http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2014/07/17/an-invitation-to-exorcise-an-atheist/33128
The phrase “More Catholic than the Pope” usually refers to someone who is more religiously strict than the Catholic Church requires. Gordon Klingenschmitt, Republican nominee for Colorado House of Representatives - District 15, is not Catholic, but I’d add him to the club. Klingenschmitt was upset when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling against a Wisconsin public school district that had been holding graduation ceremonies in a local church. He assumed that atheists were responsible, and responded, “I have a solution. Let’s do an exorcism and cast the devil out of them and then they’ll feel comfortable when they walk into church.”
The phrase “More Catholic than the Pope” usually refers to someone who is more religiously strict than the Catholic Church requires. Gordon Klingenschmitt, Republican nominee for Colorado House of Representatives - District 15, is not Catholic, but I’d add him to the club. Klingenschmitt was upset when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling against a Wisconsin public school district that had been holding graduation ceremonies in a local church. He assumed that atheists were responsible, and responded, “I have a solution. Let’s do an exorcism and cast the devil out of them and then they’ll feel comfortable when they walk into church.”
Klingenschmitt had previously claimed that President Obama’s support for gay marriage showed that Obama must be possessed by demonic spirits. He’s also said that Jesus will eventually rule against gay marriage and toss all gays into hell. It’s bad enough that Pope Francis and other Catholic clergy perform exorcisms on the gullible faithful in their own Church, but Klingenschmitt wants to exorcise the devil from everyone who disagrees with his theological and political views.
I rarely feel I can speak for all atheists, but I’ll make an exception for Gordon Klingenschmitt -- Dear Gordon, I don’t know what your problem is with atheists, but it won’t be resolved with exorcisms. Any attempt to cast the devil out of atheists would be about as effective as my attempting to cast the Tooth Fairy out of you. We atheists can easily get rid of any evil spirits you dream up by simply not believing in them.
Theology aside, Klingenschmitt is wrong for a number of other reasons. I’ll list only three.
1. It’s not just atheists who support the separation of religion and government. See, for instance, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, headed by a United Church of Christ minister, the Rev. Barry Lynn. Would Klingenschmitt support holding public school graduation ceremonies in mosques? In a Satanic Temple? Or in gay churches? If Klingenschmitt is opposed to public activities in those other venues, then he should understand why atheists and other secular Americans oppose our government favoring one religion over another or religion over non-religion.
2. Atheists don’t necessarily dislike being inside churches, although Klingenschmitt is sure that atheists have “feelings of hatred toward the cross of Jesus Christ.” We might think it silly to believe that an ancient Jew chose to die on a cross so he could personally atone for all of humanity’s sins, but “hatred” is a pretty strong word. Many atheists, Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, and even Christians do hate the atrocities that some Christians have committed while brandishing the cross, so there are reasons that the symbol is not universally loved.
3. Klingenschmitt would be surprised by how many atheists regularly attend church. A recent study found that about 13 percent of atheists and agnostics attend church because they enjoy the ritual and sense of community. Some atheists attend because it is good for business, family, and social activities (think politicians, for example). Klingenschmitt might even be more surprised by how many Christian clergy are closeted atheists. See Clergy Project.
I’ve probably attended more different kinds of religious services than has Klingenschmitt, who received a Doctor of Divinity and a Ph.D. in Theology from Regent University, the school founded by Pat Robertson. I’ve written about some of my church experiences here, here, here, and here. Not only do I enjoy learning about different religions, but I also offer a special invitation to Gordon Klingenschmitt:
I invite you or the exorcist of your choice to perform an exorcism on me. You may use as much holy water and as many magic words, incantations, and ritual objects as needed -- but no violence, please. I assume that the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has not expanded to include taxpayer-funded exorcisms and that exorcisms are not covered under the Affordable Care Act, so please do this on your own dime. But if you see me smiling during the ceremony, don’t think it’s because you or your designated exorcist has successfully cast out any demons or that it’s the devil smiling back at you. Instead, it will just be me smiling about my participation in such an absurd activity.
I know Gordon Klingenschmitt isn’t a devil, but I hope that on election day the voters in Colorado’s District 15 will choose to cast him out.
I rarely feel I can speak for all atheists, but I’ll make an exception for Gordon Klingenschmitt -- Dear Gordon, I don’t know what your problem is with atheists, but it won’t be resolved with exorcisms. Any attempt to cast the devil out of atheists would be about as effective as my attempting to cast the Tooth Fairy out of you. We atheists can easily get rid of any evil spirits you dream up by simply not believing in them.
Theology aside, Klingenschmitt is wrong for a number of other reasons. I’ll list only three.
1. It’s not just atheists who support the separation of religion and government. See, for instance, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, headed by a United Church of Christ minister, the Rev. Barry Lynn. Would Klingenschmitt support holding public school graduation ceremonies in mosques? In a Satanic Temple? Or in gay churches? If Klingenschmitt is opposed to public activities in those other venues, then he should understand why atheists and other secular Americans oppose our government favoring one religion over another or religion over non-religion.
2. Atheists don’t necessarily dislike being inside churches, although Klingenschmitt is sure that atheists have “feelings of hatred toward the cross of Jesus Christ.” We might think it silly to believe that an ancient Jew chose to die on a cross so he could personally atone for all of humanity’s sins, but “hatred” is a pretty strong word. Many atheists, Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, and even Christians do hate the atrocities that some Christians have committed while brandishing the cross, so there are reasons that the symbol is not universally loved.
3. Klingenschmitt would be surprised by how many atheists regularly attend church. A recent study found that about 13 percent of atheists and agnostics attend church because they enjoy the ritual and sense of community. Some atheists attend because it is good for business, family, and social activities (think politicians, for example). Klingenschmitt might even be more surprised by how many Christian clergy are closeted atheists. See Clergy Project.
I’ve probably attended more different kinds of religious services than has Klingenschmitt, who received a Doctor of Divinity and a Ph.D. in Theology from Regent University, the school founded by Pat Robertson. I’ve written about some of my church experiences here, here, here, and here. Not only do I enjoy learning about different religions, but I also offer a special invitation to Gordon Klingenschmitt:
I invite you or the exorcist of your choice to perform an exorcism on me. You may use as much holy water and as many magic words, incantations, and ritual objects as needed -- but no violence, please. I assume that the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has not expanded to include taxpayer-funded exorcisms and that exorcisms are not covered under the Affordable Care Act, so please do this on your own dime. But if you see me smiling during the ceremony, don’t think it’s because you or your designated exorcist has successfully cast out any demons or that it’s the devil smiling back at you. Instead, it will just be me smiling about my participation in such an absurd activity.
I know Gordon Klingenschmitt isn’t a devil, but I hope that on election day the voters in Colorado’s District 15 will choose to cast him out.
