Posted by Ricky West
I’ve long heard the charges that the right was leaning too much on the Falwells & Robertsons to bring evangelicals to politics. Now, there are charges that the left is allowing Jeremiah Wright & this Pflegler guy to define lefty religion/politics. After hearing those two over the past few months and reading many of their comments, I must ask: when did it become en vogue for reverends to curse? I guess this is a lot like the Mel Gibson episode, where everyone was aghast about what he said about Jews (and I’m not ignoring that) and basically forgot the part about him driving drunk. In this case, you have preachers saying things that are politically – and in Wright’s case, patriotically – incendiary, and virtually everyone has overlooked the fact that those two are dropping four-letter words on a constant basis. Is this a regional thing? I know in the south, to say it’s be frowned on by the community would be an understatement.
A potty mouthed priest or pastor may have some influence, but I doubt it will go significantly far when compared to someone like Billy Graham or Mother Teresa. Foul language or an overall coarse approach is not limited to the left either (I’m thinking of that “God hates fags” fruitcake who I believe is headquartered in Kansas). Anyway, there’s been many an individual who uses the word of the Lord for nefarious purposes, and may get away with it for some or all of their lives. Some of us would point out that there will be a stiff fee waiting for them that they will not be able to pay off for all of eternity.
I think you’re referring to Fred Phelps. Dunno where he resides on the political spectrum, actually. He’s a registered Democrat who ran for office as a Dem, but that could’ve been simply due to the primary system at play & trying to make the general election. I do know he & his clan are universally loathed (they picket the funerals of soldiers, for crying out loud).