openlyatheist, I thought Olbermann named Monique Davis the "Worst Person in the World." Here's the clip on youtube. Did he name Sherman on a later date?
Well, she did apologize, but not for what she said, only because of the tone she used when she said it. And even in an apology she still uses it to link a shooting to Atheism without evidence.
Can we call that an apology?
I call it adding insult to injury. As an Atheist who has been in harm's way in defense of the Constitution, an Atheist whose Atheist father was in foxholes during the Second World War, I find her apology every bit, if not more, bigoted than her original statement.
"No right to be here?"
Oh, please Rep. Davis, please explain to me the FIRST AMENDMENT.
Oh, and by the way Representative, I'm sure you placed your hand on a Bible when you swore to uphold it.
Olberman named Sherman worst person in the world based on his response to Davis: "Now that Negroes like Representative Monique Davis have political power, it seems that they have no problem at all with discrimination, just as long as it isn't them who are being discriminated against."
I'm not a Christian leader, but I am a Christian, and I can unequivocally condemn Rep. Davis' statement as "an unadulterated act of bigotry."
Anti-atheist sentiment in America is a huge problem, reminiscent of other forms of religious-based bigotry (like anti-Judaism/anti-Semitism and anti-Catholicism) that have plagued both our country and our culture. It has no place in polite society, and yet is too often socially rewarded.
Most disturbing is this recent Gallup poll. While the title speaks to a net-positive view of Catholics in America, the poll is considerably broader. It charts Americans' views of several different "religious and spiritual groups," and finds that only Scientologists are seen in a less favorable light than atheists.
Overall - if the survey is correct - only 13% of Americans have a positive view of atheists, compared to 45% who have a negative view (with 41% claiming a neutral view).
I have my issues with the tactics of the so-called New Atheists, who respond in kind to the aggressive and negative (often hateful) evangelistic efforts of fundamentalists. But, as a Christian (and, perhaps more importantly, a thinking person) I for the life of me can't see why theists should view atheists as such a threat. The inability of others to honestly share my faith in no way hinders my own ability to experience and express my faith, any more than the possibility that two members of the same gender could one day get married shakes the foundation of my own marriage.
How does the saying go, most of my friends are... liberal Christians. Well, in my case at least, that would be a true statement. I do appreciate, what I honestly believe, to be your truly held convictions. In fact, I think we would probably agree about many more things than we would we disagree, even on deep philosophical issues.
That said, it doesn't change the point of my comment. Where is the Christian leadership condemning these comments? They are not there. Which leads me to my next point, where are the liberal Christians condemning not only the Representative, but also their leadership for not condemning her.
The history of human rights reveals the minority can agitate to raise awareness, but it is only when those who belong to the majority speak out, that change occurs.
So, again, while I do appreciate your sentiments, how about letter to the editor and the leadership of your faith?
10 comments:
To be fair Rep Davis did apologize to Sherman.
http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/10/illinois-state-rep-monique-davis-apologizes-to-rob-sherman/
Bad link -- this one's better
--
Stan
More disturbing to me: Keith Olbermann naming Rob Sherman "Worst Person in the World"? Plain stupid. I used to respect Olbermann.
openlyatheist,
I thought Olbermann named Monique Davis the "Worst Person in the World." Here's the clip on youtube. Did he name Sherman on a later date?
Carbon Based said...
"To be fair Rep Davis did apologize to Sherman."
Well, she did apologize, but not for what she said, only because of the tone she used when she said it. And even in an apology she still uses it to link a shooting to Atheism without evidence.
Can we call that an apology?
I call it adding insult to injury. As an Atheist who has been in harm's way in defense of the Constitution, an Atheist whose Atheist father was in foxholes during the Second World War, I find her apology every bit, if not more, bigoted than her original statement.
"No right to be here?"
Oh, please Rep. Davis, please explain to me the FIRST AMENDMENT.
Oh, and by the way Representative, I'm sure you placed your hand on a Bible when you swore to uphold it.
An apology...Puhlease!
That was my impression from Sherman's website, www.robsherman.com, in his Tues, April 15 posting.
And Hemant Mehta's blog here.
Oh, and by the way, I must ask, where are all the Cristian leaders condemning Davis' statement as an unadulterated act of bigotry?
Waiting...waiting...waiting.
The sound of crickets.
Olberman named Sherman worst person in the world based on his response to Davis: "Now that Negroes like Representative Monique Davis have political power, it seems that they have no problem at all with discrimination, just as long as it isn't them who are being discriminated against."
m tully,
I'm not a Christian leader, but I am a Christian, and I can unequivocally condemn Rep. Davis' statement as "an unadulterated act of bigotry."
Anti-atheist sentiment in America is a huge problem, reminiscent of other forms of religious-based bigotry (like anti-Judaism/anti-Semitism and anti-Catholicism) that have plagued both our country and our culture. It has no place in polite society, and yet is too often socially rewarded.
Most disturbing is this recent Gallup poll. While the title speaks to a net-positive view of Catholics in America, the poll is considerably broader. It charts Americans' views of several different "religious and spiritual groups," and finds that only Scientologists are seen in a less favorable light than atheists.
Overall - if the survey is correct - only 13% of Americans have a positive view of atheists, compared to 45% who have a negative view (with 41% claiming a neutral view).
I have my issues with the tactics of the so-called New Atheists, who respond in kind to the aggressive and negative (often hateful) evangelistic efforts of fundamentalists. But, as a Christian (and, perhaps more importantly, a thinking person) I for the life of me can't see why theists should view atheists as such a threat. The inability of others to honestly share my faith in no way hinders my own ability to experience and express my faith, any more than the possibility that two members of the same gender could one day get married shakes the foundation of my own marriage.
Sandlestraps,
How does the saying go, most of my friends are... liberal Christians. Well, in my case at least, that would be a true statement. I do appreciate, what I honestly believe, to be your truly held convictions. In fact, I think we would probably agree about many more things than we would we disagree, even on deep philosophical issues.
That said, it doesn't change the point of my comment. Where is the Christian leadership condemning these comments? They are not there. Which leads me to my next point, where are the liberal Christians condemning not only the Representative, but also their leadership for not condemning her.
The history of human rights reveals the minority can agitate to raise awareness, but it is only when those who belong to the majority speak out, that change occurs.
So, again, while I do appreciate your sentiments, how about letter to the editor and the leadership of your faith?
Post a Comment