Now I have never been the biggest fan of Fox News, and I whole heartedly believe in the freedom speech, but Bill's comment on The View the other day was a little over the top. "Muslims killed us on 9/11" Those are powerful words from a man who already has an established base of viewers. Bill has every right to say those words. In fact he can say whatever he wants. But, in the same way that tobacco ads can affect kids, so too can Bill's words.
I truly believe that it is the responsibility of each and every parent to govern what their children are exposed to. It does not fall to me, or Bill for that matter, to make sure that your children are raised the way you want them to be raised. That responsibility falls to the parents. Its your job to make sure your kids understand what in this world is good and bad. (I will expound on what I think are the concepts of good and bad later.) My parents never expected anyone else to do their job for them. They made sure that I knew what right and wrong where, not anybody else. With that said, Bill was in the wrong.
As a public figure, Bill must realise that what he says impacts people. I'm sure that Bill doesn't want to discuss any of the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, or the Salem Witch Trials. These are events that were predicated on the idea that Christianity was superior and that the victims of these events where beyond saving. These ideas, just like the ones held today by extremists both Muslim and Christian, are dangerous. I'm sure that Bill wouldn't want to discuss that, traditionally, "the church" was used to control the people. When Rome fell, it was "Religion" that stepped in to replace it as the "guiding light" for the masses.
I think that any idea or value which separates whole swaths of people into groups based on religion, sex, ethnicity is a bad one. We no longer live in a time where we, the people, the individuals, need our leaders to make our moral judgements for us. We have the information at hand to make our own judgements.
The Bible, when it speaks of Jesus, does not portray a religiously pious man. He hung out with thieves, liars, and prostitutes. He did not chose to use the religious establishment, rather he preached against it. It would seem that Bill is taking the position of the pharisees. He lumps all the people who are not like him into a group dammed to hell. A dangerous thing to do.
In the end people are people. What we chose to do and say is up to us. We are responsible for our own actions and words. In this country we understand the power of words. We know what a single phrase can do to the public. I am not condoning what a small group of very troubled people did on that fateful September morning. That day is burned into my brain just as it is in Bill's. However, blaming all of Islam is just as ignorant as believing that all Christians were responsible for countless number of murders that have been committed in the name of God. Yes they were Muslims...and yes that act was horrible...but if you want to blame all Muslims for that day, then we must also say that Bill represents every single American voice.
And for my money, he doesn't.
I share your thoughts. When you walk as a man who desires acceptance, tolerance and compassion, you are on point with who you are meant to be. Why we are all here. Having an open mind will take you to places filled with “outrageous“ abundance. There is freedom in growth. People are stifled when they limit their minds and follow others. Especially regarding religious beliefs. Religion creates separation. Separation and fear stop us from breathing and then we are no longer living our full potential. The zombies are among us!! For me, no one man or voice has the answers. I choose to learn from those who are still growing. Bill is not growing!
ReplyDeleteCount me as a follower. It is refreshing to read someone who wants the best for everyone, who knows that we are all individuals and that we should not all be lumped into groups.
Fox who?