April 12, 2005

Jay Tea at Wizbang Makes an Ass Out of Himself

Worst. Tirade. Ever. Dumbass.

Seriously. I'm at a loss for words over how idiotic this is. Dean pretty much sums up my feelings here.

I don't usually comment on religious doctrine, but some of the stuff being said over at Wizbang lately is getting borderline insane.

I wonder if saying Mass for the dead is also deeply offensive to Jay Tea?

When the families of Holocaust survivors lodge a protest over the 'baptism for the dead' practice of Mormons, they are feeding the fires of anti-semitism. Protesting what is essentially a harmless practice, and one done out of good will, is the kind of thing that anti-semites love to point out.

It's one thing to bring up the Holocaust when defending Israel's right to exist, it's another thing altogether to bring it up when complaining about a doctrine that you oppose.

The fact that the Holocaust is mentioned at all reminds me of Tony Robert's character 'Rob' in Annie Hall.

I think Aaron's response here is the proper one from Jews. Eh, don't like it but no big deal.

Most Christian denominations believe that non-Christians will go to hell. So what? And that is deeply offensive because....??? I think most Christian denominations are wrong. Most of my neighbors are Southern Baptists and in no uncertain terms do they condemn me to hell. Many of them are deeply concerned about my soul--and they tell me.

I'm flattered. I'm glad I have neighbors with such concern. Much more worrisome is a society which produces religious faith that not only condemns non-believers to hell, but which is willing to help them on their way.

The only thing offensive in this story is the fact that the Mormon Church is caving to these ninnies. Grow some nads people! So freaking what if these people take offense where none is given. Deal with it.

Just remember that South Park claims only Mormons go to heaven. Who are we to argue with that?

UPDATE: Holocaust.

Jews have a perfectly legitimate reason for being sensitive, as Aaron points out in the comments.

But by invoking the Holocaust into this debate (as the delegation did when they took special umbrage at Holocaust victims being baptized by proxy) we cheapen the enormity and uniquely evil nature of that event.

UPDATE II: Amen to Bogus Gold:

"Die and then we'll convert you" has got to be the very least intrusive conversion practice in the history of religion. You don't have to participate. Your relatives don't have to be bothered. No one takes out an article in a newspaper announcing your post-mortem conversion, and thereby sullying your proudly Mormon-free reputation.

If the Mormon faith is true, they're doing these deceased folks the best good they could possibly do. If their faith is false, they're doing no harm and bothering no one but themselves. Unless you're just looking to be offended anyway.

Another UPDATE: Yeah, I like Jay Tea. But even the best of us say idiotic things every once and awhile.......