Privilege, Not Persecution: It's Time For Fundamentalist Christians To Stop Whining
Rob Boston printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Mon Apr 04, 2016 at 10:55:52 AM EST

Over the weekend, a movie called "God's Not Dead 2" opened in theaters around the nation. I haven't seen the film and don't intend to -- I'm not going to give them my money, and if I'm going to watch a cheesy movie, I prefer one featuring rubber monsters battling for supremacy in Tokyo -- but I've been reading about it online.

Despite the "2" in its title, the film isn't really a sequel. It's a follow-up to an earlier movie. Both releases feature has-been and never-been actors and represent a fairly new genre in Christian filmmaking - call it the cinema of persecution.

The plot of "God's Not Dead 2" concerns a public school teacher who is hauled into court for answering a student's innocuous question about Jesus. The legal case somehow veers into questions of the existence of God and the truth of biblical accounts (something that simply could not happen in an American courtroom). At the end (spoiler alert!) a pastor is slapped in handcuffs and dragged off to jail for no good reason.

The film may find an audience among Christian fundamentalists who truly believe they are being persecuted. The rest of us will just have to sit back and laugh.

Persecution? Religion in America never had it so good. When I was writing my 2014 book Taking Liberties: Why Religious Freedom Doesn't Give You The Right To Tell Other People What To Do, I did some research into the many privileges extended to religious groups in America. Here are just a few:

* They receive complete tax exemption by mere dint of their existence. Unlike other non-profits, houses of worship, ministerial groups and religious entities  don't have to apply for tax-exempt status. They are assumed to have it as soon as they form.

* They are exempt from mandatory financial reporting laws. Most secular non-profits must once a year file a detailed financial document (a Form 990) with the IRS that must be made available for public inspection. Houses of worship are exempt from this requirement.

* Special laws govern church audits. Secular groups can be audited at the merest suspicion of wrong-doing. By act of Congress, proposed audits for houses of worship are subjected to heightened scrutiny. All church audits must be approved by a high-ranking IRS official.

* Non-religious non-profits are restricted in the amount of lobbying they can do at the federal level. Under federal law, churches and their "integrated auxiliary" groups are exempt from these regulations. They are not required to report how much lobbying they do or how much they spend to do it. Only a handful of states apply any oversight to church lobbying.

* Religious groups are often treated with great deference by secular authorities. It is often difficult to bring the leaders of large and powerful religious groups to justice, even when they have clearly committed crimes. If you doubt this, consider the pedophilia crisis in the Catholic Church.

Now, just to be clear, there are plenty of religious leaders who look at a list like this (and it is by no means comprehensive) and feel grateful for it. Most progressive and moderate faith leaders acknowledge their position of privilege and realize they have little grounds to complain in this free nation where we place a great premium on freedom of conscience. (Many progressive religious leaders, instead of crying about phony persecution in the United States, spend their time advocating on behalf of people in other countries who suffering from real forms of religious persecution.)

It's the right-wing fundamentalists who won't stop yapping about "persecution." So what really is this "persecution"? More often than not, it's one of two things: spirited opposition to fundamentalist attempts to run our lives or reasonable requests from non-Christian or non-theistic groups for some of the same rights the fundamentalists take for granted.

Remember some of the recent flaps over Muslim groups seeking the right to build and open mosques? In one Tennessee county, Muslims had to fight in court for years for that right. How often does this happen to Christian groups in America?

Or think about the situation that is currently playing out in at a public high school in Franklin County, Tenn. Students there have launched a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and seek the same right to meet that is already cheerfully extended to two Christian clubs at the school. Some people in town have raised such a fuss that the school board is considering placing restrictions on student groups with the aim of shutting out the GSA. The Liberty Counsel, a Religious Right group run by attorney Mat Staver, has offered to assist the school board in its scheme to find a way to snuff the GSA out of existence.

Incidents like this expose groups like the Liberty Counsel and the larger Religious Right movement for the hypocrites that they are. Imagine the stink Staver would be raising right now if this school were trying to stop conservative Christian students from meeting. He'd be huffing and puffing and threatening a lawsuit, yet he doesn't want an identically situated non-religious student group to have that right - even though a federal law guarantees it to them.

There is some religious persecution in America - but it's hardly affecting the conservative Christian community. Their position is one of privilege, and it's high time they acknowledged that.

P.S. "God's Not Dead 2" wasn't screened for critics prior to release - a sure sign it's a dog. The film has a 14 percent "fresh" rating on the aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. Of course, for hard-core believers in the Religious Right's persecution narrative, this is just proof that secular elites are trying to drag down the movie. It becomes proof of more persecution!

 




Display:
when I read this - an irritated and disgusted laugh at their ignorance to what persecution REALLY is, combined with amusement at how inverted reality is becoming.

Then a little later I read in the news where a police officer was being sued for aggressively proselytizing a woman he ticketed.  It was the second such lawsuit for that officer.

It makes me more and more angry - because the very people screaming "PERSECUTION!!!" are the ones doing it.

Your article (combined with the news about the officer) also brings home something said a few years ago about the dominionists - that they're masters of projection.  I was reminded of when I belonged in that church... and got treated to a sermon about "How the gays are trying to make it against the law to refuse their advances!".  During that service, a photocopy purporting to be of a "gay magazine" was passed around, advocating that exact thing (passing a law making it an act of discrimination to refuse them).  I later learned that it was a rather well-known hoax - a forgery, going around the churches at the time, but at the time it scared me (single straight male who was looking for a relationship with a woman).

I later realized that the dominionists (and extreme fundamentalists of all religions) want to make it de facto, if not de jure, to refuse their religious advances.

The story about the officer not only reflected that viewpoint, but it also made me realize even more how dominionist Christianity dominates this hellhole.  A few years ago someone spraypainted racist hate graffiti in front of our mailbox.  I called  the cops, and the officer who responded asked me if I had any enemies.

I pointed back to the burned-out hulk of my electronics workshop/personal laboratory and told of the sorts of things (including the arson) done to us by the churches, because of letters to the editor.  She then started insisting (and argued for 10 minutes) that it was a kid's prank and not a hate crime - because she was Christian and had never heard of anything like that, and that "Christians don't do things like that!".  I had to fight with her to get her to write a report, because she said that there were no records of previous complaints (although I'd called the cops before when things had been done to us - they'd always refused to make a report and dismissed it).

That sort of behavior and dismissive treatment is common... I have many such stories of bureaucrats, salespeople, and others bringing religion into situations where it didn't belong.  The story also illustrates why the churches get away with it (especially the dominionist ones, and even more true in areas where the top law enforcement officers BELONG to that church).  Dogemperor commented several times about the dismissive attitude - in this country, if it's Christian, it's good.  If it's NOT Christian, it's questionable - and people don't question their own thinking.

It's good you pointed out all of the perks and privileges that the dominant religion gets (and other religions are supposed to get, but don't always receive).  I was glad to be reminded of that aspect of the rabid hypocrisy we face.

by ArchaeoBob on Fri Apr 08, 2016 at 11:35:56 AM EST


The things are happening in such a way that there must be a huge discussion on it where ever we are. As said above yes the houses of worship are being increased, it's a good sign that people are coming into a sacred life as per bestessays and i highly feel this must be repeated every where.

by bernard on Mon May 02, 2016 at 02:33:51 PM EST

I appreciated your work very thanks    custom patches

by IsaiahJosiah on Tue Jan 05, 2021 at 04:56:04 AM EST

Everything has its value. Thanks for sharing this informative information with us. GOOD works!    Locksmith Denver

by IsaiahJosiah on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 05:57:30 AM EST

Cool stuff you have got and you keep update all of us.    먹튀검증

by IsaiahJosiah on Tue Jan 12, 2021 at 02:33:02 AM EST

I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. CNPR Pharmaceutical Sales Training

by Anusak on Wed Jan 13, 2021 at 07:59:16 AM EST

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. ghế lưng cao

by Anusak on Sun Jan 17, 2021 at 03:41:18 AM EST

I really like your blog. Great article. It's most evident, people should learn before they are able to    เมล็ดกาแฟ&# 3588;ั่ว

by hasnainkhatri on Tue Jan 19, 2021 at 01:59:48 PM EST

I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well! 먹튀검증사이트

by Anusak on Tue Jan 26, 2021 at 03:06:21 AM EST

Interesting topic for a blog. I have been searching the Internet for fun and came upon your website. Fabulous post. Thanks a ton for sharing your knowledge! It is great to see that some people still put in an effort into managing their websites. I'll be sure to check back again real soon. современн&# 1072;я светлая кухня

by Anusak on Tue Jan 26, 2021 at 06:46:24 AM EST

Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I have a mission that I'm just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information. 파워사다리

by Anusak on Wed Jan 27, 2021 at 01:31:01 AM EST

I'm glad to see the great detail here!. SA Gaming

by Anusak on Wed Jan 27, 2021 at 01:37:46 PM EST

When you use a genuine service, you will be able to provide instructions, share materials and choose the formatting style. 토토사이트

by Anusak on Sat Jan 30, 2021 at 08:24:28 AM EST

That is really nice to hear. thank you for the update and good luck. voyance par telephone gratuit

by Anusak on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 01:41:23 PM EST

Great article Lot's of information to Read...Great Man Keep Posting and update to People..Thanks GoldWoman Caps Bula

by Anusak on Sat Feb 13, 2021 at 12:51:49 PM EST

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will release the CBSE 12th admit card on the official website for regular and private students. Private students can download it themselves using their login credentials while schools need to download the admit cards and distribute the printout to the regular students. It is important to carry the CBSE 2021 admit card on all exam days. No student will be allowed to write the exam without it. The CBSE 12th admit card mentions the student's details like name, roll number, admit card number, exam dates, centre, etc.    CBSE 12th Class Admit Card 2021


by mini463 on Mon Feb 15, 2021 at 12:59:04 AM EST

Daisy Limo and Airport Car Service is one of the leading ground transportation services in the Tri-state area in the US. We are happy to provide our customers on-time and reliable car rides when they book with our company. We serve all major airports such as Newark Airport, BDL, JFK, TEB, LGA, PHL, BOS, HPN, and more. You can visit our website for online booking. Daisy Limo and Airport Car Service

by Anusak on Sat Feb 20, 2021 at 01:40:59 AM EST

Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!. instagram pva accounts

by Anusak on Sat Feb 20, 2021 at 07:53:57 AM EST

This is very educational content and written well for a change. It's nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post! https://howtowriteabiographyessay.hpage.com

by Anusak on Sat Feb 20, 2021 at 10:48:02 AM EST

Thanks for providing recent updates regarding the concern, I look forward to read more. FEXADROL COMO TOMAR

by Anusak on Wed Feb 24, 2021 at 11:39:35 AM EST

This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here! How to buy Shares

by Anusak on Mon Mar 01, 2021 at 12:51:44 AM EST

Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks high da backlinks

by Anusak on Tue Mar 02, 2021 at 08:58:00 AM EST

I was reading your article and wondered if you had considered creating an ebook on this subject. Your writing would sell it fast. You have a lot of writing talent. Win A PS5

by Anusak on Thu Mar 04, 2021 at 11:55:33 AM EST


WWW Talk To Action


Cognitive Dissonance & Dominionism Denial
There is new research on why people are averse to hearing or learning about the views of ideological opponents. Based on evaluation of five......
By Frederick Clarkson (374 comments)
Will the Air Force Do Anything To Rein In Its Dynamic Duo of Gay-Bashing, Misogynistic Bloggers?
"I always get nervous when I see female pastors/chaplains. Here is why everyone should as well: "First, women are not called to be pastors,......
By Chris Rodda (195 comments)
The Legacy of Big Oil
The media is ablaze with the upcoming publication of David Grann's book, Killers of the Flower Moon. The shocking non fiction account of the......
By wilkyjr (110 comments)
Gimme That Old Time Dominionism Denial
Over the years, I have written a great deal here and in other venues about the explicitly theocratic movement called dominionism -- which has......
By Frederick Clarkson (101 comments)
History Advisor to Members of Congress Completely Twists Jefferson's Words to Support Muslim Ban
Pseudo-historian David Barton, best known for his misquoting of our country's founders to promote the notion that America was founded as a Christian nation,......
By Chris Rodda (113 comments)
"Christian Fighter Pilot" Calls First Lesbian Air Force Academy Commandant a Liar
In a new post on his "Christian Fighter Pilot" blog titled "BGen Kristin Goodwin and the USAFA Honor Code," Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan......
By Chris Rodda (144 comments)
Catholic Right Leader Unapologetic about Call for 'Death to Liberal Professors' -- UPDATED
Today, Donald Trump appointed C-FAM Executive Vice President Lisa Correnti to the US Delegation To UN Commission On Status Of Women. (C-FAM is a......
By Frederick Clarkson (126 comments)
Controlling Information
     Yesterday I listened to Russ Limbaugh.  Rush advised listeners it would be best that they not listen to CNN,MSNBC, ABC, CBS and......
By wilkyjr (118 comments)
Is Bannon Fifth-Columning the Pope?
In December 2016 I wrote about how White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who likes to flash his Catholic credentials when it comes to......
By Frank Cocozzelli (250 comments)
Ross Douthat's Hackery on the Seemingly Incongruous Alliance of Bannon & Burke
Conservative Catholic writer Ross Douthat has dissembled again. This time, in a February 15, 2017 New York Times op-ed titled The Trump Era's Catholic......
By Frank Cocozzelli (64 comments)
`So-Called Patriots' Attack The Rule Of Law
Every so often, right-wing commentator Pat Buchanan lurches out of the far-right fever swamp where he has resided for the past 50 years to......
By Rob Boston (161 comments)
Bad Faith from Focus on the Family
Here is one from the archives, Feb 12, 2011, that serves as a reminder of how deeply disingenuous people can be. Appeals to seek......
By Frederick Clarkson (176 comments)
The Legacy of George Wallace
"One need not accept any of those views to agree that they had appealed to real concerns of real people, not to mindless, unreasoning......
By wilkyjr (70 comments)
Betsy DeVos's Mudsill View of Public Education
My Talk to Action colleague Rachel Tabachnick has been doing yeoman's work in explaining Betsy DeVos's long-term strategy for decimating universal public education. If......
By Frank Cocozzelli (80 comments)
Prince and DeVos Families at Intersection of Radical Free Market Privatizers and Religious Right
This post from 2011 surfaces important information about President-Elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. -- FC Erik Prince, Brother of Betsy......
By Rachel Tabachnick (218 comments)

Respect for Others? or Political Correctness?
The term "political correctness" as used by Conservatives and Republicans has often puzzled me: what exactly do they mean by it? After reading Chip Berlin's piece here-- http://www.talk2action.org/story/2016/7/21/04356/9417 I thought about what he explained......
MTOLincoln (253 comments)
Fear
What I'm feeling now is fear.  I swear that it seems my nightmares are coming true with this new "president".  I'm also frustrated because so many people are not connecting all the dots! I've......
ArchaeoBob (107 comments)
"America - love it or LEAVE!"
I've been hearing that and similar sentiments fairly frequently in the last few days - far FAR more often than ever before.  Hearing about "consequences for burning the flag (actions) from Trump is chilling!......
ArchaeoBob (211 comments)
"Faked!" Meme
Keep your eyes and ears open for a possible move to try to discredit the people openly opposing Trump and the bigots, especially people who have experienced terrorism from the "Right"  (Christian Terrorism is......
ArchaeoBob (165 comments)
More aggressive proselytizing
My wife told me today of an experience she had this last week, where she was proselytized by a McDonald's employee while in the store. ......
ArchaeoBob (163 comments)
See if you recognize names on this list
This comes from the local newspaper, which was conservative before and took a hard right turn after it was sold. Hint: Sarah Palin's name is on it!  (It's also connected to Trump.) ......
ArchaeoBob (169 comments)
Unions: A Labor Day Discussion
This is a revision of an article which I posted on my personal board and also on Dailykos. I had an interesting discussion on a discussion board concerning Unions. I tried to piece it......
Xulon (156 comments)
Extremely obnoxious protesters at WitchsFest NYC: connected to NAR?
In July of this year, some extremely loud, obnoxious Christian-identified protesters showed up at WitchsFest, an annual Pagan street fair here in NYC.  Here's an account of the protest by Pagan writer Heather Greene......
Diane Vera (130 comments)
Capitalism and the Attack on the Imago Dei
I joined this site today, having been linked here by Crooksandliars' Blog Roundup. I thought I'd put up something I put up previously on my Wordpress blog and also at the DailyKos. As will......
Xulon (329 comments)
History of attitudes towards poverty and the churches.
Jesus is said to have stated that "The Poor will always be with you" and some Christians have used that to refuse to try to help the poor, because "they will always be with......
ArchaeoBob (148 comments)
Alternate economy medical treatment
Dogemperor wrote several times about the alternate economy structure that dominionists have built.  Well, it's actually made the news.  Pretty good article, although it doesn't get into how bad people could be (have been)......
ArchaeoBob (90 comments)
Evidence violence is more common than believed
Think I've been making things up about experiencing Christian Terrorism or exaggerating, or that it was an isolated incident?  I suggest you read this article (linked below in body), which is about our great......
ArchaeoBob (214 comments)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC.