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Elisabeth Hasselbeck: No Free Speech For Atheists During Religious Holidays But Government Should Protect Christians!

Posted by Priscilla -25.80pc on April 16, 2014 · Flag

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In addition to worshipping the Second Amendment, the Christian right are now huge supporters of the First Amendment's freedom of religion thing as it pertains to their opposition to the ACA's birth control mandate. Freedom of speech was frequently invoked in the recent Fox abetted controversy over objections, by the Muslim community, to a film critical of Islam and the awarding of a Brandeis honorary degree to an anti-Islamic activist. But now that First Amendment rights have been utilized by atheists, Fox & Friends' Elisabeth Hasselbeck is asking if this right should be suspended during religious holidays. LOL, her predecessor, Gretchen Carlson once said that she supports freedom of speech, except at Christmas. The more things change....

As part of the patented "Fight for Faith" series, Elisabeth Hasselbeck reported that "to celebrate Easter, a Christian women's group" erected a display with a Christian cross and informational brochures in the Wisconsin capitol building. But nasty atheists, from the evil "Freedom From Religion Foundation," then put up a sign, across from the Christian women, that says "nobody died for our sins, Jesus Christ is a myth." Hasselbeck asked, "when it comes to religious holidays, should atheists have equal opportunity?" She introduced her guest, Wisconsin director of Concerned Women, Kim Simac for America which is far more than a "Christian women's group." It's a virulently anti-gay, anti-choice, right wing group which employs folks who say that youth support for gay rights shows their "ignorance" among lots of other fun stuff.  Hasselbeck didn't mention that the display has anti-choice material titled "equal rights for the born and pre-born."

Hasselbeck asked Simac her reaction to the nasty atheists. Simac acknowledged that the state rotunda is a place for free speech and that her group got a permit to honor "the most important man who ever lived, Jesus Christ." (What, it's not Ronald Reagan?) Hasselbeck asked if the right to free speech would include the atheist's right to erect their sign. Simac answered in the affirmative because we have freedom of religion, "not freedom from religion and atheism is their religion and I honor that for them..." She expressed the hope that the atheists would honor and respect Easter, "the most wonderful event in our life." The chyron reinforced the trademark Fox "battle" imagery: "Fighting for Faith, CWA Put Up Easter Display in WI Capitol."

Hasselbeck said that this is an important week for Christians and Jews and that Simac "brought up an important word, respect because it's a right, it could still be wrong when it comes to just being civil." Simac complained about how the atheists preach, but don't practice, tolerance. She claimed that their press release seems like "an attack on women, the cross" and "it's just not necessary." She wished the atheists well and hoped that folks would stop by the CWA display.

Hasselbeck promoted a right wing talking point in the form of a question: "Do you see this as promoting atheism or an attack on Christianity, so to speak. Should the government's role be also to protect the religious freedom of religion whatever that may be [WTF?] and prevent these kinds of attacks in the minds of many." (Uh, Elisabeth, check out the "no establishment" clause of that First Amendment that you Christians love when it comes to Hobby Lobby and those slut pills.) Simac didn't agree. Hasselbeck looked distressed when Simac said that both her group and the atheists have a right to erect displays.

Looks like Fox might have lost this skirmish in the war on Easter?

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scooter commented 2014-04-17 12:10:04 -0400 · Flag
Hasselbeck makes me want to vomit. I saw this segment yesterday, and couldn’t believe how she kept badgering her guest to try and get her to agree. To the guest’s credit, she said she welcomed and respected free speech and all points of view. Guess she’ll never be asked back to FOX.
d d commented 2014-04-17 09:21:03 -0400 · Flag
Geez, Hasselbeck’s questions were awkwardly worded and convoluted in their reasoning. You can tell that she was desperately wanting to knock down the Atheists’ right to have a countering display but, darn, that thing called the Constitution just didn’t allow her any validity to actually go there. So she attempted to demean the Atheists’ actions with a rambling array of conservative talking points put in question form (as Priscilla rightly pointed out). It was laughable at best.

Btw, the NHs video ended too soon. After Hasselbeck thanked Simac, Hasselbeck did some editorializing of her own by very sweetly saying, “sometimes a right can be very wrong at times.” And then she encouraged the viewers to email as to whether the Atheist display is free speech or intolerance.
Tamarah Graves commented 2014-04-17 01:23:11 -0400 · Flag
Freedom of religion or Freedom of belief is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any religion.1 The freedom to leave or discontinue membership in a religion or religious group —in religious terms called “apostasy” — is also a fundamental part of religious freedom, covered by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.2
radpat_USA commented 2014-04-16 21:53:22 -0400 · Flag
“Christian”, my ass!
Aria Prescott commented 2014-04-16 19:05:48 -0400 · Flag
So… If the Christians lose this debate, can we make it where they’re only allowed to practice their religion on specific holidays? Because that’s the secular equivalent of what this bitch is selling.
NewsHounds posted about Elisabeth Hasselbeck: No Free Speech For Atheists During Religious Holidays But Government Should Protect Christians! on NewsHounds' Facebook page 2014-04-16 18:31:16 -0400
Elisabeth Hasselbeck: No Free Speech For Atheists During Religious Holidays But Government Should Protect Christians!








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