Have you ever wondered how to piss off people on both sides of an argument? Well, let me tell you, it starts with a bad title.

Yesterday, I released a post entitled, “President Obama’s comparison of Christianity and Islam is misguided and wrong,” and though I stand by what I wrote, I must admit it was an awful title. While I’m often guilty seeking provocative taglines that will entice readers to read, I should have put more thought into that one.

Since the article was posted, I have heard from angry Christians (who must have been misled by the title and assumed I was on their side) who were angry that painted them all as stupid, and even more so because I implied that their morality evolved to keep up with morals of our society. Likewise, I was accused by others of being a secret Christian, of making excuses for the evils done in the name of Christianity (past and present), and a hater of all Muslims. Interestingly, a couple of my ex-Muslim friends (whom I have invited to make a guest post here) thanked me for writing what I did. And in all fairness, I do not mean to imply that many others were not supportive as well.

All that being said, it was still a bad title. In hindsight, I see that it tainted all of my arguments and distracted from the messages I was trying to convey. Also, I am aware that many read my points clearly and simply disagree (some more strongly than others) with me. That is fine. I try to remember that sometimes people aren’t wrong, they are just different. Similarly, sometimes one is wrong and the other is right. We can enjoy the arguments and then work together in the future on things in which we do agree.

For the record, I was not trying to make an apples/oranges comparison of Christianity and Islam. I was attempting to make an apples/and petrified apples contrast. I’m very aware that there is suffering all across the world today in the name of Christianity. Furthermore, I know there are Christian terrorists in the United States that bomb abortion clinics and hold secret militia meetings. Yet, it is a disservice to the tens of thousands (if not millions) of people who are brutalized under the thumb of Islamic extremists. The preeminent threat to the safety of the world is not hiding in the woods of the American South. Let’s don’t deny the scale of the problem.

We must admit that Islam, in many countries, is not at all like American Christianity. It is not just a religion. It is the government itself, and its dominion extends into every aspect of life. It is the judge and jury. It is the economic and military system. It is an actual theocracy. In my opinion, Obama was wrong to make these comparisons.

My primary objective in the article was to promote the necessity of a secular government to limit the religious extremists within its borders. I think this is evident in the United States. Yes, we still have those who would gladly suppress women, execute gays, and would love to set up our government under the rulings of the Bible. Nonetheless, for the most part, these idiots have been ridiculed to the edges of American Christianity. Threatening this truth, are those who perpetuate the myth of America being a Christian Nation. I believe they threaten the very existence of our democracy.

I have included below a video of a speech I gave at the Atheist Alliance of America’s 2013 National Convention. Even though my time was limited, I believe it further explains my argument for the necessity of a secular government. It is a talk I often direct toward Christians, and it may contain some tactics you could employ. It is a warning that they, above all others, should “Thank God America is a Secular Nation.”

And to quote Ringo, “Peace and Love. Peace and Love.”

Brother Richard

What do you think?: Post a Comment

Subscribe to Richard’s: All New RSS Feed