Saturday, September 15, 2001
I KNOW that gathering in cathedrals and singing hymns are the kinds of things Americans do to grieve and cope with adversity. I don't begrudge people their sources of comfort, but I continue to be upset by the churchification of the current crisis.
Is the largely Christian population of this country so shallow, so on autopilot, that they don't see the irony of their prayers-are-the-answer approach? Religion is what caused these acts of terrorism. The answer to one set of irrational beliefs isn't a competing set of irrational beliefs. If faith is the answer, we should be worshiping the hijackers. They had more faith than Billy Graham ever will.
Oh, but America-hating Muslim extremists are worshiping the wrong God, you say? Don't go there. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter writes: "We know who the homicidal maniacs are. They are the ones cheering and dancing right now. We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Right, Ann. There are no extremist crackpots in Christianity.
Jerry Falwell says God orchestrated the attacks to get even with the American Civil Liberties Union, People for the American Way and abortion doctors. Ever heard of Jerry Falwell, Ms. Coulter? Taliban West, that man.
Is the largely Christian population of this country so shallow, so on autopilot, that they don't see the irony of their prayers-are-the-answer approach? Religion is what caused these acts of terrorism. The answer to one set of irrational beliefs isn't a competing set of irrational beliefs. If faith is the answer, we should be worshiping the hijackers. They had more faith than Billy Graham ever will.
Oh, but America-hating Muslim extremists are worshiping the wrong God, you say? Don't go there. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter writes: "We know who the homicidal maniacs are. They are the ones cheering and dancing right now. We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Right, Ann. There are no extremist crackpots in Christianity.
Jerry Falwell says God orchestrated the attacks to get even with the American Civil Liberties Union, People for the American Way and abortion doctors. Ever heard of Jerry Falwell, Ms. Coulter? Taliban West, that man.
