Well it's been on it's way, but it's finally happened here in America. In Canada, Christianity has been outlawed and people are being fined and put in jail for being Christians, under the auspices of "hate speech." Now America can join the anti-Christians of the world since now there's been a high-profile firing for being Christian.
At issue is an outfielder from the Washington Nationals and a volunteer chaplain. They were discussing Christianity. Since they did, the volunteer was fired, and the outfielder was forced to apologize for being Christian.
No, neither person has been arrested, at least not yet. And if the outfielder were not a good player (apparently), he would likely be released by the team because it's not politically correct today to be a Christian.
The team president, Tony Tavares, is investigating the "preaching of hatred." It turns out the volunteer chaplain who was fired is also an FBI agent. I'd be willing to be that agent's career is over -- there's no room for Christians in government, according to the ACLU and others.
Tavares said that he can have his beliefs, he just cannot express them. After all, he's a chaplain, and chaplains shouldn't be expressing any religious beliefs. Tavares also said that while he doesn't want to change anyone's religious beliefs, he just doesn't want any chaplains to have any in his organization.
There's no word on the punishment for bringing a Bible into the Washington Nationals locker room.
1
There is some subtlety required when spreading one's religion. Chaplain Jon Moeller told outfielder Ryan Church that his Jewish ex-girlfriend was going to Hell. If a Muslim said that a Christian was going to Hell, that would likely be considered a Bad Thing to say as well. I do agree with you that the actions taken by the Washington Nationals were somewhat drastic, but the chaplain's words should've been kept more private between himself and Church.
On the other hand, I'm surprised you didn't take Church to task for his comment that he had no clue that non-Christians were going to Hell.
Posted by: zandperl at October 03, 2005 04:41 PM (KHEUn)
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Zandperl-
Sorry to be so blunt, but you're wrong. Until recently, subtlety in spreading religion has been up to the person doing the spreading. It has never been illegal to say anything religious, subtly or bluntly, nor should it ever be. The only restraint that anyone is required to practice is to keep their religion-spreading non-violent.
Hey, if you don't want to hear about Jesus, walk away, but I am not required by law to keep quiet.
Second, Muslims say that Christians are going to hell all the time. As a Christian, that doesn't bother me one bit. He's entitled to his opinion, no matter how wrong that opinion is.
Where I disagree with Ogre is, the first amendment is supposed to guarantee freedom of association. The Nationals should be allowed to choose to associate themselves only with non-Christians if they wish. Just like I should have the right not to employ anyone I choose not to associate with. In practice Ogre is right though, since the Freedom of Association hasn't been recognized in this country since before the "civil war".
Posted by: Echo Zoe at October 03, 2005 04:54 PM (K+h36)
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Christianity has outlived it's purpose in this world. I'm glad people are finally able to get the stuff out of the workplace and halls of government. 2000 years of crimes against humanity, war, hatred, repression - I'm sure that's EXACTLY what Jesus had in mind.
Jesus is surely ashamed of those people who use his name to justify the pure pile of crap that Cristianity became 300 years after he died, and has remained.
Jesus never claimed to be god - tat was decided by a vote! A frigging vote by a bunch of politicians is the basis for your reality.
So so stupid.
Posted by: J Christ at October 03, 2005 06:49 PM (TJRMe)
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Sorry Zandperl, can you please point out the passage in the first amendment that guarantees freedom of association and prejudicial hiring practices?
By the way - here is the exact text:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "
Hmm, I guess the framers forgot the part that said, "Congress shall allow small minded bastards to only employ those people that go to their church."
Posted by: Zandperl's Mom at October 03, 2005 06:54 PM (TJRMe)
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Zandperl, I'm with Echo -- nearly every religion believes that everyone who doesn't agree with them is going to some sort of hell. It's insane to ask them not to say so.
However, Echo, I didn't say that the Nationals couldn't do it -- they certainly are free to do it. I just point it out because I've not seen any other such high profile person be fired for being Christian. At the same time, Congress has passed laws that clearly conflict with free association -- "fair labor" laws.
Posted by: Ogre at October 03, 2005 08:20 PM (iJFc9)
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"it's not politically correct today to be a Christian."
Since when? I read that 80% of Americans are Christian. How could it possibly be politically incorrect to be a member of the majority?
"there's no room for Christians in government, according to the ACLU and others."
Obviously you disagree with this, but how could you cite this as an example of the turning of the tide? It is such a ridiculous misstatement. The majority of US leaders are Christians, including the President, who refers to God in every speech he makes.
I can't imagine Chritians feeling persecuted in a country run by Christians.
Posted by: JJ at October 03, 2005 08:42 PM (b+m2C)
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Well, the example above shows how it's politically incorrect. Even if 80% are Christians, this is a country that is ruled by the minority, not the majority.
Posted by: Ogre at October 03, 2005 09:14 PM (iJFc9)
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I'm sorry, but that's just a retarded statement-"this is a country that's ruled by the minority and not the majority"--Since when. If that we're true, Bush sure wouldn't be President, The Poor would be in charge of the government, Gays would be able to marry and tell heterosexuals they can't etc. What example do you point to, to back up that assertion? Also, Christians have been running this country since it's inception, and most especially in the last 6 yrs., so trying to trumpet them as some poor,persecuted minority is really lame.
Posted by: Leo at October 03, 2005 09:36 PM (BFfUN)
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No, Christians haven't been running this country. Just because Bush is a Christian, doesn't mean the country is run by Christians, unless you really think the country is run by the President.
If the majority ruled, blacks would still be slaves, and women wouldn't be able to vote. Courts are in place to ensure that the country is not run by mob rule -- which would be majority rule.
Posted by: Ogre at October 03, 2005 09:52 PM (iJFc9)
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"One Nation under God"
"In God we trust"
"God Bless America"
One places his hand on the bible to take an oath in court.
U.S. Government offices shut down every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
No... you're right. Christians haven't been running this country.
Posted by: JJ at October 03, 2005 10:23 PM (b+m2C)
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I'm glad you agree, JJ. Thanks for stopping by.
Posted by: Ogre at October 03, 2005 10:27 PM (iJFc9)
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What a crock! Christians, oppressed? Talk about delusions.
Posted by: Heathen Dan at October 04, 2005 07:51 AM (FNTr3)
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Thanks for your well-thought out and concise opinion, Dan!
Posted by: Ogre at October 04, 2005 08:00 AM (/k+l4)
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If this wasn't true, it would actually be funny. Since when should anyone have to keep their discussions closed and away from anyone else. I'm sorry but if you and I where having a discussion on the merrits of what makes better shooting targets, bunnies or puppies, and someone gets offended because they over hear it, too damn bad. They weren't part of the conversation anyway.
People annoy me.
Posted by: Contagion at October 04, 2005 08:50 AM (Q5WxB)
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Good points, Contagion. In today's society, if you offend someone, it's now your fault, not theirs for not minding their own business. It's really a shame.
Posted by: Ogre at October 04, 2005 08:55 AM (/k+l4)
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