I too have read the piece, but have a decidedly different reaction to it. I wouldn't call it hate speech, or his attack vicious. That is, perhaps, a bit too intemperate. He raises a series of legitimate questions and concerns. The fact that his particular solutions might - or might not - be problematic does not mean that the questions and concerns are not real and serious.
By the way, your use of the word "Christian" suggests that "Christian" applies only to a rather narrow subset of Christians. I am not sure that that is appropriate either. Or to put it differently, there are some Christians who agree with much of what Hedges has to say. ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rick Duncan Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 10:10 AM To: Law & Religion issues for Law Academics Subject: RE: AlterNet website I just read Hedges' piece. It was pure hate speech, but speech I believe the Constitution protects. It sounds like Hedges also wishes to restrict not only Christian broadcasters, but also Christian schools, such as the one my son attends. His real problem is not so much the "Christian fascists" he attacks so viciously, but all three Clauses of the First Amendment. Hedges piece is a sad and bitter piece, written by a man who believes that both political parties have blessed "the unchecked rape of America" and that those who believe in the teachings of the Bible have moved "from the reality-based world to one of magic -- to fantastic visions of angels and miracles, to a childlike belief that God has a plan for them and Jesus will guide and protect them. This mythological worldview, one that has no use for science or dispassionate, honest intellectual inquiry, one that promises that the loss of jobs and health insurance does not matter, as long as you are right with Jesus, offers a lying world of consistency that addresses the emotional yearnings of desperate followers at the expense of reality." I think the real threat we face is not Christian fascism, but rather religious persecution directed at anyone who has a committed,"childlike" faith in God and God's "lies", or who believes in "this mythological worldview." We need a strong First Amendment now more than ever. Returning to lurk mode, Rick Duncan Rick Duncan Welpton Professor of Law University of Nebraska College of Law Lincoln, NE 68583-0902 "It's a funny thing about us human beings: not many of us doubt God's existence and then start sinning. Most of us sin and then start doubting His existence." --J. Budziszewski (The Revenge of Conscience) "Once again the ancient maxim is vindicated, that the perversion of the best is the worst." -- Id. ________________________________ Food fight? <http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/index;_ylc=X3oDMTFvbGNhMGE3BF9TAzM5NjU0NTE wOARfcwMzOTY1NDUxMDMEc2VjA21haWxfdGFnbGluZQRzbGsDbWFpbF90YWcx?link=ask&s id=396545367> Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. <http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/index;_ylc=X3oDMTFvbGNhMGE3BF9TAzM5NjU0NTE wOARfcwMzOTY1NDUxMDMEc2VjA21haWxfdGFnbGluZQRzbGsDbWFpbF90YWcx?link=ask&s id=396545367>
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