Friday, April 22, 2011
Casting lots for his cloak
History usually rhymes. Sometimes it repeats with a perfect da capo al fine.
In the Islamic Republic of al-Michigan, a jury is deciding RIGHT NOW whether Pastor Jones can be allowed to preach the Christian message.
From Reuters:
From an earlier news article:
Da capo al fine.
I suspect the last note will be rather less dramatic this time, because we're ending with a whimper.
= = = = =
Update: Pontius II said Pastor Jones is guilty, and cannot be allowed to preach. This doesn't mean the death of Jones, of course, but it does rip the last tiny thread from the ragged remnants of the old Constitution. This decision explicitly rolls the stone onto the ancient Western tradition of religious freedom. Bye bye Magna Carta.
America now has the same official religious setup as China, with licensed and unlicensed religions.
Like China, we won't constantly persecute the unlicensed Christians unless they get uppity. When unlicensed religions get uppity (e.g. speaking in public) we'll bring in the Delta Force and the tanks, burn them out and snipe their women and babies.
Licensed religions will get better treatment. When they get uppity (e.g. flying planes into buildings) we'll give them Cabinet-level offices and appoint them as government advisers, and we'll send our military to fight on their side in randomly chosen foreign countries.
Hmm. We're already doing all of that. I guess today's decision just firms up the legalistic basis of a policy that's been in effect for 22 years. ¶ 8:08 AM
In the Islamic Republic of al-Michigan, a jury is deciding RIGHT NOW whether Pastor Jones can be allowed to preach the Christian message.
From Reuters:
Dearborn, which includes one of the largest Muslim American communities in the United States, has denied Jones and a handful of his supporters a permit to protest outside the Islamic Center of America.
Detroit area clergy and community activists have rallied against the planned protest by Jones in recent days, calling him a divisive figure who practices hate speech.
Jones, who represented himself in court on Thursday, said he would attempt to protest outside the mosque with a handful of supporters even if he is barred.
From an earlier news article:
Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. ...
Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house.
Da capo al fine.
I suspect the last note will be rather less dramatic this time, because we're ending with a whimper.
= = = = =
Update: Pontius II said Pastor Jones is guilty, and cannot be allowed to preach. This doesn't mean the death of Jones, of course, but it does rip the last tiny thread from the ragged remnants of the old Constitution. This decision explicitly rolls the stone onto the ancient Western tradition of religious freedom. Bye bye Magna Carta.
America now has the same official religious setup as China, with licensed and unlicensed religions.
Like China, we won't constantly persecute the unlicensed Christians unless they get uppity. When unlicensed religions get uppity (e.g. speaking in public) we'll bring in the Delta Force and the tanks, burn them out and snipe their women and babies.
Licensed religions will get better treatment. When they get uppity (e.g. flying planes into buildings) we'll give them Cabinet-level offices and appoint them as government advisers, and we'll send our military to fight on their side in randomly chosen foreign countries.
Hmm. We're already doing all of that. I guess today's decision just firms up the legalistic basis of a policy that's been in effect for 22 years. ¶ 8:08 AM
