Are crazy Christians a threat to our Nation?

[Philosoraptor]

I am not of course referring to the benign Christians in our society, just he crazy ones, you know who I mean.

Are they a real threat, or just an annoyance? Should we keep an eye on them? Should we be wary of them?

I know a few, and they seem like they could be a REAL problem if they so desired.

[Rockholm]

1. Yes. One can just read off the examples of their lunacy.

OKC Bombing, the massacre at the "liberal" church last year, the abortion clinic bombings....

[Lost in CT]

19. The OKC bombing was Agnostics.... perhaps we can expand it to Crazy Christains and agnostics....

to be inclusive and all.

[treestar]

31. Sometimes all Christian means is "white"

Why do some "Christians" not act very Christian? IMO they are not really in it for the religion, but as a secret sort of way of having what they think will be an all white organization. Christianity is the religion of Europe, that is, of the white race.

Not that it is even accurate, but these are not sane people.

[valerief]

2. That's a Duh question if I ever read one. One answer: Bush/Cheney. nt

[Pab Sungenis]

3. Crazy (fill in the blanks) are a threat.

Crazy Christians. Crazy Muslims. Crazy Jews. Crazy Atheists. Crazy cartoonists. And so on.

Not just Christians. It's just that there seems to be more of them.

[madamesilverspurs]

35. Yup, crazy is crazy.

Religion is sometimes just the horse crazy rides on.

[polichick]

4. Well, there's this to consider...

http://www.alternet.org/story/47679/?comments=view&cID=523708&pID=523372

"The Christian right has lured tens of millions of Americans, who rightly feel abandoned and betrayed by the political system, from the reality-based world to one of magic -- to fantastic visions of angels and miracles, to a childlike belief that God has a plan for them and Jesus will guide and protect them. This mythological worldview, one that has no use for science or dispassionate, honest intellectual inquiry, one that promises that the loss of jobs and health insurance does not matter, as long as you are right with Jesus, offers a lying world of consistency that addresses the emotional yearnings of desperate followers at the expense of reality. It creates a world where facts become interchangeable with opinions, where lies become true -- the very essence of the totalitarian state. It includes a dark license to kill, to obliterate all those who do not conform to this vision, from Muslims in the Middle East to those at home who refuse to submit to the movement. And it conveniently empowers a rapacious oligarchy whose god is maximum profit at the expense of citizens."

[conscious evolution]

5. Yes

google dominionism

[KharmaTrain]

6. Religious Zealots of All Types

Just the word "extremism" sums it up. When you put a god or religious belief ahead of common sense and tolerance, it's a threat to any civilization...democratic or not. When you view the world in absolutes...there's no compromising or even talking...it's all or nothing, and generally wrapped in both fear and intolerance.

I'd look under the surface. It's these people that provide a great cover for the real crazies...the militia-men and outcasts who use this absolutism as justification for their own radical views. McVeigh wasn't a very religious person, but he sure found plenty of friends and comfort in that world.

The real problem are religions that let the extremists become their spokespeople...where the venom is wrapped up in parables and fed as literal gospel to people purposely kept in the dark.

Cheers...

[Philosoraptor]

7. Of course, but our homegrown brand of crazies number the most

[KharmaTrain]

9. I Think Israel Will Argue That One...

The other night, I saw a riot between Greek and Armenian Orthdox "pilgrims" at the Church of the Holy Sepulcure. I wasn't quite sure what they were fighting over, but it sure was intense. Add to that the mix of ultra orthodox Jews (Likudniks) and the many Arabic factions...they make our extremists look like sheep.

With the economy gone south, idol time is the "devil's playground". I think the loss of jobs and hope lead more to extremism than religion, but it sure doesn't hurt when one can find a religious justification for taking out their frustrations on society with guns.

We definitely need to keep vigilent, but also to avoid giving too much oxygen to those who will use the tough times to spread more hate and intolerance.

[cobalt1999]

8. Any group that wants to push their morals and rules upon others needs to be fought

The ones who believe in whatever and do it quietly are no issue.

The zealots who want to change the world to match their particular moral code need to be confronted.

[Philosoraptor]

10. I truly believe in the freedom of religion, but also the seperation of church & state

[bighart]

23. would that describe most here as well?

What is the difference in any given person wanting to see the political and social agenda they hold near and dear forwarded and what you describe above? A frank, well informed and intelligent debate should not be something to fear and suppress, it should be welcomed and encouraged. We all need to find common ground with those we disagree with and work to move things forward regardless of differences. Let's face it there will always be others who disagree with any agenda, and to work to isolate, villanize and ostracize those who don't share a particular view of the things is only to show the small-mindedness and intellectual bankruptcy of the one doing so.

[Brewman_Jax]

11. Yes

from not allowing alcohol sales on Sunday to stopping scientific research. Impositions from the ridiculous to the sublime, they have this common factor: to have their style of morality legislated and imposed on everybody else.

[Philosoraptor]

13. I've personally found them to be extremely pushy.

Never content to live and let live, they seek to forcefully impose their belief system on ALL of us, globally.

[fed_up_mother]

27. Well, they were right about blue laws.

I'm going to get flamed, but that's ok. The shop, shop, shop till you drop seven days a week has not been good for the individual citizen/consumer or the country.

[Brewman_Jax]

32. Never been shown

not to mention that money generally trumps morality.

[RaleighNCDUer]

36. Nonsense.

There are many millions of people who work six days a week, and the only day they can shop is on the 7th. And the 'blue laws' were solely christian based - for Jews and Muslims sunday is just another day - why should they be forbidden to get the groceries on Sunday?

The blue laws are nothing but conservative christian bigotry in action.

[KG]

12. they are a threat to the world at large.

[stray cat]

14. Crazy radicals of any persuasive right left or anything else are more threats as individuals

than anything. However, one individual can cause a great deal of destruction

[Philosoraptor]

15. Of course, but the palins & end timers have infected our government

[EstimatedProphet]

16. Crazy anythings are a threat to our nation

It ain't the sane people that pick up shotguns and go shoot up schools...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

17. I would say "crazy" people of any stripe could pose a threat

If by "crazy" you mean those who are intolerant of other points of view and who insist that things must be done their way only. That attitude is one that is bound to cause friction and unhappiness.

[mikelewis]

18. Even one Christian is the single greatest threat to this country...

Thank God there aren't any in America.

[Philosoraptor]

20. Thank God there aren't any in America.

Wonderful!

[Dorian Gray]

21. If you mean people like Fred Phelps

then no. They are an annoyance who piss off even most Right Wing Christians, let alone any thinking person out there.

If your definition of "crazy Christian" is more broad to include the religious who vote for Prop 8 and against abortion, then their beliefs pose more of a threat to liberal beliefs. But I think that, all in all, they wouldn't want to replace the structure of our government with a theocracy. Some of their moral issues may anathema to ours, but I don't think that they pose a threat to democracy.

[BlooInBloo]

22. Religion is a threat to every nation.

[annabanana]

24. In that they can't wait for the world to end... absolutely.

ANYone racing headfirst toward the apocolypse is dangerous to themselves and those around them.

[Juche]

25. yes

Get the book American fascists

http://www.amazon.com/American-Fascists-Christian-Right-America/dp/0743284437



Also read the book 'the authoritarians'. In it the author talks about how people with authoritarian personalities (ie wingnuts) are so driven by fear that they make terrible decisions and try to force themselves on others. Generally after 50 years billions are dead and environmental degredation is severe.

[Joe Fields]

26. they are more of a threat than crazy muslims.

next question?

[Iggo]

28. Word.

[LanternWaste]

29. I imagine any crazy person...

I imagine any crazy person is a threat to society--regardless of religion, politics, or philosophy. Not benign people, just the crazy ones...

[asteroid2003QQ47]

30. Outliers to the extreme, "Benign Christians" are so far off the chart they are unidentifiable.

Yes, the poisonous stew remaining is not just a threat to the Nation but to the planet!

[Baikonour]

33. All religions worship fictional entities. They're all batshit insane.

The reason why Christians get the most criticism here in America is because they're trying to take over our laws and government.

Let me know when the Muslims are fighting to get statues of the Koran placed in America's courtrooms.

Until then, I'll focus on the Christians.

[bighart]

34. how do you feel about sharia loans being offered by the

STATE of Minnesota?

[asteroid2003QQ47]

37. Early adopter trending away from Capitalism,...

how bad can it be?
------------------

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone.
- John Maynard Keynes