Posted on 04/09/2010 12:01:50 PM PDT by Colofornian
The problem with writing a column about Glenn Beck is that everyone already has said everything about him. His story has been told, his politics dissected, his rhetoric debated, his personal life invaded and his net worth revealed. And it's all been done to the point of redundancy.
And yet the Glenn Beck conversation thrives, especially in Mormon circles.
In an effort to take something of a sociological snapshot, I posted this question on my Facebook wall on Thursday: "What do you think of Glenn Beck?"
Within a couple of hours, 10 people had responded. Some of them commented more than once, and some of them used bad words that I can't repeat here, but two commonalities were immediately apparent:
1. They were all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (some active, some inactive), and
2. They all had negative opinions of Brother Beck.
At first the results surprised me. I've spent enough time with my in-laws and their extended family to know that some of Beck's most ardent supporters are Latter-day Saints. But after reviewing the comments on my Facebook wall, I noticed a similarity I hadn't considered: Almost all of the Beck-bashers were under 40 years old.
Without spending too much time on my opinion of the pundit/entertainer -- I'm going to have to face my in-laws at the next family reunion, after all -- I'll just say I think Beck's unique brand of hateful rhetoric, fear-mongering and conspiracy theorizing represent a dangerous fringe of American conservatism. That younger Mormons seem to be rejecting him is encouraging.
Of course, my only evidence of this assertion is anecdotal, and I'm not aware of any data that track the political leanings of LDS young adults. But more broadly, a recent Harvard study has found that an increasing number of 18- to 29-year-olds consider themselves independent of either of the dominant partisan platforms. It's entirely plausible, if not likely, that the same trend toward moderate politics is taking place within the church.
I have written before about the hazards of our church becoming too mono-partisan. If we risk alienating Democrats by being too Republican, then we risk alienating an even larger group -- namely, rational people of any political ideology who find the rantings of extremists repellent -- when we defend and even join the radical fringe.
There is no doubt that Beck's story of repentance, recovery and conversion is an inspiration, and we should be careful not to demonize him as an individual. But some of his rhetoric and some of his politics are uncivil at best and frightening at worst. If we want our church culture to welcome people with a variety of opinions, we would do well to follow the brethren's counsel regarding civility.
Many Lds are down on Beck.
From the column: Almost all of the Beck-bashers were under 40 years old.
Well these are the emergents of the "we are the world" era, where they've been trained by their public school teachers & most higher ed profs to value "diversity." (Except for home schooling, Lds haven't had set-aside elementary and high school ed -- minus their "seminary" early a.m. weekday classes -- since the 19th century).
From the column: If we risk alienating Democrats by being too Republican, then we risk alienating an even larger group -- namely, rational people of any political ideology who find the rantings of extremists repellent -- when we defend and even join the radical fringe.
(You know, I'm no defender of Beck...but I sharply disagree with this Mormon analysis...what is "too Republican?"...what does he mean by that?)
From the column: If we want our church culture to welcome people with a variety of opinions, we would do well to follow the brethren's counsel regarding civility.
Civil in tone, yes; beyond that, catering content of discussion to the listener depends upon who you're conversing with and what's at stake. (And you can still respect the dignity of people you disagree with even as you sharply disagree with their vantage point)
Besides, on some subjects, since when has the Lds hiearchy catered to "welcom[ing] people with a variety of opinions..."???
You might find this thread interesting as it goes along.
I’d seriously watch Beck if he didn’t act like a damn 5th grader on every other show. Oh, and the spittle thing is nerve wracking. As is the insulting of guests on his show.
Maybe Laura will take over his show. One can hope.
Dynamic figures like GB are always going to have detractors. Most of those detractors either don’t get, or wish to deny, the big picture. Beck gets it. He gets the BIG picture and the BIG problem in Washington. They should measure him on that figure of merit because that is the battle that will be fought in 2010 and 2012.
I would venture an opinion that most of the detractors could not really tell you what the issues and problems are with Obama and his policies. Not in specific terms. What GB is doing for America is appreciated by most, and certainly misunderstood by some.
From the column: If we want our church culture to welcome people with a variety of opinions, we would do well to follow the brethren’s counsel regarding civility.
I have an idea, if the LDS church to welcome people with a variety of opinions and promote civility, why not embrace the Gay Lesbian Transgender Bisexual community. To really boost membership, promote Gay Polygamous Marriage.
Sounds like a liberal response group to me. “Hateful speech” is liberal language.
What’s the problem? The guy wanted to get laid, Woman laid down the rules and he converted to LDS.
He’s happy and got what he wanted.
She’s happy and got what she wanted.
Seems fair.
Disclosure: That is just too much work for sex. I would have thrown her back in the pond and kept on fishing.
That is an odd way to look at a religion, eh? If we want our religion to appeal to more people, let’s allow it to stand for whatever anyone wants. Kinda defeats the purpose.
I find Glenn Beck to be a little bit over the top but overall presents facts. If he could just tone it down a little bit.
GOOD. I ain't got a problem with alienating Democrats at all, but I'm fuzzy on the "too Republican" thing too.
But you see this in many “mainline” protestant denominations in their acceptance of gay pastors, bishops, etc.
Sometimes making religion in your own image makes it a lot easier to follow. The “I’m OK, you’re OK” philosophy is a lot easier to follow than the “Be holy, because I am holy” command.
I like Beck, but his act does get a little old after a while.
The thing I don’t understand is why people say he is hateful. I don’t see that at all. He’s very passionate about his views, and I haven’t heard a whole lot of credible people proving what he says wrong.
I think this is one of those things where people hear him in a soundbite or two and think he’s crazy or disturbed.
I think he’s just very passionate about what he discusses and he and his staff do a ton of research on their topics.
Too bad. He’s had some great guests on his show (yesterday for instance.) And I’ve learned a lot. Great book recommendations too. I love the fact that the liberals hate him so. They wouldn’t bother except he’s turning over the stones they hide under.
May we attend brother Beck's 5th grade class -- and let him teach it, often.
PS: I have not heard nearly the desperately needed scrutiny and U.S. history promulgated by Glenn Beck, from Laura Ingraham, nor Rush Limbaugh, nor any other secular broadcaster in the world.
What act?
GB is a Mormon Libertarian, subversively pushing third party-ism. What a lovely combo.
It is so obvious on his shows, he absolutely hates giving Republicans credit for anything. He constantly beats the no difference between Dems and Repubs drum. He may try to hide it, but he is nothing but a Libertarian, plain and simple. I quit watching him.
When coservatives "turn it down" it makes it easier for them[leftists] to shout over the facts we lay down; of course his mannerisms seem more voice inflection (for radio) than body language (television).
I don't agree with GB 100%, but his show is rather informative and the message is loud and clear. Further, the left can't ignore it; much to their dismay.
He also helps guys like Andrew Beitbart get a bit more recognition. And, I've found myself buying even MORE books by watching GB.
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