Posted by
ERIKM on Thursday, November 26, 2009 6:01:21 PM
I should be eating turkey right now but I need to speak in 10 minutes or less......
Today as much as any recent day in post 9-11, the word 'radical' resounds with as much political and cultural taboo as 'kill', 'assassinate', and 'martyr.' I would dare say that in Western society, to the average ear, this word immediately brings to mind thoughts and pictures of middle eastern men with ak-47's and long beards, Osama Bin Laden, and angry rhetoric aimed at destruction. It has been equivocated in usage by many who wish to make a point that there are those who should be labeled "radical" because of an agenda. You may remember the View's Rosie Odonnel's hubristic use of the word when she uttered the statement "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America." Now it is echoed by those who are seeking to find the equivolent of radical Islam in Christians. It is vitally necessary to examine our flashy use of the word "radical" in everyday usage as we wage ideological battles and try to see who can make a point.
There are quacks, cooks, and jerks of a conservative elk that use Christian terms, imagery, and even Bible scriptures to gain credibility for their cause. Unfortunatley, to create a brand called "radical Christianity" because of some individuals who skipped Bible study when they were young makes as much sense calling Barrack Obama a "radical secularist" for supporting abortion and not going to church on some Sundays. It's just a bad dichotomy.
Radical Islam is a real threat to America and other areas of the world. Even to those peaceful Muslims. It is grounded in ideas and a theology that is ancient. Hillbilly Jeb, on the other hand, was angry, ignorant, and violent when he decided to borrow some scripture from sacred writ and scream "God hates fags"....and you listened to him! shame!