Theocracy break

The Oklahoman doesn't just shill for the plutocracy. It appeals to the theocrats, too. This is part of a an unholy alliance formed a generation ago (or more) wherein the plutocrats (many of whom couldn't care less about Christianity and the Bible) enlisted the theocrats (many leaders of which were fabulously wealthy) to create a united front.

After all, plutocrats alone represent a small fragment of the population and aren't going to win many votes. But toss in a bunch of dull-witted, slightly racist Bible-believers and you have a lot of votes. So as long as the theocrats shill for lower taxes and less regulation (here is an example, apropos of today), then the plutocrats will be sure to shill for Jesus.

Thins brings us to today, where Mike Jones of Oklahoma City (yes, that Mike Jones) writes a mini-sermon that the state's paper of record decided to publish. He writes:

When archaeologists study ancient civilizations, they find one thing in common in virtually all of them. The people worshipped something. It might have been an idol or an unseen spirit, but they recognized the existence of a supernatural being with power over them. And yet many of these civilizations never had contact with each other. Where did they get this information? Where did they get this resolve — a resolve so strong that battles were fought in support of their god?

This is a valid question. An obvious (to some) answer is to posit that invoking the supernatural to explain the natural is a quick and dirty way to explain things that otherwise are difficult to understand. And a cynic might add that unscrupulous people may claim a special relationship with the supernatural to gain fame, power, and wealth.

(And by the way, it's not just archaeologists who study ancient civilizations. And they find plenty of other things "in common" too, like slavery, patriarchy, a general lack of scientific knowledge... but that's another matter altogether.)

In any event, a major city's main newspaper hardly seems to place to engage in such matters. But this is the Oklahoman, and they have to appeal to their theocratic base, too.

Simple. The answer is given in the first chapter of Romans. God put the knowledge of Himself inside every person. And He says why He did it — so no one would have an excuse. Elsewhere, He gives another reason: He wants no one to perish. In other words, there are only two kinds of people, those who believe in God and admit it and those who believe in God and don't admit it. To put it another way, people who believe in God and accept him and people who believe in God and reject him. We each have a free will and can choose to reject Him.

These arguments are so easily refuted that it's hardly worth the effort. But more importantly: why is a major newspaper running this sort of thing??? Does the Wall Street Journal or the Dallas Morning News run letters telling people how right Christianity is?!? It's embarrassing.

Jones concludes:

Anne Frank said she believed the basic nature of people was good. The Bible reveals that the basic nature of people is to be self-centered. We can overcome this flaw in our nature, but the urge to be accepted by one's peers is so strong that many people don't have the courage to be honest when making this very important decision.

 Yeah, way to diss on Anne Frank. You're a hero, Mike Jones.

And also, there is no more arrogant and insulting argument than "I'm right and you disagree only because you aren't honest with yourself." Like, go fuck yourself Mike Jones.

While there is plenty more to say, the main point is this: why is the Oklahoman running these letters? Well, that answer, as I noted above, is obvious. So we should ask: should they?