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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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“God hates you.” |
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September 30, 2006
It’s bad enough that Missourians Against Human Cloning (MAHC), Missouri Right to Life and their cohorts opposing Missouri’s Amendment 2 have knowingly used misleading and false claims to strike fear in the hearts of voters. But now those opponents of Missouri’s Amendment 2 have sunk to a new low. At a recent rally in a Springfield, Missouri, auditorium, paid speaker and former presidential candidate Alan Keyes issued a warning to the Amendment’s supporters:
“God hates you.”
I kid you not. That’s a direct quote reported in the Springfield News-Leader.
So what does this mean for contemporary right wing Christians?
Discernment within the church? Gone!
Independent thought? Banished!
Jesus loves you? Fahgetaboudit!
No, the new Christian Conservative Jihad (CCJ) battle cry is “God hates you.”
Taking a lesson from Al Qaeda, the new CCJ has finally emerged. Out with forgiveness! Out with ‘love thy neighbor!’ Out with tolerance! In with the new radical right Christian philosophy: “God hates you.”
Keyes is paid $2500 per appearance for these speaking engagements. Of course, he’s quick to brag that that’s his discount price and he usually gets $7500. Perhaps those who negotiated the deal with him should have paid the full price. After all, the old adage teaches us that “you get what you pay for” and Keyes’ special brand of warm and fuzzy commentary is sure to sway undecided voters to his camp, right? Yeah, right.
Frankly, I’m a bit puzzled as to why the “prophet” Keyes needed any remuneration, discount or not. Having the self proclaimed power to tap into the Lord’s thoughts, why doesn’t he just pick the winning lottery numbers and claim one of those $200 million powerball prizes - at His will?
The timing of Keyes’ “God hates you” pontification presents an interesting juxtaposition. It occurred just as Senator John Danforth, an ordained Episcopal minister, released his new book – the one in which he calls for a more “collegial” atmosphere in American politics and particularly when politics and religion converge. Given this new wave of the Conservative Christian Jihad - with the “prophet” Keyes leading the charge - Danforth must be a brave soul to risk the wrath of God (according to Keyes) to support Amendment 2. What courage it takes to be Danforth in these times of peril for moderates. I’d like to shake his hand and thank him.
But that might prove dangerous. The Bible teaches us that God’s power over evil is swift and efficient. If the Senator and I stood too closely together, we’d surely be struck by a lightning bolt. After all, since God hates us both, as the prophet Keyes purports, our presence in such proximity would be an easy “two-fer.”
But wait just a darned minute... I’ve already stood next to Senator Danforth and shaken his hand. (Do I have the photo? Where is it? Oh, here it is...)
Well, the bad news for the “prophet” Keyes is that God smote neither of us. Nor did He smite the other hundreds of Amendment 2 supporters gathered for that pro-Amendment 2 rally in Jefferson City. We all made it home safely.
Hmmm. Could that mean Keyes is a false prophet? You bet. [Hallelujah!]
I have some advice for Mr. Keyes: Since you’re speaking out at ‘discount rates’ you ought to make up the financial shortfall by getting in touch with your charm school. They owe you a refund.
- Jeff Eisen
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