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Really, it's not that remarkable. I could imagine my brother or dad wearing this shirt (or any of the other shirts on that page). While I consider the phrase to be intolerant, I wouldn't think that seeing someone wearing it to be very unusual. As a matter of fact, I've seen lot's of people wear shirts and paste bumber stickers on their cars just like this.
Ok, so why am I writing about it? You must be asking.
Well, it so happens that this T-shirt is for sale by The Christian Revival Center, which is pastored by none other than Thomas Robb. Also, so happens that he is the leader of the KKK group that organizes around my old hometown of Harrison, Arkansas.
I guess my point is that all the rhetoric about "under God" and "in God we trust" is also being associated with white supremacy and the Chistian Identity movement.
I know that not everyone that wears this kind of message is going to be a hate-monger. But, the hate-mongers are co-opting the same slogans as fundamentalists and using the guise of patriotism to spread their very unamerican ideals. Where are the fundamentalist christians speaking out about this unfair association?
I also find it totally ironic that the group that sells this shirt promotes socialism and fascism. The very things that fundamentalists accuse atheists of promoting. Christians, beware! The lion is now in your den, not mine.
6 comments:
That reminds me of an old episode of South Park where the men trying to defend their racist flag (in the name of history) were made uncomfortable when the local KKK chapter supported them.
I guess politics makes strange bedfellows (or does it?).
Ah yes...a classic episode...although I suppose they've had a lot of "classics" over the years...
I do have to agree with you. By purchasing that particular t-shirt, one would be supporting an organization that I believe is not in the best interest of our country's future. However, the message is still real. Our country started with a belief in God (capitalized) that should never be forgotten. Our founding father's believed as Martin Luther and John Locke did that all men, whatever race, are created (by God) equal and it is the right of ALL to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Even though we do not agree with their agenda, it is still their right to free speech.
"I do have to agree with you. By purchasing that particular t-shirt, one would be supporting an organization that I believe is not in the best interest of our country's future. However, the message is still real."
Actually, I'm not arguing that the message is real or not. I'm pointing out that hate groups are using the same slogans as more orthodox christians. With that comes association. It actually worries me, bro. It's getting to a point where I'm not going to be able to tell the hate groups from the more peaceable fundamentalists. I've seen some very hateful messages coming from churches that use names such as Christian or Baptist. Remember the obama bucks picture? I believe that came from a christian women's group. How about the public library that was threatened with violence from a local "Baptist" church? It's not relevant whether they are True Christains™ or not. I just want to see some True Christian™ outrage at the hate groups co-opting your religion to hide behind. I want to see the True Christians™ not forwarding the same subtle hate messages in e-mails.
Of course, they have the freedom of speech to use the same slogans. But, how are we going to tell the difference?
Robert, I don't know if you've done it, but you really ought to check out some fundamental Christian forums. People ARE outraged by these things. While the example you posted hasn't had enough exposure to cross their radar, things like what Pat Robertson said, and Obama death threats and such are often spoken out against passionately. I actually taught an entire lesson at our church on our responsibility to honor those in authority over us, even when we don't agree with them. I strongly disagree with most of Obama's policies but if God has allowed him to come into authority over us, it is for a reason, and it is our responsibility to submit to his authority, while at the same time praying for him.
"Robert, I don't know if you've done it, but you really ought to check out some fundamental Christian forums. People ARE outraged by these things."
I don't go to those forums anymore. A while ago, I went to a local mega-churches chat room. Someone in the room threatened to do some very un-christian (un-atheist too) things to me if I didn't get myself right with Jesus. All I did was ask a question about the problem of Hell.
In the town we are moving from, the normal fundamentalists tolerate the prescence of the Christian Identity, Skin Heads, and the KKK. However, they will not tolerate an atheist. Makes me wonder.
Recently, my sister-in-law, a friend and I attended a creationist conference hosted by a local Church of Christ. Would you believe that there were armed men there that were trying to intimidate us when we were talking to the speaker after the lecture? It happened, swear to whatever!
"I strongly disagree with most of Obama's policies but if God has allowed him to come into authority over us, it is for a reason, and it is our responsibility to submit to his authority, while at the same time praying for him."
I could try to discuss how far submission should be taken. However, so far, Obama hasn't really done much. Except, getting the white supremecists in an uproar. Which, I love to see. I love shaking their cages to see what falls out. So far, I haven't gotten too many death threats, so I'll keep going.
Does praying for him include impreccatory prayer? This is what I'm in such an uproar over. I have heard ministers ask for Obama's death or misfortune in prayer. I've seen signs and t-shirts urging Americans to pray for Obama's death so another can take his office (Psalms 109:8-9).
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