David French just Destroyed His Credibility as a Conservative Intellectual Who Supposedly Respects the Constitution.
On most political subjects, I actually respect David French’s opinion, even when I disagree with him, as he is thoughtful, nuanced, educated, well-sourced, etc. But reading this kind of drivel just drove me nuts. I just highlighted a few particularly aggravating sections and added my thoughts in bold afterwards.
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“Don’t ever forget that, for some folks, “separation of church and state” is a half-measure. It’s just a pit stop on the road to de-Christianizing America. It’s a temporary means to a much bigger end.”
Hey moron – that separation of church and state is enshrined in the US Constitution. Don’t knock it. And no, we’re not trying to “de-Christianize” the US, we’re just trying to make sure that you don’t get to make our government a Christian theocracy based on your stupid-ass Nashville statement, because that’s only what YOUR version of Christianity believes. Keep it out of government and we’re fine, but the moment you try to make Christianity part of government, we’re gonna have a problem.
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“There are powerful peer and cultural pressures that are pushing Christians to compromise on core principles. In some parts of the country, Christians are social pariahs if they admit to their Biblical views. In other places, their career opportunities are limited and their civil liberties are at risk. As a result, a number of Christians have retreated to a fallback position: They claim that they’ll comply with Christian orthodoxy in their own lives, but they won’t “judge” anyone who chooses to live differently.”
Oh give me a fucking break – Christians are “social pariahs” in a country that still identifies as over 80% Christian? Can’t get jobs? Civil liberties at risk? What the fuck are you talking about? Why don’t you try being a religious minority or an agnostic/atheist for a while before you start gibbering about that shit?
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“We are reaching a troubling stage of American politics when the reality of American pluralism is yielding to a demand for cultural and religious uniformity. Megan Barry is expected to have a position on civil rights and civil liberties, but that’s a far cry from stating that Biblical orthodoxy is incompatible with the “inclusive values” of a city that’s located in the heart of the Bible Belt. The Southern Baptist Convention has a headquarter building right in downtown Nashville. You can’t drive five minutes in Nashville without seeing a church that’s teaching exactly the values and beliefs contained in the Nashville Statement. Is Barry’s position that they should change their ways, shut up, or leave?”
Guess what, French? Who gives a shit if the SBC has a headquarters in Nashville, or that their are churches on every corner? It still doesn’t give them any right to even think about forcing their religious beliefs into government! And yeah, if your “Biblical orthodoxy” tries to restrict the equal rights of anyone else, then in a pluralistic society, that orthodoxy is definitely NOT compatible with “inclusive values.” Because guess what? THAT ORTHODOXY IS NOT INCLUSIVE, IDIOT!
Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/450981/nashville-mayor-barry-attacks-basic-christian-belief
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/450981/nashville-mayor-barry-attacks-basic-christian-belief