Much like The Fonz, Glenn Beck thinks he can say or do no wrong. But then he goes and “jumps the shark.”
From Media Matters:
Glenn Beck has repeatedly attacked the concept of social justice and churches that promote it, asserting that it is “code language for Marxism” and warning that “when you see those words, run.” In fact, numerous churches and religious faiths, as well as prominent religious scholars, espouse social justice, including the Catholic Church, the Conservative and Reform movements of Judaism, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Where is the pushback to this insult to many major religions, the Bible, and Jesus Christ, himself? So far, it’s only coming from Sojourners’ Jim Wallis. And if Beck believes what he says to be true, does that mean that the Bush administration’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives was a waste of time? And if now neither governments nor faith-based organizations should worry about the poor and disenfranchised, then who will?
It must be nice and comfortable up there on that cushion of money, power, and privilege Mr. Beck is sitting on.
Has anyone heard of any other opposition to Beck from religious leaders?
Oh my, Dean, I’m dying. That’s hysterical. Although, as someone wrote to me on Facebook, Beck’s take on “would be laughable if it wasn’t so wrong and dangerous.”
Are we laughing through the tears?
I want to use this forum to make a confession — I went to a school full of extreme Methodists, the kind Glenn has so cunningly outed.
I even called Homeland Security.
HS: “Homeland Security turn-yourself-in hotline. Can I help you?”
Me: “Ah. … Yes. My name is Dean. I was watching the Glenn Beck Show tonight and I realize I know a lot of extreme Methodists. I’m kind of even one myself. I need to turn myself in.”
HS: “I’m sorry, what?”
Me: “I’m an extreme, radical Methodist, and I want to come clean.”
HS: “And you were watching the … something Peck show?”
Me: “No, Beck. B, as in … Bolshevik.”
HS: “Oh, I see (giggling). I’ve heard of him. We all have.”
Me: “I’m really freaked out about it.”
HS: “So what did you and your … ahem (giggling)… comrades do at this school?”
Me: “Well, we chanted in unison a lot, especially during basketball games. And they forced me into a lot of sociology classes. And religion classes, too. They even set up their own radio station to keep their message of social justice on the air 24 hours a day. And when that didn’t work, I had to take a class on chamber music. I almost didn’t survive that.”
HS: “Anything else, sir?”
Me: “I’m not sure. I think I might have repressed most of it. … Oh, and I get a mailing from them now and then asking for money, so I think you all might be able to seize some funds or something!”
HS: “I see.”
Me: “Do you think I should come down for a debriefing or something?”
HS: “No, no, no. That’s OK. We’ve gotten a lot of calls like yours today. Honestly, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. You know, social justice isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We’re kind of in that same sort of business, too.
Me: “Really?”
HS: “Don’t worry, sir. You’re not a threat to the homeland. Mr. Beck, on the other hand, is a threat to everyone’s sanity.”