Friday, September 4, 2009

God is NOT a hater, but Glenn Beck is!

I feel especially qualified to make this statement after I conducted my experiment for the past three weeks. After collating my results and reading the comments for the final time, I truly realized how delusional, moronic and infantile most of the negative commenters were. I want to thank Keith Wimer, Religion and Politics Examiner for directing his readers to view my articles and decide for themselves. They made the snake pit quite interesting with their intelligent comments like, “this guy is full of crap.” What an intelligent comment! Their participation allowed my experiment to be rich and full of non-diversity and hate talk. Talk about opinionated and closed minded! Kind of makes you wonder about those with such a weak position who call themselves Christians. I now fully understand the hatred that is taught by Glenn Beck.


In Keith’s article, Glenn Beck facing leftist limbo, Keith states the following; “Limbo, as in the popular song and dance; question is, "how low can they go?" Hypocrisy, callousness, malice, and outright LIBEL from leftist propagandists have, can it be said, finally answered that question. Of course one daren’t set the low mark just yet. One thing seemingly inevitable, when it appears these loony radicals couldn’t possibly get any baser, they jerk an all new falsehood from their collective sphincter. Perhaps it’s appropriate the aforementioned 50’s party fad was based on a Trinidad funeral dance. Allegorically speaking, today’s "leftist limbo" does appear to signal the imminent death of civil discourse amongst those who disagree with each other. Incidentally, it had been decided that Glenn Beck was going to take a hiatus from this column for a spell to examine some other issues, but extremist scoundrels have thrown the gauntlet and to not denounce their madness would be ethically wrong.”


Well Mr. Whiner, excuse me, Wimer, I had such a good laugh over this one! I guess that I am one of the “extremist scoundrels” you mentioned. It would be ethically wrong for me not to say something about your apparent lack of intelligence in regards to this issue, in my opinion. The readers you sent me commented at such a low it was amazing. Civil discourse for them is verbal pollution. As for libel, when you are public figure and make statements there is no libel when someone calls you a moron; especially when you suffer from ADHD, display a dry drunk attitude and simply find conspiracies in everything. As for you and your readers‘ collective sphincter, as you call it, it’s the same old song. I won’t attempt to denounce you and your readers’ madness, I will just LOL! And you and your readers call yourselves Christians and Godlike? What a joke. You wouldn’t know compassion and understanding if it hit you over the head. Are you finding sickles and plow shares in any Wilmington government or banking buildings much like your hero GB is finding at Rockefeller Center (incidentally where the Fox News is located)?


I carried on a dialogue recently with Father Jacob, a Catholic priest. He insisted to me that God hates. God hates? What a moronic conclusion. God has created everything in this universe. We are His most prized creation. Who are the haters? People are, not God! Glenn Beck is so full of himself and the fact that he preaches to morons every night that his ego is out of control. This man, in my opinion, is a hater and needs serious mental help! What’s next? As Chris Matthews says, “Fox News is constant verbal incitement.” Incitement that affects people like the lily white Jim Bob at a town hall that kept interrupting a woman in a wheel chair who was only trying to tell her story. People who believe communistic and socialistic threats from morons who don’t even know the meanings of the words. If it didn’t push people to bringing guns to town halls it might be just simply funny. But it isn’t. It’s simply hate and fear mongering.


Want to be a hater? Want to deny what Christ tried to teach you? Then keep listening to the Beck’s, Hannity’s, Limbaugh’s and O’Reilly’s of the world. Nothing but sore losers! If you want to truly make a difference, then follow the principles in the Beatitudes that were stated in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Don’t be deceived by the rhetoric of haters, liars and manipulators! They are on a path to destruction, no constructive dialogue and a life of fear and lack. God has created an abundant and loving universe. When you seek that, it will come to you. When you live hatred, it will come to you as well. Which will you choose?


For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Venom and the snake pit

Several weeks ago I wrote an article on the town hall meeting disruptors. The onslaught of commenters favoring Glenn Beck was like a tsunami; quick to judge and laying out mass destruction. I decided to walk a mile in Mr. Beck’s shoes and respond to his supporters as negatively as I possibly could. Since it takes about three weeks to form a habit and about three weeks to break one, I decided to conduct an experiment over the next three week period. I decided to level the commenters with insults, question their validity and be as acerbic and nasty as GB is. Mr. Beck cloaks his insults in niceties, but the result is the same. He gets you to doubt something to further his weak position. Why? To sell advertising. It’s not working, Glenn! At this point he has lost 57 advertisers. That speaks volumes!

Three weeks were up yesterday and as a result, I have been called a hater, a dumbass, a liar, a moron, ignorant, stupid, uninformed, unqualified, Anti-Mormon and on my way to hell. It is interesting when you push people’s buttons how they react. Wanting to be fair, I chose to respond to the commenters. I discovered that not only did it take up a great deal of time, it was stressful and hurtful; not just to myself, but my family as well. When you jump into the snake pit and spew venom repeatedly, it takes its toll. Since yesterday was the conclusion of my experiment, I am relieved to begin pro-acting again instead of reacting.

When people learn something and emotionalize it, it becomes real to them. No matter what anyone else says, they will choose to believe what they are convicted to believe. The snake pit of commenters is like a trip to virtual hell. It is place where everyone is trying to make his opinion known and correct and saying the hell with what anyone else says. This venom wells up from their spirit and spits out at others with such velocity that it burns the recipient, but ultimately, it hurts the person who spews it more. As I have said in my past articles, if you believe something, test it. Conduct experiments to test the validity of your convictions. In the snake pit, there are attacks and anger, as well as compliments and kudos. However, entering the daily sparring match can not only take away precious time from your family; it can have a deleterious effect on your mind, body and spirit.

I have led an absolutely wonderful life. God has blessed me immensely with a large family, great friends and a joyful spirit. During my 20’s and 30’s I was a recording and touring musician. I progressed into recording engineering and production in audio and video. Currently, I design and market websites and multimedia productions. I am quite busy with my work and I simply don’t have the time and energy to live in the snake pit. I have, and will continue to speak my mind on subjects that I have studied and learned about; much to the dismay of some commenters. I know who I am. Do they? Living in the snake pit and spewing venom has become a way of life for them. That is their choice. One particular commenter has a fascist like hit list where he discloses Anti-Mormons to the world. His delusional behavior and self-aggrandizement is indicative of a very sick mind. Is his faith in his religion so weak that he has to attack and label anyone who disagrees with his church? He has challenged me to produce my credentials, yet refuses to declare his.

I know what I have done and I don’t need to prove it to anyone. He feels that I have announced my credentials in my bio because I want to prove to the world that I am an authority. The truth of the matter is that is what examiner.com asked for and they put it in my bio. During my undergraduate studies in psychology, philosophy, religious history and computer science, I concurrently attended seminary school. We studied in depth the world’s religions, comparative gospels and I wrote a dissertation on ancient religions. I graduated from UCS, a Los Angeles based seminary school in 1985 and the school closed in 1989. During my studies I had to learn Aramaic (Hebrew), Koine Greek, geographic idioms, language nuances and the re-translations of the Bible by the Catholics into Latin. It was fascinating to learn about how some of the things that we have been taught are totally erroneous. Prior to college I had spent most of my child and teen life attending Pentecostal churches. I learned the Bible inside and out. But there was more I needed to learn; hence my attending seminary school.

My good friend and confidante Pastor Dr. Benjamin “Twin B.” Brown relayed a story to me about the situation concerning the Anti-Mormon accusations. He said that if you throw a brick into a pack of dogs, the one that gets hit is the one that yelps the loudest. How true! Greg West, whom I refer as the Anti-Mormon hater (I guess the brick had hit him), disputes my credentials and surely goes out of his way to include me on his Anti-Mormon hit list. This is a form of fascism, and his Mormon cronies don’t seem to like it. The tell me to look it up. I know what it means. They need to look it up. I call it as I see it. And this man questions my spirituality? Why, because I reacted fervently against his hatred and lies? I have had many years of experience with the Mormons. Having attended one of their wards for several years and having to deal with their incessant meddling into my private family affairs, I decided to leave their controlling, dominating and manipulating philosophies of life. After I left, I spent years investigating exactly who Joseph Smith was and what he was all about. I will be doing a series on them in the near future.

My best friend says that I can’t stop the birds from flying over my head but I can prevent them from making a nest in my hair. As for the snake pit, I am done. In fairness to the commenters and their right to comment, I will allow their new comments to appear if they decide to write them. They can fight amongst themselves if they so choose. I will be removing all of the comments currently there to wipe the slate clean and start anew. I will not be entering the snake pit anymore to read any of the comments. Post your hatred and disagreement if you like and if it is obscene and racial, I will remove it. I have a great life and I choose to live it without animosity, stress and strife. Furthermore, if anyone tries to email me with negativity I will summarily block their addresses. I will continue to speak my mind on a variety of spiritual subjects, analyzing religions and what they teach people as well as the beauty of being one with God. If you don’t like what I say, then go somewhere else to learn more or spread your hatred. I challenge you to NOT read my articles. Only read them if you want to learn about where your accepted beliefs came from and how they have been manifested in today’s world. Don’t be like the Greg West’s of the world who’s insecurity in their own religion and their desire to enlist other’s attacks on people who disagree with him causes them to resort to fascism and hatred. I am truly sorry if I have offended anyone with my retorts. My goal was to get you to think. If you choose not to, then it is on you. Challenge your beliefs daily to learn the truth. May God bless you and your families now, and forever.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The religious right: sore losers and bible abusers

The recent onslaught of right wing holier than thous preaching to me has been most amusing. One particular reader, Greg West, has added me to an Anti-Mormon hit list for his constituents. Hmmm. Sounds fascist, doesn’t it? What does that mean? Will I be denied a loan? Do I have to keep watch for skinny tied young men on bicycles? Must I look over my shoulders or have my cable cut off? Mr. West begins by trying to poke holes in my credentials and then getting into my family business, just like I stated to a Mormon commenter about MY experience with the Mormon Church. He claims that because I attacked Glenn Beck, who is Mormon, that I am attacking all Mormons. What a small mind! In his quest to diminish me, he has reinforced my argument. Maybe I should make up a list of anti-spirituality people and post that on the Internet; no, I’m not a fascist like Mr. West.

And what about the right wing sore losers? They have claimed to be the “sleeping giant” yet my assertion is that the real sleeping giant was awakened and acted last November 4, 2008. This was one of the most important times in our history, because the people spoke loudly about how they were tired of the good ole boy network of corporate rapists, crooked politicians and self-serving mercenaries. The people have spoken and no matter how much rhetoric is yelled loudly at town halls, no matter how many would-be pageant contestants spread hate and lies and no matter how many holier than thous writhe in pain, finally, the voice of the people will be heard. Let’s face it; the days of making a fortune off the other guy’s hard work are on their way out. People are finally really listening to what Christ said and following his tenets and principles. No, it will not happen overnight; but it WILL happen. People are tired of being abused by big business, government and self-righteous haters.

Now, here comes the fun part. The Bible abusers. Those holier than thous who beat their Bibles or beat you over the head with their Bibles. Especially those with the Bible AND the Book of Mormon. I think it’s funny, that if you take the “C” that Glenn Beck left out of oligarchy, and add it to the name of the Angel Moroni, it spells “MORONIC.” That’s why he left out the “C!” He didn’t want to reveal his true nature! Nice try, Glenn. Those who abuse or bastardize God’s word are the worst kind of morons. God has given us a set of rules to obey and follow, yet, through many years of mistranslations and agenda fulfilling, the Bible has been made into a vehicle to whip game on others. It was NOT intended for that. Jesus laid out specifically our attitudes to be. Read them and take time to absorb what they mean. Then, go and read or view the hatred spewed by Gary West and Glenn Beck and tell me that they are following Christ. Hardly.

The Bible is our guide to live a blessed life. Each book for each major religion is their guide for life. Jesus said for us to follow the “SPIRIT” of the law and not the letter of the law. When any man makes what is written down more important than feeding a hungry child, helping a sick and elderly person or giving of your time to help those less blessed than you, than he is truly missing the point. Jesus said that if ANYONE knocks on your door and you turn them away, then you are turning him away. Yet, in this health care debate the Republicans are fighting the very thing that Jesus told us to embrace. Compassion and care for the poor. Respect for all people, no matter what they believe. Giving of yourself to others because it makes us all stronger.

I have been attacked because of my acerbic tone in my writings. I have been called foolish, angry, full of it and a loser. I really don’t care what any one of you calls me. I choose to follow the words of Christ and not the words of those who THINK they know what he has said. That’s why I spent most of my life studying the Word in church and in seminary school. Mr. West can try to diminish my credentials, but what right does he have to diminish my spirit? Absolutely none. His form of hatred and lies are the very reason we are all in the mess we are today with health care, wars and strife. If you teach fear and hate you will reap the rewards of that in your life. My message is simple. Don’t believe everything you read, view or hear. Investigate it. Listen to the still small voice of God. He will guide your steps no matter how many freaks come out of the woodwork.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Glenn Beck: nonsensical or spiritual?

As a result of the recent diatribe over the validity of Glenn Beck and his endless chalkboard points, I decided to watch his program one more time to see if there was anything of value purported by the commenters on my articles and the commenters of Keith Wimer’s articles. I entered the experience with an open mind and as sure as I can say, “You Betcha”, Glenn proceeded to make a complete moron of himself on national television. And the commenters say I should take this man seriously? Give me a break! This man puts his foot in his mouth so much that it’s natural for it to live there. He begins his monologue with his famous chalkboard supposedly spelling the word oligarchy. However, his spelling was O-L-I-G-A-R-H-Y. Not noticing his blatant mistake, he comes back the next night and states that he purposefully left out the C because it stood for “Czars.” ??? The stupidity of this man goes beyond his entertainment ability. Why? Because he believes his own horsecrap! He then proceeds to identify points based on each letter which have absolutely nothing to do with each other, save in his own demented mind. Calling Mr. Beck a sound political commenter is like calling a rapper a musician. A musician creates and translates music through his being into an instrument. He doesn’t sample what others have done, add his own spin to it and call it original music.

This nonsense of his is insulting to those of us who seek a greater knowledge of the world around us. Being aware of your physical existence is only part of the equation. We have, as human beings, other aspects of our beings that need to be recognized in order for us to grow individually and collectively. If we but took the time to nurture and develop these aspects, we would become more aware of the world around us. When we go to school or college we are developing our mental aspects. We learn how to study, listen and think. We are inputted with many types and forms of information, and through the practical application of this information we obtain knowledge. By developing our emotional intelligence, we learn to listen and respect the other guy and his position, even though he might not agree with us. However, when someone continually subjects us to moronic and unsubstantiated claims, we either fight them or simply turn them off. In my non-self righteous indignation, I have chosen to refute the claims of nonsensical individuals like Glenn Beck. His daily dispensing of misinformation no doubt comes from a deep-seated emotional and mental problems. His behavior is so indicative of a “dry-drunk” (an astute observation by Kerry Martin, the FBM.com).

But is he truly spiritual? The final, and most important aspect of an individual, is where we can truly see whether this man is telling the truth. His religious affiliation is Mormon (The Church of Latter Day Saints). I have had many years of exposure to Mormon believers and I have plenty of information about their belief system. My eldest son is a devout Mormon and he and I have had heated debates over what Joseph Smith witnessed on the hill of Cummorah in New York state. You can rest assure, I will have a series of enlightening details about Mr. Smith and his “Latter Day Saints.” My experience with this church is that they brag about family values and their commitment to their people, yet they stick their noses into people’s private business where they have NO purview. To me, they are the worst form of hypocrites. Why? Because they feel that they have some special knowledge and dispensation from God just like I called out Mr. Wimer on in his first article on Ted Kennedy. Anyone that tells you that they have as direct channel to God is waving the worst kind of B.S. possible. A truly spiritual person seeks to develop their spiritual side by becoming one with God; without a middle man. The religions of the world are great for those who are novices in spirituality. But there comes a time when you must grow up in your beliefs about God. When you understand the knowledge you have obtained, then, and only then, do you obtain wisdom.

Make the time daily to still yourself and become one with God. The reward you will get is less stress, more peace, a developing spiritual connection to the divine, and finally, the ability to distinguish nonsense from truth. Take the peace from this time and seek the truth. Develop all of the aspects of your being; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Don’t just develop one aspect and think that it is enough to get you through. Balance of all of the aspects is what makes one aware and truly a contributor to truth and understanding.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Spirituality and the public option

Much has been said recently about the public option of HR3200. The supporters say that we need such an option to provide health care for millions who don’t have it, while the nay-sayers preach fear and distrust because it increases government and takes away an individual’s right to choose. Let’s examine. The word option means the power or right of choosing. Hmmm. How is a public option taking away a person’s choice, when the very root of the word is choice? I really think the nay-sayers have blown it on this one. No matter how many times they are told that it won’t affect their own insurance, or right to buy that insurance, they still listen to the Beck’s, Limbaugh’s, Hannity’s, O’Reilly’s and Murdoch’s of the world. People who make a living on spreading hate.

Spirituality is the belief that things that cannot be seen affect things that can. However, it works both ways. What you do outwardly every day affects your inner spirit. The nay-sayers don’t seem to have any clue how their negative behavior based on innuendo and not the facts is affecting their spiritual being. Thomas Paine once said, "A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right." Are the nay-sayers fooling themselves? Or do they have a point? They base their argument on the right of individual choice.

Years ago I had the privilege of studying under Dr. Cleon Skousen. Dr. Skousen, a staunch conservative and Mormon, taught about how individual initiative is what allowed the first settlers to this country to survive. Communistic policies that were enforced in the first winter after their landing led to laziness and lack of contribution by some members of the community. But was his assessment correct? At that time it was. We, as people, are dynamic. As our bodies and minds grow, the awareness of our spirit grows as well. Because some form of behavior created a set of circumstances at one point in history does not necessarily make it viable at other points in history.

We have grown as a society in incremental steps toward a greater understanding of our spiritual nature. However, there are many churches, priests, preachers and religious leaders that still attempt to beat us up with fear, sin and eschatology. If you believe that God has created this universe then come to realize one thing; this universe is abundant. Can you count the blades of grass, the drops of water and the stars in the sky? We have the tools, like most of our Deistic (not Judeo-Christian) founding fathers utilized; to take what God has given us and make it a better world. We have that opportunity with HR3200 to give everyone an equal right to healthcare. It does NOT take away individual initiative, it reinforces it!

A public option would push the insurance companies to negotiate more fervently and as a result it would lower current health care costs. Currently, some Medicare beneficiaries have experienced cost increases; the public option would lower these costs as a result of more fierce competition. Costs wouldn’t be shifted to Americans with private insurance because we would be paying for value, not volume, and subsequently, a practical elimination of over payments. Socialized medicine is NOT socialism. We will still operate as a democratic state and not become a welfare state. The public option will lower costs to families due to the more intense competition. The fear that is being preached is that Americans will be forced to purchase insurance from a public plan. That is so far from the truth it is disgusting! Remember what the word option means. Finally, the patient-doctor relationship would improve because only the necessary care would be administered. Currently, insurance companies decide what they will pay out regardless of what the bill says, and stick the patient with the rest. How is that fair?

Dr. Skousen was right on one very important point. Competition is the soul of our capitalistic society. Furthermore, if we need to resort to socialized medicine to drive up competition, then so be it. To the nay-sayers, stop preaching fear, lies and lack. Realize your true spiritual connection to God, your fellow man and yourself. The more tightly you squeeze on something in your hand the more easily it will slip through your fingers. This is an abundant universe and we are all children of God. Stop hoarding, lying and being self-centered. It will make you a better human being for yourself, others and the rest of the world. As was once said about Ted Turner, “lead, follow or get out of the way.”

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Keith Wimer: Right Wing Whiner

As a result of my recent article on Glenn Beck, I have received many comments from yahoos and right wing nuts who think that I am not logical. People who don’t know how to think; they just emotionally react. I have stated my respect for Mr. Wimer to those who defend him. And yes, I did respect him until I read his article on Ted Kennedy. Mr. Wimer stated, “Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy has died. Sincere condolences to his loved ones. God have mercy on his soul. May the Almighty be infinitely more attentive to Mr. Kennedy's eternal condition than Mr. Kennedy appears to have been to lovely, bright-eyed, blonde-haired, 28 year old Mary Jo Kopechne whom he left behind to drown in the car he had driven off an unlit bridge on the night of July 18, 1969, in Chappaquiddick, MA. Kennedy, and this (i.e. special treatment) is a fairly common tale amongst the fabled "Camelot" clan, was given a mockery of a sentence (2 months in prison - suspended, a year’s probation and a 6 month loss of driving privileges) by a Massachusetts "kangaroo court" for "leaving the scene of an accident".

Who died and left you judge, Mr. Wimer? What would your daughter think of you if she knew you made statements and claims about anyone without being there? Were you there at that bridge or in the water? How do you know if Ted Kennedy didn’t try to save her? Did God let you in on some special knowledge that the rest of us don’t know? You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Well, just like your yahoo readers, your true essence has come forth. Whatever respect I had for you is totally lost. I sure hope the readers can see who you truly are. A proponent of misinformation, fear mongering and hate.

Then, in the next paragraph Mr. Wimer displays the picture of one of the greatest haters of all time; Bill O’Reilly. Why don’t you say what Mr. O’Reilly said in his famous YouTube speech now that you have been caught in your spreading of hate? People like you and your constituents continually spread misinformation because you can. Thanks to Liberalism and not Fascism. You reinforce your skewed beliefs and don’t seek the truth. You tipped your hand, Mr. Wimer. Your assessment definitely misses the WWJD test. Jesus taught love and respect for others. The spreading of misinformation, fear mongering and hate IS lunacy and is NOT what Jesus would do. Mr. Wimer states, “Every true Christian, this one included, hopes this is so and again, the sincere and heartfelt sentiment here is that God will be merciful to Mr. Kennedy.” Your supposition of what happened in the water under that bridge shows your personal belief in your superiority in KNOWING what truly happened. How dare you! Take yourself down from your high horse and be thankful for all that God has given you and stop judging others.

Step up to the plate Mr. Wimer and teach the truth. Show people you truly have character and admit that you weren’t there at that bridge. Admit that you truly don’t know what happened. Then, and only then, will your credibility be re-established. Start to teach your viewpoint without acting like you have some special knowledge that God has dispensed on you. Your arrogance is only tempered by your humility. I will continue to read your posts because I believe down deep inside you are a truth seeker. However, if you don’t start to humble yourself when it comes to things beyond your purview, then you will reap the rewards of your actions. May God bless you, Mr. Wimer. I hope that you will see the error of your ways as you have stated in your article, Ted Kennedy: death of the Liberal Lion.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Glenn Beck: the fusion of fear mongering and lunacy

Got your attention, did I? Well, I won’t let you down. Keith Wimer, former Eschatology Examiner and now current Religion and Politics Examiner has recently had a series of articles on Glenn Beck, erroneously portraying him as the school yard nerd who is getting beaten up by the big boys. I commented on Mr. Wimer’s article by saying, “Who is more foolish, the fool or the fool that follows him? This was not an attack, but a question. I want to congratulate Mr. Wimer on his recent success with the Examiner. But at what cost? First, the switch from Eschatology to Religion and Politics because his writings have drawn out the Religious Right contingency and given them a basis for their immoral turpitude on the true teaching of the Bible. It’s understandable when you believe in the eschatological horsecrap based on the psychotic induced visions, or should we say delusions, of St. John The Beloved. John is the supposed author of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. But did Christ truly reveal this allegory to John? Christ taught love and forgiveness. Revelation teaches FEAR! You decide. One of my commenters, Father Jacob, insists on the Bible as the complete Word of God. Father Jacob, why don’t you comment on how the Catholic Church canonized Revelation? Please, let’s seek and speak the truth!

I for one will continue to challenge readers on their beliefs. Where did they come from? How can you know for sure that what you believe is sound? Oh right, the Protestant and Catholic doctrines of sola fide and sola sciptura. Tools for fear mongering preachers like Mr. Beck who day after day sells his soul at the altar of TV ratings. What is fear mongering? It is uses fear through repetition. Keep saying a lie over and over again and eventually people will believe it’s the truth. What is lunacy? Its meaning is insanity and it is classified as a mental disorder. It is sometimes referred to as intermittent insanity and was formerly believed to be related to phases of the moon. Insanity is repeatedly doing something over and over again the same way and expecting different results. One might ask, “How can someone lie repeatedly and still sleep at night?” It’s simple; if they believe they are in the right they simply don’t know any better. Any challenges to their beliefs are summarily dismissed. We are all products of our environment and products of heredity. The truth only lies in the complete investigation of the origins of our beliefs. Something Mr. Beck doesn’t seem to understand because he touts his delusions every night with reckless abandon. Take the FEMA camp at the military base incident. If that lady would have caused any harm to anyone, Mr. Beck would have been just as guilty as she for inciting her with his lies. Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool that follows him? Beck describes his program as "the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment.” I describe it as “the fusion of fear mongering and lunacy.” Remember, Glenn Beck, like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly are entertainers; NOT experts. More like big mouths that spew diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of ideas.

Back to Mr. Wimer. His audience seems to be a mix mosh of good ole boys, yahoos, BACF’s, in-breds and generally those with an eye for sensationalism. Like Keith Olbermann said last night on his program, “Why don’t you just get a hood?” If the shoe fits wear it pal! I challenge each and every one of his readers to NOT read my column because they might learn something that would undermine the basis of their whole existence; it’s called the TRUTH! Go ahead, Jim Bob, make your comments and further cement your lack of awareness by even entertaining anything coming out of Glenn Beck’s mouth. Glenn Beck teaches fear from his basis of lunacy. Like Olbermann says, “A Don’t Tread on Me Paranoia.” Ready to attack? Then listen. I was raised a Republican. I became a Libertarian. I don’t believe in big government but I believe that if government illegally collects a wage tax from you they can at least provide medical coverage for you and your family. Right wing nuts can call it socialism, but it works. Isn’t that better than UIC’s CEO collecting 750 million dollars off the sweat of your brow? Argue with that one, Jim Bob. Have I got more? Like the right wing nut job and pageant wanna-be says, “you betcha!”

All we have is now. What we thought and believed in the past has made the circumstances you are living now. What you think and believe about now makes the circumstances of your future. One such example is Ted Kennedy. He stayed focused on basic human rights and believed that he could help create a world where we could talk and not kill each other if we disagree. Republicans having been trying to paint Ted Kennedy’s contributions as bi-partisan and conciliatory. Yes, he reached across the aisle, but he embraced the principles of liberalism and to walk a mile in the other guy’s shoes. He did it because he believed in the democratic process. He fought for the average American even though right wing nut jobs took the life of his brothers Jack and Bobby. He believed in the goodness of people. So did Jesus. Did Jesus pick up a stone and stone the adulteress? Did he grab Peter’s sword and finish the job on the Roman? No; he expressed understanding and love. Something that Glenn Beck has NO concept of; you can tell a great deal about the person by the fruits that they bear. Jesus cursed the fig tree when it didn’t bring forth fruit. Corporations, the very thing that Glenn Beck supports and vilifies, have backed out of supporting him. To date, 46 corporate advertisers have said, “we don’t want guilt by association.” Doesn’t that tell you something, Jim Bob? I have prepared a response to Mr. Wimer’s 3 articles on Mr. Beck and they will be forthcoming. I challenge him to tell the truth about Mr. Beck and stop perpetrating the spin on Glenn Beck’s statements, policies and behaviors. Let the battle begin!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.