Steven Anderson is some crazy, religious windbag. That doesn’t really narrow the field, I know, but his claim to fame is publicly praying for Obama’s death by natural causes.
But that’s not what’s interesting about him. That belief sets him apart from much of mainstream Christianity (though the Bible and theology offer no methods to internally condemn his interpretation of God’s will). What’s interesting is what holds him close to the mainstream Bible thumpers. Of course there are the usual positions: he hates abortion, liberalism (which is just reality), and – of course – da gays. But then there’s this subtle piece that gets ignored far too much.
Pastor Anderson holds no college degree but has well over 100 chapters of the Bible committed to memory, including almost half of the New Testament.
Today, most Baptist churches are started by Bible Colleges. However, the Bible makes it clear that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth, not a school. Faithful Word Baptist Church is a totally independent Baptist church, and Pastor Anderson was sent out by a totally independent Baptist church to start it the old-fashioned way by knocking doors and winning souls to Christ. This is the scriptural method.
There isn’t really much reason to talk about not having a college degree. There shouldn’t be any pride in that. But for Christians and conservatives, it’s a point on which they puff their chests. Anderson is actually bragging about having no degree. He’s proud that he’s doing it “the old-fashioned way”, which is through willful ignorance. This should be roundly condemned.
Being proud of having a lack of education or feeling a sense of victory at criticizing intelligent people for using big, scary, intelligent words is why people like Larry the Cable Guy have been successful. (It certainly isn’t because he’s funny.) But this allegiance to stupidity is a blight on U.S. politics, too. Sarah Palin almost got elected to a national office. She’s one of the most genuinely stupid people to be given a voice. Her failure to think critically and to keep up with the clearly smarter people on the left is what lifted her up so high. Her simplicity appealed to the high number of simple people in the U.S. Bobby Jindal will probably become a big star for the same reason soon.
It’s pride in stupidity that keeps the idea that faith is a virtue alive. It’s pathetic.
Filed under: Politics and Social, Religions | Tagged: Bobby Jindal, Faithful Word Baptist Church, Sarah Palin, Steven Anderson |
For the Sake of Science 
Anti-intellectualism has been with us from the start and it’s ironic that it’s so prevalent in a nation that claims to value education so much. I always get asked to “speak English” or stop being “pretentious” just because I believe in using the most apt word to accurately either my emotion or a situation. (ie antipathy instead of a general word like hate) As long as we fail to communicate properly with Joe Sixpack (as well as educate lol) we will lose out to the rabid Right who push this cynical notion of egalitarianism which just leads to people in the trailers to vote for people in mansions. Susan Jacoby does a brilliant dismantling of this gilded idiocy and I feel we should continue to press this point. She says that “Elite simply means the best of the best.” What person in their right mind wouldn’t want the best of the best? Who wants a mediocre dentist, mechanic, teacher,lover? Not I nor does anyone else, I hope lol