1st Amendment of U.S. Constitution
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.“
I was forwarded a link to a “feminist website” that crossposted the writing and artistry of a Mr. Samuel Killermann, a self-described “activist comedian.” He has no mention on Wiki that I can find, but he’s apparently popular in some circles and seems to have a focus on promoting alternative sexual life styles (read LGBTQIA+WTF) while making sure his audience knows that he is a straight heterosexual. He must be important, as he spoke in front of a TED audience once.
I’ve never heard of Killermann until recently. Many of you have never heard of me either, but when someone uses the phrase “gender changes over time,” and claims to mean it, I tend to morph into bigass eyeball-rolling mode. That’s bizarro Charlie Manson stuff.
In 2012, Mr. Killermann posted an article entitled “30+ Examples of Christian Privilege” that includes a cartoon of his own creation insinuating that Christians in the United States prevent Hindus, Jews and Muslims from entering this country, and followed with a list of his own “examples” based upon the same premise.
Here’s the original source:
http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/05/list-of-examples-of-christian-privileg/
Normally I ignore this kind of vapid tripe, but because it was sent to me by someone I know and care very much about, I thought I’d share it. Mr. Killerman’s words are in italics, my responses are not
_______________________________________________________________________
Following is a list of privileges granted to people in the U.S. (and many western nations) for being Christian.
Sam Killerman
If you identify as Christian, there’s a good chance you’ve never thought about these things.
In response to the ever-increasing “War on Christianity” headlines, I thought it prudent to create this list. Try and be more cognizant of these items and you’ll start to realize how much work we have to do to make the United States a place that is truly safe and accessible for folks of all belief systems.
[Subtitle]
If you’re a Christian in the US, these are a bunch of unearned benefits you get that members of other faiths (or non-religious people) do not. It’s not about shame. It’s about understanding.
- You can expect to have time off work to celebrate religious holidays.
Jewish, Muslim and others all have Christian holidays off. Jews are allowed additional religious holidays, as are Muslims. Implying otherwise is a lie.
- Music and television programs pertaining to your religion’s holidays are readily accessible.
And vice-versa – there are religious media for all major religions. Moot poin
- It is easy to find stores that carry items that enable you to practice your faith and celebrate religious holidays.
This is a disingenuous argument. If there are no local stores to offer items for Zoroastrianism, it means that there is too small a market for Zoroastrian items to support a store in that locale. Order them from Amazon instead.
- You aren’t pressured to celebrate holidays from another faith that may conflict with your religious values.
Strawman argument. Nobody is pressuring Zoroastrians to celebrate Wiccan holidays. If the majority of observed religious holidays happen to be Christian holidays in a region with a large population of Christian, is that a surprise to anyone?
- Holidays celebrating your faith are so widely supported you can often forget they are limited to your faith (e.g. wish someone a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Easter” without considering their faith).
Holiday greetings are nothing more than cordial holiday greetings. If someone is offended by a greeting of “Happy Hanukkah” or “Merry Christmas” or “Ramadan Regale” that’s their bigotry problem, not mine.
- You can worship freely, without fear of violence or threats.
Another strawman. Synagogues, temples, churches and mosques have all been sites of attacks in the US. This is not unique to non-Christian places of worship.
- A bumper sticker supporting your religion won’t likely lead to your car being vandalized.
Again, a vehicle sporting a bumper sticker in support of Christianity is not exempt from vandalism.
- You can practice your religious customs without being questioned, mocked, or inhibited.
No person, religion, government official, etc., is exempt from questioning or mockery in the U.S. It’s protected speech and freedom of religion under the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights, which also makes religious inhibition illegal.
- If you are being tried in court, you can assume that the jury of “your peers” will share your faith and not hold that against you in weighing decisions.
Another strawman. “A jury of your peers” doesn’t mean a group of people who belong to your religion, creed, sect, splinter group, or clan. A jury on a trial involving a female gangbanger facing criminal charges is not a panel of other female gangbangers.
- When swearing an oath, you will place your hand on a religious scripture pertaining to your faith.
It’s an antiquated formality that is superseded by the laws against perjury. It’s required by all those who testify as a symbolic gesture that one swears to tell the truth. It’s got about as much legal power as swearing on a deck of cards, until the perjury statutes start cooking.
- Positive references to your faith are seen dozens of times a day by everyone, regardless of their faith.
Strawman. Dozens of times a day? It’s easy to find negative references as well, and that applies to any and all religions.
- Politicians responsible for your governance are probably members of your faith.
This is a matter of demographics. In a region with a large Jewish population, there are more Jewish men and women in governance. Ditto other religions.
- Politicians can make decisions citing your faith without being labeled as heretics or extremists.
Again, the 1st Amendment allows citations, but with the exception of rule of law.
Christians of all sects are labeled as extremists on a regular basis in the main stream media. Look at the attacks on Mitt Romney for being a Mormon; JFK for being Catholic. Same thing is going on with Dr. Benjamin Carson. Barack Obama’s beliefs are hidden, until you hear the words of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s pastor for at least 20 years.
- It is easy for you to find your faith accurately depicted in television, movies, books, and other media.
Strawman. It is also easy to find disparaging depictions in all media.
- You can reasonably assume that anyone you encounter will have a decent understanding of your beliefs.
Disingenuous argument. It assumes that any group of people in any locale is homogenous in religious belief and should understand Zoroastrian doctrine and other religions. It’s an impossibility given the thousands of religions and sects.
- You will not be penalized (socially or otherwise) for not knowing other people’s religious customs.
No idea what to make of this one. It’s unreasonable to demand that all people know what arbitrary custom is offensive to another. If I use my left hand to scratch my right forearm and someone interprets that as an insult in someone’s ethnic book of offenses, that’s not my problem.
- Your faith is accepted/supported at your workplace.
Accepted and supported are two different things. Current laws require religious acceptance, but there is no law requiring an employer to support one’s religion, and as long as one is not proselytizing in the workplace, the problem doesn’t exist.
- You can go into any career you want without it being associated with or explained by your faith.
Again, no idea what the point is as no examples are given. Sounds like bigoted stereotypes, nothing more, and I won’t guess what the author means.
- You can travel to any part of the country and know your religion will be accepted, safe, and you will have access to religious spaces to practice your faith.
Too vague. If you’re a Zoroastrian and you wander into the Mojave, you’re not going to find many religious spaces.
- Your faith can be an aspect of your identity without being a defining aspect (e.g., people won’t think of you as their “Christian” friend)
Divisive strawman argument that’s too absurd to deserve a response. “Some of my best friends…”
- You can be polite, gentle, or peaceful, and not be considered an “exception” to those practicing your faith.
“Polite,” “gentle” and “peaceful” are not exclusive to the tenets of any religion with the exception of some extremist factions who don’t want to be “polite,” “gentle” and “peaceful.”
- Fundraising to support congregations of your faith will not be investigated as potentially threatening or terrorist behavior.
This one is politically loaded, and it not-so-subtly refers to radical Islam. Since radical Islam is a genuine threat to this country and others by its own admission, and that it is rooted in the archaic belief that infidels who don’t accept the rule of shari’a law (i.e. Christians, Jews, and Western Civilization in general) should be put to death by the Sword of Allah, investigating such radical sects and mosques that promote the same is not only warranted, it is necessary.
- Construction of spaces of worship will not likely be halted due to your faith.
Strawman, unless the writer is referring to the Victory Mosque that was proposed within a few blocks of the horrific attack on in NY 911 perpetrated by radical islam.
- You are never asked to speak on behalf of all the members of your faith.
Vague. The writer cites no examples. No group of people is homogeneous.
- You can go anywhere and assume you will be surrounded by members of your faith.
Strawman. No one can assume that, no matter what faith.
- Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of teachers who share your faith.
False argument. The term “special effort” is not defined. Secular schools exist for all faiths, and “special effort” is required to find and enroll one’s children in religious schools. It may involve relocating, or starting a new school, but there are no legal prohibitions.
- Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of friends who share your faith.
False argument. The term “special effort” is not defined, and it depends upon demographics.
- It is easily accessible for you or your children to be educated from kindergarten through post-grad at institutions of your faith.
False argument. The key word is “easily,” and private secular schools are not inexpensive, but that’s a private choice. Wiccan schools and universities are very rare, but home-schooling is a viable alternative for some.
- Disclosing your faith to an adoption agency will not likely prevent you from being able to adopt children.
Vague argument without citation or example.
- In the event of a divorce, the judge won’t immediately grant custody of your children to your ex because of your faith.
Vague argument without citation or example.
- Your faith is taught or offered as a course at most public institutions.
False argument. Any institution of higher learning that offers courses in the history of civilization, must examine the positive and negative influences of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and other major religions by default. Whether or not the classes present the history accurately is a different discussion.
- You can complain about your religion being under attack without it being perceived as an attack on another religion.
Vague. No idea what that one means.
- You can dismiss the idea that identifying with your faith bears certain privileges.
I dismiss the idea, because the author of this list has not made a single point that supports his opinion. He posts vague accusations without backup, is obviously unknowledgeable about mainstream world religions, their tenets and history, and doesn’t understand The First Amendment to the US Constitution.
Samuel Killermann is a self-described “comedian activist ” who’s written posts entitled:
“30+ Examples Of Male Privilege”
“30+ Examples Of Heterosexual Privilege”
“30+ Examples Of Middle To Upper Class Privilege”
And that means he’s an idiot who’s smarter than the rest of us who don’t buy into the class envy doctrine promoted by the ultra left. Got it.
I suggest that Samuel Killermann should have a private conjugal relationship with himself and not tell us about it.