Santorum: Religious persecution in U.S. could escalate as high as it did under Nazi Germany - by Sara Fischer, CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/02/politics/rick-santorum-religious-persecution/index.html?hpt=po_c2)

Washington (CNN) -- Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania, said this week that the growing threat towards American religious freedom by the government could lead to "Christian persecution," similar to how the oppression of Jews and Christians evolved over time under Nazi Germany.

Arguing that the rise of the Nazi regime happened in a stable country where it was not expected, Santorum said that a similar situation could occur in the United States where, according to Santorum, religious liberties are "under direct assault" for the first time in history.

"Germany, prior to the Nazis getting there, was a very religious country," Santorum said in an interview with the Christian Post. "It was a Christian country. It was a very sophisticated country."

"The idea that you can have this kind of persecution take place over a period of ten years -- where you go from Christians -- Jews, obviously, but also Christians -- being not just persecuted but put to death -- was unfathomable," he said. "It was unfathomable to them that (in) a country like this, this could happen. Same thing here."

While the former presidential candidate did acknowledge that persecution in America is "fairly mild" compared to what's going on in other parts of the world, he warned that it is still dangerous because "it's something that grows over time."

"It starts in a gradual erosion," Santorum said. "We're not in a dire situation right now, but that doesn't mean you can't get there. I would argue that there's a certainty that we will get there if we don't push back and defend our liberties."

"If we don't nip it here, then things get a lot worse," he continued.

Asked why such attacks on religious liberties exist in America, Santorum said it is mostly a result of government overreach.

"The government wants to tell you how to live your life," Santorum said, citing abortion and same-sex marriage issues. "You either conform to what the government says you have to believe in, or you're going to lose certain privileges."

Santorum discussed the topic as part of an interview about his new film, titled "One Generation Away," which is produced by a movie production company run by Santorum called EchoLight Cinemas. The film, Santorum says, highlights where religious persecution comes from, what it is about and why it is a danger to society.

I must have missed something. Did the US government start demanding that men start marrying eachother, or that pregnant women start aborting?

TBF you might be at war with Russia soon so ....

I do have a sincere question for US Christians. I see this claim of Christian persecution made frequently by talking heads. To me it makes no sense whatsoever. The vast majority of the US population are Christian and the vast majority of elected officials in the US are Christian.

Do you as a Christian feel you are being persecuted, and if so, why?

I feel persecuted by stupid threads. He has a point as you never know what the future holds, but he's a dweeb.

On a more interesting topic. The thought of the rise of dictatorships. I'm surprised more dictatorships and general craziness haven't formed. We are in a period of difficulty across the globe. Typically that creates chaos.

Of course, North Africa and the Middle East did have that, in spades. And of course Mother Russia is on the march again.

 jasper76 wrote:
I do have a sincere question for US Christians. I see this claim of Christian persecution made frequently by talking heads. To me it makes no sense whatsoever. The vast majority of the US population are Christian and the vast majority of elected officials in the US are Christian.

Do you as a Christian feel you are being persecuted, and if so, why?

Mixed.

On the one hand, I find the general idea that Christians are being persecuted to be nonsense produced by fear mongering for votes. Christians will vote more if you paint the other side as hating them, and the Conservative end of politics, and Christians themselves have done a dandy job painting that picture. The ACLU for example is constantly painted as this Christian hating snooty liberal group completely ignoring the multitude of cases the ACLU has taken up in defense of religious rights of Christians.

On the other hand, I know that one of my Churches in the past was denied a permit to build a Church by the zoning board and one of the board members said "you Christians can take you magic and go away.' This strikes me as an isolated incident, but it's rather blatant and no one seemed to draw any issue with the statement at the time.

Right now, Christians aren't being persecuted. I think that they're special place in American society is slowly being rolled back after it became so pronounced in the first half of the 20th century. Legalizing abortion and gay marriage gets painted as 'anti-Christian' to get votes, but legalizing those things doesn't strike me as anti-Christian unless Churches (not for profit business') are forced to shut up about them or support them, but so far churches haven't been forced by the government to do this. It's part of the Religious Right's political campaign to rebrand America as the Christian nation, as though we're supposed to be some kind of democratic theocracy.

But at the same time, I do feel concerned about things like the burning down of historical chapels in Scandinavia and Germany, and the things you see people say about Christians on the internet. Could they become a persecuted group some day? Maybe, but not right now.

Ahh crazy politicians. Gotta love em.

Way to equate progressives with Nazis, Rick.

American religious freedom isn't threatened, dillhole...it religion's stranglehold on telling other's how to live that is. I think you do not understand what freedom means. And since when does the gub mint tell anyone what to believe in?

Ugh...this guy makes me glad Obama is in office.(First time I ever said this).

Not all Pennsylvanians are this dense...I swear.

Way to equate progressives with Nazis, Rick.

Well Nazis were social democrats...
This threads Godwins itself!

Well, 2016 will be here soon enough, and it was about time for Rick to poke his head out and start ramping up.

I have certainly no love for his politics, but he sure knows how to push buttons. And as I've said before, button-pushing is exactly what he's doing...he's calculating, not crazy.

 LordofHats wrote:

But at the same time, I do feel concerned about things like the burning down of historical chapels in Scandinavia and Germany, and the things you see people say about Christians on the internet. Could they become a persecuted group some day? Maybe, but not right now.

I remember hearing about that as being associated with Black Metal fans and musicians who actually took the theistic Satanic stuff seriously. Hopefully that was a flash in the pan. Is it still going on?

For the internet stuff, it's my suspicion that this is a backlash against certain elements of Christian society trying to make non-Christians live by certain unwelcome Christian morales and ideas. It's one thing to have an opinion, it's quite another to try and enforce that opinion on others through legislation.

I think if Christian polticians and activists can become comfortable with the idea that they don't have a right to make others live according to their beliefs, religious v. non-religious discussions may well tone down.

It can't really be said enough...telling people they deserve to suffer eternally for something so trivial as a view of the cosmos is really very insulting and hostile. Hopefully that will tone down to. I mean I have been on boards discussing science, and if the subject of biology comes up, its not uncommon that a Christian might come on and start telling people they deserve to burn in hell for eternity. I know this view is probably not representative of many or perhaps even most Christians, but it is frequently voiced on the internet.

See those Christians just don't do their reading. They need to read more Revelation. Most people who go to hell, aren't there forever (or for Catholics, there's purgatory). During the Second Coming comes, nearly everyone except for the most wicked is supposed to get in*. Its one of the few things actually said fairly plainly in Revelation, which otherwise reads like an acid trip half the time.

And the most wicked don't suffer for eternity either. They get tossed into a lava pit with Satan and die.

 jasper76 wrote:

Arguing that the rise of the Nazi regime happened in a stable country where it was not expected, Santorum said that a similar situation could occur in the United States where, according to Santorum, religious liberties are "under direct assault" for the first time in history.

"Germany, prior to the Nazis getting there, was a very religious country," Santorum said in an interview with the Christian Post. "It was a Christian country. It was a very sophisticated country."

Actually... this just shows that Santorum knows absolutely nothing about history. Germany after WW1 was anything but stable. And in fact, there were dozens, maybe even hundreds of far-right, "fascist" groups in Germany. The famous picture of Hitler, pre-election reviewing his "troops" was actually taken at a huge field/rally event where all these groups came together. Thing is, as we all know, Hitler came to power, in many ways it was because he was able to consume all the dozens of other groups to become one entity. The situation in Germany was such that, if he hadn't risen to power, someone that was a near carbon copy would have.


And, if you really want to be technical about Santorums second bit that I quoted... Hitler viewed his country as being Christian as well, even after he took power..... But, it was about as Christian as the US has ever been.


Ohh, and I'm sorry but Christianity =/= Sophistication. Santorum is just a pissed off dweeb with no work, trying to get back into his own den of vipers.

 LordofHats wrote:

 jasper76 wrote:

Do you as a Christian feel you are being persecuted, and if so, why?

Mixed.

On the one hand, I find the general idea that Christians are being persecuted to be nonsense produced by fear mongering for votes. Christians will vote more if you paint the other side as hating them, and the Conservative end of politics, and Christians themselves have done a dandy job painting that picture. The ACLU for example is constantly painted as this Christian hating snooty liberal group completely ignoring the multitude of cases the ACLU has taken up in defense of religious rights of Christians.

On the other hand, I know that one of my Churches in the past was denied a permit to build a Church by the zoning board and one of the board members said "you Christians can take you magic and go away.' This strikes me as an isolated incident, but it's rather blatant and no one seemed to draw any issue with the statement at the time.

Right now, Christians aren't being persecuted. I think that they're special place in American society is slowly being rolled back after it became so pronounced in the first half of the 20th century. Legalizing abortion and gay marriage gets painted as 'anti-Christian' to get votes, but legalizing those things doesn't strike me as anti-Christian unless Churches (not for profit business') are forced to shut up about them or support them, but so far churches haven't been forced by the government to do this. It's part of the Religious Right's political campaign to rebrand America as the Christian nation, as though we're supposed to be some kind of democratic theocracy.

But at the same time, I do feel concerned about things like the burning down of historical chapels in Scandinavia and Germany, and the things you see people say about Christians on the internet. Could they become a persecuted group some day? Maybe, but not right now.

This is similar to my perspective as well. I think that Christianity has enjoyed special prominence for a long time in the USA and as the country becomes more diverse some of that is being lost, and that is perceived by some (usually wrongly in my mind) as persecution. It makes sense that as the country becomes more diverse, laws will have to accomodate that diversity.

Far-Right Christian pundits have always painted the legalizing of various "un-christian" behaviors and the extending or various rights to individuals perceived as "Un-christian" as being an attack on Christianity. They may be in contrast to Christianity, but they aren't an attack.

I think the place that we are going to see real and conflict is where laws compel religious folks to do things they disagree with in the business setting. Requiring owners of businesses to provide birth control methods that they consider abortive, requiring service providers to serve weddings that they deem to be sinful, etc. These are the grey areas where some religious people are coming into very real conflict with their government. I honestly see both sides of the issue. I have little difficulty ignoring someone who doesn't like the fact that gay folks can get married now. That's the extension of a right. It's harder for me to completely ignore those who find themselves in a situation where the government says "in order to run a business, you have to do _________ against your religion."

That said, I'm not at all worried about the "Nazi" scenario that el-gasbag-erino Santorum is bloviating about. I think that there will of course be some public conflict and lots of poop will spew from the mouths of talking heads on both sides. Nonetheless, I'm confident that a few years and a few laws and court cases later, we will have achieved some sort of balance between the rights of the various parties involved.

In the meantime, I'd much rather my evangelical brothers and sisters concern themselves more with the plight of those who really do deal with actual persecution, rather with the piddling incursions they feel they are experiencing.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 LordofHats wrote:
See those Christians just don't do their reading. They need to read more Revelation. Most people who go to hell, aren't there forever (or for Catholics, there's purgatory). During the Second Coming comes, nearly everyone except for the most wicked is supposed to get in*. Its one of the few things actually said fairly plainly in Revelation, which otherwise reads like an acid trip half the time.

And the most wicked don't suffer for eternity either. They get tossed into a lava pit with Satan and die.

To be fair, there are long studied and well-argued Biblical basis' for both eternal suffering for the damned and for "Annihilationism" which posits that after judgement (and possibly some suffering) the damned souls are completely destroyed.

It's not a new conflict, nor -like most theologic divides- is it one that has been conclusively decided one way or the other.

Rick Santorum really doesn't know his history.

Why is this guy even given media coverage? Is the 'Ebola outbreak' all milked out?

Well... he sounds like a tool...

This is what happens when you elect stupid into office.

Friends don't let friends elect stupid.

There are some martyrs who would probably love to smack some of these idiots for claiming "persecution".

There are people willing to be tortured and killed for their faith and who are willing, and happy, to endure poverty and public ridicule for the opportunity to share their faith.

And here we have people who claim that they are under attack because secular laws based on Christian beliefs are being struck down and and because they are being told that it's illegal to discriminate against others.

Being persecuted for loving others is persecution, being told not to use your religion to force your belief on others isn't.

 SilverMK2 wrote:
Well... he sounds like a tool...

Your hearing is...accurate.

Wow, did he just say the Holocaust was mainly about Christians being prosecuted.
I just can't wait for Christmas and all the "War on Christmas" stuff

The fact that Santorum, Perry, and Cain were all considered legitimate options for POTUS is pretty scary.


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 Frazzled wrote:

 SilverMK2 wrote:
Well... he sounds like a tool...

Your hearing is...accurate.

Could this possibly be the face of a tool?

Honestly people, with a name like Santorum did you really expect anything else to come out?!

PhantomViper wrote:
Honestly people, with a name like Santorum did you really expect anything else to come out?!

If you actually know what Santorum has spewed out in the past, you actually wouldn't be surprised.

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/santorum-satan-systematically-destroying-america

Yes.

Vote for this guy. He'll make the buses run on time.

 Frazzled wrote:
Yes.

Vote for this guy. He'll make the buses run on time.

Well, he failed spectacularly then...

My mother has just came home from a vacation in Italy last week, she said that its pretty normal there for trains and buses to run 30 or 40 minutes late on average.

A dictator that can't even make the trains run on time is a pretty crap dictator indeed.

 d-usa wrote:
The fact that Santorum, Perry, and Cain were all considered legitimate options for POTUS is pretty scary.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Frazzled wrote:

 SilverMK2 wrote:
Well... he sounds like a tool...

Your hearing is...accurate.

Could this possibly be the face of a tool?

Hard to say. Maybe we should pound it into a few nails and see how effective it is?

Rusty Trombone wrote:
Way to equate progressives with Nazis, Rick.

American religious freedom isn't threatened, dillhole...it religion's stranglehold on telling other's how to live that is. I think you do not understand what freedom means. And since when does the gub mint tell anyone what to believe in?

Tell that to the Little Sisters of the Poor.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Frazzled wrote:

 SilverMK2 wrote:
Well... he sounds like a tool...

Your hearing is...accurate.

That too...

 whembly wrote:

Tell that to the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Biased article is biased

The comments are almost as good as the article for pants on head Christian frothing over being treated the same as everyone else.

 whembly wrote:

Rusty Trombone wrote:
Way to equate progressives with Nazis, Rick.

American religious freedom isn't threatened, dillhole...it religion's stranglehold on telling other's how to live that is. I think you do not understand what freedom means. And since when does the gub mint tell anyone what to believe in?

Tell that to the Little Sisters of the Poor.

See now, this is a perfect example of why it's hard to take "we're under attack" so seriously. Because the religious right has made it seem like every decision that goes against their beliefs is a threat to their very existence.

Is that situation frelled up? Sure; no idea why you would argue a group of nuns aren't religious (unless there is some technical non-religious-bureauratic reason; it's the federal government, after all). Are they actually under attack? Not in the slightest. No one is threatening to murder these nuns. No one is threatening to forcibly convert them to another religion. No one is threatening or forcing them to have abortions, give abortions, or preside over abortions. Is it a crappy thing to do to a group of people who do a lot of good and ask for next to nothing in return? Yes, absolutely. But it's not them being "under attack".

Lets just ignore the Nuns have effectively won that case already. Why let reality cloud a good headline for the internet tabloids?

 LordofHats wrote:
Lets just ignore the Nuns have effectively won that case already. Why let reality cloud a good headline for the internet tabloids?

That's not the point... they had to fight for it.

 whembly wrote:

 LordofHats wrote:
Lets just ignore the Nuns have effectively won that case already. Why let reality cloud a good headline for the internet tabloids?

That's not the point... they had to fight for it.

And? Government writes gakky laws with terrible wording we have to deal with waste of time court cases. They're not being persecuted, they're caught in a fringe section effected by a new law.

Oh god. I ventured into the comments section of that article. Someone pass me the eye bleach.

No bleach for you! All bleach is being rationed in case of an E-Bola breakout on one of the threads.

Note that Santorum's firebrand routine helped him rapidly ascend in the Senate (think he was considered the #3(?) man at one point) despite being a more junior Senator. The problem was that he got too conservative for PA, a "purple" state, and got booted out. In another more conservative state he might still be a Senator.

Also note that he took his 2012 Presidental campaign from basically nothing to finishing #2 behind Romney, and probably pushing Romney to campaign more conservatively that he might have otherwise done.

Santorum knows how to 1) fire up the conservative base of his party, and 2) get people of all stripes talking about him. These are valuable skills for a politician.

 streamdragon wrote:
Oh god. I ventured into the comments section of that article. Someone pass me the eye bleach.

Yep, the type of people Santorum caters to. People who think God's Not Dead was the best movie in the past decade.

I read the summary for that movie and said "this sounds as pretentious as that college professor who insisted there was no god and failing anyone who disagreed." That professor not existing in actuality.

 LordofHats wrote:
I read the summary for that movie and said "this sounds as pretentious as that college professor who insisted there was no god and failing anyone who disagreed." That professor not existing in actuality.

According to the person playing him he did.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:

 LordofHats wrote:
I read the summary for that movie and said "this sounds as pretentious as that college professor who insisted there was no god and failing anyone who disagreed." That professor not existing in actuality.

According to the person playing him he did.

No. The film is based on a popular urban legend among Evangelicals that originated as a bit by a comic artists named Jack Chick who also thinks Roman Catholics and Muslims are plotting to rule the world (but interestingly, not the Jews!). Evangelicals and the film constantly insist the story is true, even though it plainly isn't. Nothing in real life is as cliche as the chalk story.

Agreed, but they in joist he is based of fun professors he had

That movie synopsis made me a bit angry. It's such a common trope that atheists are "angry at God".

How can you be angry at something you don't even believe exists or ever existed?

I guess it's easier for people like those who put together this film that atheism is the result of some kind of trauma, rather tgan, you know, just thinking about a proposition.

Grrrrrrr....

Well, how many avowed atheists you know who aren't angry?

Every avowed atheist I've met has been a real head. I'm sure there are many, the majority even, who aren't, BUT IN MY ACTUAL EXPERIENCE ONLY they always have been.

There's no anger towards religious folk, unless they start something with me which is very rare.
Since I do not belong to a religion I don't want my life being impacted by any.
If your church says my bisexuality is a sin, good for it, but don't expect me to sit back and accept that/live by its teachings.

I just don't see any real proof of a God, in the way told to me, anywhere.
That's just me.

And God is Dead was a horrid movie, hated that pile of crap.

 Rainbow Dash wrote:
There's no anger towards religious folk, unless they start something with me which is very rare.
Since I do not belong to a religion I don't want my life being impacted by any.
If your church says my bisexuality is a sin, good for it, but don't expect me to sit back and accept that/live by its teachings.

I just don't see any real proof of a God, in the way told to me, anywhere.
That's just me.

And God is Dead was a horrid movie, hated that pile of crap.

My church says, like whatever man, tune in turn off and drop out...

We're Whiskapalians! Sweet Jebus liked to party and he brought the munchies AND the wine, 'cause thats how he rolled.

 Frazzled wrote:
Well, how many avowed atheists you know who aren't angry?

Every avowed atheist I've met has been a real head. I'm sure there are many, the majority even, who aren't, BUT IN MY ACTUAL EXPERIENCE ONLY they always have been.

All of my friends who are atheists are perfectly pleasant people.

 jasper76 wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Well, how many avowed atheists you know who aren't angry?

Every avowed atheist I've met has been a real head. I'm sure there are many, the majority even, who aren't, BUT IN MY ACTUAL EXPERIENCE ONLY they always have been.

All of my friends who are atheists are perfectly pleasant people.

Thats just what they want you to think!

Are they pleasant around religious types too? As I said that was strictly my personal experience. Your mileage may vary.

Yes, they are.

By the way, you are an atheist regarding every deity except the one(s) you happen to believe in. Does that make you an angry person. Are you angry around or towards people who believe in a different God?

 jasper76 wrote:
Does that make you an angry person.

Have you met Frazzled?

 d-usa wrote:

 jasper76 wrote:
Does that make you an angry person.

Have you met Frazzled?

Yea thats kind of like going up to Hulk and asking you mad bro?

Frazzled follows the philosophy of TBone the Magnificent, Herald of the Great Wienie:

I agree there is an awful lot of attempted Christian persecution of secular culture in the USA but thankfully the constitution protects people to some extent.

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

squidhills wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

I kind of sorta see their point on Satanists. I assume these actions weren't done by "Christian Satanists" (by that I mean people who worship the biblical Satan), but Church of Satan people, who are well known as a group of atheists who delight in the practice of mocking Christianity theatrically (why anyone would choose this as a hobby eludes me)

But hey....freedom of religion doesn't mean much if it only applies to a select group.

I think its funny as heck, but they should have had Goatboy sitting, holding an American flag in one hand.

"America, even the Devil thinks you're Badass. Hurr!"

squidhills wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

Actually... I think the religious right were more "mocking" it than it being "attacks".

Shoot... I saw a kickstarter by a (allegedly) religious organization to fund a "Flying spaghetti monster" statue.

Lemme see if I can find it... genuinely curious what happened to it.

squidhills wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

The problem is that the religious right are a bunch of **** ***** **** ***** who want a bunch of special rules to protect their special privileges and oppress everyone they don't like.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
I agree there is an awful lot of attempted Christian persecution of secular culture in the USA but thankfully the constitution protects people to some extent.

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

You had me at 'erection'.

PhantomViper wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Yes.

Vote for this guy. He'll make the buses run on time.

Well, he failed spectacularly then...

My mother has just came home from a vacation in Italy last week, she said that its pretty normal there for trains and buses to run 30 or 40 minutes late on average.

A dictator that can't even make the trains run on time is a pretty crap dictator indeed.

Actually... when Mussolini took power, he DID make trains run on time for a goodly period of his power.

Apparently, the natural state for Italian public transport is not on time


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Rainbow Dash wrote:
There's no anger towards religious folk, unless they start something with me which is very rare.
Since I do not belong to a religion I don't want my life being impacted by any.
If your church says my bisexuality is a sin, good for it, but don't expect me to sit back and accept that/live by its teachings.

I just don't see any real proof of a God, in the way told to me, anywhere.
That's just me.

And God is Dead was a horrid movie, hated that pile of crap.

Same here... and I agree that "God's Not Dead" was a terrible, terrible waste of my 2 hours or however long it was.

Somewhat entertaining... Today, I go to this lunch time event at my college. It's a "Veteran's Day Ice Cream Social". So I show up, and I'm wearing my "Victory or Valhalla" T-shirt:



And the Veteran Student Advisor comes up to me, asking if I'd like to say a prayer for the "ceremony" and I responded with, "sure, but who am I supposed to pray to?"

"Lord Yokoshima, thank you for not claiming my body today, for your hunger for the living will never be quelled and you will continue eating Lord Kaunis' work, and fighting Lord Lokasenna for to sway the balance in your favour.
Please do not take those who are here today, for they deserve life a little longer. We say these things, as beings of Kaunis, her creations, and pray to you all, amen"

That's my psudo neo-pagan prayer...none to blessing lol

Good thing no one played the race card yet

 Kilkrazy wrote:

squidhills wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

The problem is that the religious right are a bunch of **** ***** **** ***** who want a bunch of special rules to protect their special privileges and oppress everyone they don't like.

Theocrats are just another form of statists to me and I therefore literally have no use for them. I am honestly curious what special privileges you believe Christians have because I can't think of any I've been taking advantage of and I don't want to keep missing out.

In regards to the article in the OP it never ceases to amaze me the way the "news" constantly just throws up pointless stories featuring commentary from worthless people. Santorum's last notable accomplishment was winning a statewide election in PA fourteen years ago. He literally speaks for no one but himself and is just another citizen. There really isn't any reason to pay any attention to anything he has to say. The article is just another instance of a network trying to make a story out of something meaningless. The fact that somebody in America said something outlandish isn't news, doesn't impact anyone's life and I'm disappointed in myself for spending any time on this at all.

Some people need to see the world as "Us vs. Them" no matter the situation. Some politicians play on that lunacy for votes, others actually are those kinds of idiots. Santorum is the latter.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

Actually... this just shows that Santorum knows absolutely nothing about history.

This was the first thing that came to my mind as well. I don't know much about Rick Santorum, but now I can confirm that he doesn't know anything about Nazi Germany.

Prestor Jon wrote:
I am honestly curious what special privileges you believe Christians have because I can't think of any I've been taking advantage of and I don't want to keep missing out.

Just because a fish doesn't know it is in water because it surrounds it doesn't mean it lives on the lands, it just means it doesn't see it. This use of the word is less about the laymen use of the term and more philosophical; it is less about what you get and more about what you don't think about and don't have to deal with. You can run for office easier, you aren't defined by your religion for many purposes, more often than not people will assume you are Christian unless you say otherwise, and things of that nature. Church It is also a nice place to network, whether intentional or not. The superstructure of society and law is built on Christian theology and history.

Prestor Jon wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

squidhills wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

The problem is that the religious right are a bunch of **** ***** **** ***** who want a bunch of special rules to protect their special privileges and oppress everyone they don't like.

Theocrats are just another form of statists to me and I therefore literally have no use for them. I am honestly curious what special privileges you believe Christians have because I can't think of any I've been taking advantage of and I don't want to keep missing out.

In regards to the article in the OP it never ceases to amaze me the way the "news" constantly just throws up pointless stories featuring commentary from worthless people. Santorum's last notable accomplishment was winning a statewide election in PA fourteen years ago. He literally speaks for no one but himself and is just another citizen. There really isn't any reason to pay any attention to anything he has to say. The article is just another instance of a network trying to make a story out of something meaningless. The fact that somebody in America said something outlandish isn't news, doesn't impact anyone's life and I'm disappointed in myself for spending any time on this at all.

And more recently, Santorum came in 2nd for the GOP presidential candidate, carrying 11 states. But if the air is sweet on top of that horse, breathe deep and ride on, my friend!

 jasper76 wrote:

squidhills wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

I kind of sorta see their point on Satanists. I assume these actions weren't done by "Christian Satanists" (by that I mean people who worship the biblical Satan), but Church of Satan people, who are well known as a group of atheists who delight in the practice of mocking Christianity theatrically (why anyone would choose this as a hobby eludes me)

But hey....freedom of religion doesn't mean much if it only applies to a select group.

Well known as a group of Atheists.. So you are specifically insulting someone's religion because you believe it specifically as an attack on Christianity?

I thought there was a Atheist persecution in America not a Christian Persecution?

No in authority one has ever said that Christians aren't real citizens and/or patriots, but that has been said about atheists.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Well known as a group of Atheists..

This is an observed opinion about some Satanists, and not necessarily a Christian opinion per se. Satanists is a very broad term, covering religion and philosophy (of a Ubermensch variety). Some observers point out that Satanists at times seem less like a religion and more like an advocacy group that likes to stick it at Christianity in very tongue in cheek ways.

 LordofHats wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Well known as a group of Atheists..

This is an observed opinion about some Satanists, and not necessarily a Christian opinion per se. Satanists is a very broad term, covering religion and philosophy (of a Ubermensch variety). Some observers point out that Satanists at times seem less like a religion and more like an advocacy group that likes to stick it at Christianity in very tongue in cheek ways.

You have those of the Church of Satan which is what he referenced, rather then the generic groups that seem to pop up in a general term.

Though at the same time most do have a sense of humor about it, and generally do poke Christianity when it's trying to pass laws for "Group Religious Efforts" when it really means "Christianity only", such as the 10 Commandments statue issue. While it is ribbing on them, it is rather pointing out their hypocrisy when it comes to such laws.

Is it really "sticking it to Christianity" by doing exactly the same things as some Christian groups do to highlight the point that Christianity gets special treatment?

I thought it was more of an all out war on a persecuted minority who are very much in danger of being rounded up and up into concentration camps for even daring to think that they might be Christian

 SilverMK2 wrote:
Is it really "sticking it to Christianity" by doing exactly the same things as some Christian groups do to highlight the point that Christianity gets special treatment?

That's what I'd call it yeah


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
While it is ribbing on them, it is rather pointing out their hypocrisy when it comes to such laws.

I'm not saying there's no hypocrisy in said laws. Just that there are times where it seems like Satanist groups exist solely to advocate against them, doing so in a very tongue in cheek manner (and that's not me ribbing at Satanists).

 LordofHats wrote:
I'm not saying there's no hypocrisy in said laws. Just that there are times where it seems like Satanist groups exist solely to advocate against them, doing so in a very tongue in cheek manner (and that's not me ribbing at Satanists).

You'd rather that they were rallying against homosexuals? Maybe trying to ensure that people don't have access to contraceptives and other medical treatments?

 Ahtman wrote:

Prestor Jon wrote:
I am honestly curious what special privileges you believe Christians have because I can't think of any I've been taking advantage of and I don't want to keep missing out.

Just because a fish doesn't know it is in water because it surrounds it doesn't mean it lives on the lands, it just means it doesn't see it. This use of the word is less about the laymen use of the term and more philosophical; it is less about what you get and more about what you don't think about and don't have to deal with. You can run for office easier, you aren't defined by your religion for many purposes, more often than not people will assume you are Christian unless you say otherwise, and things of that nature. Church It is also a nice place to network, whether intentional or not. The superstructure of society and law is built on Christian theology and history.

#checkyourchristianprivilege

Here are some examples as a supplement to what Ahtman is saying:
http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/05/list-of-examples-of-christian-privileg/

He made a pretty harsh comparison. Invoking Nazi Germany attitude towards religion which is pretty much is on the button when the Nazism was in full swing.

Thinking he had Houston Mayor/DA and Sermons turn over on his mind as an example

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Well known as a group of Atheists.. So you are specifically insulting someone's religion because you believe it specifically as an attack on Christianity?

"Insulting" is not the term I would choose. I am an atheist; I don't find the term offensive in the least. If this particular Church is not peopled mostly by atheists who take delight in theatrically mocking Christianity, please enlighten me. I'm just going by their own films and publications that they themselves have published and that I have seen.

I find it peculiar in the same way as I would a Church joining together with people who take pleasure in theatrically mocking Native American religions, Judaism, Hinduism, or any other religion. In short, I don't begrudge anyone the right to do these things (First Amendment and all), I am just a bit befuddled why anyone would really enjoy this mode of expression.

But I'm not worked up about it or anything. It is a more a matter of curiosity to me than anything else.

 jasper76 wrote:
I don't begrudge anyone the right to do these things (First Amendment and all), I am just a bit befuddled why anyone would really enjoy this mode of expression.

But I'm not worked up about it or anything. It is a more a matter of curiosity to me than anything else.

It is a particularly effective, inoffensive (to the vast majority of people) way of highlighting the hypocrisy and inequality enacted in the name of "religion", mainly Christian as Christianity is typically a majority, and typically (in the USA at least) a strong presence in government despite the separation of church and state.

If certain Christians are offended by the CoS requesting permission to put up a statue outside a courthouse, perhaps those Christians should realise that many people take umbrage with an obviously Christian monument being erected, and stop with the whole special-snowflake-turning-into-"oh-no-we're-being-oppressed" routine.

 SilverMK2 wrote:

 jasper76 wrote:
I don't begrudge anyone the right to do these things (First Amendment and all), I am just a bit befuddled why anyone would really enjoy this mode of expression.

But I'm not worked up about it or anything. It is a more a matter of curiosity to me than anything else.

It is a particularly effective, inoffensive (to the vast majority of people) way of highlighting the hypocrisy and inequality enacted in the name of "religion", mainly Christian as Christianity is typically a majority, and typically (in the USA at least) a strong presence in government despite the separation of church and state.

If certain Christians are offended by the CoS requesting permission to put up a statue outside a courthouse, perhaps those Christians should realise that many people take umbrage with an obviously Christian monument being erected, and stop with the whole special-snowflake-turning-into-"oh-no-we're-being-oppressed" routine.

I don't know...I guess I think things like the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Dragon achieve the same thing, without deliberately trying to enrage people with direct "anti-this-or-that" mockeries. Just my opinion here.

 jasper76 wrote:
I don't know...I guess I think things like the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Dragon achieve the same thing, without deliberately trying to enrage people with direct "anti-this-or-that" mockeries. Just my opinion here.

FSM hasn't really done anything in years and I've never even heard of Invisible Dragon and I am pretty interested in groups running an anti-religious (or rather, a religious-equality) agenda. CoS is one of the few organisations that an atheist (or any other interested individual) can sign up to which has an active stance on working to ensure religious freedom for all, not just those who pray facing the right direction or to the right icon.

 SilverMK2 wrote:

 jasper76 wrote:
I don't know...I guess I think things like the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Dragon achieve the same thing, without deliberately trying to enrage people with direct "anti-this-or-that" mockeries. Just my opinion here.

FSM hasn't really done anything in years and I've never even heard of Invisible Dragon and I am pretty interested in groups running an anti-religious (or rather, a religious-equality) agenda. CoS is one of the few organisations that an atheist (or any other interested individual) can sign up to which has an active stance on working to ensure religious freedom for all, not just those who pray facing the right direction or to the right icon.

There's also the ACLU, fwiw. Also, American Atheists, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Atheist Alliance International, and Center for Inquiry, just off the top of my head.

The Invisible Dragon was a device used in Carl Sagan's "Demon Haunted World" (excellent book, btw). It basically makes the same point as the FSM....I don't think it ever really caught on as a symbol for any kind of movement or activity, so I probably should not have mentioned it.

 jasper76 wrote:


There's also the ACLU

Read my very first post. The ACLU is only anti-Christian if you ignore all the cases they've taken up to defend the rights of Christians. The ACLU is anti-Government endorsed religion, not anti-Christian.

 LordofHats wrote:

 jasper76 wrote:


There's also the ACLU

Read my very first post. The ACLU is only anti-Christian if you ignore all the cases they've taken up to defend the rights of Christians. The ACLU is anti-Government endorsed religion, not anti-Christian.

I didn't mean to say the ACLU was anti-Christian, only that its an org that people can support if they are interested in protecting the religious freedomes of everyone

http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/05/list-of-examples-of-christian-privileg/

Most of those are not accurate, but I'm sure you disagree.

 Frazzled wrote:

http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/05/list-of-examples-of-christian-privileg/

Most of those are not accurate, but I'm sure you disagree.

Well you are a fish living in water.


I just read an article about the right for terminally ill patient being able to choose when or how to end it if they choose and several Senators in several states said they would never allow legislation for it as only God should be able to choose when you die of a terrible, fatal illness. I should have saved it as it seems appropriate here.

Remember, this is a man that wanted to make consensual oral and anal sex, even between heterosexual married couple, illegal.

The only thing Rick spews is verbal santorum.

 SilverMK2 wrote:

 jasper76 wrote:
I don't know...I guess I think things like the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Dragon achieve the same thing, without deliberately trying to enrage people with direct "anti-this-or-that" mockeries. Just my opinion here.

FSM hasn't really done anything in years and I've never even heard of Invisible Dragon and I am pretty interested in groups running an anti-religious (or rather, a religious-equality) agenda. CoS is one of the few organisations that an atheist (or any other interested individual) can sign up to which has an active stance on working to ensure religious freedom for all, not just those who pray facing the right direction or to the right icon.

I'm just now noticing you live in the UK, and I listed a bunch of American orgs. If you're sincerely interested, here's a list of secular organization with an International and United Kingdom section:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_secularist_organizations

I just read an article about the right for terminally ill patient being able to choose when or how to end it if they choose and several Senators in several states said they would never allow legislation for it as only God should be able to choose when you die of a terrible, fatal illness. I should have saved it as it seems appropriate here.

Lets not go there. I have serious personal issues on that.

 Frazzled wrote:

I just read an article about the right for terminally ill patient being able to choose when or how to end it if they choose and several Senators in several states said they would never allow legislation for it as only God should be able to choose when you die of a terrible, fatal illness. I should have saved it as it seems appropriate here.

Lets not go there. I have serious personal issues on that.

But on the other hand, that's a pretty significant way that Christian "pro life" values intrude on non Christians. For someone who is terminally ill, is only going to go through more pain and suffering, and a decision that will not hurt anyone else, why wouldn't that be a rallying cry for the right who often tout against the government telling them what they can and cannot do? Christianity is why.

Ot address correctly, is there a similar right in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?

Are we done talking about the US then?

 Frazzled wrote:
Ot address correctly, is there a similar right in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?

But we're not talking about the rest of the world. We're discussing the US.

 d-usa wrote:
Are we done talking about the US then?

Nope. but to make the statement that its all the evil Christers fault one has to look at other countries.
And the statement of one person does not a law make. Thats a state issue.

 Frazzled wrote:

 d-usa wrote:
Are we done talking about the US then?

Nope. but to make the statement that its all the evil Christers fault one has to look at other countries.

But we are not saying all Christians are evil.

What we are saying is that in the US, Christian beliefs are common and that for US Christians to think that they being persecuted in any way is a ludicrous idea, especially with how much legal policies and laws are openly in favor of Christian teachings and values.

And if we don't want to use the assisted suicide as an example for that, we can look at gay marriage and contraceptives laws.

 RivenSkull wrote:
Christianity is why.

No, it's not. Bigot donkey-cave morons is why. Christianity is just a tool for them. Were Christianity not a thing in USA, they'd still be there.

 jasper76 wrote:

Prestor Jon wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

squidhills wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:

As witness the erection of satanist statues in courthouses across the Southern Baptist districts and so on.

The problem is the erection of a Satanist statue on courthouse grounds is seen by the religious right as being one of the very "attacks" on Christianity that proves the persecution they face on a daily basis.

The problem is that the religious right are a bunch of **** ***** **** ***** who want a bunch of special rules to protect their special privileges and oppress everyone they don't like.

Theocrats are just another form of statists to me and I therefore literally have no use for them. I am honestly curious what special privileges you believe Christians have because I can't think of any I've been taking advantage of and I don't want to keep missing out.

In regards to the article in the OP it never ceases to amaze me the way the "news" constantly just throws up pointless stories featuring commentary from worthless people. Santorum's last notable accomplishment was winning a statewide election in PA fourteen years ago. He literally speaks for no one but himself and is just another citizen. There really isn't any reason to pay any attention to anything he has to say. The article is just another instance of a network trying to make a story out of something meaningless. The fact that somebody in America said something outlandish isn't news, doesn't impact anyone's life and I'm disappointed in myself for spending any time on this at all.

And more recently, Santorum came in 2nd for the GOP presidential candidate, carrying 11 states. But if the air is sweet on top of that horse, breathe deep and ride on, my friend!

He still lost. He still hold no office and represents no one except himself. Rick Santorum is just another citizen the same as you or me his words carry no more weight than ours. CNN only uses him for ratings. I still see no reason to care one iota about anything Santorum says or believes.

Santorum was ultimately too crazy to be president. The only reason he made it to second was because every other Republican candidate got screwed in various scandals, or failed to catch on and dropped out. He got second only by the virtue of not quitting till Romney's nomination was blatantly clear.

 Aesop the God Awful wrote:

 RivenSkull wrote:
Christianity is why.

No, it's not. Bigot donkey-cave morons is why. Christianity is just a tool for them. Were Christianity not a thing in USA, they'd still be there.

I believe this is partially true.

When you see some go from being a nice person who is friendly with your family to saying we're all going to hell because we support my lesbian sister and she's an abomination to god.

Some people are already donkey-caves, but some blindly listen when they are told who they have to hate, because god.

 LordofHats wrote:
Santorum was ultimately too crazy to be president. The only reason he made it to second was because every other Republican candidate got screwed in various scandals, or failed to catch on and dropped out. He got second only by the virtue of not quitting till Romney's nomination was blatantly clear.

You're letting your political feelings about the guy color your opinions here. He's a smart, strong campaigner who *clearly* connected with the most conservative folks in the GOP in a way that Romney never did. People laughed when he announced his campaign, but people (Romney included) weren't laughing by the end. You don't blindly luck into winning as many primaries as he did.

And I've said it here before, but I've been told by someone I trust and in position to know that Santorum wasn't always so conservative. Being a far right firebrand greatly helped his career overall (his rise from Representative to junior Senator to #3 man in the Senate was fairly meteoric), although again it obviously cost him his seat in PA.

 RivenSkull wrote:

 Aesop the God Awful wrote:

 RivenSkull wrote:
Christianity is why.

No, it's not. Bigot donkey-cave morons is why. Christianity is just a tool for them. Were Christianity not a thing in USA, they'd still be there.

I believe this is partially true.

When you see some go from being a nice person who is friendly with your family to saying we're all going to hell because we support my lesbian sister and she's an abomination to god.

Good thing this didn't color your view of Christians. But hey we haven't had a lets bash Christians thread in like 24 hours.

Romney wasn't my guy. I'm completely serious. Santorum only got second by virtue that Perry dropped out. He didn't blindly win, he won because the hardcore would never vote for Romney, and they lost Perry to vote for. By the time Perry dropped out, it was only going to be Santorum or Romney.

Getting second by virtue of last man standing isn't brilliant campaigning (and I'm not even insulting his campaign really, merely pointing out that getting second doesn't actually amount to much in his case). Getting second place in a race with two men is a rather token second place.

Perry was my guy.

I couldn't stand Santorum... but, I'd wager he'd be a decent President. It's just that Santorum would've been a much worse candidate than Romney could ever be.

2012 was a terrible Republican year and we all know it. Takes Douche and a Turd to a new level.

2016 will be the Democrats turn.

 LordofHats wrote:
2012 was a terrible Republican year and we all know it. Takes Douche and a Turd to a new level.

Agreed. The primary was all about a dissatisfied party base protest voting for various candidates. Too much pandering because none of the candidates could run on principles and records.

 RivenSkull wrote:

 Aesop the God Awful wrote:

 RivenSkull wrote:
Christianity is why.

No, it's not. Bigot donkey-cave morons is why. Christianity is just a tool for them. Were Christianity not a thing in USA, they'd still be there.

I believe this is partially true.

When you see some go from being a nice person who is friendly with your family to saying we're all going to hell because we support my lesbian sister and she's an abomination to god.

Some people are already donkey-caves, but some blindly listen when they are told who they have to hate, because god.

It's not "because God". It's because weak stupid people. Take Christianity and God out of the equation, give these people any easy BS reason to hate on others and feel better about themselves in the process, and they'd take it.

Now it just so happens to be Christians in the US that are guilty of these things, but to blame "Christianity"? I agree with Frazzled that before it's reasonable to say "Christianity is why", you gotta take a little look outside of USA.

Just for the record though, saying Christians are persecuted in the US is indeed beyond ridiculous. Losing some ground (that they probably shouldn't have had in the first place), sure, but persecuted...

Just for the record though, saying Christians are persecuted in the US is indeed beyond ridiculous. Losing some ground (that they probably shouldn't have had in the first place), sure, but persecuted...

Agreed.

 whembly wrote:
Perry was my guy.

I was never fond of the guy, and I'll give you three reasons why: He claims to be a small-government conservative while pressing laws that defined marriage and issuing executive orders mandating the HPV vaccine, he fought tooth and nail against the ACA while simultaneous presiding over the state with the highest percentage of uninsured residents in the US, and... um.... the uh, oops.

 Ouze wrote:

 whembly wrote:
Perry was my guy.

I was never fond of the guy, and I'll give you three reasons why: He claims to be a small-government conservative while pressing laws that defined marriage and issuing executive orders mandating the HPV vaccine, he fought tooth and nail against the ACA while simultaneous presiding over the state with the highest percentage of uninsured residents in the US, and... um.... the uh, oops.

He's not perfect.

No one is...

But given the "choices" on hand, he was my guy.*

What? Did ya want me to vote for Gingrich?

*It's because I'm partial to Governors... I think they'd make "better" Presidents.

 Ouze wrote:

 whembly wrote:
Perry was my guy.

I was never fond of the guy, and I'll give you three reasons why: He claims to be a small-government conservative while pressing laws that defined marriage and issuing executive orders mandating the HPV vaccine, he fought tooth and nail against the ACA while simultaneous presiding over the state with the highest percentage of uninsured residents in the US, and... um.... the uh, oops.

I was very much in support of the HPV vaccine. It was done over heavy conservative objection.
The real scandal is the slushfund for new business in Texas. That will blow him out of contention.
But the Democrats in Travis County are hounding him on this nonsense lawsuit, that covers over that pernicious activity.

 d-usa wrote:
There are some martyrs who would probably love to smack some of these idiots for claiming "persecution".

There are people willing to be tortured and killed for their faith and who are willing, and happy, to endure poverty and public ridicule for the opportunity to share their faith.

And here we have people who claim that they are under attack because secular laws based on Christian beliefs are being struck down and and because they are being told that it's illegal to discriminate against others.

Being persecuted for loving others is persecution, being told not to use your religion to force your belief on others isn't.

That was great. Can I put a link to this in my sig?

 Frazzled wrote:
But hey we haven't had a lets bash Christians thread in like 24 hours.

Unless somehow a few idiots on one side are representative of all Christians (protip: they aren't) that isn't occurring.

It's almost like an example of that persecution complex...

 Co'tor Shas wrote:

 d-usa wrote:
There are some martyrs who would probably love to smack some of these idiots for claiming "persecution".

There are people willing to be tortured and killed for their faith and who are willing, and happy, to endure poverty and public ridicule for the opportunity to share their faith.

And here we have people who claim that they are under attack because secular laws based on Christian beliefs are being struck down and and because they are being told that it's illegal to discriminate against others.

Being persecuted for loving others is persecution, being told not to use your religion to force your belief on others isn't.

That was great. Can I put a link to this in my sig?

Sure. I speak for no one but myself though

Washington (CNN) -- Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania, said this week that the growing threat towards American religious freedom by the government could lead to "Christian persecution," similar to how the oppression of Jews and Christians evolved over time under Nazi Germany.

Arguing that the rise of the Nazi regime happened in a stable country where it was not expected, Santorum said that a similar situation could occur in the United States where, according to Santorum, religious liberties are "under direct assault" for the first time in history.

OMG , what a fething idiot. Germany was in no way stable when the nazis were on the rise.
"History? what's that?" Rick Santorum.

Happen to remember the Versailles Treaty was a major pipe wrench thrown in the gears of the economy Also I happen to remember some territory was claimed by allied troops (France?) occupied parts of the Rhineland when Germany failed to make reparation payments.

If a Catholic Priest in a Spiritual Leadership position voice how wrong same sex marriage, gays and lesbians being wrong, and speak approvingly of whatever to block acceptance of those concern it becoming a stigma of Hate Speech.

[...]growing threat towards American religious freedom by the government could lead to "Christian persecution," similar to how the oppression of Jews and Christians evolved over time under Nazi Germany. [...]

"The idea that you can have this kind of persecution take place over a period of ten years -- where you go from Christians -- Jews, obviously, but also Christians being not just persecuted but put to death -- was unfathomable," [...]

So what, Hitler and the Nazis were what, Muslim? Atheist? Scientologists?
Whatever views someone might have on Christianity its a well documented fact that Hitler and the Nazis were strongly Christian and wanted to wipe out the Jews because they were of a different religion (among other thing of course). During their rise to power the Nazis used their Christianity to gain support from those with more right wing views and to inspire further hatred towards Jews (and others).

As a fun fact the only leading Nazi to get excommunicated by the church was Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's master of propaganda, and he got excommunicated for getting married to a Protestant woman.

 Daemonhammer wrote:

[...]growing threat towards American religious freedom by the government could lead to "Christian persecution," similar to how the oppression of Jews and Christians evolved over time under Nazi Germany. [...]

"The idea that you can have this kind of persecution take place over a period of ten years -- where you go from Christians -- Jews, obviously, but also Christians being not just persecuted but put to death -- was unfathomable," [...]

So what, Hitler and the Nazis were what, Muslim? Atheist? Scientologists?
Whatever views someone might have on Christianity its a well documented fact that Hitler and the Nazis were strongly Christian and wanted to wipe out the Jews because they were of a different religion (among other thing of course). During their rise to power the Nazis used their Christianity to gain support from those with more right wing views and to inspire further hatred towards Jews (and others).

As a fun fact the only leading Nazi to get excommunicated by the church was Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's master of propaganda, and he got excommunicated for getting married to a Protestant woman.

Nu-uh! Everyone knows Hitler is a shining example of an Atheist and that they're all evil! The internet told me so! /sarcasm

 Daemonhammer wrote:
During their rise to power the Nazis used their Christianity to gain support from those with more right wing views and to inspire further hatred towards Jews (and others).

I agree with all but this..... It's damn near impossible to get much more Right Wing than Fascism