Sunday, August 18, 2013

Histrionics or good commentary? You decide.

Ray Mosby penned an editorial in the Mississippi Business Journal about the Governor. Blues Brothers, Governor Bryant, bent sticks, and mission from God. Not to be confused with talent on loan from God. Rather interesting missive and worth reading. A few paragraphs are posted below but it is highly recommended you click on the link and read the rest of it.


No doubt feeling the need to match his most ambitious Lt. Gov., who recited the entire Republican creed the day before, the governor of this state confirmed my long-held suspicion that he doesn’t get many calls for advice from NASA by saying something, that if taken literally, which I do not, would classify him as clinically delusional.

First, Gov. Phil Bryant said that after focusing on education and creating jobs in his first term of office, he will now concentrate on public safety. Fine. Good. I and the rest of the public are wholeheartedly in favor of safety.

But then the governor said something else. Then the governor said that he has a “divine responsibility” to oppose abortion, re-establish prayer in schools and protect gun ownership. And that’s not fine. And that’s not good.

“Divine responsibility,” governor? Really? Do you think yourself anointed by the Almighty to carry out what you perceive to be conservative Christian policies? Have you alone been “divinely” chosen as the one to do so?

Well, sir, if you do, then I have a constitutional responsibility to tell you something: The Blues Brothers were on “a mission from God,” Gov. Bryant. You aren’t. And you shouldn’t be. And if you really think you are, then you just might be a little bit wacky. Kindly see the highly relevant definition above.

Thinking you have a “divine responsibility” is a little bit like thinking you are Napoleon and a whole lot like what a competent psychiatrist would call a messianic complex.

This isn’t about your stated policy priorities, governor, all of which are wildly popular in this state and hence, most courageous of you to champion. But how dare you, sir, claim to fathom the mind of God and how dare you proclaim yourself the agent to carry out His wishes?

There is very little godly in politics, governor, and nothing divine at all in cheap, populist, political theatrics.
Column

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Feel is a good ole boy, with a handle on Ms. politics. Problem is, I think Tater is under minding him at every opportunity, and with Haley's push has a good chance at being your next Governor. Ready or Not.

Burke said...

Shades of the Muslim Brotherhood. Christian Law is no better for governing than Sharia Law. When will our politicians stop pandering to specific religions and make a genuine effort to abide by the First Amendment? Just a rhetorical question. Religious lobbyists will always work to get laws on the books that sanction their peculiar moral views. And they will often succeed, even though most of their constituents don't truly care if those laws are enforced. (Note: "gun laws" are not "moral laws." If Jehovah, for example, requires us to carry guns, He could have said so to Moses. As I recall, He dictated something to the contrary.)

Anonymous said...

I would love to click on that highly recommended link, but it isn't there. Kingfish, can you put the link in the comment so I can read the story?

Anonymous said...

So are you predicting 10:07 that Tater is going to run for Gov in 2015?

Pugnacious said...

But how dare you, sir, claim to fathom the mind of God and how dare you proclaim yourself the agent to carry out His wishes?

Didn't the sociopath abolitionist John Brown, generals Sherman and Sheridan and the Union warmonger Abraham Lincoln claim to be agents of the lord in crushing the Planter Class, hanging Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree and freeing the slaves?

Pfft!

Anonymous said...

Christian Law is no better for governing than Sharia Law.

Tell that to the poor souls who are decapitated for minor crimes or the raped women who get charged for crimes because their rapists won't confess.

Get real.

Anonymous said...

@10:34 IMO he is already "running".

Anonymous said...

" If Jehovah, for example, requires us to carry guns, He could have said so to Moses. As I recall, He dictated something to the contrary.) "

What, pray tell, did he dictate about guns (which had not been invented yet).

PS "planter class" is code speak for "slaveowners". You're a few centuries behind the class, Pug.

Anonymous said...

To hear most of you tell it, our government has no responsibility to support, much less dictate, any moral foundation whatsoever for our country. For, to do so, government would surely have to offend SOMEBODY somewhere, sometime. What you are proposing, my friends, is a completely lawless society. Is abortion "wrong"? In my opinion, yes! If it's not, then where do you draw YOUR line and why THERE? And who gave YOU the right to make that decision? Who annotated YOU with the Devine knowledge of knowing the exact moment, between conception and drawing of the first breath outside the womb, that "life" begins? Or, is simply your opinion that ANYBODY can be eliminated at any time if someone else deems you "inconvenient" ? And what if YOUR opinion offends ME? Why doesn't your ideological "nobody should be offended, EVER" mantra apply to ME and my fellow Christians? Why is only atheists and agnostics that have the right to be protected from "offensive" political positions?

Anonymous said...

12:02, the Bible provided the death penalty for disobeying parents and working on the Sabbath. Those most vociferous in condemning Islam are typically those most ignorant about their own religion. Shut up about Islam and try reading your own Bible. I assume you own one?

Anonymous said...

Don't be silly, 1:32 pm. You are making absurd intferences.

No one is arguing for a lawless society.

None of us, including you and Phil, speaks FOR God and most of us don't claim to do so.

We read the " inconvenient" Scripture as well . You know a few surely.There's the one about rendering to Caesar and the many about not being " puffed up"( arrogance in your religious beliefs in case you didn't get what " puffed up" means) and the " judge not less you be judged".

What Biblical instruction or other than a human who claims divine knowledge gives you the certainty as to when God considers life has begun? Perhaps, it's when there is a soul. Do you know when that is?

If it is at conception, why has no religion ever held services for miscarriages in the first trimester?

Not all Christians believe as you do on governmental policy so what gives your denomination the right to dictate to even a minority of AMERICANS?

Don't we have the freedom to be the captains of our own souls? Don't we have the freedom to be wrong as long as we break no law of man and to OUR own mind, break none of God's laws.


You have the right to try to change laws with which you disagree but you want to go beyond that.

You want a theocracy where our laws must all reflect your narrow interpretation in your denomination.

I will fight to the death any organized religion who tries to impose their beliefs on me or anyone else. And anyone who wants to impose their religious beliefs on others through law is no different than an Iman trying to do it through Sharia law.

In a free society, the law should be secular not religious!

READ HISTORY!


Reed said...

Kingfish - Why does your link point to a Daily Mail article about dope in a gun safe?

I will fight to the death any organized religion who tries to impose their beliefs on me or anyone else. And anyone who wants to impose their religious beliefs on others through law is no different than an Iman trying to do it through Sharia law.

I guess you'll fight to the death anonymously, right 2:36? It's really easy to make such bold statements when no one knows who you are. But since you're so convicted, make sure your realize that it is imam (lowercase, m at the end), otherwise you may find yourself physically assaulting David Bowie's wife.

We read the " inconvenient" Scripture as well...and the " judge not less you be judged".

It is "judge not, lest ye be judged," and it is the favorite out-of-context quote used by people who would just as soon use the Bible as toilet tissue.

Atheists, homosexuals, prostitutes, and many others who have never read more than ten words of the Holy Scripture love this one. It's their "get out of jail free" card. They cite it loudly and conspicuously, as if it is pure proscription against Christians standing up and declaring morality. They may abhor the Bible, but they sure do love Matthew 7:1!

But there are (at least) two problems with quoting Scripture out of context: 1) you often get it wrong and 2) you show your utter ignorance.

Christ does indeed warn us about making judgments of another's heart. We cannot see what is in the heart of our brother, so we are not authorized to pass judgment, especially when there is a beam in our own eye. However, we can see the actions of our fellow man, and when those actions are contrary to the Word of God, we are duty bound to point them out.

If I hear you telling a lie and I know it is a lie, then I have every right to call you out. Paul did so to Peter in Galatians when Peter sat with the Jews at dinner (Gal 2:11-14).

This verse is not inconvenient, as you put it. It is the Word of God, and it is not some petty little loophole to allow people to push their sinful behavior without just rebuke.

I'd invite you to read the rest of the Bible, not just the "inconvenient" passages that the enemies of Christianity find all to convenient to quote.

Perhaps you might find something worth discussing. It is my prayer that you would.

Anonymous said...

@2:36- I'm not the least bit "puffed up" up my religion. It appears to be you, not I, who doesn't understand that reference. And, since you appear to be trying to pass yourself off as a Bible scholar, perhaps you could explain how a Christian is supposed to follow Christ's teachings while simultaneously keeping his beliefs to himself. I'm very interested to hear your take on that. Furthermore, I have not even remotely attempted to declare knowledge of when GOD believes life starts. I've simply stated MY belief. Neither do I think our Gov. was making such an assertion. He is not an eloquent, off-the-cuff speaker. So what? At least, he speaks from him heart instead of just saying whatever he thinks will win him votes. And I firmly support his attempt to protect unborn children from being ground into pulp for the convenience of an irresponsible woman. And yes, I'm female.

Pugnacious said...

If Jehovah, for example, requires us to carry guns, He could have said so to Moses. As I recall, He dictated something to the contrary.)

Jehovah was referring to the biblical equivalent...STONES.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffwFXGPRDu4

Anonymous said...

"At least, he speaks from him heart instead of just saying whatever he thinks will win him votes."

Phil? LOL.

Anonymous said...

"At least, he speaks from him heart instead of just saying whatever he thinks will win him votes."

Because announcing a divine mission to fight abortion and gun control has nothing to do with winning votes?

That's a nominee for Stupidest JJ Comment of 2013.

Anonymous said...

"Planters class"
When I saw these words, I immediately thought Jimmy Carter, LBJ, and Bill Clinton.
I know in the case of Jimmy Carter & LBJ; they are literal descendants of Planters

Anonymous said...

4:04
That is not just the "post of the year" it may be the best post ever made on this website.

Anonymous said...

2:36 You are absolutely correct about one thing - your gov. (not mine) is certainly not an eloquent speaker. However, you are incorrect about him not saying whatever will will votes for him. He does know how to play to a crowd and will say whatever he believes they want to hear. He also believes that he is an actor/comedian and likes to play to the crowd. I only wish some of you "loyal supporters" had given him English and speech lessons before he was allowed to go out-of-state to speak. I can only imagine how individuals from other states receive him. What an embarrassment for the State of Mississippi - just like having Cliff Finch all over again!

Anonymous said...

The above post was meant for 4:41. My apologies to 2:36.

Anonymous said...

Fine piece of writing whether you agree with it or not. Loved the NASA comment.

Anonymous said...

For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world....we have plenty enough people to do that already

Burke said...

Excellent conversation, if I may say so.

Anonymous said...

8:42 - Since NASA's mission has been re-defined as telling the world what great scientific wonders can be atrributed to Muslims I don't think Pheel would be too helpful in that regard.

Anonymous said...

Ray Mosby is great. I don't know anyone in Rolling Fork or care about its local news, but I subscribe to the Deer Creek Pilot by mail just so I can read his weekly column and editorials.

Saltwaterpappy said...

Saltwaterpappy says: Unfortunately, when it comes to matters of faith, Gov. Bryant is NOT a conservative at all. Rather, he becomes just another Big Government Socialist who wants to control private lives using his theistic beliefs as a justification. To be sure, that is not good Conservative Republican government. Rather, it is just another form of Socialism. Ours may be a "Judeo/Christian" nation in many aspects of our culture. However, this culture cannot be imposed by the state on a free, secular, democratic
republic such as ours. That's right, ours is a secular, democratic republic. Let's keep it that
way!

Pappy

Anonymous said...

Reed, you are too funny.

You and " puffed up" entirely missed the point and so start nitpicking.

I will not have the government tell me what my religious beliefs must be. A theocracy is a theocracy is a theocracy. Some theocracies may be more brutal than others, but I would remind everyone there were wars about what was " the True religion" among Christians. Christians can get brutal too. And, before someone writes " that was centuries ago", I would remind everyone that " the Troubles" in northern Ireland were fairly recent. Indeed, the IRA used terrorism before we heard much about Islamic terrorists. Remember the bombings in London?

The " our religion isn't as bad as other religions" argument is a poor sell. It's like saying killing with poison isn't as bad as beheading. For some of us, the point is that the person suffered and is dead!

I can, " Puffy" ,live my beliefs and teach by example and by reaching out in fellowship and with good works rather than announcing " look at me, I'm a Christian so I'm better than those who aren't" . I can live my Faith without interjecting myself into every one else's personal business.
And, I have never found being hostile and denouncing others or fear to be the most persuasive strategies when one hopes for permanent change of heart.

And, here's a news flash, not all Christian denominations are evangelical. Not all Christian denominations believe that life begins at conception either.

And, guess what ? It used to be Democrats that were anti-abortion and the GOP was pro-choice when the Democratic party was made up of a large number of Catholics. The GOP Protestants didn't like the idea of women dying in childbirth or young girls dying at the hands of illegal abortionists or by trying to rid themselves or pregnancies.


Presbyterians and Lutherans and Puritans came to this country because they were minority denominations being oppressed by either Catholics or Protestants. Jews weren't always treated so well by Christians in this country either. So I'm worried about the tyranny of the majority as a threat to individual freedom.

We have different denominations because not everyone interprets Scripture the same. The Presbyterian and Methodist churches splt on slavery and both used the Bible to justify their positions.

Yep, for sure, people use a sentence or two from The Bible without putting it in the context of the entire message and ignore other passages completely. Paul also had much to say about Christians who were arguing with one another over differences in beliefs and practices.

And, Reed, which version of The Bible should I quote? Which version is THE Word of God? The Catholic Church was rather political and not all that pure of spirit when decisions were made about what stayed and what was omitted and there are still arguments over translations of certain words. You do remember Martin Luther, right?

You can speak in tongues and handle snakes and never go to a doctor or get a blood transfusion if you want to. I think that's crazy but it's your soul and in a free society that respects individual liberty, you get to do all that. You don't get to force that on another individual.

For me, being Christian means spending more time with the New Testament and the words of Jesus as my guidance. But, if you want to overlook The Sermon on the Mount, you can.

Neither Phil Bryant nor any other politician who claims to be " on a mission from God" has any credibility with me! Politics is far too dirty a business.



Anonymous said...

The Natchez troll @ 9:19 craps all over the lawn again.



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