'God, Please Kill That Guy I Don't Like' - Very Much Not Smart

Earlier today, I was identified as a fool in an online community. In context, I'm pretty sure it's because I'm not only a Catholic, but not properly disdainful of the Church's "whoppers."

I don't agree with that assessment, but I'm not all that surprised by it.

With Christians Like This, Christianity Doesn't Need Enemies

I should warn you, this excerpt is from a FOXNews.com article: and in some circles 'everybody knows' what that news service is like.

Still with me? Okay. Here it is:

"N.J. Governor Undeterred by Teachers Union Refusal to Fire Leader Who Prayed for His Death"
FOXNews (April 13, 2010)

"...New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday refused to back down from his demand that teachers start contributing to their health care benefits as the state teachers union declined to take action against a local boss who prayed for the governor's death.

"Christie, a first-term Republican, told Fox News that he met with New Jersey Education Association Chief Barbara Keshishian on Monday to discuss the schools funding formula and an e-mail sent by Bergen County Education Association President Joe Coppola that mocked the governor.

"In that e-mail to union leaders, Coppola proposed a plan of action to protest Christie's budget proposals, which call for teachers to take a one-year pay freeze and pay 1.5 percent of their salary toward their medical, dental and vision benefits.

"At the end, he included the statement: 'Dear Lord, you've taken away my favorite actor Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer Michael Jackson and my favorite salesman Billy Mayes. I just want you to know that Chris Christie is my favorite governor.'

"Keshishian apologized for the memo but refused to oblige Christie's request that Coppola be fired...."

First of all, there's an incredibly tangled assortment of issues here. Including 'freedom of speech.' And the custom we've had in America for granting greater (equality?) to some sorts of speech, than to others.

Back to the article.

"...'If a member of my staff ... had said something like that about her, they'd be demanding his resignation. But you know what? They wouldn't have had to wait because I'd have fired him,' Christie said. He said Keshishian responded to the request by saying no.

" 'And she left my office, in a huff,' he added...."
(FOXNews)

I can see Keshishian's point. Educators have, by custom, rights and privileges not available to the masses.

One of them is the right to make outrageous statements without experiencing consequences. I've written about that before. (check out "Related posts," below)

I don't know enough about what's involved to have an opinion as to whether Keshishian should be fired, or not.

On the other hand, I do have a rather strong opinion about even implying that you're praying for another person's death. In my opinion, that sort of thing is:

• Incredibly
• Stupid

What may easily be interpreted as a prayer for the death of a state leader is an example of - thoughtless, I trust - emotional venting which may feel good for a moment. However, in my opinion it reinforces the notion that Tony Alamo and Pat Robertson are typical Christian leaders, and that Christians as a whole are told to pray for the death of the president.

Yes, some people who'd probably insist that they're Christians are jerks. At best. Lynchings of people that 'good Christians' dislike don't happen all that often now, but they left quite an impression. I'm against that sort of thing, by the way. And not just because I'm a Catholic and therefore on the list of unwanted people.

Pedophile Priests! Pedophile Priests!

And where would any discussion of Christianity and hate be, without a mention of those pedophile priests? Well, here it is:

• "Pedophile Priests! - or - My Mind is Made Up, Don't Confuse Me With the Facts"
  (April 11, 2010)

Does it sound like I'm developing a bit of an attitude? Could be. I'll have to think about that.

Related posts:

• " 'Death Cookie' Comic: Seemed Like a Good Idea At the Time?"
  (March 5, 2010)
• "Religion Doesn't Cause Intolerance?!"
  (February 27, 2010)
• "Jesus Christ, Beer, Tobacco, Idols and Indian Law"
  (February 22, 2010)
• "Hating People: Not a Good Idea"
  (January 22, 2010)
• " 'I Hate Barack Obama' - Maybe Not the Best Message from a Pulpit"
  (September 1, 2009)
• "Tolerance: Yes, it's a Good Idea"
  (August 3, 2009)