So there was a mother that was barred from reading the Bible in her son's elementary school class. She wanted to read it because the school lets children invite a parent to come read the student's favorite book in class as part of "Me Week".
Atrios, of course, comes down smugly on the mother saying there was probably NO WAY that the Bible could be his favorite book and this was just all some plot. What an arrogant prick.
Since I heard the mother interviewed on our local NPR station, she said that she and her son read the book every day and he loves the stories. As a child, who would not love the stories like Joseph, or Daniel in the lion's den, or Noah's ark, etc. They're great stories.
As an English Lit major, I recognize that the Bible is literature as well as scripture, and that it has been the basis for a lot of other stories that we hold as essential reading in the American/English culture.
But he cannot recognize that, and refuses to take the mother's story on its face. Which is a shame. His commentary is a classic example of marginalizing all Christians as lunatics and fanatics. Atriso likes to use the term wingnut to describe partisans on the right, or even libertarians, when they're bordering on lunacy. Maybe for his extreme atheistic views he should admit to wearing the mantle of wingnut today.
[Author's Note] - Commenter Ragdrazi says that Atrios is defending the mother, and I'm overreacting. Maybe I am overreacting a bit. But I don't believe Atrios is defending the mother. I think he's saying that in most cases this would not be a big deal, but in this circumstance he thinks the mother is agitating, and he most certainly did say that he doesn't believe that the Bible is the boy's favorite book. Atrios is still buying into the current liberal myth that people who are Christian are automatically part of the "moral majority" and right-wing. That kind of stereotyping needs to end.
From the quoted story:
"Busch planned to read Psalm No. 118 but was told by the principal the reading would violate the separation of church and state, according to the suit filed earlier this month."
Psalm 118:
1
1 Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever.
2
Let the house of Israel say: God's love endures forever.
3
Let the house of Aaron say, God's love endures forever.
4
Let those who fear the LORD say, God's love endures forever.
5
In danger I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
6
The LORD is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against me?
7
The LORD is with me as my helper; I shall look in triumph on my foes.
8
Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in mortals.
9
Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in princes.
10
All the nations surrounded me; in the LORD'S name I crushed them.
11
They surrounded me on every side; in the LORD'S name I crushed them.
12
They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like fire among thorns; in the LORD'S name I crushed them.
13
I was hard pressed and falling, but the LORD came to my help.
14
The LORD, my strength and might, came to me as savior.
15
The joyful shout of deliverance is heard in the tents of the victors: "The LORD'S right hand strikes with power;
16
the LORD'S right hand is raised; the LORD'S right hand strikes with power."
17
I shall not die but live and declare the deeds of the LORD.
18
The LORD chastised me harshly, but did not hand me over to death.
19
Open the gates of victory; I will enter and thank the LORD.
20
2 This is the LORD'S own gate, where the victors enter.
21
I thank you for you answered me; you have been my savior.
22
3 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23
By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
24
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
25
4 LORD, grant salvation! LORD, grant good fortune!
26
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the LORD'S house.
27
The LORD is God and has given us light. Join in procession with leafy branches up to the horns of the altar.
28
You are my God, I give you thanks; my God, I offer you praise.
29
Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever.
Of all the stories in the Bible, why is that the one chosen to read for a Kindergarten class? Whatever happened to Noah's Ark, the Garden of Eden, or the Sermon of the Mount?
Maybe it's his favorite? I can't speak to why that particular psalm. That's not the issue I'm protesting, and I'm pretty sure that that's immaterial.
My ire is directed at Atrios for being so smug and condescending to Christian people. My mom is as left as you can get, a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and she's a Lutheran pastor. Being left does not mean that you must be an atheist. It doesn't mean that you can't like the Bible as a book.
No, Atrios does not come down smugly on the mother. If you would read more then half of post you would see that he's defending her pretty ardently. It's ironic. You're guilty of the very thing you accuse Atrios of doing here.
Haha. . . Posting here requires your approval. . . Do you fear open debate?
Actually, I have no problem with open debate on my site. I encourage it and desire it. What I don't want, and what I get upset about are the people who try to use my blog as their own forum to advertise their overseas pharmacies, porn sites, vacation cabins, etc.
Comment spam is a serious problem, and I fight against it. Hence, me having to approve comments.
You should just switch to something with accounts.
Ragdrazi, I like having my own domain name and being able to customize the software that I use to blog. I like the freedom it gives me. MovableType does support user accounts, but it's poorly implemented, so I don't use it.