I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He said, ‘Are you going to start listening to me here?’ Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we’ve got to rein in the spending.
Now, my first reaction was, "Wow, that's really bad theology. It's also kind of twisted: what is this, a joke?" The fact that her press secretary had to clarify that Bachmann had said this "in jest" actually confirmed my initial incredulity: watching the video, one can't fail to notice that no one is laughing. Earthquakes and deadly hurricanes are not areas I would normally mine for comedic material, but that's just me.
Unfortunately, Ms. Bachmann has given voice to something that we have heard before, something that serves only to corroborate religion's critics in their argument that belief in a god is irrational. The god Bachmann references here is not the God of the Judeo-Christian tradition but, rather, a petty idol that serves to bolster one's own sense of place and self. Funny thing, isn't it, that she seems to think that these natural disasters are actually signs from this 'god' in support of her position!
The greatest enemy to Christianity is not science or reason or logic. It is Christians who, by word and deed, seem hell-bent to portray Christianity as an irrational superstition. As a registered Republican, it is quotes taken from candidates like Rick Perry that increase my fear that our eventual Presidential nominee will caricature Christianity on the national stage as science-hating and, to be candid, almost idolatrous. It is times like this that I lament that the US Bishops have squandered so much of their credibility over the last decade because I think their voice as a 'teaching authority' is sorely needed. Without firm and reasoned guidance, I fear for the future of our political landscape and the perception of Christianity in America.
2 comments:
I could not have said this any better myself. You're so absolutely right. I think Bachmann's comments have a familiar ring that I often detect in the speech of many Christian fundamentalists. Perhaps (even worse still) her remarks were intentionally constructed to placate those attending her political rally.
BTW, I have nothing against Mrs. Bachmann.
You are right. Bachmann considers herself a devout Christian, and yet this is the kind of banter she tosses around? Yet another reason to pray her campaign doesn't make it out of the starting gates. Rick Perry? Ditto. We need a leader, not a Pastor-President, "who, by word and deed, seem hell-bent to portray Christianity as an irrational superstition." Very well said, indeed. Toss Palin into the mix and you've got a threesome that is a parody of itself.
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