Racism, fear and Christian nationalism fueled by misinformation

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There is a segment of the American voting population that is gripped with irrational fear from misinformation and Christian nationalist propaganda.  YouTube video maker "ushadrons" compiled a disturbing collection of media clips from 2007 to the present day to illustrate the "birther" issue to Christian nationalism to pure hatred (see the video embedded below).

Highlights of the video include:

President Obama's birth certificate has been joked about and questioned by numerous political leaders and pundits, ranging from Gov. Mitt Romney to Rep. Michele Bachmann, fueling a belief that the president is not American.  Some people believe that Obama is an illegal alien.  Others claim he is a Muslim, not an American, pushing an Islamic ideology.  Others say that the president is a terrorist.

At political rallies, attendees opine that Obama does not follow the Constitution, others say that he is imposing tyranny on Americans.

Religious right pundits like Pat Robertson liken liberals to "termites" who have invaded the education system, a notion believed by Tea Party activists who complain that children and young people are being "indoctrinated" to become socialists or communists.

Calls for the death of "queers and lesbians" have been voiced. "There's gays and there's working people," a man told an interviewer who asked if America seemed divided.

A woman told a filmmaker, "I hope there are enough Christians to save America."  Many claim that the president is not a Christian.  "We're going to fight it.  We're going to fight the immorality.  We're going to let this world know there is only one God.  There's only one way to heaven.  And you better sit up and you better take notice and you better start listening," another woman shouted to an interviewer.  Others claim that God  needs to be put in control of the country.  "This land is the fulfillment of God's prophecies through history and the bible," a man claimed.  The "Jesus Hates Obama" website advertises t-shirts and other propaganda.

Glenn Beck proclaimed that the president is a racist who has "a deep seated hatred for white people and the white culture."  At various rallies, racism toward Hispanics and Blacks is voiced, as well as antisemitism.

The video portrays an extreme element running as an undercurrent in American society that is fueled by politicians, the media, and religious leaders. The number of domestic hate and extremist groups in the United States grew to record levels in 2011, led by a surge in anti-government radicalism, according to a report released by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Editor's Note:  The video seems to imply that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney agrees with this extremism, which this writer does not believe is the case.  Conservatives say that the Occupy Movement from last year is also destructive and extreme.


{video link}

D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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  • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

    I ask to see Mitt Romney's birth certificate, the long form! I think the Mormon is ineligible to hold office because his god came from outer space.

    • Peter

      Mriana that's where god lives, didn't you know. It's a boring place called Heaven where you sing hymns all day praising your insecure deity. Hell sounds more interesting and you'll some interesting people. lol

      • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

        I still want to see Romney's Birth certificate, because if he's from where this god is, then he's not American.

        • Peter

          Hold on: I heard Robertson, Falwell, et al, imply god was American. I always thought he was Canadian but I guess not. Actually we're all Americans it is North America, after all. Actually, watching Romney, he moves like a robot, so maybe he isn't human. Just a thought.

          • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

            Yes, we're all Americans, except for Jesus. He was a Nazarene, born in Bethlehem. The Bible, his birth certificate, says so. Thus, he never was an American and therefore cannot serve as president. Actually, the man has three strikes against him concerning being president. He's dead, if he did exist that is, which is self-explanatory, but any-hoo… his VP would probably take his place and who might that be? The pope? The Episcopal Presiding Bishop? Leader of the [anti]Family whatchamacallit? Head of the Southern Baptist? Lastly, Jesus can't be president anymore than Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck can, because, if Jesus ever lived, he was not the man portrayed in the Bile.

            Now, as for God… Which deity is Robertson and Falwell talking about? If it's the Xian one, I always heard he lived in heaven, which is no where near being part of the Americas. However, I think it is a providence of Cloud 9 or a territory of Oz, which are both in the country of Wonderland.

            Now about Romney's birth certificate. I don't believe he's an American. He's a Mormon, which just isn't American.

  • Peter

    Christians want to ban a film telling, perhaps, the truth about Jesus but god forbid you want to censor what they produce. Can we say double standard, boys and girls?

    • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

      It is a double standard. See they can ban what you say and do, but since they are Xians they can't be censored, because everything they say is "from God". *rolling eyes*

  • Peter
  • Peter

    Damn didn't work.

    Paul Ryan's Apocalyptic Conservatism That's the title at Slate check out the picture

  • Peter
    • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

      Oh yes, I heard about Ryan's speech. What drug is he taking? Whatever it is, I don't want any.

      • Peter

        What I was getting at was the picture, and the Hitler salute. Change his black suit to brown with a swastika armband and a toothbrush mustache he could play Hitler in a big-budget movie.

        • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

          You're right. Now that is creepy, esp if he and Rummy get elected.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1348987731 Kelly Cowan

    "The video seems to imply that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney agrees with this extremism, which this writer does not believe is the case. Conservatives say that the Occupy Movement from last year is also destructive and extreme." This is complete nonsense, the video doesn't in any way imply that Mitt Romney agrees, in fact the video shows a clip of Mitt Romney at the end when he answers a reporters question about his interaction with a birther at one of his rallies, and clearly states…. " I don't agree with all the people who support me and my guess is they don't all agree with everything I believe in, but I need to get 50.1 percent or more and I'm appreciative to have the help of a lot of good people." – So while Romney says he doesn't agree with these voters he states that "I need to get 50.1 percent or more and I'm appreciative to have the help of a lot of good people." He didn't take the opportunity to correct the person at the rally, nor did he take the opportunity to set the record straight by telling the press it was nonsense. Your attempts to use a false equivalency regarding the Occupy Movement amount to apples and cell phones argument, there is no valid comparison. I think it is important for people to see what the Republican Party has become. People need to know, that if they are planning on voting for Romney, these are the people they will be siding with. Apologist like you are often further down the list for tyrannical political purges, and in your desire to see harmony you excuse the hate mongers until they are knocking on your door. Wake up!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1348987731 Kelly Cowan

    This is not about "an extreme element running as an undercurrent in American society", these people are between 23 and 28 percent of the voting populace by all polls I have seen. Don't try to conveniently couch this epidemic of fear, hate, and misinformation into some isolated incidents. It is time for America to acknowledge the reality of the ugly sore that has been picked open and infected by the corporatist, theocrats, and objectivist that now run the Republican Party. It is time to quit playing nice with outright divisive hate and expose it to the public for what it is. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

  • colourmegone

    "Racism, fear and Christian nationalism fueled by misinformation" Unfortunately they're fueled by human stupidity and hate and no amount of information, no matter how well supported, will cure those. Those who truly feel these emotions, i.e. racism, etc., will never respond to argument because their prejudices are based on emotions, not logic. All you can do is try to reach the more reasonable who may be more mildly culturally conditioned.