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Title: A Strange Evolution: When Fundagelicals Loved the ACLU
Source:
patheos.com
URL Source: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rollto ... elicals-loved-the-aclu-lsp-48/
Published: Jun 25, 2018
Author: Captain Cassidy
Post Date: 2018-06-30 09:00:42 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 4743
Comments: 32
Long, long ago, when I was a wee bright-eyed Pentecostal lass, I had a run-in with an anti-theist college professor. I wrote about it a few years ago, but I always intended to come back to that story because there was a part I hadn’t mentioned at the time. You see, my evangelical peers had an instant–and unanimous–response to the situation when I told them about it. They wanted me to go talk to the ACLU. Does that shock you? Surprise you? It should. I’ll tell you about it today. Today, Lord Snow Presides over another strange evolution in fundagelicalism. As I said in that earlier post, it must have been 1988 or 1989. I was a freshman or sophomore, taking a class required for my major. And wow, the professor of this class did. Not. Like. Christians. At. ALL. I was Pentecostal, of course. Back then that made me a fundamentalist. I had a lot of friends in college, almost all of them evangelical. And we brooked no muddying of the terms! They’d have been offended at the mere suggestion that they were fundamentalists. To them, that term meant dangerous extremism. By contrast and in similar fashion, I’d have been offended at being called evangelical. To me, it indicated dangerous laxity. But we shared a deep passion for all things Christian. We got together often to pray, to talk about Christian stuff, and to argue about our different interpretations of this or that Bible verse. I lived in the dorms then, so often these get-togethers occurred in my dorm room or in the lounge downstairs. My memories of those evenings now seem golden-yellow with nostalgia, from the color of the lights and walls there. We shared our daily struggles and triumphs with each other. At the same time, we all tried not to fret whenever the others didn’t agree with our arguments or interpretations. Naturally, when this professor got totally out of hand, I shared this concern with my group. The exact conversation is lost to my memory, but my complaint probably went like this: “In every class, this guy insults Christians. He looks right at me when he does it, so he knows what he’s doing. I can’t even concentrate–I’m always just waiting for the next snide jab. Ugh! He thinks he’s just so clever, but I feel attacked and singled out. Nobody likes it when he does this, but I don’t know what to say to make him stop.” I had no idea what to do. My stress was getting bad enough that I was considering just dropping the class. But I needed it for my major. What I’m describing is, in essence, the plot of the first God’s Not Dead movie, right? But my friends didn’t suggest a debate about Creationism. They had something else entirely in mind. Every one of them, including my then-boyfriend Biff, suggested I contact the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Yes. You heard me. This group is now one of the most-demonized groups in the entire country. Once fundamentalists merged with evangelicals, creating the foul, lumbering, drooling behemoth that is fundagelicalism, one of the first groups they set up as their tribal enemy was this group of lawyers who are dedicated to protecting people’s rights and liberties. It wasn’t always like that though. In the late 1980s, the ACLU was considered a friend to Christians. By 2006, Christianity Today was running pleading op-eds trying to defend it. By 2015, someone was whining at the misleadingly-named Reason.com about how the ACLU was being totally meeeeeeeeeeean to bigoted Christians. Today, fundagelicals take it as a point of doctrine that the ACLU has it out for them specifically, and specifically that this crusade against them is happening jus’ fer bein’ Christian. Back in my college days, Christians enjoyed a position of uncontested dominance in popular culture. Nobody could even imagine a future in which Christians were anything but an effortless majority, much less no longer the arbiters of cultural mores. We had a great respect for higher education, though we still thought that the inspiration of the Holy Ghost could make up for it. We saw ourselves as the future leaders of our country. Even I–a woman–could imagine a future as a professional in the sciences. And we certainly didn’t see watchdog groups as anything but helpers to us. We were doing nothing wrong, and so we had nothing to fear from any such groups. Wow, a lot can happen in a few decades, right? Somewhere in those intervening decades, Christians began subscribing to a totally different narrative about the ACLU. Their stunning about-face didn’t happen in a vacuum, of course. Those were also the years in which they began engaging in their cruelest, most extremist culture wars. The ACLU stood against their constant, nonstop attempts to hijack American law and culture, and so the ACLU became their most dreaded enemies. But fundagelicals don’t think they changed at all. To them, the ACLU changed. I’ve no doubt that their elders can’t even remember a time when Christians thought anything on the topic but what they think now. But I do. When my friends suggested this course of action, I felt unnerved. I wasn’t hesitating because I dreaded the help of a tribal enemy. No, I was simply nervous about tangling with lawyers and court cases. It felt like a lot of trouble over something that might be able to be resolved in some other way. But even the older guys at my church thought it was a great idea. One of them, a genial deacon, was ready to make some phone calls. No, Brother Flowers, I told him. Please, not yet. Though the idea made me want to throw up from dread, I decided to talk to the professor first. And that proved to be all that was necessary. Unlike Dr. Radisson in the dumb Christian movie, this real instructor toned down his sniping, and I was able to continue taking the class with no further stress. I got a good grade in it, even. Even more than that, though, I wonder who the first right-wing Christian was who went from HOORAY, the ACLU is helping to stop others from infringing on our rights! to Whoa, why is the ACLU now stopping us from doing what we want to do? I think there must have been a first Christian to make that observation, back then. But they weren’t quite self-aware enough to make that vital connection: that the ACLU that had once helped them and now opposed them was doing so because they were now the oppressors, not the ones in need of help against oppression. See, back then my tribe seemed like they had a faint understanding of why we needed the ACLU. America was a secular country, yes. But sometimes a legislative group might make a law that pushed against religious people’s rights. And sometimes someone in authority might get out of hand, like my professor had, and maybe that person wouldn’t be reasonable when asked to stop. That’s why it was so vitally important that we had a legal watchdog group that was willing to step in between oppressed citizens and those figures of authority who had crossed boundaries. None of us specifically talked about it like that, but it’s how I sure as heck thought of the situation. The ACLU was our friend–not our enemy. It was part of that very necessary system of checks and balances upon power–where rubber met the road—where the buck stopped. No wonder right-wing Christians today hate this group. They’re focused single-mindedly on power, and consequently aren’t real fans of obstacles to their overreach that they can’t simply steamroll, trample, or ignore. Nor have they ever been fans of abiding by rules that everybody has to follow. When a group of people enjoy unwarranted perks and privileges for decades and centuries, losing even a little of them can feel an awful lot like persecution. Instead of seeing the ACLU’s firm opposition to fundagelicals’ culture warring as maybe a sign that they’re overstepping boundaries, fundagelicals are instead seeing that opposition as a sign that Satan’s gotten into this onetime friend’s heart. One absolutely hysterical Catholic forum outright calls the ACLU “Satan’s Army.” The poster breathlessly talks about his suspicions that the leader of the ACLU is–GASP!!! OMG!!!–a “militant gay,” which appears to mean someone who absolutely won’t put up with his bigotry. The poster’s main issue with the ACLU appears to be their campaigns against bigotry, in fact. Though he did get some pushback from some of the posters, most of them were totally on board with his shrill denunciation. They were so outraged about the ACLU that they couldn’t think of a more serious accusation to fling at them than simply stating that they were directly affiliated with their religion’s worst boogeyman. (They were Catholic, not Protestant, but there isn’t any difference between their respective ultra-conservative members anymore, really; they’ve been merging ever since they teamed up for their cynically-manufactured culture war against abortion.) This bizarre hate hard-on for the ACLU is about par for the course for Christians since I left the religion and it went full-throttle extremist. If anything, Christians have only grown more extreme in their hatred and vitriol year by year. And as with everything in that end of the religion, there’s a reason why this is happening. Often these Christians don’t even have any idea what the ACLU is or what it does–like this pastor, who thinks the ACLU is “Marxist.” He doesn’t appear to have the faintest idea why the lawsuits he names happened, but bless his little cotton socks, that isn’t stopping him from making some wild speculations. But he does dimly sense–as do his bunkmates in their tent of wackadoodlery–that the ACLU stands between him and his tribe’s goal of domination. That opposition is what makes the ACLU evil, to extremist Christians. Of course, when we remember that they define evil as, largely, anybody who opposes them in their grab for power, the picture comes into sharper focus. Their leaders egg them on in this hatred, and neither they nor their followers actually look for themselves to see that why yes, the ACLU has steadfastly and constantly defended Christians’ religious rights. And I could have been one of the Christians they defended, in the late 1980s, back when I was a bright-eyed, true-blue little Pentecostal lass. Oh, but that was back before fundagelicals saw the ACLU as the enemy, and back before they’d made themselves the enemy of rights and liberties. Now, years after leaving the religion, I look at a Christian’s opinion about the ACLU as a barometer that tells me what kind of person they are. If they’re aware of the ACLU’s function and necessity in a secular country with robust protections for individuals’ liberties and are completely on board with that idea, then they’re probably all right. Probably. If they freak out about demons and get frothy-mouthed about their weirdly-defined, self-serving version of religious liberty, then I know to avoid that person. So I suppose their war against the ACLU has accomplished something–for us at least. Poster Comment: ... shaking head ... 
(Scott Granneman, CC-SA.) Set The Wayback Machine.
Always Be Ready.
You’re Now Entering the Twilight Zone.
The Culture-War Model of Christianity.
Back When I Was Young.
The Party of Leopards Eating People’s Faces.
“Satan’s Army.”
Another Example of Extremism in Far-Right Christianity.
(1 image) Repeating the closing remark in the commentary: Now, years after leaving the religion, I look at a Christian’s opinion about the ACLU as a barometer that tells me what kind of person they are. If they’re aware of the ACLU’s function and necessity in a secular country with robust protections for individuals’ liberties and are completely on board with that idea, then they’re probably all right. Probably. If they freak out about demons and get frothy-mouthed about their weirdly-defined, self-serving version of religious liberty, then I know to avoid that person. So I suppose their war against the ACLU has accomplished something–for us at least.
As I read the last sentence, I visualized old “frothy-mouthed” Liberator freaking out at the “demon ACLU” while he read my Post #9, Post #4, and Post #17
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 28.
#1. To: Gatlin (#0)
Tater, America lost its love for the ACLU years ago. The ACLU is a putrid, cesspool of communists and has no connection to liberties, freedoms and rights.
You made it blatantly obvious that you lost your love for America when you deserted America and moved out of our beloved great nation. You have no creditability to say anything about America or how America feels....you no longer live here. God Bless America....and long live our wonderful President Donald Trump.
You of ALL people cannot be serious. You're a Police Statist FIRST, Obedient To Your CO (whomever, WHATEVER it is) SECOND, and "American" and In Name Only, THIRD. ....you no longer live here. So you're saying Mexican Invaders that DO "live here" are MORE "American" than a patriot who merely resides elsewhere? I know a LOT of Americans who've served but who now live in Costa Rica. You gonna tell THEM they're "discredited" as Americans with "no love" for the USA?
It is YOU who is saying that I said that....when I never did. How long have you had your problem of making false perceptions? Your suggestive accusations are a complete and total work of fiction, so they are really of no interest to me.
Wrong. Ok, maybe the order is wrong. If I had boxed that, I'd still have won the Trifecta. No! It is YOU who is saying that I said that....when I never did. I'm only connecting the dots from what you DID say. In your response to Bucky, you've based your presumption of his "love for America" and "credibility" solely on his current *residence*. If THAT is your opinion, wouldn't that mean that you, Gatlin, regards domestic enemies and illegal invaders who reside *within* US borders as "loving" America MORE than expats? Not only that, you, Gatlin, also strongly stated that any opinion on America by Bucky (and apparently any other expats) is invalid OR lacking "credibility". Still standing by your accusatory statements? How long have you had your problem of making false perceptions? Your own words are "perceptions"? Nice spin. (Oh wait -- it was lame.) Your suggestive accusations are a complete and total work of fiction, so they are really of no interest to me. YOU, Gatlin, stated Bucky as NOT loving America. You also claimed any opinion of his is "discredited". It is crystal clear exactly who made up "accusations" and fictionalized presumptions: Gatlin.
Wrong. Ok, maybe the order is wrong. If I had boxed that, I'd still have won the Trifecta. No! I'm only connecting the dots from what you DID say. Now, how about listing the communists you say fill the ACLU?
Ok, I laughed. HARD. I think we're about done here, Major Comrade.
Ok, I laughed. HARD. I went into my library and looked up the title of a book. I refreshed myself on the contents while there. The study is titled Flustered and faithful: embarrassment as a signal of prosociality. There is a section that described what you apparently was undergoing when you had a HARD laugh. It was an Embarrassed Laugh evidently brought on by the fact that you could in no way document your contention that the ACLU is filled with communist and the fact that I proved to you beyond a shadow of a doubt that the ACLU did indeed DEFEND many conservatives in court cases, starting with Ollie North. BTW. as I said to you before....your attempt at sarcastic humor leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, you really should give it up so you will not continue to make a fool of yourself. Just sayin’ ...
#30. To: Gatlin, Koch Bros ACLU libertarian (#28)
Let the free market decide what's for lunch
I went into my library and looked up the title of a book. I refreshed myself on the contents while there. The study is titled Flustered and faithful: embarrassment as a signal of prosociality. Don't try and play psychiatrist. It only serves to reinforce your own insecurities and impotency as a debater, a patriot, an honest broker. It was an Embarrassed Laugh evidently brought on by the fact that you could in no way document your contention that the ACLU is filled with communist and the fact that I proved to you beyond a shadow of a doubt that the ACLU did indeed DEFEND many conservatives in court. That kind of "hard laugh" is one of incredulity, of contempt, of that which hits an "11" on the 1-10 scale of stupidity. I don't make it a practice to "debate" an opponent whose perception of reality is far beyond the scope of the "normal" range, scraping the "INSANE" Zone. If you took a poll of conservatives on their opinion BASED ON ACTUAL REALITY, 95% of conservatives would concur with the notion that the ACLU is IN FACT a Communist Organization. IF the ACLU just happened to have supported any conservative in ANY case, the chances Conservatives by and large recognize such cases to be highly questionable at best, motives conspicuous, and likely self-serving. The ACLU only takes cases in which the Leftist/Commie cause will be buttressed and supported for their OWN future cases and causes.
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#2. To: buckeroo (#1)
(Edited)
Tater, America lost its love for the ACLU years ago.
Foreigner, YOU don’t speak for America.
#4. To: Gatlin, buckeroo (#2)
You have no creditability to say anything about America or how America feels....
#5. To: Liberator (#4)
You of ALL people cannot be serious.
I was as serious as a heart attack. You're a Police Statist FIRST, Obedient To Your CO (whomever, WHATEVER it is) SECOND, and "American" and In Name Only, THIRD.
Wrong. So you're saying Mexican Invaders that DO "live here" are MORE "American" than a patriot who merely resides elsewhere?
No! I know a LOT of Americans who've served but who now live in Costa Rica.
So what? You gonna tell THEM they're "discredited" as Americans with "no love" for the USA?
No, I am not gonna TELL them anything of the sort.
#6. To: Gatlin, Fred Mertz, Buckeroo (#5)
You're a Police Statist FIRST, Obedient To Your CO (whomever, WHATEVER it is) SECOND, and "American" and In Name Only, THIRD.
So you're saying Mexican Invaders that DO "live here" are MORE "American" than a patriot who merely resides elsewhere?
#25. To: Liberator (#6)
You're a Police Statist FIRST, Obedient To Your CO (whomever, WHATEVER it is) SECOND, and "American" and In Name Only, THIRD.
It has nothing to do with the “order.” The premises are wrong. So you're saying Mexican Invaders that DO "live here" are MORE "American" than a patriot who merely resides elsewhere?
Nope, you are making up bullshit. In your response to Bucky, you've based your presumption of his "love for America" and "credibility" solely on his current *residence*.
Nope. If THAT is your opinion, wouldn't that mean that you, Gatlin, regards domestic enemies and illegal invaders who reside *within* US borders as "loving" America MORE than expats?
No. Not only that, you, Gatlin, also strongly stated that any opinion on America by Bucky (and apparently any other expats) is invalid OR lacking "credibility".
Nothing to do with other expats. Still standing by your accusatory statements?
Yes. And you should notice that he has denied none of them. Your own words are "perceptions"? Nice spin. (Oh wait -- it was lame.)
Yes, they are. YOU, Gatlin, stated Bucky as NOT loving America. You also claimed any opinion of his is "discredited".
Yes I did that. Have I miss where he denied it. It is crystal clear exactly who made up "accusations" and fictionalized presumptions: Gatlin.
I never made any "accusations." An “accusation” is: A charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong. I never indicated in any way what Bukcy did or said was “illegal” or “wrong.” Did I?
#26. To: Gatlin (#25)
Now, how about listing the communists you say fill the ACLU?
Gatlin at Nuremberg: "Name the'Nazis'!!"
Gatlin in Shanghai: "WHAT Chinese??"
Gatlin at the National P*ssy-Hat Convention: "List the Feminists!"
Gatlin at the Cemetery: "I suppose you'll tell me only dead people live here!"
#28. To: Liberator (#26)
Now, how about listing the communists you say fill the ACLU?
I find that extremely interesting, that you laughed....and especially laughed HARD. I wondered what could have been so funny to you. Then I remembered a study I read a few years back. I think we're about done here ...
I can understand how you feel that way. I know that I have been consistently tough on you after I drilled into you, my factual points time after time. But I had no desire to inflict any pain and I do apologize for your hurt feelings.
Replies to Comment # 28. Koch Brothers ACLU Libertarian
#32. To: Gatlin (#28)
(Edited)
I wondered what could have been so funny to you. Then I remembered a study I read a few years back.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 28.
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