Alabama Politician: Jesus was a Man's Man! (sigh)

This is how it's done in in the Deep South, folks.  Not only have conservative pols in Alabama abandoned any pretense of church/state separation, WHNT News Anchor Steve Johnson has also ditched the doctrine that helps keep religious extremists from controlling our lives.  In a televised debate for the office of Fifth Congressional District in Alabama, Johnson served as moderator to Republican Wayne Parker and Democrat Parker Griffith.  Johnson's first searing question:   "How do you reconcile the tone of this campaign with your Christianity?  Is this how Jesus would want to see you campaigning?  And maybe the best way to ask this is with the popular question - What would Jesus do?"  (Blue Gal quips:  And to think I found the late Tim Russert's "what's your favorite Bible verse?" question appalling.) 

Right-winger Parker with his dead eyes and lacquered hair responded:  "That's a good question.  You know, oftentimes Jesus is presented as meek and mild.  But he was a man's man.  He grew up a carpenter.  He worked with his hands."  

Yup.  That's what right-wing lawmakers and TV personalities in the Yellowhammer State call political discourse.  You betcha.  I wouldn't have been surprised if at the end of the debate they'd stoned a few witches.  It's worth noting that Democrat Griffith used his sixty seconds to talk about the current financial crisis and disappearing pensions.  And he slyly closed his remarks by saying, "I think we really have done ourselves a disservice by not discussing the issues."  (Amen to that.)

Swine!  Dirty atheist!  How dare you talk about issues!  This is the Bible Belt!  All we want to hear about is how manly Jesus was!  (Blue Gal has the clip, if you can stomach it.)

Comments

[Blue Gal]

Thanks for the linky love....adding you to my blogroll.

[Amanda]

I'm sick and tired of having to hear about religion and politics in the same breath. Keep. It. In. The. Church.