Reply #37: I think this is really important to fight this kind of rhetoric [View All]

[Emit]

Having a nephew who is a fanatical religious nut (and his wife is worse), I know from experience that his church is where he gets this from. The fanatical churches are responsible for this, IMO (although I know that the GOP talking points spur it on, as well). But, it has been drilled into these folks for a looong time now. They're brainwashed and obsessed with this.

As a precinct leader in the last (s)election, I couldn't even begin to tell you how the abortion issue was the deciding factor for whether people chose to support Kerry or Bush & Co. Even intelligent, reasonable people were bringing this issue up during the canvassing of my neighborhood. They didn't want to talk war or politics---only abortion. And, they viewed putting Bush & Co. in power another 4 years as an opportunity to change the courts and reverse Roe v Wade. It's why so many are now pissed at the Miers nomination. Bottom line is, they supported this regime just to get their chance at a new SCOTUS nominee, and were promised a chance at overturning Roe v Wade.

Even my 14-year-old came up against this while at a friend's church camp the summer before the last (s)election. We had forwarned her of what the particular church camp 'counselor' might talk about, and she wanted to experience it for herself (and was, at the time, good friends with the girl, whose father was the minister of the church). She came back and reported exactly what we had been concerned about: 1)Get your parents to vote for Bush & Co, he's the most 'Christian' candidate 2) Abortion, abortion abortion and only liberal baby killers support Kerry 3) and Armageddon is coming!

It's a good thing we prepared her, because she stayed up most of the night arguing with the camp 'counselor' until, I think, he couldn't wait to see her go. Needless to say, she is no longer friends with the girl. (BTW, what's a male camp 'counselor' doing talking to my daughter about abortion, anyway?! The fact that this is often driven by men also lead me to believe what a previous poster noted: it's about control of women. And, YES, I did call and complain, and it was a blatant example of mixing politics and religion, which I complained about, too.)

It's been in the works for over 30 years now. They are a cult, and can only think in black and white terms: If you're a liberal, you're a baby killer, because that's what they've been taught. It's what most of the common (not elite) supporters of the right are driven by, IMHO. It's been an effective way to control the masses.

I stand up to it, and have gotten myself into a lot of arguments about it, unfortunately. But, I think it's extremely important to try to counter this rhetoric.