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Today is
"A word to the wise ain't necessary --
it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
-Bill Cosby
posted by Kate Marie | 11:35 AM | Permalink
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6 comments
6 Comments:
Um, they didn't like his tie?
Next time, stick to topics that aren't so contentious, like Stalin and Che.
It was silly for anyone to be "offended" by this kid's speech, but I think he showed poor judgment in dwelling so much on his own religious beliefs, i.e., "The solution is God's love: Jesus on the cross, for us." While he shouldn't face any sort of punishment, his comments weren't appropriate for a mixed audience at a general, secular event such as a convocation or graduation--although it is possible to mention Jesus in a speech without turning it, as this kid did, into a sermon.
Jeff, I agree that the sermon-like tone of the latter part of the speech was inappropriate -- though his initial mention of Jesus as a model of good character was fine. It's not the proper place to talk about the solution of God's love. But I find the extreme reaction (calling the speech offensive, appalling, and reprehensible) over the top and probably hypocritical, since the many of the same people who find the kid's speech so offensive wouldn't bat an eyelash if someone got up and pulled an E.L. Doctorow in a commencement address. In other words, I suspect (without proof, of course) that what some people are reacting to is the content (which is pretty unobjectionable, and certainly not offensive) rather than the context of the speech.
I'm with you there. After the fact, someone might have told this kid that his audience wasn't necessarily Christian and that few people care about his personal religious beliefs. But the actual reaction to his speech--outrage and offense--is way out of proportion and pretty hard for me to take seriously.
Thee of no or little faith have been programmed to have a negative reaction to any mention of God or faith in the public or non Christian square. Sad, but to be noted.
Had he pulled out a crucifix, placed it in a jar and urinated on it, he would have been hailed by many of these people as a visionary artist.
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