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Volume 41, Issue 13
April 20, 2004
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April 20, 2004
Anger, extremism lose converts to religions
Kimberly
Hosey
Copy Editor
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Preachers from The Door Christian Fellowship were at MCC March 24 and
criticized many students for following an American way of life centered
on drugs, alcohol and sex.
An Assembly of God church in Glassport, Pa. recently performed an Easter
show for children in which the Easter bunny was whipped and crucified,
and eggs meant for a hunt were smashed by actors.
Jim Webber, who calls himself “Bible Jim,” berated and ridiculed
ASU students April 8 and 9, calling them everything from “pot-smoking
little devils” to “delusional and intellectually inferior,”
as he wore a sandwich board proclaiming his hatred of several groups of
people, including homosexuals, Mormons, sports fans and “rebellious
women.”
As a Christian, I’m shocked and worried. Are drugs, alcohol, sex
and immorality problems? Yes. Is extremism the way to address these problems?
No.
Webber said he didn’t have to do win followers, as long as he “provoked
thinking.” A laudable goal, but thinking to what end? Anyone listening
to Webber wasn’t edified about anything more than the various groups
he hated and most of the thinking very likely involved choosing an area
of his body in which to cram his sign.
Despite commandments in the texts they purport to follow, many extremists
say they don’t have to be tolerant enough to gain followers. Many
cite “absolutes” of their beliefs, intolerance of any “watering
down” of these beliefs and the need to generate conversation as
justifications for extremism.
I applaud the mission to provoke thought and conversation. However, once
you’ve gotten someone’s attention, let them think. Once you’ve
invited conversation, allow it. Conversation is drowned out when the evangelist
berates listeners for hours. Reflection is impossible in the face of displays
meant to frighten children.
The most menacing and scariest problem with extremism is that it has led
to terrorist acts.
The World Trade Center attack, genocides in Kosovo and Bosnia and the
Holocaust all share one quality: Each is characterized by one group that
sees outsiders or another group as “evil” or as oppressors.
I believe in fiercely defending the right to free speech, even when that
speech is unpopular or shocking. I don’t claim that the The Door,
producers of the Easter bunny passion play or Webber consciously promote
a totalistic philosophy, nor do I think terrorist acts are bound to result
from their ministries. However, it is ironic that we condemn extremism
when it comes in the form of Muslim terrorists or radical interpretations
of the Koran, yet we allow it when the radicals happen to be Christian
Americans.
Psychologists and sociologists who have studied terrorism and religious
extremism have noted that when victimized, people who turn to totalistic
philosophies tend to see an entire group as evil or as “the enemy”
and seek to defeat this enemy.
Given the hatred others have shown against America, it would be easy to
vilify everyone we can liken to Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Given
the uncertain futures of many Americans, it would be easy to tell everyone
to “repent or else.” But there is much more to the picture.
The Door lists as their primary goal “making disciples of all nations.”
The Glassport church wanted to drive home the reality of Jesus’
crucifixion for children. Webber hopes his thought-provoking speech will
lead people to God.
I believe in all three cases the desire to help people is sincere. However,
none of these noble goals will be realized without a little compassion
and sensitivity. Back to Top
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