Before I say anything, this is not an invitation to praise or rip on the merits or validity or cult status or what have you for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so I will be very cross if it is used as such. Members of the LDS church, (which both Glenn Beck and I am) believe that on the earth today, we have a man who has been called of God and is authorized to receive revelation from God, a prophet. That man is Thomas S. Monson. Glenn Beck is NOT Thomas S. Monson. And yet he claims to have a plan given to him from God on how to fix this country. He should know, as a fellow Mormon, that he has no authorization to be speaking for God. And yet, there he is. So as a Mormon, I believe this man to be a false prophet. Thats big bad juju in the LDS faith. And yet many many Mormons think Mr. Beck is a godsend, a voice of reason in the wilderness. I see him as a man claiming to speak for God with no authorization to do so. How any other member of the LDS church can see him as anything but is beyond me. Here are some links about his effect within the LDS church
And a blog detailing, in much better terms than I, why Mormons should be disturbed by Mr. Beck. Very well researched and supported, from the LDS point of view.
Another thing I find disturbing about Mr Beck is the method in which he delivers his message: wild speculation, unfounded declarations, and completely fabricated lies. Politifact (I can not praise this site enough) recently rated some of his statements. Suffice it to say, he did very badly. He stirs up the fears of his listeners with his wild claims, and when they can be absolutely proven to be false... he either continues to state them as fact, or moves on to the next hysterical statement. He plays on peoples fears to manipulate them into believing what he wants them to. We've been there before as a country. I hope we dont want to go there again.
Heres a few links
Glenn Beck on Lying
A list of the some of the most recent lies and fallacies made by Mr. Beck
I am very disturbed by Mr. Becks rise in popularity. I don't think his brand of hysteria and lying is good for our country. I wish that more Mormons would realize that his message does not at all jive with what the LDS leadership teaches. I wish that more Christians would realize that he preaches hate and intolerance, in direct oppositions to the teachings of Christ. I wish more people in general would not let themselves be led blindly by a hysterical figure on the radio, tv, or pulpit, without researching the facts for themselves. Honestly, I go could go on on an about Mr. Beck, but suffice it to say, I think he is bad news. He has the right to say whatever he wants, but I hope that more people will realize that what he says and how is says it is poisonous and will do nothing to benefit anyone.
Those are my musings.
Those two articles about Beck were most interesting, thanks for sharing. I find Beck alarming at best, and am dumbfounded that people can take him seriously.
ReplyDeleteI can't really add to what you've written, nor to respond to Chris, other than I agree. I've often felt disappointment when a public figure I support distorts the truth or lies. I perhaps should be as diligent in calling them out as I am those who I don't support.
Let me begin by saying that I have a lot of thoughts on this subject, and I will likely find myself back here with more to add to this topic before the week is done.
ReplyDeleteAt this time, however, I am particularly struck by how you say that "he has the right to say whatever he wants." Many people have uttered these words in many circumstances, and I think they need to be considered carefully. It's tempting to agree with you (for obvious reasons, I think) but I am going to strongly disagree.
In fact, I'm going to go as far as to say that Glenn Beck and his kind (liars, fear-mongers & hate-mongers) exist because too many of us have let them stand on their 'right' to say what they want.
Let me also be clear: everyone should have a right to speak freely. However, what I'm saying is that more of us ought to use our own right to free speech to call out those who use this right to spread lies, fear and hatred.
Further, I'm not even talking about those of us who find it easy to disagree with what's being said. For example, personally I find most of what Mr. Beck says to be antithetical to my own politics and faith. With him it's easy to be critical of his rhetoric.
When we really need to be careful is when we are reading/listening to someone with whom we agree, and we suddenly find that they are using rhetoric that is charged with negative emotions and that we've been carried away with similar negative emotions. We need to be cautious when we see someone that we admire giving only part of the truth to a story and we find that we are tempted to ignore this because we so badly want to believe what they are telling us. Often our desire to have our own opinions vindicated override what we know to be right.
It is in that moment that we need to be self-critical and identify our own desire to ignore the truth. We must always check ourselves against lusting after vicious attacks against those with which we disagree. We must check ourselves against spreading fear...
...even about Glenn Beck...
I have often thought that every person knows when they are in the wrong. I don't believe anyone can commit a sin without knowing it. There's a little voice that tells us what is right and wrong. What happens is that some of us become adept at ignoring that voice. Some people have ignored it for so long that they no longer think it's even there. But that voice--the voice of conscience--is present in all of us. We only need to be honest with ourselves, and it will be heard.
ReplyDeleteSoon we will be confronted with this again: Within 24 hours, I will undoubtedly be confronted with someone telling me how so-and-so is ruining the country. No matter how much I want to believe it, I must listen to my voice of conscience and realize that they are only using overcharged rhetoric.
The next day I'll hear how a certain leader is a Socialist. My little voice will call out: "Now, Chris, you know that's not true." I need to allow myself to be in a state of mind to accept that advice and realize that any accusations of being a Socialist are exaggerations at best (and unnecessary allusions to murders at worst).
Whenever I get too fired up I need to listen to my voice of conscience. Very likely it will ask me to cool down and moderate my feelings on the matter--only with a level head can one see the truth. It also always asks us to step into someone else's shoes and see if we can understand why they might see the world differently than we do.
Nice job, Mike, on your call to rationality and level-headed criticism of a charismatic and polarizing figure in your religious community.
(reposted)
LOL. I wrote paragraphs and paragraphs and they all seemed to have disappeared. I'm going to take that as a sign to simplify my comments to three things:
ReplyDelete1. This is an excellent post and I'm going to quote it a LOT to friends and acquaintances.
2. I'm very impressed with Chris's points. All of them - well except the last sentence. I'm not arguing it, per se. I just wish that the perception didn't exist. I see Glenn Beck as much a part of my religious community as Osama Bin Ladin a part of the Muslim community, an unfortunate circumstance for all.
Anyway, Chris - I appreciate and support your reasonable and humane approach to the world.
3. It is difficult for people to stand up publicly and effectively and confidently voice their personal concerns. I do it all the time because for many years it was my job and I just haven't broken the habit - and let me tell you, it's STILL scary to me. I believe that we need to be brave and speak up for truth and civility - but the tricky part is to do so respectfully and intelligently. I'm pretty sure a "Glenn Beck is a poo poo head" bumper sticker is out (though it has a certain appeal) but I believe strongly in the principle of 'living my beliefs' which is all based on mutual respect and the power of pure love.
Huh, I think I've voiced this before. Sorry for sounding like a broken record. I'm just hoping that I'm making sense considering all of the excellent posts made by others.
Chris:
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the points you made and, once again, find myself in agreement with them. Anything else I might say about them would simply be so I could hear myself speak... er, type.
Mom
The perception exists because, unlike the Muslim faith (or pretty much any of the major religious organizations out there), there is pretty much only one brand of Mormonism. You, me, and Mr. Beck belong to it. And yes, it is very unfortunate that the people (both inside and outside the church) see him and think he is representative of the LDS faith.
So far, it seems that all the comments we have had have been (mostly) in agreement. But I know that some have read this blog and have a very different point of view. I welcome comments from those people as well, provided the rules are followed, and promise that any discussion will be level headed and polite. We may not agree, but we can treat one another with respect.
Believe me--I don't think of Glenn Beck as a representative of Mormonism. But he *is* a member of the church and of your (extended) community. He's as much a Mormon as Pat Robertson is a Christian. In fact, I'd dare say (although I cringe to do it) that Pat Robertson is more a 'representative' of Christianity than Beck is of Mormonism.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Glenn Beck wants to be the Pat Robertson of Mormonism...
Let's hope not.