thestream--2020-05-30--Contradictory Religions Can’t All Be True

Recently , a co-worker raised an issue that stumps a lot of Christians .
“ I look at religions as paths up the mountain of truth , ” she said .
“ They all lead to God , just in different ways.
” I silently prayed , then responded with a question .
“ What do you mean , ‘ All religions lead to God , just in different ways ’ ?
” I asked .
“ It ’ s like climbing a mountain , ” she explained .
“ There are many trails up , but they all lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave examples—a Jewish trail , an Islamic trail , a Christian trail , etc .
“ Every hiker starts on what he thinks is the correct path , ” she continued .
“ Some of the paths even intersect at times .
But ultimately , each one ends at the top of the peak.
” My friend ’ s philosophy—the idea that all religions are legitimate roads to God with no single correct or true path—is a popular notion you ’ ve heard before .
It ’ s called “ religious pluralism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to .
Here ’ s how I engaged my co-worker .
First , I found common ground .
I agreed that sometimes world religions do have similarities and “ cross paths.
” Islam , Christianity , and Judaism share similar doctrines .
Each teaches there ’ s one , personal God who is holy , all-powerful , and just .
They also teach that we are sinful and need salvation , which includes an eternal afterlife .
Then I asked another question : “ What about the differences ?
” There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The fact is , the religions my friend mentioned differ drastically in important ways .
Steven Turner said it best in his Modern Thinkers Creed : “ We believe that all religions are basically the same… .
They all believe in love and goodness .
They only differ on matters of creation , sin , heaven , hell , God , and salvation.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Turner ’ s point ?
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the similarities .
I admitted to my friend that sometimes we do see similarities among world religions , especially the main monotheistic ones—Islam , Judaism and Christianity .
But being similar and being equally true are entirely different things .
The most significant difference , I pointed out , is Jesus Christ—who He is and what He did .
According to Christianity , Jesus is the God-man who was crucified and rose from the dead .
On this claim , the Christian faith stands or falls .
Paul was clear on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ If Christ has not been raised , your faith is worthless.
” He then adds that Christians are to be pitied above all men if Jesus is still in the grave .
Judaism and Islam contradict Christianity here , I pointed out , since they deny Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead .
If two major religions deny the central tenet of another major religion , then they can ’ t all be true .
Religious pluralism must be false .
“ Jesus said , ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the life ; no one comes to the Father but through me , ’ ” I told her .
The pluralist position fails because Jesus can not be the only way and not be the only way at the same time .
He couldn ’ t have been raised and not raised .
He couldn ’ t be God and not be God .
Since these religions teach contradictory things , I concluded , they can not all be true .
“ I ’ ve never thought about it that way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went back to our work .
Notice I didn ’ t feel pressured to share the gospel with her just then .
I ’ d given her enough to think about for the moment .
I didn ’ t even offer a defense for the Christian worldview .
I simply put a stone in her shoe ; I gave her something to think about .
The next time she thinks about religious pluralism , that stone will annoy her in a good way .
Mine was a simple approach you can use , @ @

Recently, a co-worker raised an issue that stumps a lot of Christians. “I look at religions as paths up the mountain of truth,” she said. “They all lead to God, just in different ways.”
I silently prayed, then responded with a question. “What do you mean, ‘All religions lead to God, just in different ways’?” I asked.
“It’s like climbing a mountain,” she explained. “There are many trails up, but they all lead to the same end.” Then she gave examples—a Jewish trail, an Islamic trail, a Christian trail, etc.
“Every hiker starts on what he thinks is the correct path,” she continued. “Some of the paths even intersect at times. But ultimately, each one ends at the top of the peak.”
My friend’s philosophy—the idea that all religions are legitimate roads to God with no single correct or true path—is a popular notion you’ve heard before. It’s called “religious pluralism,” and it can be hard to respond to. Here’s how I engaged my co-worker.
Talking It Through
First, I found common ground. I agreed that sometimes world religions do have similarities and “cross paths.” Islam, Christianity, and Judaism share similar doctrines. Each teaches there’s one, personal God who is holy, all-powerful, and just. They also teach that we are sinful and need salvation, which includes an eternal afterlife.
Then I asked another question: “What about the differences?”
There’s a reason I asked this question. The fact is, the religions my friend mentioned differ drastically in important ways. Steven Turner said it best in his Modern Thinkers Creed: “We believe that all religions are basically the same…. They all believe in love and goodness. They only differ on matters of creation, sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Turner’s point? It’s the differences that matter, not the similarities.
I admitted to my friend that sometimes we do see similarities among world religions, especially the main monotheistic ones—Islam, Judaism and Christianity. But being similar and being equally true are entirely different things.
The Difference Jesus Makes
The most significant difference, I pointed out, is Jesus Christ—who He is and what He did. According to Christianity, Jesus is the God-man who was crucified and rose from the dead. On this claim, the Christian faith stands or falls. Paul was clear on this when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless.” He then adds that Christians are to be pitied above all men if Jesus is still in the grave.
Judaism and Islam contradict Christianity here, I pointed out, since they deny Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead. If two major religions deny the central tenet of another major religion, then they can’t all be true. Religious pluralism must be false.
“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me,’” I told her. The pluralist position fails because Jesus cannot be the only way and not be the only way at the same time. He couldn’t have been raised and not raised. He couldn’t be God and not be God. Since these religions teach contradictory things, I concluded, they cannot all be true.
“I’ve never thought about it that way,” she admitted. Then we went back to our work.
Notice I didn’t feel pressured to share the gospel with her just then. I’d given her enough to think about for the moment. I didn’t even offer a defense for the Christian worldview. I simply put a stone in her shoe; I gave her something to think about. The next time she thinks about religious pluralism, that stone will annoy her in a good way. Mine was a simple approach you can use, too.


thestream--2020-05-30--Black Firefighter Spent His Life Savings on Opening a Bar. Then Minneapolis Looters Burned It Down

A black firefighter who invested his life savings into opening up a sports bar in Minneapolis was reduced to tears after looters destroyed his life ’ s work .
Korboi Balla originally planned to open his bar in March , but those plans had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus crisis .
Balla had been gearing up to finally open his bar after Minnesota gave the go-ahead for restaurants to begin reopening on June 1 .
But by Friday morning , Balla ’ s bar was little more than a pile of bricks after protests of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man who died in Minneapolis police custody on Monday , led to widespread rioting and looting in the city .
“ I don ’ t know what we ’ re going to do , ” Korboi Balla told CBS News on Thursday morning while holding back tears .
“ It hurts , man .
It ’ s not fair , it ’ s not right .
We ’ ve been working so hard for this place .
It ’ s not just for me , it ’ s for my family.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday morning , looters broke back into his bar to try to break into his safe .
“ As we were standing in front of the restaurant , people were in the back trying to steal the safe !
” Balla ’ s wife , Twyana Balla , wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday .
“ This just happened an hour ago in broad daylight !
” Twyana Balla added in the post that she and her husband do not have insurance for their business .
“ I ’ m hearing people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WELL WE DON ’ T AND THIS IS ALL OUT OF POCKET , ” Twyana Balla wrote .
“ Let someone come run in your home and loot for the cause then let ’ s see you be ok with it !
” “ Justice for George Floyd but not this kind of justice , ” she wrote .
Her husband ’ s restaurant had been reduced to a pile of bricks by Friday morning , Twyana Balla said in a video posted to Facebook .
“ There must have been an explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building is gone , ” she said .
Balla launched a GoFundMe campaign on Thursday to raise funds to rebuild his bar .
The crowdfunding campaign has brought in over $ 160,000 for the small business owner in less than 24 hours .
More than 170 businesses in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have been damaged or looted since Floyd ’ s death on Monday , police told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press .

A black firefighter who invested his life savings into opening up a sports bar in Minneapolis was reduced to tears after looters destroyed his life’s work.
Korboi Balla originally planned to open his bar in March, but those plans had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus crisis. Balla had been gearing up to finally open his bar after Minnesota gave the go-ahead for restaurants to begin reopening on June 1.
But by Friday morning, Balla’s bar was little more than a pile of bricks after protests of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis police custody on Monday, led to widespread rioting and looting in the city.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Korboi Balla told CBS News on Thursday morning while holding back tears. “It hurts, man. It’s not fair, it’s not right. We’ve been working so hard for this place. It’s not just for me, it’s for my family.”
While CBS reporters were interviewing Balla on Thursday morning, looters broke back into his bar to try to break into his safe.
“As we were standing in front of the restaurant, people were in the back trying to steal the safe!” Balla’s wife, Twyana Balla, wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. “This just happened an hour ago in broad daylight!”
Twyana Balla added in the post that she and her husband do not have insurance for their business.
“I’m hearing people say F*** the business they have insurance WELL WE DON’T AND THIS IS ALL OUT OF POCKET,” Twyana Balla wrote. “Let someone come run in your home and loot for the cause then let’s see you be ok with it!”
“Justice for George Floyd but not this kind of justice,” she wrote.
Her husband’s restaurant had been reduced to a pile of bricks by Friday morning, Twyana Balla said in a video posted to Facebook.
“There must have been an explosion because the whole front part of the building is gone,” she said.
Korboi Balla launched a GoFundMe campaign on Thursday to raise funds to rebuild his bar. The crowdfunding campaign brought in over $160,000 for the small business owner in less than 24 hours. It has reached more than $1,028,000 as of Tuesday.
More than 170 businesses in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have been damaged or looted since Floyd’s death on Monday, police told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
This article has been updated to reflect the amount raised in the GoFundMe.
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thestream--2020-05-30--When the State Kills the Innocent: Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin and Governor Andrew Cuomo

I honestly don ’ t understand why there were riots in Minneapolis and not across New York State , too .
Maybe it ’ s because we don ’ t have grueling video of veterans , grandmas , and other nursing home patients gasping for air , then dying , all caught on camera .
Dying because N.Y. Gov .
Andrew Cuomo dumped virus patients on their nursing homes , instead of sending them to the empty U.S.S .
Comfort or the Javits Center field hospital .
If such video existed — if nursing homes didn ’ t stand locked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or reporters — the sons and daughters of needlessly dead New Yorkers might well march on the state house , or Cuomo ’ s home .
As he richly deserves .
Thank the Lord that we have video in the case of poor George Floyd .
He ’ s our fellow American who got choked to death by Derek Chauvin , with the aid of three other cops , in Minneapolis .
By every piece of evidence we have , Floyd had proved cooperative with cops when they arrested him for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stand on solid ground accusing Chauvin of third-degree murder .
As that state ’ s statute reads , it applies to : “ Whoever , without intent to effect the death of any person , causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind , without regard for human life … .
” From everything I ’ ve seen , Chauvin deserves to serve the maximum sentence of 25 years in prison for his deadly attack .
There is circumstantial evidence that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chauvin apparently knew Floyd — they ’ d worked the same shifts as security guards at El Nuevo Rodeo club .
Was there bad blood between them ?
If the state can prove that , the charges against Chauvin could escalate .
For now , however , it ’ s best that the state stick with charges it can definitely make stick .
If it overreached , and got Chauvin acquitted , that would give rioters and looters a new excuse to burn down black neighborhoods .
And shatter any effort at national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already gone down this week .
The comments of one black musician online touched my heart .
Exactly how I feel .
As I wrote in reply : Watching the attack on George Floyd sickened me , as it did President Trump ( who has handled this crisis wisely ) .
I thought of Floyd as a fellow citizen , choking on the State ’ s monopoly of power .
All it took were outside agitators flying into Minnesota , then goading a mob to torch a police precinct , to replace my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primal fear .
Suddenly I was reflecting on the mobs in Paris in 1789 and St. Petersburg in 1917 .
Instead of wondering how to prosecute a bad cop , I was thinking about how much deadly force was appropriate to use against violent looters .
Well played , blue-state Minnesota .
Your mayor backed the rioters , your D.A .
dithered for days before charging Chauvin , and your police surrendered their building .
Good on you for having a “ duty to retreat ” law , which forbids store-owners from using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does anyone still willingly live in Minnesota , I wonder ?
Meanwhile back in New York , Governor Cuomo won ’ t face third-degree murder charges .
That crime ’ s not on the books in New York .
Instead he should rightly face charges of second-degree murder .
In New York , that requires he ’ d shown “ depraved indifference to human life ” and “ recklessly engage [ d ] in conduct which create [ d ] a grave risk of death to another person , and thereby cause [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” When Governor Cuomo ordered that COVID patients be moved from hospitals back to nursing homes , he knew better .
He ’ d already spoke eloquently on television about the need to “ save just one life , ” and protect our “ most vulnerable.
” He even cited his own aged mother , Matilda , as an example , and named his new policies “ Matilda ’ s Law.
” But Cuomo dumped virus patients on nursing homes anyway , as blue state governors in Michigan , New Jersey , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were emptying for younger ( tax-paying ! )
citizens never got used .
Let juries in each of those states decide if that amounts to “ depraved indifference to human life.
” I ’ d say it qualifies .
How many counts would such governors face ?
Since some 40 percent of the COVID deaths in America took place in nursing homes ( but blue states are being coy about releasing the actual numbers ) the only answer is : many tens of thousands of choking deaths , just like Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Stalin once quipped , “ A single death is a tragedy .
A million deaths is a statistic.
” Will we prove him right by letting these governors off the hook ?
Instead why not imagine each one of these citizens as another George Floyd , snuffed out by the state ?
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholicism .

I honestly don’t understand why there were riots in Minneapolis and not across New York State, too. Maybe it’s because we don’t have grueling video of veterans, grandmas, and other nursing home patients gasping for air, then dying, all caught on camera. Dying because N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo dumped virus patients on their nursing homes, instead of sending them to the empty U.S.S. Comfort or the Javits Center field hospital.
If such video existed — if nursing homes didn’t stand locked down from family, friends, clergy, or reporters — the sons and daughters of needlessly dead New Yorkers might well march on the state house, or Cuomo’s home. As he richly deserves.
George Floyd, Victim of the State
Thank the Lord that we have video in the case of poor George Floyd. He’s our fellow American who got choked to death by Derek Chauvin, with the aid of three other cops, in Minneapolis. By every piece of evidence we have, Floyd had proved cooperative with cops when they arrested him for the non-violent crime of forgery. Minnesota seems to stand on solid ground accusing Chauvin of third-degree murder.
As that state’s statute reads, it applies to: “Whoever, without intent to effect the death of any person, causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life … .” From everything I’ve seen, Chauvin deserves to serve the maximum sentence of 25 years in prison for his deadly attack.
Watching the attack on George Floyd sickened me, as it did President Trump. I thought of Floyd as a fellow citizen, choking on the State’s monopoly of power.
There is circumstantial evidence that this crime might have a personal angle. Chauvin apparently knew Floyd — they’d worked the same shifts as security guards at El Nuevo Rodeo club. Was there bad blood between them? If the state can prove that, the charges against Chauvin could escalate. For now, however, it’s best that the state stick with charges it can definitely make stick. If it overreached, and got Chauvin acquitted, that would give rioters and looters a new excuse to burn down black neighborhoods. And shatter any effort at national unity — the way it’s already gone down this week.
Unity Squandered
The comments of one black musician online touched my heart.
Now this unity and sympathy has been divided, diluted and misdirected as people fight on the streets, steal from their neighbours, and torch their own communities. It’s fricking sad to see. I’ll say it again. Some people thrive on division and anger. They don’t want solutions. — ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) May 29, 2020
Exactly how I feel. As I wrote in reply:
The looters in Minneapolis no more represent black Americans than the neo-Nazi thugs in Charlottesville represented me. — John Zmirak (@JZmirak) May 29, 2020
Watching the attack on George Floyd sickened me, as it did President Trump (who has handled this crisis wisely). I thought of Floyd as a fellow citizen, choking on the State’s monopoly of power. All it took were outside agitators flying into Minnesota, then goading a mob to torch a police precinct, to replace my thoughts of the late Mr. Floyd with primal fear. Suddenly I was reflecting on the mobs in Paris in 1789 and St. Petersburg in 1917. Instead of wondering how to prosecute a bad cop, I was thinking about how much deadly force was appropriate to use against violent looters.
Making Blue States Uninhabitable
Well played, blue-state Minnesota. Your mayor backed the rioters, your D.A. dithered for days before charging Chauvin, and your police surrendered their building. Good on you for having a “duty to retreat” law, which forbids store-owners from using force to protect their property. Why does anyone still willingly live in Minnesota, I wonder?
Meanwhile back in New York, Governor Cuomo won’t face third-degree murder charges. That crime’s not on the books in New York. Instead he should rightly face charges of second-degree murder. In New York, that requires he’d shown “depraved indifference to human life” and “recklessly engage[d] in conduct which create[d] a grave risk of death to another person, and thereby cause[d] the death of another person.”
When Governor Cuomo ordered that COVID patients be moved from hospitals back to nursing homes, he knew better. He’d already spoke eloquently on television about the need to “save just one life,” and protect our “most vulnerable.” He even cited his own aged mother, Matilda, as an example, and named his new policies “Matilda’s Law.” But Cuomo dumped virus patients on nursing homes anyway, as blue state governors in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania did. Even though the beds they were emptying for younger (tax-paying!) citizens never got used. Let juries in each of those states decide if that amounts to “depraved indifference to human life.”
Thousands of Counts of Murder
I’d say it qualifies. How many counts would such governors face? Since some 40 percent of the COVID deaths in America took place in nursing homes (but blue states are being coy about releasing the actual numbers) the only answer is: many tens of thousands of choking deaths, just like Floyd’s.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Stalin once quipped, “A single death is a tragedy. A million deaths is a statistic.” Will we prove him right by letting these governors off the hook? Instead why not imagine each one of these citizens as another George Floyd, snuffed out by the state?
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-05-31--Can We Raise the Level of Internet Religious Debate?

Religious debate on the internet is ugly .
Atheists play by nasty rules .
Masters of the putdown , they ’ re especially good at , What ’ s wrong with you Christians ?
Why haven ’ t you noticed how stupid your faith is ?
How many of these have you heard ?
• “ The fastest way to get someone to stop believing the Bible is by getting them to read it.
” • “ The Church has always been opposed to science.
” • “ Christianity puts women down , and always has.
” • “ Faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” • “ Jesus was wrong about when the world would end.
” It isn ’ t the questions that bother me .
I ’ d gladly dialogue with anyone on any of them .
It ’ s the smug , triumphant attitude that comes with them : “ Ha !
I ’ ve got you now !
You never thought of that one before !
” Actually , we have .
A lot .
I don ’ t know how many times I ’ ve told atheists online , “ No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that all of a sudden .
We have libraries full of solid , tough thinking on that question.
” Not That Hard After All The questions are fine , and when asked in good faith , I love answering .
And we have good answers , or even great answers .
That question about faith being a lousy way to know things , for example ?
Faith isn ’ t intended to be a good way to know things ; in fact , it isn ’ t a way to know at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitude of trust toward what we know .
Or how about , “ Religions are all the same ” ?
Sure , if you don ’ t count the way their views of God , creation , the meaning and purpose of human life , what it means to be saved ( or the equivalent ) and how one attains to it , what and how to worship , and the right moral behaviors .
Leave those things out , and religions aren ’ t all that different .
As if all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the point in the article where you ’ d expect me to write something like , “ The point is , internet atheists don ’ t know what they ’ re talking about.
” It would fit here just fine if that were my point – but it isn ’ t .
Sorry .
I ’ ve been setting you up .
I ’ m heading in a different direction altogether .
I suspect a lot believers were nodding our heads , thinking , “ Yeah , that ’ s rotten of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stupid.
” A lot of us need to look in the mirror , though .
If internet religious debate is nasty — as it is — it isn ’ t just the other guy ’ s fault .
Yes , atheists play by ugly rules .
It ’ s a real problem , and a frequent one .
I don ’ t like it when I see it , which is really quite often .
But I like seeing Christian brothers doing it even less .
I can ’ t call on atheists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t listen to me , and I don ’ t know who I ’ d even point to , as a good atheist thought-leader example for them to follow .
From Richard Dawkins to Jerry Coyne , from Hemant Mehta to Aron Ra , their most prominent people are filled with smug arrogance .
We Can Raise the Level of Internet Religious Debate Believers , on the other hand , do have good examples we can follow .
I think of the late Ravi Zacharias , who never forgot he was answering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think , too , of Greg Koukl , a master of the patient and caring , yet solid , direct , and well-informed response .
Above all , I think of Christ , who knew how to answer , when to answer , and how to walk away from those who weren ’ t ready for an answer .
It ’ s painful watching fellow believers descending to atheists ’ level on the internet .
We let them set the table and define the rules , and we act as if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll even demand it .
Once I was trying to disengage from an atheist with whom conversation was obviously going nowhere .
He didn ’ t want me to stop , which is another way of saying , he wanted to control my time and attention .
He thought he had a great way to force it on me .
“ You ’ re a Christian , ” he said .
“ You ’ re supposed to witness to me.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Issues of Our Day .
Jesus didn ’ t let his antagonists set the rules , and we don ’ t have to , either .
Atheists may treat us as if we ’ re stupid ; we don ’ t have to answer in kind .
They may think it ’ s all about the debate and the question ; we can remember there ’ s a human being on the other side of that computer screen .
They can snark at us ; we don ’ t have to snark back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Real Conversation Instead And while they may have all the time in the world to throw challenges at us , we can walk away , once we ’ ve seen they don ’ t intend to listen to their answers .
I ’ ll end by emphasizing that final point .
If there ’ s one quick and easy wish I could have for internet religious debate , it ’ s that most of them would be much , much shorter .
I wish Christians would disengage from unfruitful debates , and spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even mulching the flower bed instead .
Maybe if we cut the fruitless debates , real conversations would rise to the surface .
No ugliness , just respectful dialogue .
And wouldn ’ t that be nice for a change ?
Let ’ s try to do our part to get it there .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : A Christian Parent ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the lead editor of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

Religious debate on the internet is ugly. Atheists play by nasty rules. Masters of the putdown, they’re especially good at, What’s wrong with you Christians? Why haven’t you noticed how stupid your faith is?
How many of these have you heard?
“The fastest way to get someone to stop believing the Bible is by getting them to read it.”
“The Church has always been opposed to science.”
“Christianity puts women down, and always has.”
“There’s no evidence Jesus even lived.”
“Faith is a lousy way to know things.”
“All religions are basically the same.”
“Jesus was wrong about when the world would end.”
It isn’t the questions that bother me. I’d gladly dialogue with anyone on any of them. It’s the smug, triumphant attitude that comes with them: “Ha! I’ve got you now! You never thought of that one before!”
Actually, we have. A lot. I don’t know how many times I’ve told atheists online, “No, you didn’t just stump us with that all of a sudden. We have libraries full of solid, tough thinking on that question.”
Not That Hard After All
The questions are fine, and when asked in good faith, I love answering. And we have good answers, or even great answers.
That question about faith being a lousy way to know things, for example? Faith isn’t intended to be a good way to know things; in fact, it isn’t a way to know at all. It’s believers’ attitude of trust toward what we know.
Or how about, “Religions are all the same”? Sure, if you don’t count the way their views of God, creation, the meaning and purpose of human life, what it means to be saved (or the equivalent) and how one attains to it, what and how to worship, and the right moral behaviors. Leave those things out, and religions aren’t all that different. As if all that were irrelevant to religion!
So My Point Is…
So this is the point in the article where you’d expect me to write something like, “The point is, internet atheists don’t know what they’re talking about.” It would fit here just fine if that were my point – but it isn’t. Sorry. I’ve been setting you up. I’m heading in a different direction altogether.
I suspect a lot believers were nodding our heads, thinking, “Yeah, that’s rotten of them to think we’re so stupid.” A lot of us need to look in the mirror, though. If internet religious debate is nasty — as it is — it isn’t just the other guy’s fault. Yes, atheists play by ugly rules. It’s a real problem, and a frequent one. I don’t like it when I see it, which is really quite often. But I like seeing Christian brothers doing it even less.
I can’t call on atheists to change their ways. They wouldn’t listen to me, and I don’t know who I’d even point to, as a good atheist thought-leader example for them to follow. From Richard Dawkins to Jerry Coyne, from Hemant Mehta to Aron Ra, their most prominent people are filled with smug arrogance.
We Can Raise the Level of Internet Religious Debate
Believers, on the other hand, do have good examples we can follow. I think of the late Ravi Zacharias, who never forgot he was answering a person, not just a question. I think, too, of Greg Koukl, a master of the patient and caring, yet solid, direct, and well-informed response. Above all, I think of Christ, who knew how to answer, when to answer, and how to walk away from those who weren’t ready for an answer.
It’s painful watching fellow believers descending to atheists’ level on the internet. We let them set the table and define the rules, and we act as if we have to follow them.
Sometimes they’ll even demand it. Once I was trying to disengage from an atheist with whom conversation was obviously going nowhere. He didn’t want me to stop, which is another way of saying, he wanted to control my time and attention. He thought he had a great way to force it on me. “You’re a Christian,” he said. “You’re supposed to witness to me.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Jesus didn’t let his antagonists set the rules, and we don’t have to, either. Atheists may treat us as if we’re stupid; we don’t have to answer in kind. They may think it’s all about the debate and the question; we can remember there’s a human being on the other side of that computer screen. They can snark at us; we don’t have to snark back.
We Can Open the Way for Real Conversation Instead
And while they may have all the time in the world to throw challenges at us, we can walk away, once we’ve seen they don’t intend to listen to their answers.
I’ll end by emphasizing that final point. If there’s one quick and easy wish I could have for internet religious debate, it’s that most of them would be much, much shorter. I wish Christians would disengage from unfruitful debates, and spend that time studying, praying, or even mulching the flower bed instead.
Maybe if we cut the fruitless debates, real conversations would rise to the surface. No ugliness, just respectful dialogue. And wouldn’t that be nice for a change? Let’s try to do our part to get it there.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.


thestream--2020-06-01--Hope for Black Americans

Hope for Black Americans

As the host of a daily , live , talk radio broadcast , I have learned much from my callers over the last 12 years , especially from those who come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds .
And I have heard the pain and frustration of many a black American Christian , wondering why there seemed to be so much indifference from their white brothers and sisters .
“ We are hurting , ” they would say to me with the utmost respect , “ but it seems like others don ’ t care.
” An African American pastor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God-fearing man who is a regular listener to my broadcast .
He said to me , “ Dr .
Brown , when our boys became teens , we had to have the talk with them .
We had to prepare them to be stopped by police for no reason .
We had to tell them not to get frustrated but to be honoring of the officers .
We didn ’ t want our boys shot dead.
” You might say , “ But the statistics indicate that it is more likely that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a white officer will shoot a black suspect .
I ’ m not going to play into this victim mentality.
” I would say in reply that : 1 ) I own Heather Mac Donald ’ s important book The War on Cops , and I had her on my show to discuss these very issues .
2 ) I have great respect for the police and recognize the hard , even life-threatening work they do .
4 ) But I have no doubt that these many callers , who represent millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making up their bad experiences .
There is a reason they feel the way they do .
A friend of mine is a white pastor , and some years ago , he and his wife adopted a black child .
He told me that he was absolutely shocked to see his white children treated one way and his black child treated another way , year in , year out .
He had no idea such discrimination existed in America .
But there is reason for hope .
The death of George Floyd has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , white leaders around America , and they are not afraid to talk about the existence of racism in our country .
To be sure , we still do not know if race actually played a factor in Floyd ’ s tragic death .
But even if it did not , Floyd stands for many other black Americans who were not treated fairly under our system .
Posting on Facebook , Robert Morris , pastor of one of America ’ s largest churches , said on May 27 , “ Our hearts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
God did not create a racial divide .
He created diversity .
We have a problem with racism in our country .
Racism is evil , racism is pure self-righteousness , racism questions God ’ s creation , and racism defies God .
It ’ s time for all of us to stand up and declare that racism is evil !
” Also on Facebook on May 27 , Franklin Graham wrote , “ This makes me sick to my stomach .
What took place Monday on a Minneapolis street , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern each and every American .
It ’ s inexcusable .
To watch a police officer kill an unarmed black man — with no concern on his face , his hand in his pocket , indifferent to the bystanders begging for something to be done to help the man — is so disturbing.
” President Trump immediately called for the FBI and the Department of Justice to look into Floyd ’ s death .
And Minnesota governor Tim Waltz , while urging the looters and rioters to stand down , said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city , rebuild our justice system , and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they ’ re charged to protect .
George Floyd ’ s death should lead to justice and systemic change , not more death and destruction.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
This sense of outrage has also come from conservative newscasters like Sean Hannity , who called the videotape of Floyd ’ s death “ devastating.
” He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-NYPD officer Dan Bongino .
Bongino called the video “ disturbing ” and “ really , really tough to watch , ” wondering why the officer had not yet been arrested ( he made the comments prior to the arrest ) .
Laura Ingraham also spoke out a bout the “ outrageous ” behavior of the police officers .
The New York Times even wrote that , “ For those on the right whose usual instinct is to stand up for law enforcement , the stark video showing Mr. Floyd being fatally pinned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the incident.
” This incident simply went too far , and with it , a sudden awareness arose , carrying with it an ability to empathize more deeply with our fellow-Americans who are people of color .
Even within the law enforcement community , there has been strong condemnation .
Sergeant Heather Taylor , president of the Ethical Society of Police in St. Louis , declared , “ Everything they did was wrong .
There was nothing redeeming .
You had someone who was on his legs , someone who was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fool that was on his neck that had his knee in his neck .
We ’ re not taught that.
” What is Impossible for Man is Possible With God Of course , rioting and looting are not the answer .
Breaking into a Target and stealing a big-screen TV will not bring justice .
Setting a building on fire will not bring George Floyd back , and those close to him have made clear he would decry the violence taking place in protest of his death .
Floyd ’ s girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning to see Minneapolis on fire would be something that would devastate Floyd .
He loved the city .
He came here [ from Houston ] and stayed here for the people and the opportunities .
… Floyd was a gentle giant .
He was about love and about peace.
” But there is reason for hope for black Americans .
Eyes are being opened and major questions are being asked .
There are also prominent voices like those of former NFL coach Tony Dungy , who made clear that the church of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way in bringing healing , reconciliation , and justice .
And Franklin Graham , while calling for an end to the riots , stated that , “ The only One who can heal the racial divide is Jesus Christ who has the power to transform the human heart.
” Let us , then , stand together for justice , and let us work together for the end of racism in America .
What is impossible with man is possible with God .
We have taken tremendous strides over the decades in our relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for a giant , final stride to be taken today .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

As the host of a daily, live, talk radio broadcast, I have learned much from my callers over the last 12 years, especially from those who come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. And I have heard the pain and frustration of many a black American Christian, wondering why there seemed to be so much indifference from their white brothers and sisters. “We are hurting,” they would say to me with the utmost respect, “but it seems like others don’t care.”
The Talk
An African American pastor called the show one day, a God-fearing man who is a regular listener to my broadcast. He said to me, “Dr. Brown, when our boys became teens, we had to have the talk with them. We had to prepare them to be stopped by police for no reason. We had to tell them not to get frustrated but to be honoring of the officers. We didn’t want our boys shot dead.”
In responding to the pastor, you might say, “But the statistics indicate that it is more likely that a black officer will shoot a black suspect than a white officer will shoot a black suspect. I’m not going to play into this victim mentality.” I would say in reply that:
1) I own Heather Mac Donald’s important book The War on Cops, and I had her on my show to discuss these very issues.
2) I have great respect for the police and recognize the hard, even life-threatening work they do.
3) I also reject the victim mentality.
4) But I have no doubt that these many callers, who represent millions of black Americans, are not simply making up their bad experiences. There is a reason they feel the way they do.
A friend of mine is a white pastor, and some years ago, he and his wife adopted a black child. He told me that he was absolutely shocked to see his white children treated one way and his black child treated another way, year in, year out. He had no idea such discrimination existed in America.
A Reason for Hope
But there is reason for hope. The death of George Floyd has brought an outpouring of support from conservative, white leaders around America, and they are not afraid to talk about the existence of racism in our country.
To be sure, we still do not know if race actually played a factor in Floyd’s tragic death. But even if it did not, Floyd stands for many other black Americans who were not treated fairly under our system.
Posting on Facebook, Robert Morris, pastor of one of America’s largest churches, said on May 27, “Our hearts are broken by the racial injustice in our country. God did not create a racial divide. He created diversity. We have a problem with racism in our country. Racism is evil, racism is pure self-righteousness, racism questions God’s creation, and racism defies God. It’s time for all of us to stand up and declare that racism is evil!”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Also on Facebook on May 27, Franklin Graham wrote, “This makes me sick to my stomach. What took place Monday on a Minneapolis street, by the Minneapolis Police Department should deeply concern each and every American. It’s inexcusable. To watch a police officer kill an unarmed black man — with no concern on his face, his hand in his pocket, indifferent to the bystanders begging for something to be done to help the man — is so disturbing.”
President Trump immediately called for the FBI and the Department of Justice to look into Floyd’s death. And Minnesota governor Tim Waltz, while urging the looters and rioters to stand down, said, “It is time to rebuild. Rebuild the city, rebuild our justice system, and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they’re charged to protect. George Floyd’s death should lead to justice and systemic change, not more death and destruction.”
A Sense of Outrage
This sense of outrage has also come from conservative newscasters like Sean Hannity, who called the videotape of Floyd’s death “devastating.” He was joined by former Secret Service agent and ex-NYPD officer Dan Bongino. Bongino called the video “disturbing” and “really, really tough to watch,” wondering why the officer had not yet been arrested (he made the comments prior to the arrest). Laura Ingraham also spoke out about the “outrageous” behavior of the police officers.
We have taken tremendous strides over the decades in our relatively short, national history. It is time for a giant, final stride to be taken today.
The New York Times even wrote that, “For those on the right whose usual instinct is to stand up for law enforcement, the stark video showing Mr. Floyd being fatally pinned by a police officer raises conflicting feelings about the incident.”
This incident simply went too far, and with it, a sudden awareness arose, carrying with it an ability to empathize more deeply with our fellow-Americans who are people of color.
Even within the law enforcement community, there has been strong condemnation. Sergeant Heather Taylor, president of the Ethical Society of Police in St. Louis, declared, “Everything they did was wrong. There was nothing redeeming. You had someone who was on his legs, someone who was on his chest. And then you had the fool that was on his neck, that had his knee in his neck. We’re not taught that.”
What is Impossible for Man is Possible With God
Of course, rioting and looting are not the answer. Breaking into a Target and stealing a big-screen TV will not bring justice. Setting a building on fire will not bring George Floyd back, and those close to him have made clear he would decry the violence taking place in protest of his death.
Floyd’s girlfriend Courteney Ross said “Waking up this morning to see Minneapolis on fire would be something that would devastate Floyd. He loved the city. He came here [from Houston] and stayed here for the people and the opportunities. … Floyd was a gentle giant. He was about love and about peace.”
But there is reason for hope for black Americans. Eyes are being opened and major questions are being asked.
There are also prominent voices like those of former NFL coach Tony Dungy, who made clear that the Church of America must rise up and lead the way in bringing healing, reconciliation, and justice. And Franklin Graham, while calling for an end to the riots, stated that, “The only One who can heal the racial divide is Jesus Christ who has the power to transform the human heart.”
Let us, then, stand together for justice, and let us work together for the end of racism in America. What is impossible with man is possible with God.
We have taken tremendous strides over the decades in our relatively short, national history. It is time for a giant, final stride to be taken today.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-05-31--Fear, Distrust, COVID-19 and the Prince of Pompadoodle

How ironic that with COVID-19 our chance to seek the common good is also a call to have no goods in common , but instead to fear and distrust one another .
And more fear and distrust is the last thing America needs .
We already have quite enough irate political polarization and pathetic personal loneliness .
On a bright , warm Wyoming day a week or so ago , the dog and I were on our way up Sinks Canyon via the Middle Fork Trail .
For the most part we were alone , but did pass a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all — or actually not all .
One woman we passed wasn ’ t interested in greeting anyone .
As we approached she sidled well off the trail and stared over her mask with an unmistakable look of distrust .
It was kind of jarring , but not at all unique .
In biblical times , approaching lepers had to cover their mouths and identify themselves by calling out , “ Unclean !
Unclean !
” ( Leviticus 13:45 ) .
Today the approaching healthy cover their mouths and identify others as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes me think of a poem by “ Pogo ” cartoonist Walt Kelly called “ The Prince of Pompadoodle.
” The Prince of Pompadoodle Lived behind a castle wall .
Behind a moat , behind a guard Of twenty soldiers tall .
The Prince of Pompadoodle Was the safest man alive .
Each day he wrote how long he ’ d lived And multiplied by five .
The Prince of Pompadoodle Would survive , he did decide .
Five times as long as he had been Alive before he died .
Comfortable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prince lived a peaceful life among friends and retainers .
All was good and all would certainly get even better , but then … Life , the prince suddenly discovered , is not certain .
Others can be a threat .
They can murder us .
They can act irresponsibly and we die .
They can spread fatal diseases .
As you may have noticed , there ’ s nothing new here .
Thus it has been since we left Eden .
But , for safety ’ s sake , something surely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great COVID nightmare at this point is not deaths .
It ’ s a world even more polarized and distrustful than it was four months ago .
We ’ re moving back to a technologically sophisticated state of nature where , as Mr. Hobbes put it in 1651 , life is “ solitary , poor , nasty , brutish , and short.
” Both the “ keep-locked-down-wear-a-mask ” people and the “ enough-already ” people need to keep this in mind .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Our Day .
None of us wants to see people die from COVID-19 or from the lockdown ’ s secondary pathologies of despair and suicide .
None of us wants more unemployment , more poverty , or mass small business bankruptcies .
All of us want to see health and human flourishing return to the world as soon as possible .
That being the case , we can all stop the stupid accusations that only add to the fear and distrust .
Leave that to the politicians , the media , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters who seem to believe it ’ s their job .
COVID-19 — like the illnesses we face every winter — calls for prudence .
Given the potential risks and the potential rewards what should be done next ?
Mask or no mask ?
Hike with others or scurry off the trail to keep a “ safe ” distance ?
Vacation or no vacation ?
Go out to eat or avoid restaurants like… well , like the plague ?
We have to decide and we ’ re going to disagree and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted , “ Wisdom or intelligence and prudence are intellectual , ” and thus open to debate and disagreement .
Then he added , “ liberality and temperance are moral virtues.
” Even the pagan philosopher could see that , as fellow humans , we owe each other kindness , toleration , and room to disagree — a right to be wrong .
St. Paul put it more precisely : “ Put on then , as God ’ s chosen ones , holy and beloved , compassion , kindness , lowliness , meekness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , if one has a complaint against another , forgiving each other ; as the Lord has forgiven you , so you also must forgive .
And above all these put on love , which binds everything together in perfect harmony ” ( Colossians 3:12-14 ) .
As the world continues to fragment into distrustful individuals , Christians can love .
In doing so we can get on with the real and important healing : healing from the fear of others , the disdain for others , the distrust of others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too common among our Prince of Pompadoodle neighbors .
Dr. James Tonkowich , a senior contributor to The Stream , is a freelance writer , speaker and commentator on spirituality , religion and public life .
He is the author of The Liberty Threat : The Attack on Religious Freedom in America Today and Pears , Grapes , and Dates : A Good Life After Mid-Life .
Jim serves as Director of Distance Learning at Wyoming Catholic College and is host of the college ’ s weekly podcast , “ The After Dinner @ @ @

How ironic that with COVID-19 our chance to seek the common good is also a call to have no goods in common, but instead to fear and distrust one another. And more fear and distrust is the last thing America needs. We already have quite enough irate political polarization and pathetic personal loneliness.
On a bright, warm Wyoming day a week or so ago, the dog and I were on our way up Sinks Canyon via the Middle Fork Trail. For the most part we were alone, but did pass a few other hikers and dogs, greeting one and all — or actually not all.
One woman we passed wasn’t interested in greeting anyone. As we approached she sidled well off the trail and stared over her mask with an unmistakable look of distrust.
It was kind of jarring, but not at all unique. In biblical times, approaching lepers had to cover their mouths and identify themselves by calling out, “Unclean! Unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45). Today the approaching healthy cover their mouths and identify others as “Unclean! Unclean!”
The Prince of Pompadoodle
It makes me think of a poem by “Pogo” cartoonist Walt Kelly called “The Prince of Pompadoodle.”
The Prince of Pompadoodle
Lived behind a castle wall.
Behind a moat, behind a guard
Of twenty soldiers tall. The Prince of Pompadoodle
Was the safest man alive.
Each day he wrote how long he’d lived
And multiplied by five. The Prince of Pompadoodle
Would survive, he did decide.
Five times as long as he had been
Alive before he died.
Comfortable, prosperous, and above all safe, the prince lived a peaceful life among friends and retainers. All was good and all would certainly get even better, but then …
The Prince of Pompadoodle
Called in the castle sage
For his advice in this pursuit
Of long and fulsome age. The Prince of Pompadoodle
Heard in horror from his friend
That somewhere in the palace
Was a cur who’d seek his end! The Prince of Pompadoodle
Scarce could credit a belief
His years might soon be sneaked away
By some ungrateful thief.
Life, the prince suddenly discovered, is not certain. Others can be a threat. They can murder us. They can act irresponsibly and we die. They can spread fatal diseases.
As you may have noticed, there’s nothing new here. Thus it has been since we left Eden. But, for safety’s sake, something surely must be done. And so…
The Prince of Pompadoodle
Sent his every friend away
And sat alone, safe, locked alive,
To count another day. The Prince of Pompadoodle
May hoard each empty hour,
But none can know; no word comes from
The silent stony tower.
A Call for Prudence … and Love
The great COVID nightmare at this point is not deaths. It’s a world even more polarized and distrustful than it was four months ago. We’re moving back to a technologically sophisticated state of nature where, as Mr. Hobbes put it in 1651, life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
Both the “keep-locked-down-wear-a-mask” people and the “enough-already” people need to keep this in mind.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
None of us wants to see people die from COVID-19 or from the lockdown’s secondary pathologies of despair and suicide. None of us wants more unemployment, more poverty, or mass small business bankruptcies. All of us want to see health and human flourishing return to the world as soon as possible. That being the case, we can all stop the stupid accusations that only add to the fear and distrust. Leave that to the politicians, the media, and the people who write political direct mail letters who seem to believe it’s their job.
As the world continues to fragment into distrustful individuals, Christians can love.
COVID-19 — like the illnesses we face every winter — calls for prudence. Given the potential risks and the potential rewards what should be done next? Mask or no mask? Hike with others or scurry off the trail to keep a “safe” distance? Vacation or no vacation? Go out to eat or avoid restaurants like… well, like the plague? We have to decide and we’re going to disagree and we’re going to make mistakes.
Aristotle noted, “Wisdom or intelligence and prudence are intellectual,” and thus open to debate and disagreement. Then he added, “liberality and temperance are moral virtues.” Even the pagan philosopher could see that, as fellow humans, we owe each other kindness, toleration, and room to disagree — a right to be wrong.
St. Paul put it more precisely: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14).
As the world continues to fragment into distrustful individuals, Christians can love. In doing so we can get on with the real and important healing: healing from the fear of others, the disdain for others, the distrust of others, and from the lonely exile that is too common among our Prince of Pompadoodle neighbors.
Dr. James Tonkowich, a senior contributor to The Stream, is a freelance writer, speaker and commentator on spirituality, religion and public life. He is the author of The Liberty Threat: The Attack on Religious Freedom in America Today and Pears, Grapes, and Dates: A Good Life After Mid-Life. Jim serves as Director of Distance Learning at Wyoming Catholic College and is host of the college’s weekly podcast, “The After Dinner Scholar.”


thestream--2020-05-31--In the Wake of George Floyd’s Death, What These Black Leaders Think Should Happen

Americans must not miss the opportunity to advance the cause of justice in the wake of a black man ’ s death at the hands of Minneapolis police , black leaders and commentators told The Daily Signal .
The digitally recorded images of George Floyd ’ s dying breaths under the knee of a city police officer Monday evening sparked large protests in Minneapolis and across the nation in the following days .
Mobs also used Floyd ’ s horrific death as an excuse to loot and burn down stores and to torch the abandoned 3rd Precinct station where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former congressman from Oklahoma , said the Floyd case demands a response from all Americans of good will , regardless of skin color “ This incident shouldn ’ t be limited to African American leaders , ” Watts told The Daily Signal in an email .
“ Anyone looking at this situation and observing the video couldn ’ t help but conclude that a man on the ground , on his stomach , with hands behind his back , with handcuffs on and surrounded by four officers and a knee on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brown , black , and white should be able to say that was inhumane.
” Floyd , 46 , was black .
Derek Chauvin , 44 , the veteran officer charged with third-degree murder in his death on a Minneapolis street , is white .
In a Facebook post reflecting on the case , Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James called herself “ frustrated and exhausted.
” Black Americans like herself , James wrote , “ sit up at night with all the normal fears any parent would have when their kids are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that worry that they may not make it home just because they are black males.
” “ I was stunned years ago when I realized that my white friends did not have to have ‘ the talk ’ with their sons , ” she wrote .
The Daily Signal sought observations Friday from black writers , activists , and leaders who consider themselves to be on the conservative end of the political spectrum .
“ We should support lawful protest but strongly oppose the violence , ” Bob Woodson , founder of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
Those who resort to violence bring long-term economic consequences to their own neighborhoods on top of those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , Woodson said , pointing to reports such as that of a black firefighter who “ lost his savings because looters burned down his sports [ bar ] .
” Looting and destroying property is “ doing this man a huge disservice , ” Deana Bass Williams , co-founder of Bass Public Affairs , said of Floyd in a phone interview .
But although such acts of violence are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened to Floyd requires appropriate action by law-abiding Americans .
“ I really crave more outrage and more unified disgust in general , not just about George Floyd , but about police brutality against black men from the white evangelical and conservative community , ” she said .
It starts with courageous conversations , said author and commentator Sophia Nelson .
She wrote a message to her white friends on Facebook , challenging them to be conscious of color .
She said none of us are truly “ colorblind.
” “ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see our color or what we experience , ” Nelson wrote .
“ We got ta face it if we are ever to fix it .
My reality is not yours .
It never will be .
But let us begin the courageous conversations .
Jennifer Carroll , a former lieutenant governor of Florida , said in an email that it is outrageous that Floyd died because of “ the horrible and inexcusable behavior of a law enforcement officer who is sworn to protect our citizens.
” “ It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue seriously and doing the right thing by deploying the Department of Justice to take immediate action to investigate Floyd ’ s death , ” Carroll told The Daily Signal .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Multiple previous complaints of misconduct had been filed against Chauvin , a 19-year police veteran , a fact that Carroll called “ very concerning.
” She is among those asking why officials took no action against Chauvin sooner , action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
The harrowing video recorded on a smartphone shows Chauvin pressing a knee against Floyd ’ s neck as he lies handcuffed on the pavement beside a Minneapolis police cruiser .
Floyd tells Chauvin he can ’ t breathe and begs to be allowed to stand , but Chauvin pins him until he appears to lose consciousness .
Looting and arson broke out across Minneapolis in response to Floyd ’ s death , distracting from largely peaceful protests .
The situation in the Midwestern city became so tense that Minnesota Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even as unrest surfaced in other cities across the nation .
The Minneapolis Police Department fired Chauvin and three other officers Tuesday for their involvement in Floyd ’ s death during his arrest on a fraud charge .
Chauvin was arrested and charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Star Parker , a syndicated columnist and founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education , told The Daily Signal that Trump is in a unique position to effect necessary change where other presidents have failed .
“ I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ but ] in 2020 , with a president that really wants to solve problems while in office , perhaps America can have the discussion that has needed to take place since the Civil Rights Act was signed into law in the ’ 60s , ” Parker said in an interview .
“ President Trump has made a commitment to the African American community that part of his legacy will be to address the fork in the road that occurred after the Civil Rights Act was signed into law.
” Williams ’ sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilbon , said that in the same way that conservatives , including Christians , fight for the life of unborn children , “ we need to fight and fight and fight for these black men.
” As the mother of an 18-year-old son , Wilbon said in an interview , Floyd ’ s death in police custody “ scares ” her .
“ It has to stop , and people have to stand up and say that this is wrong , ” Wilbon said .
Raynard Jackson , president and CEO of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Daily Signal in an email that he was disgusted by how Floyd died .
“ I was thoroughly repulsed by Mr. Floyd ’ s death .
There was absolutely no excuse for him to have been murdered in such a callous manner , ” Jackson said .
“ I think the local authorities did the best they could under the circumstances — they fired the four policemen almost immediately , and within four days the perpetrator has been charged with murder .
Now the wheels of justice must be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who writes a popular column , argued that African American conservatives should work on solutions with Attorney General William Barr .
“ I want to bring in a small group of black conservatives to meet with AG Bill Barr to address the issue of race , ” Jackson said .
Jackson cited Winston Churchill ’ s observation that each human being should be ready for “ a chance to do a great and mighty thing … fitted to his talents.
” Armstrong Williams , a syndicated columnist and host of The Armstrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the video images showing Chauvin pressing a knee against Floyd ’ s neck for more than seven minutes while other officers appeared to do nothing to stop him .
“ It stood out to me how the officers were devoid of humanity , compassion , any kind of connection , ” Williams said in an interview , adding : The Rev .
Dean Nelson , executive director of Human Coalition Action , which works to end abortion , said Floyd ’ s death appalled him .
“ It is hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed without concluding that his death was both tragic and the result of an evil act , ” Nelson said in an email , adding : Americans must mourn , Nelson said , but for change to happen , the regret must not stop with mourning .
“ I believe the correct response for Americans right now is to mourn the senseless loss of life , to demand that justice be done , and to pray for peace , ” Nelson said , adding : James , the Heritage president who was part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1960s and was one of about two dozen students who helped desegregate her school , said it ’ s time for action .
“ Enough is enough , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not just upset , I am exhausted .
I have worked for 70 years on the issues surrounding race in America .
It ’ s time for all Americans to get our act together and take this seriously.
” Virginia Allen is a news producer for The Daily Signal .
She is the co-host of The Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email to Virginia .
Rachel del Guidice is a congressional reporter for The Daily Signal .
She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville , Forge Leadership Network , and The Heritage Foundation ’ s Young Leaders Program .
Send an email to Rachel .

Americans must not miss the opportunity to advance the cause of justice in the wake of a black man’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, black leaders and commentators told The Daily Signal.
The digitally recorded images of George Floyd’s dying breaths under the knee of a city police officer Monday evening sparked large protests in Minneapolis and across the nation in the following days.
Mobs also used Floyd’s horrific death as an excuse to loot and burn down stores and to torch the abandoned 3rd Precinct station where the officers involved worked.
The Floyd Case Demands a Response
J.C. Watts, a former congressman from Oklahoma, said the Floyd case demands a response from all Americans of good will, regardless of skin color
“This incident shouldn’t be limited to African American leaders,” Watts told The Daily Signal in an email. “Anyone looking at this situation and observing the video couldn’t help but conclude that a man on the ground, on his stomach, with hands behind his back, with handcuffs on and surrounded by four officers and a knee on his neck–all leaders, red, yellow, brown, black, and white should be able to say that was inhumane.”
“If not,” Watts added, “God help us all.”
Floyd, 46, was black. Derek Chauvin, 44, the veteran officer charged with third-degree murder in his death on a Minneapolis street, is white.
In a Facebook post reflecting on the case, Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James called herself “frustrated and exhausted.”
Black Americans like herself, James wrote, “sit up at night with all the normal fears any parent would have when their kids are out, but have to add to that worry that they may not make it home just because they are black males.”
“I was stunned years ago when I realized that my white friends did not have to have ‘the talk’ with their sons,” she wrote.
Observations and Lamentations from Black Conservatives
The Daily Signal sought observations Friday from black writers, activists, and leaders who consider themselves to be on the conservative end of the political spectrum.
“We should support lawful protest but strongly oppose the violence,” Bob Woodson, founder of the Washington-based Woodson Center, said in an email.
Those who resort to violence bring long-term economic consequences to their own neighborhoods on top of those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodson said, pointing to reports such as that of a black firefighter who “lost his savings because looters burned down his sports [bar].”
Looting and destroying property is “doing this man a huge disservice,” Deana Bass Williams, co-founder of Bass Public Affairs, said of Floyd in a phone interview.
But although such acts of violence are “despicable,” Williams said, what happened to Floyd requires appropriate action by law-abiding Americans.
“I really crave more outrage and more unified disgust in general, not just about George Floyd, but about police brutality against black men from the white evangelical and conservative community,” she said.
“Courageous Conversations”
It starts with courageous conversations, said author and commentator Sophia Nelson. She wrote a message to her white friends on Facebook, challenging them to be conscious of color. She said none of us are truly “colorblind.”
“It’s wrong to keep pretending you don’t see our color or what we experience,” Nelson wrote. “We gotta face it if we are ever to fix it. My reality is not yours. It never will be. But let us begin the courageous conversations.
In the end: You should be shocked. You should be horrified. You should be weeping and uncomfortable. What we all saw the policemen do to George Floyd has happened for a long time. We aren’t shocked as a community. We are pissed! It dates back to the founding of America. And we are still struggling with that early stain on our young nation, even 243 years later. We still need to work together to perfect this Union.
Jennifer Carroll, a former lieutenant governor of Florida, said in an email that it is outrageous that Floyd died because of “the horrible and inexcusable behavior of a law enforcement officer who is sworn to protect our citizens.”
“It was good to see President Trump taking this issue seriously and doing the right thing by deploying the Department of Justice to take immediate action to investigate Floyd’s death,” Carroll told The Daily Signal.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Multiple previous complaints of misconduct had been filed against Chauvin, a 19-year police veteran, a fact that Carroll called “very concerning.”
She is among those asking why officials took no action against Chauvin sooner, action that could have prevented Floyd’s death.
Unrest Across the Nation
The harrowing video recorded on a smartphone shows Chauvin pressing a knee against Floyd’s neck as he lies handcuffed on the pavement beside a Minneapolis police cruiser. Floyd tells Chauvin he can’t breathe and begs to be allowed to stand, but Chauvin pins him until he appears to lose consciousness.
Looting and arson broke out across Minneapolis in response to Floyd’s death, distracting from largely peaceful protests. The situation in the Midwestern city became so tense that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called in the National Guard, even as unrest surfaced in other cities across the nation.
The Minneapolis Police Department fired Chauvin and three other officers Tuesday for their involvement in Floyd’s death during his arrest on a fraud charge. Chauvin was arrested and charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Star Parker, a syndicated columnist and founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, told The Daily Signal that Trump is in a unique position to effect necessary change where other presidents have failed.
“I think that since we’re not in 1950 [but] in 2020, with a president that really wants to solve problems while in office, perhaps America can have the discussion that has needed to take place since the Civil Rights Act was signed into law in the ’60s,” Parker said in an interview. “President Trump has made a commitment to the African American community that part of his legacy will be to address the fork in the road that occurred after the Civil Rights Act was signed into law.”
Williams’ sister and business partner, Dee Dee Bass Wilbon, said that in the same way that conservatives, including Christians, fight for the life of unborn children, “we need to fight and fight and fight for these black men.”
As the mother of an 18-year-old son, Wilbon said in an interview, Floyd’s death in police custody “scares” her.
“It has to stop, and people have to stand up and say that this is wrong,” Wilbon said.
Working for Solutions
Raynard Jackson, president and CEO of a Washington-based consulting and public relations firm, told The Daily Signal in an email that he was disgusted by how Floyd died.
“I was thoroughly repulsed by Mr. Floyd’s death. There was absolutely no excuse for him to have been murdered in such a callous manner,” Jackson said.
“I think the local authorities did the best they could under the circumstances — they fired the four policemen almost immediately, and within four days the perpetrator has been charged with murder. Now the wheels of justice must be allowed to take [their] course.”
Jackson, who writes a popular column, argued that African American conservatives should work on solutions with Attorney General William Barr.
“I want to bring in a small group of black conservatives to meet with AG Bill Barr to address the issue of race,” Jackson said.
Jackson cited Winston Churchill’s observation that each human being should be ready for “a chance to do a great and mighty thing … fitted to his talents.”
Armstrong Williams, a syndicated columnist and host of The Armstrong Williams Show, said he was deeply affected by the video images showing Chauvin pressing a knee against Floyd’s neck for more than seven minutes while other officers appeared to do nothing to stop him.
“It stood out to me how the officers were devoid of humanity, compassion, any kind of connection,” Williams said in an interview, adding:
I asked myself, what has happened to our law enforcement professionals where they felt nothing for this man? I asked myself, is this what happens when you serve in the force too long? Does it come from training? Where does it come from? … Just look at the eyes—there was no soul in the eyes.
The Rev. Dean Nelson, executive director of Human Coalition Action, which works to end abortion, said Floyd’s death appalled him.
“It is hard to watch the video of George Floyd being killed without concluding that his death was both tragic and the result of an evil act,” Nelson said in an email, adding:
He clearly posed no threat to the officer who killed him. The subsequent firing of the four officers involved was a good start. As someone who is not a prosecutor and is not privy to the details of the case, I have no way of judging whether the charges for the officer who killed Floyd are appropriate, but I can say that to a lay observer, they seem too lenient.
Americans must mourn, Nelson said, but for change to happen, the regret must not stop with mourning.
“I believe the correct response for Americans right now is to mourn the senseless loss of life, to demand that justice be done, and to pray for peace,” Nelson said, adding:
We should not paint all protesters with the same brush. Many are protesting peacefully with restraint, while some — many from out of town, I am told — are behaving badly. It is tempting to focus on the chaos and violence, but we must affirm the overwhelming majority of Americans of all races who long to live in peace with one another.
James, the Heritage president who was part of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and was one of about two dozen students who helped desegregate her school, said it’s time for action.
“Enough is enough,” she said. “I’m not just upset, I am exhausted. I have worked for 70 years on the issues surrounding race in America. It’s time for all Americans to get our act together and take this seriously.”
Virginia Allen is a news producer for The Daily Signal. She is the co-host of The Daily Signal Podcast and Problematic Women. Send an email to Virginia.
Rachel del Guidice is a congressional reporter for The Daily Signal. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Forge Leadership Network, and The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program. Send an email to Rachel.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-05-31--For Those Who Love Justice, ‘White Fragility’ Can’t Be an Issue

Two years after its release , Robin DiAngelo ’ s book White Fragility : Why It ’ s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism , is a national bestseller .
In fact , as I write these words , it is the number one bestselling book on Amazon .
This is a very rare achievement for a book when it is first released , let alone 24 months later .
DiAngelo obviously hit a nerve .
According to the New Yorker , “ The value in White Fragility lies in its methodical , irrefutable exposure of racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for humility and vigilance.
” Note that word , “ humility.
” Author Resmaa Menakem used the same word when reviewing the book , calling it , “ A rare and incisive examination of the system of white body supremacy that binds us all as Americans .
.
.
.
With authenticity and clarity , she provides the antidote to white fragility and a road map for developing white racial stamina and humility .
White Fragility loosens the bonds of white supremacy and binds us back together as human beings.
” Ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are white , you might already be reacting to the phrases “ white fragility ” and “ white supremacy.
” But rather than react , why not ask yourself a series of simple questions ?
1 ) Do you want true equality for every American ?
2 ) Is justice a value that you affirm ?
3 ) Do you believe that , ultimately , there is one race , the human race ?
4 ) Do you reject the idea that people of color are inherently inferior ?
5 ) Do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
6 ) If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus , do you agree that the spirit of racism is contrary to the spirit of the gospel ?
I would hope that every person of conscience would answer the first 5 questions in the affirmative and that every follower of Jesus would also answer the 6th question in the affirmative .
That being the case , there is no reason for “ white fragility.
” If something is wrong , let us fix it .
If the problem runs deep , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are part of the problem , let us be part of the solution .
That ’ s what humility calls for .
Let the truth come to the light .
There is no reason for fragility .
Let us do what is right .
And if we are falsely accused , let us push back with the truth .
If some of our earliest laws enshrined racism , let us acknowledge it .
No one claims that America has been perfect , plus we weren ’ t the ones who made those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praise our founders for the good they did and remain indebted to that good while also acknowledging the wrong they did .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
There ’ s no reason to be fragile when it comes to our history .
Like the history of every nation , the history of our nation is mixed .
And when it comes to the present , where this is wrong , let us face it .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is those who are secure who can be humble .
The insecure take refuge in carnal pride .
But being humble when it comes to race issues doesn ’ t mean that we justify today ’ s looters and rioters .
Or that we follow the lead of professional race baiters .
Or that we automatically affirm a group like Black Lives Matter .
Or that we accept every claim of injustice .
Each Charge Examined on Its Own Merit Each instance must be judged on its own merit and each charge evaluated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Justice , under the direction of Eric Holder , produced a scathing report on the practices of the Ferguson police department in the aftermath of the death of Michael Brown , my namesake .
( See here for the full document . )
But when it came to Brown ’ s death , that same Department of Justice cleared Darren Wilson , the police officer who shot and killed Brown .
As the report stated , there “ is no evidence upon which prosecutors can rely to disprove Wilson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his safety.
” Yet many white conservatives who rejected the , “ Hands up , don ’ t shoot ” claims from Ferguson are outraged over the death of George Floyd .
( I ’ ll be documenting this in a separate article . )
But , to repeat , there ’ s no reason for “ white fragility.
” Commitment to Justice and Equality for All I am secure in the fact that I am not a racist .
But when I have a blind spot when it comes to the treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be made aware .
I would hope you would feel the same .
That doesn ’ t mean we walk around feeling guilty .
( Why should we , unless we are guilty ? )
That doesn ’ t mean we embrace identity politics or intersectionality .
That doesn ’ t mean that we agree with every solution being put forth .
That doesn ’ t mean that we encourage others to have a victim mentality .
And that doesn ’ t mean that people of color bear no responsibility or are above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to ask the difficult questions , including the systemic questions , and that we are committed to working towards justice and equality for all .
Why be fragile about that ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Two years after its release, Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, is a national bestseller. In fact, as I write these words, it is the number one bestselling book on Amazon. This is a very rare achievement for a book when it is first released, let alone 24 months later. DiAngelo obviously hit a nerve.
According to the New Yorker, “The value in White Fragility lies in its methodical, irrefutable exposure of racism in thought and action, and its call for humility and vigilance.” Note that word, “humility.”
Author Resmaa Menakem used the same word when reviewing the book, calling it, “A rare and incisive examination of the system of white body supremacy that binds us all as Americans. . . . With authenticity and clarity, she provides the antidote to white fragility and a road map for developing white racial stamina and humility. White Fragility loosens the bonds of white supremacy and binds us back together as human beings.”
Ask Yourself Some Questions
Now, if you are white, you might already be reacting to the phrases “white fragility” and “white supremacy.” But rather than react, why not ask yourself a series of simple questions?
1) Do you want true equality for every American?
2) Is justice a value that you affirm?
3) Do you believe that, ultimately, there is one race, the human race?
4) Do you reject the idea that people of color are inherently inferior?
5) Do you reject any form of apartheid or segregation?
6) If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, do you agree that the spirit of racism is contrary to the spirit of the gospel?
I would hope that every person of conscience would answer the first 5 questions in the affirmative and that every follower of Jesus would also answer the 6th question in the affirmative.
That being the case, there is no reason for “white fragility.” If something is wrong, let us fix it. If the problem runs deep, let us look for deep solutions. If we are part of the problem, let us be part of the solution. That’s what humility calls for. Let the truth come to the light.
No Reason for Fragility
There is no reason for fragility. Let us do what is right. And if we are falsely accused, let us push back with the truth.
If some of our earliest laws enshrined racism, let us acknowledge it. No one claims that America has been perfect, plus we weren’t the ones who made those laws.
That means that we can praise our founders for the good they did and remain indebted to that good while also acknowledging the wrong they did.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
There’s no reason to be fragile when it comes to our history. Like the history of every nation, the history of our nation is mixed. And when it comes to the present, where this is wrong, let us face it. That’s what humility does.
It is those who are secure who can be humble. The insecure take refuge in carnal pride.
But being humble when it comes to race issues doesn’t mean that we justify today’s looters and rioters. Or that we follow the lead of professional race baiters. Or that we automatically affirm a group like Black Lives Matter. Or that we accept every claim of injustice.
Each Charge Examined on Its Own Merit
Each instance must be judged on its own merit and each charge evaluated for itself.
For example, the Department of Justice, under the direction of Eric Holder, produced a scathing report on the practices of the Ferguson police department in the aftermath of the death of Michael Brown, my namesake. (See here for the full document.)
But when it came to Brown’s death, that same Department of Justice cleared Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot and killed Brown. As the report stated, there “is no evidence upon which prosecutors can rely to disprove Wilson’s stated subjective belief that he feared for his safety.”
Yet many white conservatives who rejected the, “Hands up, don’t shoot” claims from Ferguson are outraged over the death of George Floyd. (I’ll be documenting this in a separate article.)
But, to repeat, there’s no reason for “white fragility.”
Commitment to Justice and Equality for All
I am secure in the fact that I am not a racist. But when I have a blind spot when it comes to the treatment of a fellow-American, I want to be made aware. I would hope you would feel the same.
That doesn’t mean we walk around feeling guilty. (Why should we, unless we are guilty?)
That doesn’t mean we embrace identity politics or intersectionality.
That doesn’t mean that we agree with every solution being put forth.
That doesn’t mean that we encourage others to have a victim mentality.
And that doesn’t mean that people of color bear no responsibility or are above criticism.
It simply means we are willing to ask the difficult questions, including the systemic questions, and that we are committed to working towards justice and equality for all.
Why be fragile about that?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.