This diary was made in response (Response. Not Attack.) to Pastordan's diary "Whoever Killed George Tiller was not a Christian".
http://www.dailykos.com/...
If that diary (and that general pervasive line of thought from believers, Christian or otherwise) were not in existence, neither would this diary be. Think of it that way.
(Updates Below)
BIG UPDATE :-
This would be some thoughts / observations laced with an occasional Snark a la Tourette.
1. Like 1700 Comments? One long drawn-out exhale. Whooooaaaaoooww.
2. ...of which, barely about 100 dealing directly right back at what I wrote?? Actually, I am surprised. I expected to get ripped / lauded in a 75 / 25 ratio, but it seems most have totally used this as an avenue for major theological discussion. Which is why I probably won’t be responding much to ‘Comment’ threads, since that is a subject I have no desire (nor the qualifications) to partake in.
3. A bummer tho... The whole thing devolved into discussions on what constitutes "Good" Christianity and what constitutes "Bad". That discussion would’ve served better under Pastordan’s original diary (link above in the Intro section). In my case, I was hoping to kickstart a discussion on religion being made to hold itself accountable when people actually take this stuff a tad more seriously than they should. After all, it’s all fun til somebody gets hurt, right?
4. Seriously, whoever got the idea from my Diary that "All Christianity is painted with a wide swath" needs to be stuck with "My Pet Goat" as required exclusive reading for the next 10 years.
5. Situations where I wouldn NOT have written this diary:- If PastorDan (or anyone else) had NOT written that original diary (Or, had chosen to title it as "Whoever killed George Tiller was a Very Very Baaaaad Christian" with the body of the diary expounding on what makes for a "Good" Christian", and contrasting it with how Scott Roeder wasn’t one by a long shot).
6. Situations where I would STILL have written something similar:- If, (conjecturally), White/Men/Kansas residents/Ford Drivers/Liberals/Atheists generally tend to commit most of the hate crimes in this country, due to their prejudices over their victims’ gender/race/state of residence/Auto of choice/socio-politic/religious beliefs, and PastyDan/PenisDan/PatrobertsDan/PintoDan/PinkoDan/PlatoDan (or anybody else) posted a righteous pre-emptive washing-hands diary on here saying "Whoever Killed George Tiller was not a White/Male/Kansan/Ford Driver/Liberal/Atheist". At that point, somebody has to step up and say "Nuh Uh, hold it there buddy".
7. Who else finds it freaky that the last infamous killer out of Wichita was a "Rader" as well ?
INTERMEDIATE UPDATES before the Big 'Un #1:-
Also, thanks to the commenter who pointed out I should not call out a fellow diarist by name in the title, so that has been modified accordingly and the update has been added at the very top, so that the whole thing may be read in context.
Some very awesome and pertinent points in the comments as well; I wish I could even attempt to answer or respond to it all, but I'll try to attempt some, sometime today evening.
Also of note, the purpose of this diary is not to inflame an ideological or theological war (which would be stupid, since we're all on the same side), but is more about stimulating a thinking man's (and woman's) discussion. Goes without saying, reading the whole thing will certainly help.
And Thank You All for the Top Recommended List!! Doesn't do me all that proud that it's there only because of its underlying controversial nature. But hey, just like the point I've put forth in this diary, I have to own my diary as well, warts and all. Read On, and have a great day.
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This diary shall be quick (or at least it was when I first published it :), and as you can tell from my Diary History, I am not much of a diarist.
But this line of thinking has long fomented inside me, and some things just have to be said.
I have no idea of religion-this, religion-that, since I’ve been an atheist for more than half my 36 years, and a cynic for most of the rest. I am not Anti-Christian (or of any religion) either, but still, kindly refrain from throwing Biblical (or any other religious) passages at me – it will go way over my head and I’ll be none the worse for it.
Please stick with "reality", since I understand that is what this community is based on.
The reality is that people are getting assaulted, murdered, or otherwise prejudiced against in this country because of their sexual orientation, race / ethnicity, apparent social class for hundreds of years now. The motives have been slightly different, but what is the common thread what binds together most of the perpetrators of such hate crimes?
Not race, that’s for sure. (Heck, if anything, a sizable number of the mass murderers who are making the news in the past couple of years have been of Asian origin... who woulda thunk?).
Not atheism, that’s for sure as well. Neither is it Islam, Hinduism, Taoism or any other –ism. Not even Scientology, even.
What belief system drives them on, then?
Y’know, it’s too damn easy to refuse to own what is broke, and cast out a "believer" from the flock once he/she strays, so that the genus stay pure and everyone can go on with their happy-peaches-n-cream-apple-pie lives. So whether it’s Eric Rudolph, or Ted Haggard, once a Christian fundamentalist is busted for straying from the official "outward appearance", the problem is instantly "solved" by calling the person "not a Christian".
Well, it’s just never been that easy.
For others at least.
This country, and most of the world, have never let the Muslims get away with the "those people that do those atrocious acts are not following what the Qur’an preaches" line. We call them Islamic terrorists, Islamic fundamentalists, Muslim terrorists, whatever. The official and unofficial news media casually name-checks their religion thousands of times every day.
These things ingrain in people’s minds, y’know. Which is why this whole Muslim = Evil meme has taken hold so pervasively.
We can hold their religion "accountable". So why not make sure you’re out of the glass house before you do something about that stone-throwing itch?
"Accountability" never hurt anyone who is trying to make themselves better.
I do understand that this heinous act hurts your decent religious self and I do recognize that you are on the side of what is right and I do apologize to you, in advance, for sounding maybe a bit too harsh than what I really am...
... But in return, I want you to call it for what it is. ....
This is an act of "Christian terrorism", and by extension, it was carried out by "a Christian". Whether anyone is proud of it or not.
If calling this for what it is can at least start a dialogue among true believers that were heretofore afraid or unconcerned to use the thinking, conscientious part of their brain, Dr. Tiller's horrendous death will not be completely in vain.
All said, I still do hope every Christian (and other believers and non-believers) out here still gets a good night’s sleep tonight and every night hereafter, but please...
...Please... (I said 'Please. Twice.) ... Don’t let your conscience lose out against your outward pretenses.