Sunday, July 13, 2008

Aussie fundie thinks equality isn't an Aussie value OR: Aussie fundie has yet to grasp reality

I've just found an ad produced by the CDP attacking the Greens in the lead up to the 2007 Federal Election (I think). Initially, I had no idea what "family values" or "Aussie values" he's talking about, because a) Nile's "family/Aussie values" belong in the 19th century and b) because every family values are interpreted in totally different ways. Henry Makow, for example, sees family values as the woman staying at home, either in the kitchen or in the laundry (certainly not relaxing) whilst the man goes out to work. The DLP seem to agree with him. I have no idea what 'family values' are, because it's a term so corrupted by the ultraconservatives it has no meaning other then as a dog whistling buzz word for homophobia and misogyny.

However, I then found this, where Nile finally expands on his "value value values, ra ra ra" rhetoric. Apparently, 'Aussie values' are based on Jesus' values, when he gave that sermon on the mount. Ignoring the reality that if that was the case, namely that every predominantly Christian country would have such 'Aussie values' (rendering such values in no way Australian), let's look at the sermon:
The Beatitudes
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

...
An Eye for an Eye
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 6

Giving to the Needy
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

...
Treasures in Heaven
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

...

Matthew 7

Judging Others
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

...

(my emphasis)

Hmmm...that's odd. Nothing about banning Muslims from entering the country, or denying rights to gays (nothing about gays at all, so as far as I'm concerned, Jesus was fine with it). Plenty on not judging others, not being a hypocrite, giving to the poor, and bringing peace and unity and being merciful. These aren't 'Aussie values' as much as they are 'Universal values' which people in just about every country practice, from South Africa to America to Brazil to India and all over the world. So far, Freddy's rhetoric is pretty shallow and hollow.

Apparently, Aussie values are also Christian values and simultaneously family values. Thanks Fred for excluding every non-Christian and non-family Australian from your 'Aussie values.'

The perfect Christian also says that the founders of Australia said that this is a Christian country, which is what it should be kept as. Unfortunately, our founders were also thought that women shouldn't be allowed to vote and Aborigines weren't human. So I can't see how their views on society should influence the 21 century.

Any rational person's irony meter will probably melt if they see this; where, in classic fundie style, Fred shows a total lack of the ironic message he's making. It's perfectly alright for Christians to stand for parliament and represent Christians, but if a Muslim tries to do the same..."TEHMUZZIESARECOMINDEY'LLBRINGSHARIALAWAUSTRALIA
WILLBECOMESAUDIARABIAOVERNIGHT!!1!" Which is effectively his frothing, rabid reaction every time the Islamic Australian community gains a sliver more representative power.

I'll do a better post on that video sometime soon.

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