Everything old is new again. CNN reports that in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Rev. Scott Breedlove wants to git hisself an old-fashioned book burnin'. Along with the books, offending CDs, videos and clothing were slated to be burned. But before you could say Hitler Youth, the good people of the fire department stepped in with their fire codes to block the purge.
Luckily, CNN points out that, "Preachers and congregations throughout American history have built bonfires and tossed in books and other materials they believed offended God." So it's okay to burn books, which is part of a long American tradition of squelching dissent, as long as you comply with fire codes.
No word in the CNN report on whether Breedlove is a real or assumed name, or whether The Jesus Church accepts members to their congregation without a thorough search of their homes. Filth cold be anywhere. But seriously, this truly is the new, new puritanism that scares the rest of the world (and many Americans, I'm told) about the USA. Fundamentalist, scared-of-the-world, repressive, organized religiousity is just that, if it wears a cloak of christianity or islam. Look deep into thine enemy's eyes and you will see your own.
Posted by James Sherrett at July 26, 2004 10:12 AM