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[enki23]

This message was self-deleted by its author (enki23) on Tue Apr 16, 2024, 10:08 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[PotatoChip]

1. Do you have a transcript of his commencement speech?

Because I can't tell what his religious beliefs are from the linked article. What makes you think he is a Christian?

He clearly sounds like a misogynist though.

[enki23]

4. Why do you think that would matter?

He's an American white male telling people what "God" wants. If he wasn't a Christian, he was perfectly comfortable with leading his captive audience to think he was. Are you *seriously* going to try to make that dodge, anyway?


No, the real answer to your post is: WTF? Is there a point in there, somewhere? No, don't bother. I already have that answer.

[PotatoChip]

5. What dodge?

It was a sincere question. He mentioned God once. How do you know that he is a Christian from that? My Jewish relatives mention God from time to time too.

[enki23]

6. I have your answer:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irrelevant?s=t&path=/

[PotatoChip]

7. Ok, whatever. (nt)

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. I found his website, and bio...he labels himself Christian.

He is self published author ( owns the Attaboy publishing company)
"In 2011, Attaboy Productions, Inc. published Peter’s first book,
78: How Christians Can Save America.
After selling thousands of copies and making live presentations of 78 around the country, Peter’s second book, BELiEVE: A Confrontation with Christianity’s Biggest Challenges, was published in 2012."

http://www.peterheck.com/speaking/full_bio

[PotatoChip]

10. Ok, thanks.

I find it interesting that he owns a publishing company named 'Attaboy'. Figures.

[trotsky]

2. It's one of the basic memes within Christianity.

"You will be persecuted for your beliefs!"

Not a lot in the way of persecution happens when you're the freaking MAJORITY in a country that guarantees its citizens religious freedom, so you have to claim persecution when that government tries to prevent you from using its resources to push your religion on others. Ah yes, NOW the martyr complex kicks in - this is just what Jesus told you was going to happen! And you oh-so-bravely give a speech to rousing cheers from the Christian majority. What a noble act! A true freedom fighter!

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. "idiotic sniveling of modern feminism"

Sounds like the new members of patriarchy are as threatened as the old members were years ago.

He must be a fun date.

[hrmjustin]

8. I bet this guy would be happy if women were barefoot and pregnant.

He is not a hero!

[enki23]

11. But, it's an expression of a sincere belief. And his mention of "God's blessings" was no accident.

So, isn't he a free speech hero? I distinctly remember lots of people here cheering the Lord's Prayer kid. This guy brought up God when he wasn't supposed to as well. For the people who were cheering the previous one, is it because the kid didn't say anything *they* found offensive? Because there are many, many people who would find what this guy said to be inspirational, and completely in line with their beliefs. Many of them there, even.

What made that one okay, that doesn't equally make this one okay?

Oh, I know. It's not the reference to "God" that pisses most people off. They're pissed off at the misogyny. Many of you all like the "God" in there just fine. The thing is, the constitution doesn't protect anyone from government-sponsored misogyny. It has repeatedly been held to protect them from government-sponsored sectarian religion. Things don't get much more government-sponsored than a captive high-school graduation ceremony. And statements don't get much more sectarian than the Lord's Prayer.

We can all get pissed off at this guy. He deserves it. An asshole like this should never have had a speaking gig, or should at least have had it better controlled. But the fact is, he was free to say it. The misogynist part. But he's a dick for saying it, because it insults the women in his audience, holding them to a different sort of standard than the men. It says, "you are second-class citizens." But what if almost all the audience had been male? Would it have been okay then? Would it have made it okay if the audience had cheered?

[hrmjustin]

12. Well I was not in favor of the Lord's prayer being said. My complaint was some of the responses

implying believers like me are idiots. I did not think he was a hero, nor did do I think he is horrible. The man in your OP seems to imply God wants women in the home and I do not buy that at all. It offends me to think he would use God to push his women hating agenda. Yes you have free speech and he used his right. I would defend his right to say it but challenge him on his views.

In the end it would not have matter who was in the audience in the end. His message of keeping women in their place is just plain wrong.

[LostOne4Ever]

13. Both Speeches

Were instances of religious bullying. Forcing the religious views of the speakers upon a captive audience.

Had the HS valedictorian said a prayer to Allah or the god of some unpopular religion he would not have gotten such a warm reception, and would not have been called a hero.

As for the other thread, it had both theist and atheists being complete a-holes in it. I did not think such a crappy thread warranted a reply.

[rug]

14. What's your answer?

At what fractional popularity, do you think, does dickishness turn into free speech heroism?

[LostOne4Ever]

15. The point at which

They aren't forcing a religious belief on others.

[enki23]

16. My anwser is that the Lords Prayer kid was a dick, regardless of cheering dicks in the audience.

He's not a hero for pushing a sectarian religious message on a state-sponsored audience at a state-sponsored function, regardless of the audience's demographics or the popularity of his message. This guy is an asshole. And that kid's an asshole too.

But kids will be assholes, and my concern for one asshole's relatively-harmless behavior is limited. I'm far more concerned about the shameless cheering assholes, not just in the stands there, but here. And all around. The message they send is "not my religion? fuck you."

Well, fuck them all back.

[rug]

17. If you limited free speech to people who aren't dicks you'd be able to hear hummingbirds.

Lost has the right answer.

[Jim__]

18. I don't think it's fractional popularity that turns dickishness into free speech heroism.

It's whether or not I agree with the speaker. If I agree, then it's an act of free speech, maybe heroic depending upon the circumstances. If I disagree, well then, clearly it's a case of plain ol' dickishness.

[Zoeisright]

19. Oh for pete's sake.

If you want a religious speech, go to church. I'm sick to death of christians whining about how their "freedom of speech" is being stifled. Keep it out of secular settings. It's not that difficult, unless you're a professional victim.

[Iggo]

20. Fuckin idiot.

[Nye Bevan]

21. Personally, I'd rather listen to a controversial speech that spurs some debate,

like this speech is doing here on DU, even if I disagree with it, than sit through a by-the-numbers bog-standard cliche-ridden address containing all of the usual chase-your-dreams type platitudes.