It's 2013 and Jesus' very own morning show, Fox & Friends, is starting the New Year off right by promoting - you guessed it - persecuted Christians. In fulfilling its duty as a mouthpiece for the church of the perpetually aggrieved Christians, Fox & Friends is always on the alert for examples of what they actually believe is an actual "war on Christians." And who better to join the curvy couch Christian crusade than Fox Radio's "fundamentalist barking dog," and gay pride parade couture observer Todd Starnes who is always on the alert for grievances against his fellow Jesus BFF's such as when a "Christian Baker Faces Boycott For Refusing To Make Lesbian Cake." (Hmm, Angel or Devil's Food?!) This morning, on Fox & Friends, culture clubber Todd broke a shocking exposé, based solely on anonymous sources and also featured on Fox Nation, about how the Daughters of the American Revolution will no longer be praying in Jesus' name - OMG!!!
Jesus BFF Steve Doocy began by asking why the DAR, "what is known as the largest patriotic organization in the world," whose motto is "God, Home, and Country," is "taking out references to God and Christianity." They chyron supported the persecuted Christian agitprop: "God, Home, and Country, DAR Motto, But Now Removing References To God." After introducing Starnes, who would be providing "exclusive details," Doocy, in his trademark whine, said he "didn't get it."
Starnes claimed that "a lot of the members are very upset about this" and have "reached out" to Starnes because this is "an attempt to erase the Christian heritage of the organization." The chyron quoted an aggrieved DAR member: "How Dare They, DAR Removes Christian References From Books." Starnes claimed that a DAR state chaplain wrote, in a newsletter, that the group could no longer pray in Jesus' name. Starnes then detailed how the organization is supposedly removing Jesus' name from official prayer books, telling their chaplains to stop praying in Jesus' name, and removing Christian symbols and references from their prayers and poems. The chyron: "Going Godless, DAR Removes Patriotic Songs that Include God."
Starnes claimed that this all came from the president of the organization whose picture and name were put up on the screen so the nice Fox Christians can harass and threaten her. He said that she didn't return his multiple phone calls. But "the members are speaking out anonymously" so that proves it. Starnes played a tape of an outraged anonymous member who, in her best southern drawl, accused those who hate Christian symbols of being "intolerant." The chyron: "Spiritual Snub, DAR Members Angered Over Society's Move."
Starnes reinforced the patented Fox War on Christians meme with his comment that these anonymous persecuted Christian women see this as part of a larger attempt to "remove Christianity from the marketplace of ideas." He noted that those who are upset are afraid to officially complain because they fear that they will be expelled from the group. Doocy was visibly upset when he asked if, despite removing Jesus, their motto still references God. Starnes said that though it is still there, the question articulated by his anonymous pals is "If you're not praying to the god who is Jesus Christ, who are you praying to and that's their big hang-up." Doocy concluded, "an exclusive report."
So according to Starnes, if you're not praying to Jesus, you're some kind of heathen atheist? Really? Christianity isn't a pre-requisite for membership which is open to "any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution." The revolutionaries were not all Christian (and among the Christians there were several denominations) and given the passage of time, it's highly likely that not all of their descendants are Christians. But according to Starnes, if they're not praying to Jesus, they're godless heathens.
But more importantly, it would appear that good Christian Starnes is either lying or hasn't done his research because the official DAR chaplain's manual still mentions God and the National Day of Prayer. Perhaps Todd and Steve should meditate on one of the suggested bible verses recommended for events where DAR members pray: James 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
But, then, I’ve never belonged to any organisation for long, being pretty bloody-minded all around.
If one belongs to an association that is morphing into something else and one is powerless to stop it, leave already! Or create your own association with your own majority.
Christians don’t have the first fucking clue what persecution is. Do they have other religions violating their holy grounds, and telling them to go fuck themselves because their religion is inferior? No, but they do that. Do they have groups from other religions telling them where they can and can’t worship in countries with freedom of religion? No, but they do that. Are other religions telling them that we can’t say happy holidays because only their December holidays matter? No, but they do that.
Literally every major act of religious persecution in America is being committed by the Christians against whatever religion the GOP has a problem with that day, and instead of taking a step back and realizing they need to stop this little jihad, they’re content to cry that they’re they’re the victims. If they want people to quit distancing themselves from Christianity, they can do something like, you know…
Make Christianity a religion worth being affiliated with? Just a thought. I know thinking’s a sin for Christians, according to Jesus 3;16 or whatever, but they might wanna try for this question.