Local religion editor blasts religious extremists...and Bush.

[madfloridian]

I am so glad to see this column. He needs kudos for this. He effectively tears up Cal Thomas, Rick Santorum, Flip Benham, and warns them against their hostile rhetoric.

Hostilities Escalate In a War Of Words

It has been the practice of some on the political and religious right in America for some time now to link the political philosophy of fascism with the religion of Islam. For example, in July U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) said, "In World War II we fought Nazism and Japanese imperialism. Today we are fighting against Islamic fascism."

Others have melded the two words into one, Islamofascism. Thus the conservative Christian commentator Cal Thomas in a recent column: "Health officials respond to plagues by isolation and eradication. . . . If that is an effective method for combating a plague, why is it not also a good strategy for combating the Islamofascist plague?" What a thoughtful guy. President George W. Bush had been a little more circumspect until recently. Even just after Sept. 11, 2001, he was careful to characterize Islam as a religion of peace. Terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and other groups were labeled "extremists" or "Muslim extremists."

But last week, in the wake of arrests in Britain of people accused of conspiring to blow up airliners, Bush said, "The recent arrests that our fellow citizens are now learning about are a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation."

And he warns them of such words and their consequences.

Unfortunately, if one wants to see the kind of extreme identity politics typical of fascism, there are examples nearby. Last month, in Pearl, Miss., the Rev. Flip Benham, leader of the anti-abortion group Operation Save America, burned a Quran, the Islamic holy book. Apparently, the intention was to demonstrate that Islam is one of several practices "detestable to the Lord."

After the Nazis came to power in Germany, one of the first things they did was to grab all the books they didn't like and burn them. Bush and those on the right in America should take care, lest they become tarred with the brush they are wielding.

Cary McMullen is religion editor for The Ledger. He can be reached at cary.mcmullen@ theledger.com or 863-802-7509.

I have seen pictures of some of Flip Benhan's rallies. I was going to post a picture, but he is too overboard to deserve the recognition. I was proud to see McCullen pointing out the evil these guys are doing.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. It'a about time-- more and more I've seen....

people openly worried about the extreme polarization these "Christofascists" are causing.

We've always had tensions and fighting over politics and religion, even duels and fistfights in Congress. But in my short lifetime this extreme partisanship and insistance on "my way or the highway" has never been worse.

And so much of it is being instigated by these religious extremists who are really only a small part of the country, and the religion, but have managed to get the microphone and demonize the rest of us.

Our "uniter, not a divider" President-like object has managed to preside over one of the greatest divisions our country has seen. It won't be another Civil War, but it isn't pretty at all.

[xchrom]

2. also known as the Talibornagain..

thanks to which ever duer coined that word.

[tanyev]

3. That's excellent. K & R.

[madfloridian]

4. Appreciate the k&r, I am sure this editor will hear about this..

from the Southern Baptists in our city and county. He will have ears that our burning.

I am glad to give him credit for doing this, he deserves it.

[madfloridian]

5. Kick for the moderates in religion.

:kick: