacturers or gun enthusiasts. Really I need to blame you. I need to blame me. We need to take personal responsibility for pursuing the American Dream no matter the cost. We need to take the blame for leading self-centered lives that has turned neighbors into strangers and home into the place we go when we’re not at work. We need to point our fingers at the mirror and ask ourselves the hard question- do our lives look like Jesus, or do they look just like everyone elses’?

Worshipping At the Altar of My Gun

Frank

My wife is at school today. In my kindergartner daughter’s class. Kindergarten. She turned five just a couple of months ago. I cannot for the life of me think about anything else right now.

26 dead. Most between 5 and 10 years old.

My son is soon to be 8.

Why, why, why?

After Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs killed his girlfriend and then himself, Jason Whitlock questioned just what in this world we worship. To satisfy the thousands depending on fantasy football stats from a single game, the NFL chose to to tell the Carolina Panthers go ahead and play in Kansas City the next day. Do we worship the athlete? The stats? Pro football as a whole? In Whitlock’s piece, he included a single line about gun control. During halftime of Sunday Night Football one of the best sports broadcasters alive, Bob Costas, leveraged that single line to pontificate about gun control and was roundly villified in social media for “self righteousness”, being a “glory hound”, for being “out of touch”. One friend on Facebook mocked Costas by suggesting that we regulate keyboards as they are the number one cause of typos.

One day earlier was a “shooting” in Casper, Wyoming. Ironically, the killer did not use a gun but rather a crossbow. Many pointed to this incident to make the classic argument “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.”

But, just a little more than a week later a gunman opened fire in a Portland mall, killing two before killing himself.

And now 26 are dead in Connecticut.

The truth is that sick people will do sick things. A pastor was killed in Texas a couple of months ago, beaten to death with a guitar. Gun or not, if I store up anger and hatred in my heart, the only logical conclusion is to hurt- even kill- another.

But why do we (some, not all) come to such an emotional defense of our “right to bear arms” when tragedies like this strike? Are guns that important? Do we need them to protect our eternal security? (And seriously, I could go on and on about many I know who call themselves Christians yet their membership to the NRA is just as important, if not more so, as membership to their church. This became evident leading up to the last presidential election.)

I’m not a pacifist. I don’t hold a doctrinal position on Just War. I grew up in gun country, where students would bring their guns to school just so they would be ready to leave as soon as the bell rang to go hunting. But to own those guns they were required to take hunter’s safety courses. In fact, it was practically part of my curriculum, taking it in 6th grade.

I understand the arguments. I have coworkers who collect guns. I have friends who frequent shooting ranges.

But at some point we need to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask what, exactlly, are we worshipping? Why are guns so important?

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus told said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

Move over Carrie Prejean

Frank

I apologize for diverging from our regularly scheduled (well, scheduled anyway) study of Living on the Edge to catch up on some news, but I couldn’t avoid this subject on the radio during my drive home and I need to vent. Last night, Rima Fakih won the Miss USA pageant, becoming the first Arab-American to win the pageant. During her Q&A, she was asked about the divisive illegal-immigration law recently passed in Arizona. Her response was diplomatic, but not very politically-correct siding against illegal immigration. This is now the second year in a row a celebrity judge has tried to bait a contestant with the hot-button issue of the day after last year’s pillaging of Carrie Prejean by Perez Hilton. At least Oscar Nunez didn’t call Ms Fakih the c-word.

But I wonder where’s the outrage? Protesters are gathered around Staples Center this very minute protesting Arizona’s law prior to the Lakers-Suns NBA Playoff game. Besides this event, sports radio was consumed with an effort to boycott an upcoming Dodgers-Diamonbacks game. This issue has reached such a level that the City of Los Angeles is officially boycotting the State of Arizona (not sure how that works) and even the director of the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix was asked whether these boycotts would affect next season’s BCS slate.

But I don’t hear any outcry against Ms Fakih (or do I call her Ms USA now, like she’s some kind of superhero?). Don’t get me wrong, I do not believe she deserves it, and in some respects I do believe it is a fair question. We shouldn’t expect our eye candy to be vapid. We live in a new enlightened world after all. But I do see a double standard.

To add to my outrage comes reports that Ms Fakih won a faux-stripper contest at a local radio station. Crowns have been stripped for less. And again, this was more fuel on the Carrie Prejean fire.

Now, I am no fan of Ms Prejean. I think the ‘persecution’ card was overplayed and continues to be overplayed today. But with the deafening silence surrounding this latest ‘pageant scandal’, I begin to wonder if there’s fire behind all the smoke. Maybe we’re walking on egg shells because of Ms Fakih’s faith and ethnicity? Maybe Ms Prejean made herself a target by making such a big deal out of it last year? Likely, the truth is probably a little of both. But I cannot help but wonder, what if a white Christian woman from a very-Red state was asked the same question and then won the crown, what would be the response?

Move over Carrie Prejean

Frank

I apologize for diverging from our regularly scheduled (well, scheduled anyway) study of Living on the Edge to catch up on some news, but I couldn’t avoid this subject on the radio during my drive home and I need to vent. Last night, Rima Fakih won the Miss USA pageant, becoming the first Arab-American to win the pageant. During her Q&A, she was asked about the divisive illegal-immigration law recently passed in Arizona. Her response was diplomatic, but not very politically-correct siding against illegal immigration. This is now the second year in a row a celebrity judge has tried to bait a contestant with the hot-button issue of the day after last year’s pillaging of Carrie Prejean by Perez Hilton. At least Oscar Nunez didn’t call Ms Fakih the c-word.

But I wonder where’s the outrage? Protesters are gathered around Staples Center this very minute protesting Arizona’s law prior to the Lakers-Suns NBA Playoff game. Besides this event, sports radio was consumed with an effort to boycott an upcoming Dodgers-Diamonbacks game. This issue has reached such a level that the City of Los Angeles is officially boycotting the State of Arizona (not sure how that works) and even the director of the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix was asked whether these boycotts would affect next season’s BCS slate.

But I don’t hear any outcry against Ms Fakih (or do I call her Ms USA now, like she’s some kind of superhero?). Don’t get me wrong, I do not believe she deserves it, and in some respects I do believe it is a fair question. We shouldn’t expect our eye candy to be vapid. We live in a new enlightened world after all. But I do see a double standard.

To add to my outrage comes reports that Ms Fakih won a faux-stripper contest at a local radio station. Crowns have been stripped for less. And again, this was more fuel on the Carrie Prejean fire.

Now, I am no fan of Ms Prejean. I think the ‘persecution’ card was overplayed and continues to be overplayed today. But with the deafening silence surrounding this latest ‘pageant scandal’, I begin to wonder if there’s fire behind all the smoke. Maybe we’re walking on egg shells because of Ms Fakih’s faith and ethnicity? Maybe Ms Prejean made herself a target by making such a big deal out of it last year? Likely, the truth is probably a little of both. But I cannot help but wonder, what if a white Christian woman from a very-Red state was asked the same question and then won the crown, what would be the response?

What Christmas Means to Me

Frank

Candles burnin’ low,
Lot’s of mistle toe.
Lot’sof snow and ice,
Eveywhere we go.
Choirs singin’ carols,
Right outside my door.

All these things and more
That’s what Christmas means to me my love
-Stevie Wonder, What Christmas Means to Me

One of the motivations for the “keeping Christ in Christmas” campaign is the increased secularization of this holiday. And that’s my common defense against the secular backlash against it. Most Christmas carols are about snowfall, reindeer, Santa, presents or family. A few classic carols are actually about the baby Jesus. If I were to walk up to you in the middle of summer and I mention Christmas, what would be the first thing to pop in your mind? For me it would likely be vacation, family, shopping, what I want, etc. I’m not sure if the birth of Jesus would come as quickly.

And I don’t think I’m alone. But the statistics prove otherwise. In a Rasmussen poll released a week ago, 66% of Americans claim to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. The cynic in me thinks this means that most of those feel that way because it’s one of the two times a year they actually attend church. But the numbers suggest there’s more to it. 81% believe Jesus is the Son of God and died for our sins and 82% believe that Jesus Christ is an actual historic figure. These are interesting numbers and consistent with the roughly 80% of Americans who claim to be Christians. The flipside of these numbers show that 20% of Americans celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday (meaning 14% don’t celebrate it at all), and only 3% don’t believe that Jesus Christ is an historical figure.

So don’t be afraid to wish someone a Merry Christmas! The odds are good you’re not going to offend anyone.

What Christmas Means to Me

Frank

Candles burnin’ low,
Lot’s of mistle toe.
Lot’sof snow and ice,
Eveywhere we go.
Choirs singin’ carols,
Right outside my door.

All these things and more
That’s what Christmas means to me my love
-Stevie Wonder, What Christmas Means to Me

One of the motivations for the “keeping Christ in Christmas” campaign is the increased secularization of this holiday. And that’s my common defense against the secular backlash against it. Most Christmas carols are about snowfall, reindeer, Santa, presents or family. A few classic carols are actually about the baby Jesus. If I were to walk up to you in the middle of summer and I mention Christmas, what would be the first thing to pop in your mind? For me it would likely be vacation, family, shopping, what I want, etc. I’m not sure if the birth of Jesus would come as quickly.

And I don’t think I’m alone. But the statistics prove otherwise. In a Rasmussen poll released a week ago, 66% of Americans claim to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. The cynic in me thinks this means that most of those feel that way because it’s one of the two times a year they actually attend church. But the numbers suggest there’s more to it. 81% believe Jesus is the Son of God and died for our sins and 82% believe that Jesus Christ is an actual historic figure. These are interesting numbers and consistent with the roughly 80% of Americans who claim to be Christians. The flipside of these numbers show that 20% of Americans celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday (meaning 14% don’t celebrate it at all), and only 3% don’t believe that Jesus Christ is an historical figure.

So don’t be afraid to wish someone a Merry Christmas! The odds are good you’re not going to offend anyone.

The Power of a Word

Frank

You might think all the hullabaloo about the ‘War on Christmas’ is limited to the United States but you’d be wrong. It’s been reported that a principal in Australia was forced to apologize to atheist parents of a child for saying “Christmas” too many times in a school newsletter. Disclaimer: I heard this on the radio but have not seen any credible source online, even while googling the parties involved directly. While this is being widely reported across the blogosphere, the best news link I could find was from 2005. So I have a hunch this is a spam email going around. Even if this is four-year-old news, it still illustrates how sensitive we can be to a single word. The so-called War on Christmas isn’t about singing carols, putting up lights, or buying presents for your children. It is about the word Christmas implying the birth of Christ and therefore endorsing or even proselytizing the Christian faith.

Let’s pretend that the secularists have their way and the word Christmas is abolished because of its religious roots. What other offensive words should we eliminate from our vernacular?

Don’t use ‘Hail Mary’ when describing the last play of a football game. (Luke 1:28)

Don’t use ‘prayer’ when describing a last minute or clutch shot in any sport.

Speaking of sports, I noticed there’s no real “David versus Goliath” match up in any of the BCS bowls this year. (1 Samuel 17)

Don’t use ‘the writing on the wall’ to describe something ominous. (Daniel 5) Or “signs of the times” either. (Luke 12:56)

Don’t use the word excruciating to describe pain. That word was invented to describe the unique pain suffered from crucifixion and if a secularized/commercialized word like Christmas instantly implies Jesus, then any reference to crucifixion should as well.

Don’t say “inspired” or “enthused” which mean spirit-filled and god-filled respectively.

Don’t say ‘baptism by fire’ to describe going through trials. (Matthew 3:11) Actually, better not say ‘baptism’ at all since it’s a specific religious term that’s not derived from any translation (transliteration).

Don’t say ‘holy —‘ as a cuss word or otherwise.

Don’t say ‘damn’ as a curse or otherwise.

And you better not say “Jesus Christ” even if you’re using his name in vain.

I’m sure there are others you could think of, but you get the point. Most of these examples are common phrases used independent from religion but that doesn’t change their meaning or implication. Just like Christmas has become far removed from religion, that does not change its obviously offensive meaning.

The Power of a Word

Frank

You might think all the hullabaloo about the ‘War on Christmas’ is limited to the United States but you’d be wrong. It’s been reported that a principal in Australia was forced to apologize to atheist parents of a child for saying “Christmas” too many times in a school newsletter. Disclaimer: I heard this on the radio but have not seen any credible source online, even while googling the parties involved directly. While this is being widely reported across the blogosphere, the best news link I could find was from 2005. So I have a hunch this is a spam email going around. Even if this is four-year-old news, it still illustrates how sensitive we can be to a single word. The so-called War on Christmas isn’t about singing carols, putting up lights, or buying presents for your children. It is about the word Christmas implying the birth of Christ and therefore endorsing or even proselytizing the Christian faith.

Let’s pretend that the secularists have their way and the word Christmas is abolished because of its religious roots. What other offensive words should we eliminate from our vernacular?

Don’t use ‘Hail Mary’ when describing the last play of a football game. (Luke 1:28)

Don’t use ‘prayer’ when describing a last minute or clutch shot in any sport.

Speaking of sports, I noticed there’s no real “David versus Goliath” match up in any of the BCS bowls this year. (1 Samuel 17)

Don’t use ‘the writing on the wall’ to describe something ominous. (Daniel 5) Or “signs of the times” either. (Luke 12:56)

Don’t use the word excruciating to describe pain. That word was invented to describe the unique pain suffered from crucifixion and if a secularized/commercialized word like Christmas instantly implies Jesus, then any reference to crucifixion should as well.

Don’t say “inspired” or “enthused” which mean spirit-filled and god-filled respectively.

Don’t say ‘baptism by fire’ to describe going through trials. (Matthew 3:11) Actually, better not say ‘baptism’ at all since it’s a specific religious term that’s not derived from any translation (transliteration).

Don’t say ‘holy —‘ as a cuss word or otherwise.

Don’t say ‘damn’ as a curse or otherwise.

And you better not say “Jesus Christ” even if you’re using his name in vain.

I’m sure there are others you could think of, but you get the point. Most of these examples are common phrases used independent from religion but that doesn’t change their meaning or implication. Just like Christmas has become far removed from religion, that does not change its obviously offensive meaning.

What is a Hate Crime?

Frank

One of the key pieces of legislation the late Senator Edward Kennedy was working towards was hate-crime legislation named after Matthew Shepard, the gay college student brutally murdered in 1998. Now I could write a dozen blog posts about whether this crime was actually a bonified hate-crime, but you cannot excuse the brutality. For that alone, the crime should be treated differently. Much like the grisly murder of Brandon McClelland in Paris, Texas a year ago.

The argument against hate-crime legislation is that all crimes are motivated by hate, or at the very least, a disregard for fellow human beings and/or their possessions. But when I equate hate with crime, I think about the Apostle John who wrote, “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer…” (1 John 3:15a) and with murder I think about Jesus’ words, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 5:21-22a) It’s obvious how anger links to hate, and it’s easy to see that not all crimes are motivated by either hate or anger. So I do think that not all crimes are created equal. (Though to be fair, all sins are equal in the eyes of God)

But the focus of hate-crimes are generally race-related and to a lesser extent sexual-orientation. But what is often lost in the culture-war debate is that religion is also included. With the Global War on Terrorism, it seems obvious that a practicing Muslim in this country could/would be at risk of a hate-crime. But Christians may also be victims. Look no further than the shootings a couple years ago in Colorado, or many church shooting since (the Amish school in Pennsylvania, the Crystal Cathedral, and so on). While we may be shocked by the magnitude of those cases, they don’t compare with the case of Carol Daniels who was gruesomely murdered a week ago in Anadarko, Oklahoma. While the crime itself may sound ‘typical’ given the location and her ministry, the details are what are shocking. Yet I have yet to hear anyone refer to this as a hate-crime. How can it not be? She was obviously targeted because of her faith being found “behind the altar with her arms outstretched” in a mockery of the crucifixion.

Some argue that minorities or homosexuals do not need “special protection” afforded by hate-crime legislation. But I think a different way to look at it is punishing the crime reflecting the brutality of the crime. That applies to any and all victims, even Christians.

What is a Hate Crime?

Frank

One of the key pieces of legislation the late Senator Edward Kennedy was working towards was hate-crime legislation named after Matthew Shepard, the gay college student brutally murdered in 1998. Now I could write a dozen blog posts about whether this crime was actually a bonified hate-crime, but you cannot excuse the brutality. For that alone, the crime should be treated differently. Much like the grisly murder of Brandon McClelland in Paris, Texas a year ago.

The argument against hate-crime legislation is that all crimes are motivated by hate, or at the very least, a disregard for fellow human beings and/or their possessions. But when I equate hate with crime, I think about the Apostle John who wrote, “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer…” (1 John 3:15a) and with murder I think about Jesus’ words, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 5:21-22a) It’s obvious how anger links to hate, and it’s easy to see that not all crimes are motivated by either hate or anger. So I do think that not all crimes are created equal. (Though to be fair, all sins are equal in the eyes of God)

But the focus of hate-crimes are generally race-related and to a lesser extent sexual-orientation. But what is often lost in the culture-war debate is that religion is also included. With the Global War on Terrorism, it seems obvious that a practicing Muslim in this country could/would be at risk of a hate-crime. But Christians may also be victims. Look no further than the shootings a couple years ago in Colorado, or many church shooting since (the Amish school in Pennsylvania, the Crystal Cathedral, and so on). While we may be shocked by the magnitude of those cases, they don’t compare with the case of Carol Daniels who was gruesomely murdered a week ago in Anadarko, Oklahoma. While the crime itself may sound ‘typical’ given the location and her ministry, the details are what are shocking. Yet I have yet to hear anyone refer to this as a hate-crime. How can it not be? She was obviously targeted because of her faith being found “behind the altar with her arms outstretched” in a mockery of the crucifixion.

Some argue that minorities or homosexuals do not need “special protection” afforded by hate-crime legislation. But I think a different way to look at it is punishing the crime reflecting the brutality of the crime. That applies to any and all victims, even Christians.