Christians had to face the accusation of outright cannibalism because in the eucharist they ate the flesh and drank the blood of their God. They were called atheists because they did not worship the gods of the state. They denied divine honor to the emperor himself, so their atheism was at the same time subversion. (Jaeger, Early Christianity and Greek Paideia, p. 28)

Those who equated the eucharist with cannibalism undoubtedly excused their slanders the same way anti-Mormons do today. Speaking the truth in love? Spare me the hypocrisy.

1. I specifically mentioned the “war on terror” in my previous message. I of course realize that Iraq is not just the only war we are currently fighting; it is merely a symptom of a much wider problem.

2. My hesitation was genuine; I considered for some time whether to enter into this discussion. My concern was that you would interpret my comments in the least charitable way possible. This is, I’m sad to say, something you do frequently.

3. Your third point is indicative of my second, above. I did not say that that you, whomever you include in your group, are “racist and irredeemably evil”; I have in mind specific individuals who are in power. The majority of Americans who support the current administration are genuinely good-hearted people who are either ignorant of America’s global misdeeds over the last 60 years, and/or are operating from misplaced hyper-patriotism. I’m not at all certain why you think I am “honour-bound to…fight and kill” people who disagree with me, though.

I believe your final paragraph typically overstates the positions of those with whom you disagree. There is no evidence that Rev. Wright wants to “destroy” the United States; rather, he wants to change those aspects of it that he does not like.

So, in conclusion, I would ask you to please stop misconstruing your opponents’ arguments and ascribing the worst possible motives to them. You don’t know what’s inside my head, just as you don’t know what’s inside Rev. Wright’s. Jesus Christ calls us to compassion, to “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” As representatives of FAIR, we should be living up to that charge.

2. I do wish you’d refrain from the goo and drivel of “With no small amount of hesitation….” This implies an esteem that you either do not have, or should not have, if you truly believe that I am guilty of supporting evil, as you indicate.

3. If you agree with Reverend Wright, then why NOT use that strong a term? If we are as racist and irredeemably evil as he says we are, aren’t you honour-bound to hammer us with it–even to fight and kill us?

One thing I respect about Reverend Wright; he is crystal clear that America is incurably racist and evil, and, if he has half a chance, he will use whatever means he has to destroy that evil: Namely, US. I know EXACTLY where we stand. Ditto with Reverend Bill Keller: He makes no secret about his belief that we are a bunch of lying, demonic Satan-worshippers, and his desire to treat us accordingly.

1. If somebody says that the Church “may be wacky” (and some acquaintences have!), I would invite the person to look at the evidence. To me, that person has serious questions, but is willing to be persuaded. Even if that person remains unpersuaded–even if he thinks some of our position are bizarre, at least he does me the courtesy of hearing me out. On the other hand, saying that people are irredeemably evil tends to close off all conversation.

Thus, I think that equating the allowing of the possibility of wackiness with outright mocking is off base. Note that I have refrained from calling Reverend Wright epithets. Moreover, I consistently use the proper honourific–again, as a measure of courtesy. The only exception is that I stipulated that his congregation is Christian. “The jury is out,” of course, on the wacky part.

2. From my reading of President Benson’s comments, I am unaware of any advocacy to “crush” the civil rights movement. At most, in my reading of his statements, he advocated the FBI policy of monitoring it, and dealing with lawbreakers accordingly. This is a far cry from equivalent to what Reverend Wright advocated.

While President Benson was certainly displeased with some acts of the US government–and certainly believed some conspiracy theories–he never invoked Divine condemnation of the American people–certainly not during a war for our lives.

With no small amount of hesitation, I’d like to point out, Steven, that not everyone agrees with your (minority) viewpoint that the Iraq war constitutes a “war for our lives.” In fact, a large percentage of Americans believe that the Iraq war was a tragic mistake and that the current administration’s “war on terror” has been a vast overreaction that has made us less safe and ruined what little international goodwill we previously had.

I realize that you have very strong feelings about this topic, and good reasons for believing what you do. Please keep in mind, however, that not everyone shares your point of view.

While I would not choose Rev. Wright’s exact words or tone, I agree with his basic sentiment — God should not bless America as long as we are the instigators of death, destruction, and related evils.

My point is that you are exactly right that just because you are stating a true fact, does not mean that you are not lying, at least by Elder Ashton’s standard, or at least being intentionally misleading. (Sorry for the double negative)

Obviously I used the wrong word. The United Church of Christ (the religious body which sponsors the place where Senator Obama worships) is definitely not “wacky”–at least not as a whole. Perhaps I should have said, “…congregation….”

Moreover, note that I said that it “may be ‘wacky–or worse’….” Certainly, such an argument could be made about a pastor who spouts conspiracy theories about the government intentionally casusing AIDS among Blacks and others (I used to work for the federal government; the bureaucrats therein couldn’t do it–especially keeping it out of the media–if their lives depend ont it! ), and about a congregation that eats it all up–without question.

That said, I would be hesitant to equate Reverend Wright’s conspiracy theories with anything said by President Benson. While President Benson was certainly displeased with some acts of the US government–and certainly believed some conspiracy theories–he never invoked Divine condemnation of the American people–certainly not during a war for our lives.