'Intolerant' Expression of Faith

I have a bone to pick with the self-appointed social and political leaders who have set themselves up as guard dogs tasked with “protecting” the rest of us from what they consider intolerant speech.

Last week, they went too far when they dragged the tolerance banner into the religious realm. They essentially said it is up to them to determine what is an acceptable, appropriate expression of faith.

Background: The Military Religious Freedom Foundation threatened to seek an injunction stopping a Pentagon prayer service next month in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer unless Franklin Graham was removed from the list of people who would offer a prayer. His offense? He’s not a Christian in name only. He actually believes the Bible – all of it, including that salvation is in Jesus Christ alone.

His offending remark? “I am not on a crusade against Muslims. I love the Muslim people. ... I want them to know that they don’t have to die in a car bomb, don’t have to die in some kind of holy war to be accepted by God. But it’s through faith in Jesus Christ and Christ alone.” Because of this declaration of faith, the Army “diss”-invited the evangelist from the event.

Col. Thomas Collins, Army spokesman, said Graham’s remarks were “not appropriate. We’re an all-inclusive military. We honor all faiths. ... Our message to our service and civilian work force is about the need for diversity and appreciation of all faiths” (Washington Post).

The irony: These same Army officials saw nothing inappropriate when Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan gave what was supposed to be a medical lecture to other military doctors at Walter Reed in which he said non-Muslims should be beheaded and have boiling oil poured down their throats. He added that they were infidels condemned to hell who should be set on fire (Telegraph.co.uk). Where were the protests from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation then?

I don’t know about you, but I feel much more comfortable with Graham’s “intolerance” than I do with the Army’s tolerance of Hasan’s hate speech.

The result: Last November, Hasan gunned down 13 people at the Fort Hood military base in Texas.

Graham responded to his disinvite with: “I want to express my strong support for the United States military and all our troops. I will continue to pray that God will give them guidance, wisdom and protection as they serve this great country.”

I’m Joey. I’m running for Congress. And I approved this message – even if some think it is intolerant.