12/10/2008 04:13:26 PM EST

Newsweek Enrages Religious Right

posted by Tom Hanc

According to an article in Politico, the Religious Right is furious over a recent Newsweek article on homosexuality and the bible.

I'm very happy to see that Newsweek isn't backing down though (from the link above):

"...And in an email to Politico, Newsweek managing editor Dan Klaidman invited further responses, writing: “The piece speaks for itself and we welcome the debate.”

Lisa Miller’s cover story argues that the Bible’s lessons on marriage are ambiguous and lack the prescriptive clarity some ascribe to them.

“Religious objections to gay marriage are rooted not in the Bible at all, then, but in custom and tradition,” Miller writes. “The Bible was written for a world so unlike our own, it’s impossible to apply its rules, at face value, to ours.'"

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It's an obvious point but I can't say it enough:

If the Religious Right would put just half of the time, money and passion (that they spend on abortion/gay marriage/euthanasia/stem cells) into fighting on behalf of the poor (to ensure quality health-care and education for all, etc.) this country would be so much better off.

PS---If you haven't already, click here to give Cenk and Wendy your congratulations and or advice for their new marriage!
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Newsweek Enrages Religious Right | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)
100% right. (none / 0)
A great breakdown of the biblical references to homosexuality (or lack thereof) can be found in the documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So".  It's a great movie (98% on Rotten Tomatoes).  Some interesting historical context, and some really heartbreaking personal stories.  See it!

by Spencer on 12/10/2008 06:34:00 PM EST

You're Awesome (none / 0)
Not only do you know about that good documentary, but more importantly you recognize that Rotten Tomatoes is THE authority on movies.

by Tom Hanc on 12/10/2008 06:40:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Well... (none / 0)

They're definitely right in this case.

by Spencer on 12/10/2008 06:48:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Right in most cases (none / 0)
I think the trick with Rotten Tomatoes is to keep in mind that if something is rated 98% fresh it does NOT mean that the overall critic grade of the movie is 98 out of 100.

Rather it means that 98% of the critics liked the movie overall (some maybe just barely liked it more than they disliked it).

That's why they include an average rating out of 10 in addition to the fresh rating.

by Tom Hanc on 12/10/2008 06:50:47 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Yeah (none / 0)
I hate the "yes or no" style of criticism.  A lot movies fall in between those (niche audiences, arcane subject matter, etc.), so a thumbs up or thumbs down can leave out a lot of details that might sway you either way (especially when most people just look at the rating and don't actually read the reviews).  But the average that RT does at least somewhat addresses that.

by Spencer on 12/10/2008 07:05:00 PM EST

[ Parent ]
living in So. Cal . . . (none / 0)
Can suck for many reasons, but the people driving around with Calvin kneeling to the cross, N.O.T.W., "saved", Chosen Girl etc. stickers on their back windows REALLY suck. Why? Because, they are a reminder that the "I'm gonna wear my Christianity on my sleeve", yes on 8, conflation of church and state, "the earth is 6,000 years old mentality is inexorably ubiquitous! How scared would you be if Joel Osteen and his wife got any more popular?

by satanisreal on 12/10/2008 11:32:44 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Deal (none / 0)
You move to Chicago and take the high of 28 tomorrow and I'll take your place in So-Cal.

Problem solved!

by Tom Hanc on 12/11/2008 12:26:44 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Also (none / 0)
since when is So-Cal a religious hotbed? Or am I missing something?

by Tom Hanc on 12/11/2008 10:53:11 AM EST

[ Parent ]
American Family Fascists will boycott Newsweek (none / 0)

The American Family Association (I call them the American Family Fascists) will begin a boycott campaign against Newsweek because they boycotted Ford when Ford advertised in gay magazines.

 

by Gregory Wonderwheel on 12/11/2008 07:27:22 PM EST

I always say (none / 0)
Organizations with the word "family" in them are trouble. The religious right has co-opted the word.

by Tom Hanc on 12/11/2008 09:08:35 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Newsweek Enrages Religious Right | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)
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