Have you been following all the fall-out from the controversy (is that an adequate word for describing riots?) over the publication of anti-Islam cartoons in Europe?
I’m not sure what to make of this mess. The cartoons were obviously stupid and offensive. But the reaction is way out of proportion to the crime- at least in the eyes of this Westerner.
Leave it up to the Religious Right in America to try and inflame the situation. Western governments – including the US – have appropriately condemned the cartoons and called for calm.
No one sent the message to the Christian Communications Network. This public relations firm for the Religious Right – a communications outfit whose clients include Focus on the Family and the convicted murderers of doctors who performed abortions – has published the cartoons on their web site and called for their distribution throughout the US.
Frederick Clarkson reports on the background of Christian Communications Network and their president, Gary McCullough, over on Street Prophets. You’ll learn that McCullough “has a history of condoning intimidation and violence -- including killing -- in the name of Christ.”
One publishing note: I’m not providing a link to the Christian Communications Network for this story. Most of the time I link to the groups written about here so the readers of this site can see first hand the issues involved. But I know from personal experience what it is like to have people literally gunning for your family members because they provide health care services for women.
Gary McCullough is closely linked with violent extremists and I won’t provide access to his site from mine. The background on McCullough on Street Prophets and over on Talk to Action will provide you with all the information you’ll need to form an opinion on this issue. For my part I’ll say up front that Gary McCullough is no better a man than those who use terrorism to achieve their aims. I'll also say Gary McCullough is no Christian. His orders - or at least his inspirations - come from something more like Satan.
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