Sunday, August 17, 2008
Crossing a line
Mr. Johnson is not exactly Dan Brown's greatest fan. Nor am I. To make money spreading falsehood and promoting bigotry, if not outright hate, is a sad pathetic existence. But I'll publicly declare that I don't believe even Mr. Brown capable of this. Click here for background. I'm interested in your thoughts.
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15 comments:
The guy is using shock and awe to get famous and make people look at himself and what he stands for. Chances are he will be murdered and die considering himself a martyr because of the onslaught of anti religious organisations gaining momentum citing his death as reason to "end all religion" because "all religious followers are extremist". He's pathetic and is in it for himself, not any true cause
Unfortunately he cannot even be called a heretic. Thank you by the way, Mr. Corrigan, for posting something. Always refreshing to have other thoughts. And I agree with Brett. This guy is being a straight-up shit disturber. He is purposefully trying to breed hate and death, earning his 15 minutes of fame on youtube. Brett has the right of it. If either Catholics (which of course we wont) or Muslims (an embassy will most likely be blown up, and this guy will be on a hit list) react, even if its just a peaceful protest, society will call them extremists, or fundamentalists. If we do nothing (which of course is the wrong course of action) we will be supporting this load of garbage and give the barbarian tribes precisely what they want. Its a lose-lose situation. If this guy dies, even if its not even by a member of the religious sect, we will be blamed. But I say we send back a warcry. Let the public hate and ridicule us. They already do. They blame us for every societal problem, whats one more thing to add to the list. But we need to show these barbarians (and I do believe that no sane person could do this) that we are going to take a stand.
P.S. The part of the article stating that if it had been against gays or what not, he would have been shown the door, particularily outraged me, precisely because its the truth. They get all these special rights and we get verbally attacked calling us unaccepting and such. I personally think gays are doing exactly what this guy is doing, though I'm not sure if it's intentional or not. But the scary thought is its become mainstream and socially acceptable. Something like this destruction of our Host could become mainstream too...
So be it. We make a stand.
where.
This is just so horrible. I don't even know what to say about this.
What can you do in the phase of something so awful?
Truely horrible. Sadly, of the two courses of action, both will have a negative affect. To react strongly, as we should—simply because it is right—will only give Dr. Meyers and his minions a chance to spew forth more allegations of fanaticism and extremism. Likewise, to do nothing will only give more reason for him to escalate is sacrilegious antics. Ovviously something must be done, but hopefully people respond with what they are defending in mind.
Im also outraged that the University is doing nothing about this. I honestly do not see how actions like that can be allowed with no even the slightest repercussions.
We should write a letter to the University maybe, begging for soem action to be taken
So I don't usually post here but.. I agree with most of the writers here (especially jeremy w). The thing is, people are more afraid of standing up to this guy and stopping him because they'll be seen as 'evil' persons for not letting him have his freedom of speech, mind the desecration of sacred property. People can be outraged all they want, but when it comes down to it almost nothing is going to be done except words thrown around targeting him. By us not stopping him physically (or rejecting him) these ideas will only become mainstream, as said, and become common! 'Freedom of acts (and speech)', right? In the end, the Catholics and Muslims, and whatever religion exists, will be blamed for once again 'stirring up trouble' because we have beliefs. With that being said, the university SHOULD step in. Isn't he violating some form of law, if it not be only religious belief?
Thank you for the input Shelby. Should post more often. And I agree. He is violating a law. A basic law. One that is common within all humans. He desecrates the very laws that prevent our society from degrading into madness. This is no longer a debate among philosophies or religious or political views. This is an out right attack on humanity. What he is doing is using fear as a tactic. The man is brilliant, for he knows he is in a win win situation. But it is only win-win if he truly believes in his cause. For another factor comes into play. The islamic nation is probably more outraged by this than catholics. It will not take long for some fanatic to hear about it and send some form of assassin. Now him being of some education (lot of good its done him) must know he is a marked man. Therefore he does not fear death and we cannot use violence against him. Not only will it prove ineffective but also, "we become the very thing are trying to protect." But all of us are calling for action, and it is not right for me to only restate the problem, a solution must be offered as well. Firstly, I think the University must be informed, as Marina said. But on our own, we have no great influence. Ideally, a petition of some kind will be necessary. But the situation still requires backing. Now, assuming we are all Catholic, we need recognized Catholic support, i.e. our diocese. I then propose we bring it to their attention and acquire assisstance from people who do have influence and power, rather than a rag-tag group of "uneducated" kids trying to storm Constantinople, no matter how romantic it may seem.
Jeremy- very true.
Unfortunately, I think the Unviersity is being petitioned like crazy and still not doing something. But we should still act, een if we don't expect it to work, because it's the right thing to do.
Okay- so what's the next step?
Great comments as usual. For those of you who mentioned his university code of conduct, someone else had that idea as well. Check out http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/2008/07/p-z-myers-must.html
Thank you Mr. Corrigan for the link. I have immediately composed an email and sent it to the president of the university. I encourage all others who read this blog to do the same. It is the only way I see ourselves being able to help. We have a duty to stand up for what we believe in and this is our chance.
I think we need to do more than just emails and letters. This has gotten huge amounts of attention, and most of the protesting has gotten negative attention. We need to bring positive attention to our own protests somehow.
We have one thing going for us- a lot of the people commenting here are teenagers. That raises a lot more interest than adults with stuff like this. If a bunch of teenage Cahtholics organize peaceful protests and petitions and send all sorts of letters and try and get on the news, that might raise the kind of stir we want.
I'm just not quite sure how to start initiating this. We need to organize a bunch of people willing to take action peacefully and intelligently, preferably a lot of teens. We should also enlist intelligent adults like Mr. Corrigan and Mr. Johnson who are more articulate and, lets face it, intelligent, than we are, so we don't look like we don't know anything. The best way to go about this, I'm not sure. Facebook group? Oi vey... I really don't know.
Jeremy, I sent an e-mail too in an effect to impose some sense of obligation.
But the fact is, the world we live in is falling apart. Let's face it, you think these angry e-mails will have an effect? Remember, we should storm the walls of Constantinople... not send them angry letters.
I am by no means implying that violence is the right course of action, I'm simply saying that some form of non-violent protest must be made (as marina said). Let's face it, our world of manners has led us nowhere. So why not shed the manners?
I think an uproar is necessary. Johnson, I know you'll probably disagree with me and most likely assume that I am reverting to instinctual reactions. However, I have read the article a few times and accept the fact that we have to do something. So why not step up?
Good for you Ben
Mr. Johnson (a.k.a. MJ)
Start blogging it up again!
I miss the intellect that fills your mind haha.
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