Posted on 09/16/2006 8:05:07 PM PDT by sionnsar
Anyone who wants to heap criticism on me for wasting my pixels on Rosie O'Donnell, save your breath - you're right. But ever since I saw this clip from The View the other day, something's been bugging me about it.
It's not O'Donnell's patently false assertion that "radical Christianity" is "just as dangerous" as radical Islam. Christianity - the real deal, as presented by Christ and handed to the apostles - is the most radical thing on earth. As two of the other ladies on the panel try to point out, America isn't getting attacked by Christians of any sort - radical or otherwise. There is, in fact, a grain of truth to O'Donnell's claim, in the sense that radical anything is potentially as dangerous as radical Islam. Certainly radical Christianity has its dangerous advocates, but 9/11-type danger can potentially come from any group of radicals: Radical secularism, radical atheism, even radical talkshowhostism.
Here's the clip. Watch it and I'll explain what bothers me.
What bothers me is not O'Donnell's remark so much, but the knee-jerk applause from the studio audience, an outburst of affirmation for O'Donnell that pretty much kills any chance for reasonable criticism of her remark. There are several reasons it bothers me, but the ones I can best put into words are:
- Criticizing Christianity as being "as bad as," "as dangerous as", "as _____ as" the outrage du jour, has become a vile cliche. It is a formulaic way for any speaker in a forum such as this to generate Instant Applause™, and cut off any further reasonable discussion of the matter. Are you a closet anti-Semite, and the conversation has veered into rising anti-Semitism in Europe? No problem - just hold up your hands, interrupt the speaker, and say, "But Christian persecution of Jews throughout history has also been shameful!" End of argument. Against allowing prayer in school? No problem - just hold up your hands, interrupt the speaker, and say, "It was Christians who killed thousands in the Crusades, and imposed the Spanish Inquisition." End of argument. Looking for a way to prop up your loony-left street cred? Just to do what Rosie O'Donnell did the other day.
- It is the lazy - and deceitful - way out of a debate to conflate Christianity with Christians, and to impugn the purity of true Christianity by impugning the sinful nature and actions of Christians. When a remark like O'Donnell's is made, it's an attempt to define an idea by the worst excesses of those who claim to follow it. Who among us, for example, defines Christianity as "what Christians do"? None of us, of course; it's what Jesus taught, not how we fail to follow those teachings. It's who he wants us to be, not who we are. Perhaps Ms. O'Donnell understands this, and is deliberately trying to tar the Christian faith with the sins of Christians. More likely, I suspect, is that she doesn't understand this at all, and might benefit from some education... indeed, some witnessing.
- It has become second nature for Americans - most liberals, but many, many conservatives as well - to burts into applause at these kinds of remarks. I guarantee you that among those in the audience clapping were people we here would all recognize as good Christians, with an understanding of Jesus and the faith that we would recognize as our own. But they are riddled with guilt about their faith, and quite eager to distance themselves from those Christians they believe have besmirched or embarassed it. And by this, they no doubt have in mind the Jimmy Swaggarts, the Jim Bakkers, the David Koreshes... again, the worst excesses. But by not making the distinction between the sinful actions of the lunatic fringe, and the Christian faith as Christ intended for us to live it, they besmirch and embarass the faith every bit as much as the deranged charlatans they're so eager to condemn with their applause.
Oh, and the person who said "America gives too much credence to celebrities, to what they think and what they say"? None other than Ms. O'Donnell herself, in an interview with Fox's Bill O'Reilly, in which, incidentally, she praises the president she now calls a war criminal.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. He seemed surprised at the "kneejerk response". I wouldn't be. First off, the only people who go to these shows (and I place this on the same level as Jerry Springer) are liberal sheep. I'd not be surprised if there were an "Applause" light above the View stage. Next, the viewers are primarily shallow, responding only to base and crass comments... "witnesses" to a "thing" that makes the news. If they put any real thought into Rosie O Doughnut's words, they'd come away ashamed thatthey'd applauded.
Rosie O'Donuts--I'd like to buy her at MY price and sell her at HERS!
I have problems with the networks going out to get comedians to discuss serious subjects. Comedians pander to their audience's balance not their intellect. Cleverness tends win out over wisdom.
And her mouth produces mountains of what the other end of most horses dumps out.
I thought she was playing Left Tackle for the 49ers.
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