I'm no more fond of Coulter than you are, but it appears to me the interviewer confuses evangelical Christianity with anti-Semitism. Coulter believes people would be better off if they became Christians -- isn't that why the Christian denominations send out missionaries?
Posted at 2007-10-11 07:35:22 [PermaLink]I agree with the poster above. What's the issue here? That Coulter says many Christians want to see the world evangelised? That Christians believe that Jews are following an outmoded legal framework that's been improved?
Someone get the smelling salts.
Every time that woman opens up her mouth I want to bang my head against the wall. Sure, her beliefs are essentially traditional Christian ones -- the Church DOES want to convert everyone, that's what "evangelism" means. But you're supposed to do it by practising the Gospel in everyday life, being charitable, loving your enemies etc -- to the point where others say "Hey, they're onto something, maybe I should find out more about it."
Whenever Coulter says something like this, she turns people OFF Christianity. She's kind of a reverse missionary.
Having said that... she's saying Jews should turn to her religion. She's not saying they should be wiped off the map, ie exterminated. So can we forget her now and go back to criticizing Mahoud Ahmamaniac?
Coulter has gotten where she is because Conservative young men have to have someone to toss off to rom their side of the fence. She is a harpie; just one who says sound things occasionally. If she were not "attractive" would she have done so well? Not a chance.
Posted at 2007-10-11 08:54:09 [PermaLink]hello -
I don't have much time for Anne Coulter.
I think, though, in a world full of Mersheimers and whomevers, where an emininent British scientist can contend that atheists should have as much influence, as a minority, as Jews "obviously" do in the world (and no one remarks overly much about it), where so-called leftists march alongside people holding signs "death to Jews", where Israel is singled out again again again as the world's only abuser of Arabs, Anne Coulter is not something to worry about.
Then again I think both Jews & Christians might ind this a bit more worrying than the guff from that harpie.
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Coulter is the least of Jews' problem. Her comments just toe the line of Christianity, no more, no less.
It seems that nowadays, every non-Jew uttering any opinion about Jews is headed straigth for the penalty box or worse. I think Judaism, having survived just about every possible plague for 3000 years can withstand a little criticism every once in a while.
As a Jew, I want to be able to criticize Christianity and I expect Christians to criticize Judaism. How else am I going to prove that ours is the only true religion?!!!
Lol...it's not like the Pope hasn't said the same of non-Catholic Christians.
"Buy my brand or go straight to Hell, you stupid peasant!!"
(That's not a direct quote...but it's the msg.)
"where an emininent British scientist can contend that atheists should have as much influence, as a minority, as Jews "obviously" do in the world (and no one remarks overly much about it)"
That's exactly the example I was going to use. Is Ann Coulter even more distasteful (and her media enablers even more cynical) than I had previously thought? Sure. But I'm not remotely worried that she can harm me in any way. That Dawkins story, and the reader comments on it, frankly terrified me.
From Ellie: "Every time that woman opens up her mouth I want to bang my head against the wall"
Actually, whenever Coulter opens her mouth, I want to bang her head against the wall. However, I do like her interview where she thanked Canadian soldiers for their assistance in Vietnam. A real student of history.
"More evidence, as if any were needed, of Ann Coulter's sheer vileness."
Well, what she was saying does reflect the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, when He said "You MUST be born again". Offensive? Sure, to those who might refuse His ultimatum.
He was also offensive when He said "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and NO ONE comes to the Father BUT BY ME". Sounds a little exclusive if you ask me, but that's why He told us to "go unto all nations" to pass His words on... because they're the only means by which anyone may enter into Heaven.
Those words are pretty self explainatory, but they're not Anne Coulter's words, they're the Lord Jesus Christ's words.
I will say this however, in disagreement with what Anne said... with my knowledge of Christ's church throughout the world, it's sure not going to look anything like a GOP Convention in NYC... and to that, I give a hearty "PRAISE THE LORD!!!" ;-)
If you are a Christian you must believe that there is no way to God except through his son Jesus Christ. It is the core - the very essence - of Christianity. Therefore, all non-Christians, by virtue of not believing in Christ, will not go to heaven.
Bad, hateful Christians will look upon Jews and Muslims and all non-christians with a smirk and rejoice in the fact that they are going to burn in hell. Kind, benevolent Christians will, with gentle words and by leading by example, try and convert them so they can share in paradise.
Maybe Coulter isn't so gentle - but at least she has the best interest of all non-christians in mind. She just doesn't want them to go to hell - that's all.
Ann Coulter is a vile and demented witch. Full stop.
Posted at 2007-10-11 10:46:39 [PermaLink]"Whenever Coulter opens her mouth, I want to bang her head against the wall".
Whenever she opens her mouth, I want to stick something in it. Ba-zing!
Hmm. Anne Coulter, asked by a Jew, if she thought he should be a Christian, said yes (without saying 'convert or die'), and this is bad? This is TOLERANCE (ie, allowing something that you disagree with), the crowning jewel of modern morality. Anne Coulter is far more tolerant than many of her critics. That she still speaks her mind is her shtick (analogous to a prudish Howard Stern), but she keeps her hand out of my wallet, so why should I care?
Posted at 2007-10-11 11:35:30 [PermaLink]Lol...it's not like the Pope hasn't said the same of non-Catholic Christians.
"Buy my brand or go straight to Hell, you stupid peasant!!"
(That's not a direct quote...but it's the msg.)DaninVan.
Yeah, you make a good point, but Coulter's comments have to be seen in light of how Christianity has treated Jews of the centuries.
Was she insensitive? I think she was, and her use of the word "perfection" implies that jews are somehow less-than Christians.
What I always wondered was this; Jews are over-achievers in EVERY field of human endevour, and so HOW ON EARTH could converting them to Christianity serve to improve mankind?
So wouldn't their conversion be more like a human disaster?
At the very least, unawarded Nobel Peace Prizes would be gathering dust all over fucking Stockholm!
Converting Jews to Christianity wouldn't benefit mankind. It would benefit the Jews though because then they wouldn't burn in hell. Anyone who doesn't accept Jesus Christ as their lord and saviour will burn in hell. The New Testament says so. And Jews will not be excluded because of their good works on earth.
Posted at 2007-10-11 13:36:06 [PermaLink]Man! Sure glad I'm aetheist by choice; no need for me to worry about where I'M going...;)
Posted at 2007-10-11 14:15:14 [PermaLink]Dan: "Sure glad I'm aetheist by choice; no need for me to worry about where I'M going"
Correct as confirmed by Rowan Atkinson:
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The comments were inappropriate and did convey a sense that Christians were "perfect" and that non-Christians were not. It's a foolish thing to say, and a silly way to think and behave.
She is no anti-Semite; obviously Jews have nothing to "fear" from her, or any other critic. But she was wrong to say what she did.
She is a very vicious and cruel commenter in general; there is no surprise at all in these new statements. Her fans, including the above commenters defending her, would never accept such awful behaviour from Richard Dawkins or a Muslim cleric. One rule of civility should apply to all, in my opinion -- and Coulter crosses it constantly.
She's a poor personality to spread any political or religious message.
Damian, for the record, I find nothing offensive or even controvercial in Coulter's remarks or her opinion. Pretty much old-hat, really. [You should see me face-off with J-for-J guys - I leave em gaping, stammering or angry.] Missionary work just isn't Anne's forte.
It's a wonder that anyone bothers to follow another non-issue by yet another of Hillary's pet projects. Hillary had personal involvement in the formation of Mediocrity Matters... It's her machine, and it functions according to her programme. They have a mission. Don't get suckered. [Their lie about Rush Limbaugh recently was sooooo pathetic. Anyone who had listened to Rush's show knew immediately.] MM's action in this latest case is right out of Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals".
JohnB; I'm hanging onto my 'Get Out of Hell Free' card...[External Link]
Posted at 2007-10-11 16:35:57 [PermaLink]Damian I like most of your stuff even the podcasts but your still to "sqeemish" when it comes to the struggle over western civilization. Why listen to Coulters critics, they hate you too! Go to the source, listen or read Coulter then make up your mind, I don't think you do based on this and other comments in the past. Her books are great, I laugh, grin, a few guffaws but she is always right on the point and gives no quarter. When the chips are down I would rather have her covering my back.
Posted at 2007-10-11 17:17:47 [PermaLink]Its always amusing when people start preaching that the way to ensure "tolerance" is to try to tell Christians what to believe, or to make them "shut up".
The use of the word "perfect" in Coulter's comments is in the sense of "complete" or "fulfilled" rather than in the sense of "imperfect", "faulty" or "wrong". If you go down your street and ask almost any pastor or minister of any bible believing evangelical church, you are going to get a very similar answer to the one Coulter gives to this question. You would also have got the same answer from St. Paul - who was a Jew. Back in his day in the first century, there were many, many people who found out they didn't need to stop being Jewish in order to become Christians.
It is certainly true that Jewish people have been persecuted and discriminated against in horrible ways by Christians and the Church. That is regrettable, and I am thankful for the progress we have made. Today, evangelical groups are some of the strongest supporters of Israel and Jews around. However, it is in itself unreasonable and intolerant to state that because of these past injustices, Christians today must prove themselves by giving up their core beliefs, and their mandate for world evangelization.
I would like to see everyone converted to my, um, er, "religion"...atheism.
Does that make me a bad person like Ann?
Not at all vile. She is only spouting what many (most?) Christians believe, and I find it hard to believe that it is really a surprise to Donny D. In an open society this is a good thing - it is called free expression.
I disagree with her, by the way.
Harry... what Harry said. [As for you, Dan... Old pal, you were born Jewish so you have an out. Me, I'm gonna BURN, guaranteed or double your knishes back.]
Please!
Media Matters is on a mission to put all of Hillary bas-Alinsky's enemies off their game. Rant, lie, rip from context. Truth is not MM's objective.
I'm with James Joyner on this one. She is factually correct about what Christianity is, although she's rather blunt about it. Christianity and Coulter say that people should accept Jesus as Savior in order to reconcile with God. They do NOT say that non-Christians should be wiped out, or that conversions should be forced. (Both would be un-Christian.)
She was asked what would make the country a better place. There are lots of things that would make this a better place (like less promiscuity and a comeback for Snapple mint-flavored tea) that the government has no business exerting force to bring about, and Ann knows it.
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