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- aereaus, on 10/12/2008, -18/+429My wife and I have first hand experience with the American Taliban. We were living in Florida prior to moving back to Denmark. My wife started a job with a printing company in Tampa. She told me that the place was definitely different then her other jobs in the States, and didn't think she would last long because all her co-workers were bible-thumpers. As Pagans we're used to keeping a low profile. To make a long story short, in her third week of employment her company had a staff meeting with the "Big Bosses". At the beginning they said a prayer. My wife sat quietly but didn't participate. After the meeting the owner of the company approached her and asked what church she went to. My wife said that we were new to Florida and hadn't chosen one. He invited her and me to join his. She thanked him and went about her work day. Over the next week other employees bombarded her with offers of various churches and she politely declined. By the end of her fourth week she was fired.
I have heard this is common among smaller companies in the US. It's a sick practice and I'm glad to be in Denmark where I don't have to deal with this kind of ***** any more. - inactive, on 12/08/2008, -24/+361I have to agree with the article. Honest political discussions of differences between Liberals and Conservatives, Democrats and Republicans are healthy for a democratic society. And both Liberals and Conservatives are necessary to this country to keep us from going too far to either extreme.
But the Right Wing fringe is crazy. They, literally, want to kill, lock up, or deport people who disagree with them. I think we all have to keep an eye on them to make sure they don't become and "American Taliban". - Leviathan433, on 10/12/2008, -20/+291Hard to believe? Sadly, I wish it were.
- inactive, on 10/12/2008, -19/+214I also agree. At the core of my dislike for religion is the lack of checks and balances. People so easily spin God's word, breaking the very same commandments their religion demands they follow. God is love and freedom... the Fundamentalist Right is hate and control.
- spriggig, on 10/12/2008, -12/+181About all the response you'll get from most "main-stream" Christians on this subject is "Well, I'm not THAT kind of Christian". Christians need to police their own, main stream Christians should be the ones shining a light on the radical fundies in their midst and outing them as the hateful bigots they are.
Why won't they do that? Because they know all too well the slippery slope on which they stand. It's a continuum down to the bottom of the pit where the fundies sit. All Christians know of a few in their own church that are a "bit more faithful" than most. If they shine the light on them, they'll have to also question their own, lesser faith.
BTW, protect the Separation of Church and State because it protects you. - PinYin55, on 10/12/2008, -20/+181All fundamentalists suck.
- EnviroChem, on 05/22/2009, -7/+121I used to attend an Assembly of God (same denomination as Sarah Palin) in Alaska (not same church) and yes at least from what I have seen they are as extreme as this article claims. They looked for and found evil and demons (yes demons) active in EVERYTHING they disagreed with. For instance they would preach about EVIL-lution (instead of evolution) corrupting our school systems. There was strong encouragement to only do business with and/or hire other "good" Christians (read members of the fundamentalist right) and to avoid doing business with the unsaved because they were possessed by evil spirits. They are convinced that Armageddon is upon us and God's judgment is eminent. What is worse, some want to hasten God's second coming by helping to spur on the war between the Jews and Arabs in the Middle East (I am not saying Sarah Palin is one of these ultra extremists).
When you are inside of this influence you don't see how crazy it is. Now, however, that I am well removed from such influences and look back at what I saw, I realize just how extreme their views can be. I get a cold shiver up my back about the thought that Sarah Palin and these extreme religious views could be one heart beat away from ruling our country. Religious extremism is a clear and present danger, to our society and our attention on extremists from one of the world's great religions has caused us to turn a blind eye on extremists from another one of our great religions.
Religion is not our enemy, extremism in all its grotesque forms is our enemy. Just as mainstream Muslims must repudiate and be on guard against Islamic fundamental extremists, Christians must also be on guard against and repudiate Christian fundamental extremists. If not held in check, either extreme could do terrible damage to our freedoms and way of life. - Mankrik, on 10/12/2008, -6/+100If I remember correctly, back in the 80s religious fundamentalists were killing doctors who performed abortions- all in the name of 'god.'
- inactive, on 10/12/2008, -11/+100I think the comments of ivanvivian speak directly to the point of the article.
With nothing new or noteworthy to speak of, Ivanvivian, regurgitates tried and true talking points in the robotic fashion freethinkers have been accustomed to hearing.
Projecting blame and fault on others in order to ignore the irrationality of their own views.
The fact that this reader feels this article is a personal attack on people of faith and having no prior knowledge of the author or his intentions, backgrounds, experience, or knowledge yet immediately discounting his views as socialist and hateful, further speak to the point that fundamentalists are unwilling to think with an open mind. - JenniferInMO, on 10/12/2008, -3/+88The fringe of any party is dangerous, but it is the Republican fringe which consists of a large number of people, they are loud, they have convinced themselves they are being persecuted and they have been in power for many years. It is the stuff crazy people are made of and no different than extremists anywhere else.
- Bastet62, on 10/12/2008, -14/+92Fundamentalists in this country are one sermon away from strapping explosive backpacks on just like the insane muslim extremists do. If a single famous preacher started asking these followers to do it - they would, en mass. The most horrendous crimes against humanity have been done in the name of one religion or another ever since men were able to put their fantastical beliefs into a book and make doctrine out of it - its sole purpose is to control the masses for political purposes. We are watching the christian right as they work their mojo magic in this country - controlling their flock with false propaganda about a political figure to influence an election. It's a tactic as old as the bi-bull.
- JenniferInMO, on 10/12/2008, -7/+81I am sorry you had to go through that horrible experience. It isn't that bad everywhere. In fact, I lived in Tampa for awhile many years ago and didn't run into any problems. I used to have a great respect for other people's religions, but I just can't respect anyone who judges, or persecutes others. That kind of pressure is unacceptable in a civilized society, unfortunately it exists.
- eldudereno, on 10/12/2008, -7/+77You should of said your a pasterfarian and if they sack you for that you could of taken them to court for religous bigotry. the FSM would off backed you up 100%
- Albionshores, on 10/12/2008, -7/+74Re: "American Fundamentalist Right No Different Than Taliban"
It is hard to believe.
It is, it is!
The Taliban are nowhere near as well organized and funded as the fundamentalist right (American and elsewhere). They have more resources and political clout to hand, occupying and influencing positions of power to an extent the Taliban could only dream of.
The fundi-right drive their SUVs to meet openly in large mega-church buildings which dominate and dictate to communities, states and government wholesale; they broadcasting their wares and recruit freely and, what is more, it is all largely accepted and it goes on relatively uncontested. In comparison the Taliban wear flipflops and meet in caves whilst bombs drop overhead. - avataros, on 10/12/2008, -12/+78I find it ironic that the Talibornagains throw terms like "Theocratic Fascism" like candy, but don't see it in themselves. It's projection - attributing the bad characteristics of themselves onto others and attacking it, thus convincing themselves that they are fighting the things they hate about themselves.
- rewinn, on 10/12/2008, -8/+62Obama should send Hillary a "thank-you" card for the long, extended and painful primary process, during which every conceivable bit of negative news was trotted out, chewed over and spit out.
The American people have considered it all ("Muslim! Ayers! Socialist!") and laughed it away. - inactive, on 10/12/2008, -5/+53Here in Brasil, something alike it happened to a friend of mine. He is atheist, and he was teacher at a high school. When a student's mom discovered it, she saw it to other mothers, who started to shout at Principal's ears to dismiss him. He have been fired three days later.
Because it, many atheists hide their condition at my city, Aracaju. Sad, but true. - JenniferInMO, on 10/12/2008, -2/+49I respect the right of every American to worship as they like, so long as our government is not involved and one person's worship does not pressure or interfere with anyone else's right. The fundamentalists have convinced themselves that they are being persecuted because they cannot establish themselves in our schools and in places where others' ability to worship or not to worship is impeded.
- EarlOfLade, on 10/12/2008, -2/+48And you can read how ***** insane they are over at fstdt.com, here is the link to the October submissions: http://fstdt.com/fundies/default.aspx?date=2008/10 ... and here are a few quotes from the front page:
"Like I've been saying: Democracy is a nice thing until you have a bunch of Godless ignorant people voting for the wrong people to lead an entire country. "
"The Curse of Ham: Why Barack Hussein Oboma Will Never Be President
It is written in Rev 20:8-Satan shall go out to deceive all the nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth, Gog,and Magog to gather them together to battle: The number of whom is countless and of the sand of the sea or shores of the sea. As descendant of Canaan, Liberal Democrat, Barack Obama Hussein is indeed a liar for that there is no disputing. He has and will continue to with his lies to God’s children that abortion, blatant homosexuality, fornication, and socialism is fun and good. This does not however make him the great liar that God tells us is to be the Anti-Christ. It is Barack Hussein Obama’s curse of coloredness that will prevent him from ever being elected leader of a true Christian nation, one that is founded upon Christian principle by the chosen, fair-skinned people of God. "
"There are no words in the human language (any human language) that could possibly describe Barak Hussein Obama. The man is evil, sick, putrid, rancid, sickening, etc. See, there isn't any words that describe him fully.
Defending human life is above his paygrade? Sick. This man provokes me to swearing and makes me want to vomit. "
"America, you see, is a Christian Nation in name only. Most Americans are more interested in policy than prayer, more interested in the here than the hereafter. They don't know 5 of the 10 Commandments. They think it's fine to go to the store on Sunday, without realizing that even having the store OPEN is an affront to God! They think it's fine and dandy to let people worship strange gods! They're covetous . . . a huge part of the subprime mess was based on "keeping up with the Joneses"!"
There are tons of equally insane comments with links to their original context. - BlacklabelSAR, on 10/12/2008, -4/+5075% of America is not "the extreme Left", moron.
- algaeturd, on 10/12/2008, -13/+59AMEN. IT'S THE WHOLE FAR RIGHT..not just the fundamentalists. These people have caused WAY More damage to our lives than any terrorists. They have pounced and trounced on the constitution and bill of rights, they've attacked our privacy and our liberties. They've damaged the economy in IRREVERSIBLE, astounding ways. They have damaged the education system (quite noticeably already) and they have ignored the infrastructure of this nation, causing it to go to *****. They have abused power, spent money like it's made of water, putting YOUR CHILDREN and YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN in debt for life. They've abused the trust of the American people. Now THAT is a real attack on Americans. While the right was busy praying and waving the flag, THEIR COUNTRY WAS BEING HIJACKED FROM THEM ON THEIR OWN WATCH.
Way to go, creeps. - BlacklabelSAR, on 10/12/2008, -17/+61I personally pronounce this story Accurate.
Any suggestions that it may be inaccurate are hereby invalid. - ThsGuyRightHere, on 10/12/2008, -4/+47Unfortunately Florida law regarding wrongful termination is very employer-friendly. Unless they actually said she was being terminated for her religious beliefs there's little legal recourse. A common practice I've seen is to come up with some corporate BS line like "not a team player" or "not a dedicated employee" when they really mean "not a WASP" (white anglo saxon protestant)
- ThsGuyRightHere, on 10/12/2008, -3/+44@ivan:
You're not being persecuted, you're just no longer enjoying the position you once held as the dominant religion in the country. No one wants to see worship forbidden in schools, we just don't want to see it forced. We also don't want to see religion dictating curriculum. Pretty simple really. - odigity, on 10/12/2008, -13/+51You know what really terrifies me? The comments in this thread.
We're screwed if you guys keep at it with this escalating left vs right *****. You're being manipulated by letting yourself be labeled and then incited into hating caricatures of the individuals who adopt the opposing label from yours.
The only winners in this scenario?
1) The leaders of the two major parties (just like the king of a country full of people that have been conditioned to hate and fear a neighboring country)
2) The power elite, whom you're helping maintain the status quo
3) Tyrants in the executive branch who like pretenses for grabbing more power (if you consider a group to be similar to the Taliban, you're not going to complain when the Feds go round them up, shoot them like at Ruby Ridge, or burn them down like Waco)
Please... stop. - fasda, on 10/12/2008, -6/+44Yes you should be scared because the far right religious fanatics are trying to make a theocracy
- stonecircle, on 06/11/2009, -4/+40Would you have stoned Mary Magdalene?
- scarwars, on 10/12/2008, -2/+38"terrists" ?!
Homeschooling ftw - SifuMoKung, on 10/12/2008, -3/+37Your brain is seized with propaganda. You take ideas you disagree with and push them out into the furthest reaches of reality. You would consider a moderate conservative a liberal. Please, for the sake of your nation, pull your head out of your ass.
- fishbeef33, on 10/12/2008, -8/+41Religion is a double-edged sword. Some of the greatest cultural artifacts we have (art and music) have come from it, but so have some of the worst crimes against humanity (war and suppression). There is a fine line between belief and extremism that exists in religion. I don't think there's necessarily a way to stop extremism, but the least we can do as a moral society is to not condone it through government.
- thePTS, on 10/12/2008, -3/+35"And both Liberals and Conservatives are necessary to this country to keep us from going too far to either extreme."
Ask the rest of the world, and you'll get the reply that we are already at an extreme. Yep, the US is a right-wing extremist country in the eyes of "most people". Not kidding.. - Gerz1219, on 10/12/2008, -3/+34I think he's referring to the Taliban as it exists right now, with practically no influence over national politics, limited to a remnant force occupying small regional enclaves. By that measure, the fundamentalist evangelicals still have abundant resources and influence to an extent that would make the Taliban envious. And if the past few weeks are any indication, they will stop at nothing to undermine the security of the United States after Election Day. Nothing seems to make the paranoid right-wing loners more violent than losing (or the threat of losing) a national election. It happened with Lincoln, it happened with both Kennedys, it happened at Waco, it happened at Oklahoma City. McCain and Palin are actively encouraging them to do it again.
- BlacklabelSAR, on 10/12/2008, -7/+37I've been "laid off" for not being a fake Christian too. I was actually told "The owners are pretty picky about who they hire", and a week later I was gone. And from the same people that called me a quick study the first week.
- inactive, on 10/12/2008, -3/+33I'm not religious, but I have no problem with people being relgious... as long as they realize that there is more to life than just religion...
- inactive, on 12/08/2008, -3/+33I agree. The problem seems to be that when the fringe groups come from *outside* the U.S. we can easily see them for what they are. Here, hardly anyone bats an eye until election time.
- sugarazor, on 10/12/2008, -7/+36Putting a stop to employer discrimination because an employee doesn't think the way you do is not taking away your freedom.
- homercles337, on 10/12/2008, -1/+30Oh jebus, the ***** ***** crazy, rabid religious right is the ***** Cancer that is killing the United States of America. These people disgust me.
- BlacklabelSAR, on 10/12/2008, -2/+31Fundamentalist Christians are not decent. They are dangerously deluded. This is the same type of "Christians" that burned witches.
- pintomp3, on 10/12/2008, -2/+31funny how that wasn't considered terrorism.
- fiatjustitia, on 10/12/2008, -1/+30boycotting a company = socialism?
I... I'm lost for words. - Murdats, on 10/12/2008, -3/+31you realise americans are doing that in several countries right now under the direction of a heavily and openly "religious right" leadership
- EarlOfLade, on 10/12/2008, -1/+29That is correct.
Both the major parties in USA are to the right of center of politics outside USA. - armakaryk, on 10/12/2008, -6/+34right on dd, ***** freedom of religion, who needs that *****? while were it lets get rid of some other constitutional freedoms that define this great god-fearing country! freedom of the press? GONE! lets integrate all news establishments into one corporation, a news corp if you will, that can easily be run by our great god-fearing leader. freedom to protest? GONE! we don't need those liberal tree hugging hippy atheists dissenting our great god-fearing leader. hell, lets get rid of freedom of speech too! if anyone says anything we don't like we'll throw em in gitmo!
by the way dd, you're an asshat, and you're the cancer of the nation. - fishbeef33, on 10/12/2008, -0/+26I can tell by the language you use that you are a good, god-fearing, *****-down-your-taint Christian. You apparently can't tell the difference between the fundamentalist, extremist Christians the author is talking about, and the "decent hard-working Americans" you refer to. And if you can't understand that being an extremist in ANY religion is dangerous, then I don't know what to tell you.
- homercles337, on 10/12/2008, -3/+29Not true? Youre blinded by your own faith. You disgust me. You havent seen Jesus Camp? Have you read the news that comes out of the non-Corporate Media? Have you taken you partisan blinders off for at least TWO minutes in the last 8 years? Have you listened to the rhetoric coming out of the McCain/Palin rallies? Have you had a SINGLE rational, logical thought in your entire life? Thats a NO to all of them. These people are the Cancer of the United States of America and you are one of them.
Edit: Youre in my block list, but you still show up spewing your lies and hatred so i guess i still have to reply. - fiatjustitia, on 10/12/2008, -2/+28"They want to meet with terrorists without preconditions and try to negotiate with them."
It's called diplomacy. Please re-take political science 101.
"They want to see America fall and lose its status as the world's superpower."
We don't have a problem with America being powerful- we do, however, have a problem with our government overstepping its boundaries to do so.
"They want the rich to be punished, the poor to be rewarded, and the immoral to be congratulated."
We want the rich to do their part by not outsourcing work, to provide respectable health benefits to their employees, and to reinvest in America. We want the poor to have opportunities to move ahead in life. We want a concept of morality that is universal, rational, and not based on a 2000 year old book that encourages rape, torture, incest, and genocide.
Clear enough for you? - ScienceDoc, on 10/12/2008, -5/+30Close. Ashcroft covered the boob of Lady Liberty...just what the Taliban would do.
- Mankrik, on 10/12/2008, -1/+25They cannot practice their choice in PRIVATE because it's considered ILLEGAL in most states. There is no "homosexual agenda" they are not out to get you, they are not trying to impose their choice on you. They are denied the right of things like marriage because Religion says it doesn't fit their ideas and beliefs.
Religion doesn't practice it's ***** in private, so why should everyone else hide their differences? You know, the differences they don't pick.
While I appreciate that you agree we need to have a separation of church and state, you still seem to be really ignorant. - Timpala, on 10/12/2008, -7/+30This is exactly why I left man-made religion and organized churches. I spent 10 years in a Quaker church and it was a major waste of an entire decade. Good to be out of the grotesque lifestyle.
- vat0r, on 10/12/2008, -6/+28I am not anti-Christ, just anti-religion. Jesus was exploited after his death by those who saw an opportunity to manipulate others in his name. Religion is a farce and many people are waking up to this fact. The religious right is no different. They commit sins in the name of their god as if they are somehow free of the doctrines they profess to follow. The hypocrisy is so blatantly obvious you have to make a conscious decision to remain ignorant of it. That in itself tells the entire story.
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