Evangelicals betrayed by a prodigal son.

I came across this video and, if there was a Richter scale (Yes, that is how it is spelled, I checked) in Pangea, I would put this at an 8 for how pissed off I was. And if you know me, it takes a lot to even register on my scale. However, when a "evangelical" starts opening his mouth and only crap comes out...well, I can't help but respond.

I'm going to let you watch the video where he is interviewed on DL Hughley's show and then continue on for my response.

Warning: This video contains intellectual dishonesty and psychological absurdity. Viewer discretion is advised.


Other sources to read:
Wikipedia Entry
Article in Christianity Today
Interview with Frank by John Whitehead from Rutherford.org

Now, let me start by confirming some, yes there is some, truth to his story. Did the Evangelical Right go nuts in the 80's and early 90's? Yes, absolutely they went wacko. Did many preachers, teachers, and motivational speakers become celebrities, daresay, approach demigod status? Yes, many did. Do I believe that is currently valid today? Absolutely not!

After viewing this video, reading opposing viewpoints, and reading Frank Schaeffer's own words I believe that I know too little about his father, Francis Schaeffer, to come to any definite conclusions. The only impression I get is Frank grew up in a dysfunctional family and became disillusioned with who his family was. There was the public and private Francis who existed very differently, maybe in fact, completely opposed. I am not sure, but one thing I know is it was not a life of integrity, therefore, Frank had no example to follow.

With that said, I leave you to your own conclusions or research about this man, the ministry he was involved with and dynamics of his family. I will now only address items in the video I found deplorable.

Video Response:
First, Bush was unqualified? How was he less qualified than our current president? He's getting his executive experience for the executive branch...on-the-job. Do you really want to make that case Frank?

Second, Sarah Palin energized the Republican Party because she actually was a Republican. I know that simple statements are hard to understand for all you educated on television folk, but we down here in little ol' America like simple. And in case you wanted to know why a Republican president wasn't elected? Well, that is simple to. There wasn't a republican to vote in for president. McCain is a moderate. Maw-dur-ett. No, not murderer. Just because he was in Vietnam does not make him a murderer **cough** Kerry **cough, cough**

Third point of notice...You "changed" your mind? I would argue you hopped out of the frying pan into the fire. A.k.a. From hypocritical father to hypocritical president. On one end, according to your own words, you're father lived one life in the public and one life in private. Obama says one thing and does the opposite.

Man this guys audacity and uninformed conclusions astound me and offend my intelligence. The Religious Right is responsible for "8 years of a bad presidency, a collapsed economy, two wars (one of which we should not have been in)." Um, 8 years of Bush may have not been America's golden years, but I'm damned well pleased to have him over Dean or Gore. The collapsed economy is not Bush's fault entirely. He contributed to the government's growth which widened the door for an already ticking time bomb in the housing market (Thanks Clinton and Carter). They are the real originators of this problem. 2 wars, yes two wars. Bush had a very good economy, until the last year, despite the largest attack on American soil ever and two wars.

Furthermore, Mr. Schaeffer, it is your democratic party that also voted the war possible. The executive branch does not have the power to engage in wars. Only Congress does. They are responsible for your two "unjustified" wars. If you want to call terrorists attacking America (Osama, Afghanistan) and 300,000+ murders in mass graves (Hussein, Iraq) unjustified. We won't go into detail about the 14 broken UN resolutions, chemical weapons development, or oppressive regime Sadam was responsible for.

I have to say that this Schaeffer guy really urks me. He uses his background in religion to legitimize his shaky and unfounded political opinions. It is very shaky ground to weave religion and politics together. They exist together harmoniously in very few places and even fewer places, but to use this platform in this way makes criticism especially difficult. For to criticize men who are affiliated with piety, one must tread carefully to separate Christ from the human. He does not do this well, in fact, he does it horribly at the expense of the memory of his parents, those who were involved in the ministry and those of the "religious right" he hopes to sway.

Did you guys catch the phrase, "the greatest miracle of your lifetime...is the election of Barack Obama?" Hmmm, how about the Blacks getting the right to vote? What about landing on the moon? How about the birth of your child? You are telling me that a man who was put into office less than 2 months ago is miraculous? Please. I refuse to allow my judgment on a man's legacy to be determined when a few fortnights haven't even passed.

Here's the last hypocritical statement I'll leave you readers with today. This blatant disregarding of his own words is what current political powers today are echoing. Be on the look out for this fallacy at about 6:15.

"[We] would rather take the whole country down and be proved right, than be patriotic Americans and stand up and do the thing that every American who loves this country would do right now, which is to support the president whether you voted for him or not." Followed by exuberant applause.

Excuse me, Mr. Schaeffer, can I borrow your soapbox so that I can state to liberals across America: WHY DIDN'T YOU SUPPORT BUSH WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR HIM OR NOT?! Hypocritical panderers to masses.

When it's not popular to have your viewpoint, then we'll see how vocal you are. It's only when you stand alone do you realize your beliefs are all that you have. Christ or otherwise. Don't tell me to fall into line like a little American lemming. The government was founded out of a revolution moron! Our country realized it's birth from a mother country that oppressed and abused the writers of the Constitution.

You scoff at the Republican party and Conservatives, call us oppressive and intolerant. Yet it is your party who tried to draft and is still trying to create the Fairness Doctrine to silence free speech. We are the ones who defend your right to try IDIOT! And you stand on your soapbox and tell me I'm a "woman molester." C'mon dude. Really? And I'm the one who is crass and loud.

I'm sorry folks, but people like this who have religious backgrounds and still claim some watered down form of it upset me greatly. I know what it is like to live a hypocritical life where one marries flesh to spirit. It is an unholy abomination to all the is pure and right. I am ashamed of the old life I once lived and if there is anything I don't tolerate, it's a double-minded human.