First, I'm a HUGE KO fan. From back in the "Big Show" days with Dan Patrick on ESPN. (I bought BOTH "The Big Show" book AND the book-on-tape. It's funnier when you read it -- especially the "bulging disk" story, but I ripped off a bunch of drops from the tapes for a sports radio show I used to do.)
Second, I'm also a big fan of Rachel Maddow. I love how she thinks -- she's brilliant and a powerful voice for us progressives.
But third (coincidence that the number 3 is involved in a diary about God and Christianity? Nope.), they're apparently confused -- big time -- about God. And I can't NOT do -- or say -- something about it.
More after the visual speed bump...
Tonight, as they did their happy cross-talk/segue from "Countdown" to Rachel's new show, they were talking about Sarah Palin's religious beliefs and how God could "provide a gas pipeline" or to further some other project (it might have been the muy famouso "Bridge to Nowhere" but I think I'd've remembered that), and that, if there was indeed a God, that maybe He/she/it "could have done things much better than they've been done." (rough quote)
While Rachel was right about Palin's religious beliefs (that they're appropriately questioned only in context with its relationship, if any, to public policy), she and Olbermann went on to "rip" God and His abilities.
Yeah, I'm a progressive Christian, so this was kind of a slap at me, and, of course, my God. It's attitudes like that that puts many of us Christians off about us liberals. They can make their points without mocking God and His believers. It's called "respect."
But KO and Rachel also seem to be misinformed, IMO, regarding what God can do.
I've been laid off up here in bucolic, scenic -- seemingly jobless -- northern Illinois for more than three months. I'm luckier than a lot of people up here. I was the best man at a friend's wedding last year. He got laid off via a phone call on his way back from his honeymoon. He hasn't worked since.
But somehow, I'm still able -- barely -- to pay my bills. Illinois' unemployment insurance pays just enough -- at least until it runs out.
For me, what's happening is that my circumstances are God's plan. I'm trusting Him to see me through this somehow, and I'm good with that. Sure, things might get worse, and yes, I'll still feel that's part of God's plan for my life. But that doesn't mean I just sit back and do nothing. He has given me a ton of ability and talent and a reasonably likeable personality, so I feel good about my God-given gifts to find a new gig.
But I hope -- pray -- that Olbermann and Maddow might realize that those of us who believe in God know that He can do anything, that He is without limits; that He could simultaneously allow Tom Brady's knee to get crunched, miraculously save some children in Darfur and keep the universe together, all while making himself an AWESOME sammich. Their attitude toward religion was condescending, lacking in empathy and, for two people I have admired, among many other reasons, solely for being among the smartest people in the room, sadly misinformed.