‘The World is Against the Christian Man.’
Brandon Flowers, frontman for The Killers
Flowers only found out the previous day that the show had invited Richard Dawkins, the world’s premiere atheist, on with Flowers. Within minutes of arriving on the stage, Dawkins had turned to Flowers and called the Book of Mormon an obvious fake and Joseph Smith a criminal and a charlatan. Regardless of what one thinks of Mormonism, Flowers was there to discuss the music and Dawkins was aggressively rude.
A stunned Flowers did well for the little we saw. Flowers might have held his own against Dawkins, but we don’t know because the show edited most of Flower’s responses out. They only left his first response accusing Dawkins of not doing enough research before attacking another’s faith. The response was fact-less, so by leaving only that response Flowers comes off as not knowing his own religion’s history. When the show returned, from commercial break I guess, the lead interviewer tells Flowers he must leave to set up with the band.
They used him as fodder for Dawkins, ignored his response, and then told him to shut up and sing. Worse, check out the comments at DigitalSpy or The Guardian articles on this interview. Most blame Flowers for not sticking to the music.
In light of this interview and recent debates, I suggest a new strategy for any Republican, libertarian, conservative, or faithful faced with granting an interview outside of center-right organizations: only do live. When interviews are pre-taped, they always make us look like idiots or cut our arguments in the editing room. (Ask Sarah Palin about that.) Live, they can’t edit. Sure, there is risk, but our ideas are better and our debate skills are battle born. (Ask Mitt Romney about that.) Live we have a chance others might actually hear what we have to say.
And yet Harry Reid constantly gets a free pass concerning his Mormonism.
Because everyone knows religion means nothing to Reid. He is a Mormon in the way Biden is a Catholic or Hilary Clinton is a Methodist. It is the same with the so-called Jewish liberals, very few of whom practice their religion in a serious way. They are better described as descendants of Jews. To call them Jews would be using a racial definition instead of a faith-based one. Likewise, Reid is not a Mormon, though he is perhaps the son of a Mormon.
Mormonism is not Christianty. There is nothing in the New Testament to support a 4th century Angel living with the natives of North America, Joseph Smith looking at seer stones in his hat, or ruling a planet after death.
I do support the right of Mormons to believe as they wish.
Yes, Mormonism is not a trinitarian religion so as an Anglican I’m inclined to agree with you, but Dawkins and pop culture—entities that know oh so much about Christianity—they think Mormons are Christian, worse actual believing Christians. (Did anyone see Dawkins other nonsense about Romney being worse than Obama because Obama only said he was a Christian for political advantage?) Regardless of where anyone comes down on the Mormons are Christians debate, the insult was directed to Christians.
For other Dawkins nonsense, last item, Science Damn America
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443854204578058661238400082.html
The Mormons believe that Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. They also believe that his grace is sufficient to reconcile man to God. I think we start splitting hairs after that.
No, we’re not. Baptisms not done “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” are not valid. That is why we dare say that Seventh Day Adventists are Christians while Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are not, because for all their faults, the SDA do practice Trinitarian baptism. The Scriptures say, “One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.” Those who are not baptized are not Christians.
All Mormons are baptized (it’s how you become a member of the church and considered essential to salvation), with the words spoken at each baptism being “[Name of person being baptized], having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
- http://www.lds.org/topics/baptism?lang=eng
Jesus wept.
Christians are people who believe in Jesus Christ and strive to follow his teachings, hence the word “Christian”. Quibbling about baptism and who is or isn’t a “real” Christian is the last thing Christians should be doing at this point in history.
Sometimes the left’s own tactics backfire on them though. Remember Chick-fil-a day? I just hope Tuesday turns out to be something like that.
Lord, how I wish I could lump some of these hypocrites up sometimes! But no, my God requires me to pray for them.
I love how people who don’t practice any sort of faith, always are experts on how to practice faith.
So, next time Sweeds, just stick to your overgrown black metal “artists” in full hello kitty make up, to interview. (I’m sure Norway is more than willing to lend you some incase you’ve run out) That way when you invite Dawkins on next time, you all can run out and burn some churches together…jerks!
Leatherneck:
“There is nothing in the New Testament to support [presumed LDS teachings]…”
You might be surprised what’s not in the NT. At the moment that’s not my concern, & it’s not my place here to expound on theology. Instead I’m agreeing with Mormon Glenn Beck when he says, “We are all Catholics now.” I also agree with the guy who said, “I’m voting for the Mormon, not the moron!” If Squawkin’ Dawkins were a well-behaved Yank, I might even vote for him. Ol’ Marty Luther reportedly said he’d rather be ruled by a smart infidel than a dumb believer.
If you read a little bit about Mormonism, you will find I stated the truth.
That is not Christianity. However, if you wish to believe you will be a god ruling a world, then so be it. I am not trying to change anyone. Don’t just believe what someone tells you to. That would be like those who follow their Imams rather than reading for themselves.
I voted for Mitt. Not a BLT Marxist.
Well, why whould a serious Christian front for a rock band (black metal? whatever that might be)and wear a leather jacket? Does a serious Christian affect the Brando/James Dean, “Rebel Without A Cause” pose?
El Gordo – actually, under Jewish law, a person can become a Jew in two ways, born of a Jewish mother or convert. So, a Jew who acts in a way that is not consistent with Jewish law in a serious way is more properly referred to as a “bad Jew” rather than a “descendants (sic) of Jews”.
Hi MarcH,
Just to let ya know…The Killers are an “Indie” band.
Not Black Metal. Let me assure you…if The Killers were BM, Dawkins would never have had to been invited to the show!
Blessings!
Why would a serious Christian wear a leather jacket and front an indie rock band? Maybe because he likes leather jackets and has musical talent and an appreciation for The Cars? That and he might want to interact with the culture in order to persuade them to faith. It’s hard to bring new people in if you just hole up in church and do only church things. Flowers even wrote a song about that. Playing with Fire, from his solo album Flamingo. Talking to his father, or the stay where it is safe people:
That road outside that you’ve been taking home forever
That’ll be the same road that I take when I depart
Those charcoal veins that hold this chosen land together
May twist and turn but somewhere deep there is a heart…
Perhaps this calling is the channel of invention
I will not blush if others see it as a crime
However dangerous the road, however distant
These things won’t compromise the will of the design
Ten thousand demons hammer down with every footstep
Ten thousand angels rush the wind against my back
This church of mine may not be recognized by steeple
But that doesn’t mean that I will walk without a God
Rolling river of truth, can you spare me a sip?
The holy fountain of youth has been reduced to a drip
I’ve got this burning belief in salvation and love
This notion may be naive, but when push comes to shove
I will till this ground
In today’s West, you can be secular or religious. Since there are few Muslims here, and they will kill for their faith, Secularists protect Muslims, and help them attack other Religious people.
So, for now, forget the differences between and among Jews and various Christians. Know what the real enemy to our civilization is.
Agreed. To borrow a phrase, decent is as decent does. And believing Mormons (setting aside the question of whether they’re Christians) are generally really decent people. As a believing Catholic, I wish more Catholics took their faith as seriously as our Mormon friends do.