Papa Said There'd be Days Like This

I am now the chairman of a national campaign to pass a constitutional amendment to take the right to vote away from born-again Christians. [enthusiastic audience applause] Just a little project of mine. My feeling is that born-again people are citizens of heaven, that is where there citizenship is, [laughter] is in heaven, it's not here among us in America.

--Garrison Keillor

But this type of joke doesn’t just spring up out of nowhere. Christian hatred by the media elites has always bubbled under the surface. But, since the election, it has sprung forth in full from the foaming mouths and keyboards of our intellectual betters.

It’s unnerving to witness, but not surprising.

If some of these people had read the book recently, they’d know that their behavior and attitude towards God was predicted quite some time ago.

(Thanks to Powerline)

UPDATE: I wanna party in Jesusland!

Comments

[Larry J]

Although I'm agnostic, I find the arrogant bashing of other people's religious beliefs to be both tiresome and bigoted. Perhaps it's time to coin a term equivalent to homophobia to throw back in the face of bigots like Keillor, say "faithophobia" or perhaps "Jesusphobes."

[caltechgirl]

I like both of those names. Everytime one of these ninnies insults my religion, I just want to ask them whether they consider themselves to be tolerant or not.

But, as you are well aware, reverse bigotry isn't really bigotry,(feel the sarcasm...) whether it's racism, sexism, sexual orientationism, or faithism.

Also, I just realized that a lot of liberals I know consider themselves christians, and certainly attend church more than I do, yet they belittle the role faith plays in my daily life and President Bush's. I guess they think they're above mixing religion and life, and too smart to be swayed by belief...

[torchy]

See also Matthew 24:9-13. Christophobia would also be a good name for this phenomena. Is there a link to Mr Keillors rant?

[baldilocks]

Got it from Powerline.

[Larry J]

The reason "faithophobia" comes to mind is that the self-annointed 'elite' tend to look down on all people of faith, not just Christians. That might not be the best word, but it's a start.

[torchy]

Miss Juliette- D'oh, sorry

[Iron Mike]

The actual word is "theophobia" and has been around a while.
M

[torchy]

Crap, the rest of my post was truncated, here goes. Here is the topic on a Prairie Home Companion discussion board. Maybe Mr Keillor could retell the "joke" in German on his next show and replace "born-again Christian" with "Jew" and see how that goes over.

[Peter Sean Bradley]

For what it's worth, I am not a "born again Christian" so I don't feel like this kind of thing is directed at me.

But it is clearly shameful bigotry.

[Ernie G]

It was James Lileks, I believe, who wrote about driving in his car and listening to the radio. I don't have the actual quote, but it went something like this: "Garrison Keillor came on and before I could change the station I started breaking out in hives."

I can relate to that one because I feel the same way.

[steve h]

You're right, baldilocks. It was predicted.

This born-again believer wonders how they live with their hatred--and prays for them to "see the light" in the same way that Saul of Tarsus did.

[the friendly grizzly]

I used to listen to PHC a lot. Talented folks and some darn funny routines. But about 5 or 6 years ago I noted Garrison was getting to sound like a broken-down querilous (sp?) old man lamenting the passing of times that never were. He became a whiner. Such an incredible talent, and he started writing or radioing some of the most horrible, bigoted stuff. I wonder how Minnesotans feel about how their tax bucks are being spent to keep this clown on the air?

[StinKerr]

It's been a long time since I had heard Keillor and recall some very witty stories. I would rather remember him that way than the way he is now. I saw him on Fox a little while ago describing John Kerry as "forthright and center of the road". It sort of gives you an idea where he's coming from now.