The problem with religious loonies that spout off like this …
There are those who would say Tom DeLay lost his job as House majority leader because he was indicted by a Texas grand jury for money laundering and conspiracy, or because of his extensive ties to lawbreaking lobbyist Jack Abramoff. But they would be wrong.
In fact, the Texas Republican fell from power because he is a Christian.
That, at least, is the view of Rick Scarborough, convener of a conference this week called “The War on Christians.”
… is twofold.
First, it gives scumbags like DeLay an easy out for their behavior. “I didn’t do anything wrong! They were just picking on me because I’m Christian!”
Second, it dulls the senses to cases where someone’s Christian faith might actually get them in trouble. Such cases are, I suspect, few and far between, but the prospect, at least, is there. I read more and more intolerant passages by anti-Christians (and anti-religionists) online almost daily. (That they are, themselves, a reaction to the reactionary fringe of the Christian Right is, of course, loaded with irony.) At some point, it will, if it has not already, spill into discriminatory action (“How can someone be a real scientist if they believe in God?” which is as goofy a sentiment as the all-too-real “How can someone be a good Christian if they are a believer in science?”).
But, frankly, nobody’s going to pay attention if the cry of “wolf!” has already been heard in clearly ludicrous cases like DeLay’s.
“I believe the most damaging thing that Tom DeLay has done in his life is take his faith seriously into public office, which made him a target for all those who despise the cause of Christ,” Scarborough said, introducing DeLay on Tuesday. When DeLay finished, the host reminded the politician: “God always does his best work right after a crucifixion.”
In many ways, there are parallels to Cynthia McKinney in this case (which is amusing on so many levels). Racial bigotry and the like are quite real. But they become discredited, or automatic outrage over them becomes muted, when the “race card” is played. It lets folks say, “Well, yeah, that guy claimed he was beat up by the cops because he was black, but, hey, it’s probably just another case like that whack-job congresswoman who who thinks if she’s restrained by a security guard because she walked past without her ID that it’s all because of racism. Sheesh.”
McKinney, by the bye, has kinda-sorta apologized for the incident — or, at least, sort of, for hitting the capitol policeman. She hasn’t apologized for playing the race card. And, I suspect, if Tom DeLay ever does time for his crimes, he won’t apologize for his supporters playing the “War on Christians” card, either.