My concern isn't the rift that has opened between Republican political practice and the vision of the nation's Founders, who made very clear in the Constitution that there would be no religious test for officeholders in their enlightened new republic. Rather, it's the gap between the teachings of the Gospels and the preachings of the Gospel's Own Party that has widened past the point of absurdity, even as the ostensible Christianization of the party proceeds apace.The gap is a big one. After all, what was Jesus' second greatest commandment? And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matt 22:39). Meyerson goes on to use immigration as an example.
But it's on their policies concerning immigrants where Republicans -- candidates and voters alike -- really run afoul of biblical writ. Not on immigration as such but on the treatment of immigrants who are already here. Consider: Christmas, after all, celebrates not just Jesus's birth but his family's flight from Herod's wrath into Egypt, a journey obviously undertaken without benefit of legal documentation. The Bible isn't big on immigrant documentation. "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger nor oppress him," Exodus says the Lord told Moses on Mount Sinai, "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."The members of the Gospel's Own Party believe that it is not enough to stop illegal immigration, but you need to punish the illegal immigrants that are already here. And, that includes their children.
Finally, Meyerson points out that members of the Gospel's Own Party seem to be requiring an increasing amount of meanness from Republican presidential candidates in order to get their vote.
14 comments:
It is not much of a surprise that someone like Myerson who calls himself (as do all Jews) one of the Chosen People, a race above all others, would spout bigotry toward Christians.
His remarks were simply hateful and those who cheer them are likewise.
Oops, my bad. I didn't realize the big bad jew from NYC was being a bigot. I guess the war on Christmas has turned into the war on Christians. But is it bigotry to point out the truth...that Christians are very selective about how and when they act in a Christian manner?
Funny how you didn't use the snarky "big bad christians" in describing Myerson's target.
See how easily a double standard is revealed?
Seeing how Myerson is targeting a group by religion, his religion would be useful knowledge. You think?
"...that Christians are very selective about how and when they act in a Christian manner?"
And Jews, Muslims, Hindu. Liberals, Conservatives etc. are not? I hope you are not implying that only Christians are guilty of hypocrisy and all others are without sin, but I wouldn't be surprised.
If you don't consider Myerson's ugly rant to be evidence of bigotry then you will be disgusted at the vast range of thought and criticism that the Jewish community attacks as anti-Semitic bigotry.
Recently two academics were attacked as bigots for publishing material that sought to measure and criticize Jewish influence in American policy. This attack was preceeded by a prominent Jewish groups press release warning of a coming Christian theocracy in the US! Better yet, it was followed by an article in a Jewish publication (linked by NRO) bragging (appropriately, I thought) that 62 of the recently released "Hundred Most Influential Americans" were Jews. It certainly contrasted with the passionate attacks on a couple of academics who were speculating about the very same thing.
See how double standards work? Tell me, is it anti-Semitism if I speculate on the most influential people in America having any influence on anti-Christian bigotry?
No, it isn't anti-semitism. Personally I hope all the jewish neocons that brought us into the Iraq War rot in hell.
Mike, everyone is guilty of hypocrisy in one way or another but I really don't see the hate in what Meyerson has to say. Are you claiming that the Republican party is not becoming Christianized? I've heard more talk of religion in the last two months, mainly from Republican presidential candidates than I have in the last 20 years.
Are you claiming that the Republicans are not proposing tough sanctions on illegal immigrants. If you are, then you are not very familiar with the Republican platform.
Meyerson quotes from the Hebrew bible - that's the Jewish bible Mike as well as part of the Christian bible. Maybe if you could educate me on exactly where Meyerson is being hateful I could better respond.
Thanks for the sober response. I'll try to return the favor.
If I were to say that the Democratic Party had become Africanized would you think that to be a supportive (of black influence) remark?
You seem to be saying that Myerson is simply stating a demographic fact and not decrying Christian influence in the Republican Party. Is that your contention?
You are right. I am saying 1. Meyerson is stating a demographic fact, how can you argue otherwise.
2. He is absolutely decrying the hypocrisy of the Christian influence in the Republican Party and I believe he is right. I contend that Christian Republicans ignore the 2nd greatest commandment. If that is hateful, so be it.
Again I ask you to show me where Meyerson is being hateful.
I guess it is no more hateful than decrying black, Jewish or gay (and so on) influence in America. The thing is, PCS, that I don't think you would hesitate for a second to call *that* hate.
Regarding illegal immigration. I'm in my 50's and have voted Democratic almost my entire adult life. I have a memory that includes Democrats blasting Republicans for decades over Republicans support for greater immigration and for looking the other way regarding illegal immigration. It was all about "greed and racism", keeping the AMERICAN working man down by importing cheap Mexican labor.
Suddenly Republicans are castigated as racists and hating Mexicans because they take note of the massive increase in numbers of illegal immigrants and say that this cannot be sustained. So don't ive me the Republican/immigration challenge. Democrats have been on the "Mexicans are taking American jobs" rant for way too long. But I have no doubt that eventually it will taught in school the other way.
Excuse me, but I believe in my last reply I made a hateful statement about neocons who led us into the Iraq War (many of those are jewish).
Now that you admit that Meyerson's piece was not hateful towards Christians, please show me where it is racist. Have you even read the article?
"Now that you admit that Meyerson's piece was not hateful towards Christians..."
You lost me entirely. What??
"I guess it is no more hateful than decrying black, Jewish or gay (and so on) influence in America."
Oops, I guess I misunderstood.
Since I obviously misunderstood you, now you have to show me where it is hateful and where it is racist. You still refuse to do that.
PCS,
My last comment has disappeared. Is that a glitch? Should I repost it?
Mike Maddox
Mike, I do not delete posts, so it must be a glitch. If I ever did have to delete a post I would certainly explain why I deleted it.
Looking forwared to your next comments.
Ah, forget it. I know it was there for several hours, as I checked back to see if you had responded.
It was a couple of paragraphs. The same glitch will probably waste another comment.
I'm out of here. Thanks for your comments. Happy holidays to you and yours.
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