Little article in a regressivist rag I came across. Agape Press.
It’s about how liberals are intolerant of conservatives, and hypocritical about it since their primary reason for being intolerant of conservatism is the intolerance of conservatism.
It’s a cute little exercise in circular reasoning, but it’s not the well-sewn bundling bed that the author seems to think it is – and here’s why.
It is impossible to be “tolerant” of a world view who’s very nature is to seek out and destroy you. Not only impossible, but downright fool-hardy. Now, real conservatism has it’s value and it’s place. True conservativism is about hanging on to what works. It’s about not throwing the baby out with the bath water. It’s about proceeding deliberately and making sure that you are doing the right thing…and in America conservatism is about the preservation of our civil society, and the maintenance of our core American values…including freedom of speech and religion – and our individual right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Though I am a progressive, I respect conservativism and it's positive history as a stabalizing force.
However, regressivism is masquerading as conservatism, and there are just enough regressivists, and they are just ruthless and rabid and numerous enough to hijack the conservative agenda.
And “tolerance” of them will get you nothing but misery. They laugh at tolerance. They mock it. They openly say that there is no place for tolerance in America. You are either a straight, white, protestant male with a 40-hour a week job and a wife and as many kids as you can make your wife push out, or you are nothing – and it’s really best if you leave the country. Need proof? How about taking a look at these guys (don’t take in too much at once, it burns us, my precious):
Randall Terry,
Here’s what Randall Terry (founder of Operation Rescue) has to say about Jesus, and his fellow Christians:
I am grieved that they have changed Christ, the Man of war, into the cosmic coward; that they have painted the one who has a two-edged sword and a rod of iron into one bearing articles of surrender; they have denied the political and cultural crown rights of King Jesus, and have made Christ, His law, and His church subservient to wicked politicians and governments.
Howard Scott Heldreth I think that speaks for itself. *
Westboro Babtist Church, who “Thank God for September 11”, and believe that “God hates Fags”, and that “The Bible preaches hate”. Wow.
Jerry Falwell. ‘nuff said. If he truly believes that God brought September 11th upon us for “liberal” views…then he must do everything possible to destroy anything “liberal” (like freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly).
The Texas Republican party Platform of 2002 also describes homosexuality, a woman’s right to choose, and divorce as being a danger to the social fabric. Also, not teaching “biblical principles” in public school is a threat to our social fabric and our country. Also, not allowing corporal punishment in public schools is a threat to our society. Oh yeah, and the right to raise your children only applies to you if you are not gay. Beat them all you want…just don’t kill them or be gay and you’ll be fine.
Oh, and don’t forget Pat Robertson. He’s my personal favorite. Remember the time he urged his followers to pray for the death of Supreme Court justices? Ahhh..memories.
But I digress. Here’s the rub: regressivists will claim that the liberal world view is inherently hostile to and corrosive of their values, and out to destroy everything good about being – whatever they are…Except - they can live however they choose in our country. They are guaranteed that right. They can create their communities of belief. Look at the Amish. I mean, if you want to order your own life around extreme ideas, you can. But that isn’t good enough. They openly preach that their way of life cannot exist if people are allowed to be gay and live. It is destructive of their faith for women to be able to use birth control. If one woman is allowed to decide that she has to have an abortion – then it endangers the country because God’s vengeance will fall on everyone.
So, I can be as open minded and tolerant as the day is long – but that doesn’t change the fact that these people are a threat to me and my freedom to follow my conscience. It cannot be any other way, because me believing as I do puts them (in their mind) in physical and spiritual danger. So…”tolerance” of that is just dumb. No, I’m not going to put up with that. It’s a stupid assertion that Fred being gay will bring hellfire down on George, so Fred has to be shunned, abused, and denied a guarantee of his basic human rights. Nuh-uh.
Now, I’ve read Thomas Jefferson, and I know that he advocated, with all the eloquence that he could muster, the sacred right of every American to go to hell in their own handbasket if they so chose. As old T.J. said “…it neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket…”
Maybe Fred will burn in hell for all eternity, but that’s between him and God, and nobody else. It’s certainly none of George’s business, and frankly if he’s anything like the others of his kind he’s got a little hot-coal dodging of his own to do.
Maybe the George's of the world need a country that is ruled by Biblical principles, but it isn’t America – not unless they manage to completely subvert the whole idea of America. They cannot create the theocracy they describe without it becoming inherently un-American.
*OK, I admit that Howard Scott Heldreth being a child-rapist doesn’t actually fit this topic, but that guy just needs to be exposed again and again and again.