Did O'Reilly declare "culture war" over?
On March 29, Bill O'Reilly appeared to declare that the so-called "culture war" he has waged is over, saying, "I don't feel persecuted as a Christian" because "I can still do what I want to do."
On the March 29 edition of his syndicated radio show, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly appeared to declare that the so-called "culture war" he has waged is over, saying, "I don't feel persecuted as a Christian" because "I can still do what I want to do." O'Reilly made his declaration during a discussion with guest Rebecca Hagelin -- vice president, communications and marketing, at conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation -- of the March 27-28 "The War on Christians and the Values Voter in 2006" conference. O'Reilly, who has been a major promoter of the purported "war on Christmas," is set to release his latest book, Culture Warrior (Broadway) in September.
From the March 29 edition of Westwood One's The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly:
O'REILLY: Now, was it all 400 evangelical Protestants? Is that who was there?
HAGELIN: No. There were also some Catholics there. And interestingly enough to those who aren't familiar with groups like this and who work often -- but I wasn't surprised -- there's usually a group of committed Jewish people there as well.
O'REILLY: Mm-hmm.
HAGELIN: Because nobody on earth understands better than religious Jews what persecution is like.
O'REILLY: But I don't feel persecuted as a Christian, I have to say. I don't feel persecuted, because I can still do what I want to do. Now, I understand what the intent of the SPs -- the secular progressives -- is, and I'm mildly annoyed that some corporations fold into it. You know, I mean, I don't -- the St. Paul thing, removing the Easter sign doesn't offend me. It just annoys me. Like, why are you doing that? That's just so dumb. Do you feel that your rights are being violated in any way, Rebecca?
Yae, and what about the socalled war on christmas. ANd even here he is able to say: "Now, I understand what the intent of the SPs -- the secular progressives -- is, and I'm mildly annoyed that some corporations fold into it. " again attacking the left and those without a faith. He is taking two positions at once, altough he only feels ANNOYED: Yae: lets protest outside Wallmart that they ambrase several hollidays instait of only one.
that poor man? Is he really a Christian or is he just saying that? How do you know? Remember, if the lie causes people to have faith then it's moral. Maybe he just wants people to have faith in the lie.
Are Christians being persecuted? Where? Afganastan? They let that one go to Italy.
Are Christians persecuting anyone? Recently? Is there anyone in particular they have in mind this time?
It's my understanding that just being a Democrat and especially a liberal is immoral. Well, at least according to what O'Reily says in my opinion.
You stated/asked: "Are Christians being persecuted? Where? Afganastan? (sic) They let that one go to Italy."
I should think that being forced leave your country to avoid execution for converting to Christianity qualifies as persecution. Don't you? Perhaps not persecution for choosing Christianity per se, but certainly persecution for having abandoned Islam. Whichever way you look at it, expulsion from your home for being the "wrong" religion is persecution!
Who spiked the Wheaties of Bill "loofah" O'Reilly? For him this is an amazing statement. I wonder if he decided to get the psychological help I have been advocating for on this website?
The comment of "Intergalactic Warrior" previous reminds moi of a rumour as was popular around 1940 which suggested that Force Flakes, a popular whole-wheat breakfast cereal of the time, contained morphine.
Despite offers of cash rewards to help locate the rumourmonger, sales slumped and the company went out of business soon afterwards.
In any case, I have to wonder if this supposed Kulturkrieg is really nothing more than a cheap-shot distractionary by the Zealots and True Believers of hyperconservatism, one rooted in xenophobia, prejudice and jingoism more than anything.
Especially if said Kulturkrieg is one which sees among its articles of faith regarding Branson, MO as The One True Home of Amerikanischer Realkultur--howbeit of the wrong sort (cf. the hypernationalist excesses of Nazi German Kultur, or reasonable facsimile thereof).
the war is over. Now we can send the cultural soldiers back home...
Just "mildly annoyed" Bill? The way you went on and on and on and on and on for weeks about the "War against Christmas" you'd think you were far beyond being "mildly annoyed." Weren't you threatening to boycott Target?!
...
Bill's quotes go to prove that the entire "War on Christmas" was nothing more than: 1) an attempt to sell a book by one of his cronies, 2) a ratings move, and 3) a complete and utter manufactured hoax.
Either Bill has stepped back away from his out-of-control Christian persecution complex, or it's obvious he TRULY doesn't believe half of the things he spews while on the air.
It's not "persecution". I wish the religionists would realize that or get thicker skin.
Imagine no Religion.....No one to live or die for.......The Brotherhood of Man
are usually so quick to complain about political correctness. but when they are being referred to something they do not like, such as religious extremists, or if their symbols are not posted where and as often as they like they whine obout persecution. This bunch has never known persecution and to claim it demeans those who have been for real.
...I guess now he can cancel the release of his new book. Not necessary. The "War" is over.
And so it was Christmas, And what have I done? Another year older, A ratings sweep won.
Read this from Media Matters.
This will make him Worst Person in the World.
Olbermann and O'Lielly two of the most HORRIBLE people in the world.
"Olbermann and O'Lielly two of the most HORRIBLE people in the world."
Ha! You got it half right. Olbermann is a mensch for having the balls to challenge these fools.
What's with these so called Democrat pharisees in our midst? They pretend to be Demos but take cheap shots at MMFA or Olbermann whenever they can.
Whether you agree or disagree, his feelings are that a minory of people in this countries, as he puts it, SP's are trying to influence the culture into becoming more secular and less religious.
Is that persecution? No. A culture war? Possibly.
Again, I don't necessarily agree with BO that there is a culture war, but I think there is a distinction from being persecuted and being annoyed.
Think MM might be stretching to parallel persecution with trying to effect change in culture.
Not hiring someone because they are Christian is persecution. Not allowing your employee to have an Easter Bunny on her desk is annoying.
Question- Is persecution a prerequisite for a culture war?
What's lost on these people who are quick to announce a "secularist" cabal is that a ton of Christians themselves would like religion out of government. I'm an atheist. But everyone in my family are Christian. All of them understand that religion has no place in government, whether that's a courthouse or a school. This movement to fulfill our forefathers dream of a secular government is shared by a lot of people, not some imaginary fringe.
I really gotta hand it to O'Liar. He knows how to package his program as if he's the man of the people giving you the staright word. He uses that stupid, trying to sound down home, sayings all the time. For instance, when mentioning the public he tries as hard as can to always call them the "folks". As if he's just some plain spoke coutry bumpkin (with a Loofah). Or he uses that Yoda type speak when he questions someone ("What say you Mr. _____") Alot of thught has gone into these little diddy's and you really gotta hand it to crafty, clever, New York Sharpie who has been able to pull the wool over the bumkins who listen to his radio show and watch his TV program. Making money off of stupid people ain't a crime: in fact its pure, unadulterated evil genius.
What say you Mr. O'Liar?
They started it, they unilaterally carry it on, they can stop it any time.
If the wars are over, can we try and hang war criminals like Billyboy?
Has BOR declared war on so many fronts (War on Christmas, War on Christians, War on Easter, etc.) that he must seek peace on a front or two, thus the end of the Culture War?
Or is BOR a bit tired of his own kookiness?
are the persecuted ones. My wife was roped into going to a baby shower for one of our neighbors this weekend. We don't know the neighbors extremely well, but enough that we'll stop and chat with them if we're all out doing yardwork and maybe have a beer. Now, my wife and I are not religious people - as my wife says she's too old for fairy tales, and my view is that God is an imaginary friend for grownups. I'm not saying that to offend anyone here - I just don't buy into religion, and have observed that the most judgemental, hypocritical people I've run across are your new age born again Christians. Maybe that's an overgeneralization on my part, but that's been my experience. Now, back to the baby shower - My wife went to the shower, and wouldn't you know that everyone there is from same church/bible study group - they played games consisting of selecting your favorite passage from the bible. One of the women there commented on her new job working at a call center for a major telecom company saying "how wonderful it was that all of her co-workers are Christians and such good people - God must have sent her there for a purpose" Now, I'm sorry, that's a sick person. And it's like saying that if her co-workers weren't "Christians" - I put that in quotes b/c her views are hardly christian, Christ didn't say he would tolerate only those that were just like him, I don't think - that they aren't good people. Now, the best part? The neighbor's wife had mentioned to my wife in a conversation about a year ago that she's had 3 abortions. Her husband has a son from a prior marriage that he has raised as his own that was really the product of an affair his ex-wife had while they were married, and the son does not know. Now, I'm not saying this to pass judgement, but if these other women at the "church group" knew these things about her, how accepting do you think they'd be? Not very. My wife also overheard them talking about one of the women who wasn't there yet in a very negative way - it just so happened that she was the only one who was friendly towards her after they found out that she wasn't a church goer or a "christian" in their definition of the term. We have our own view of religion, and it's not a positive one, but we support other's rights to do as they please, and never would have treated others the way these women treated my wife, regardless of their beliefs. So, as far as I'm concerned, until those among us that are holier than thou drop their persecution of those that don't believe as they do, the culture wars are on.