CNBC interview with Ann Coulter
In the above interview of conservative commentator and author Ann Coulter, CNBC host Donny Deutsch (himself Jewish) asked Coulter if she thought Jews ought to become Christians. “Yes,” she replied. Okay, Coulter, so far, you’re okay.
Deutsch then asked if she thought that “…we should all be Christians then?” Coulter replied (and I quote): “Yeah….[Christianity is] a whole lot easier. It’s kind of a fast track.”
A fast track? A whole lot easier?
Deutsch continued his queries (it gets better): “You can’t possibly believe that…. You’re too educated.”
Now, at this point, I’m thinking that here we have two people on national television that have absolutely no right to be on national television. Neil Postman was right. We are amusing ourselves to death.
But, not to worry. Coulter — ever the vigilant warrior — fought pluralism with stupidity: “Do you know what Christianity is? See, we believe your religion, but you have to obey. We have the fast track program.”
And, lest you fear that the newly out of the closet theologian Reverend Coulter stopped there….. no-sir-ee, she continues to inspire us with her soteriological acumen: “That’s what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament, but ours is more like Federal Express. You have to obey laws. We know we’re all sinners.”
Federal. Express.
At this point, I’m siding more with Deutsch. Did she REALLY just say that? In fact, Coulter, do YOU know what Christianity is? Who turned you loose?
Is this what inevitably happens when one gives a conservative, capitalistic Republican an NIV Study Bible and a personal size portion of the Holy Individual Spirit?
If Coulter had said this in the 4th century, St. John Chrysostom (then Patriarch John) would have seen to it she had no more books published. And for good reason. As it now stands, most Americans get their kicks on one of two sports: (1) brainless tv commentary, or (2) theological bullshit.
Coulter has nicely demonstrated both.
I’ve been somewhat out of the popular “Protestant loop” for some time now, and I am frequenly amazed at the theological piffle that I sometimes run across. Do some Christians still believe that the Jews don’t believe that they are sinners? Do some Christians really believe that the difference between Jews and Christians is that Jews believe they have to obey God (and presumably, Christians do not)? Do some Christians really believe that Christianity is the “fast track” and the “easy way” to the life of God in Christ? Are they really unaware of the Christian Tradition, which includes the Scriptures, some of which say things like “through many tribulations you must enter the Kingdom of God”?
Congratulations, Coulter. You are my official heretic of the week. Now please be quiet for a while. Okay? The world already knows we’re sinners. You’re making us look just plain stupid.
Ann Coulter And The Jews: The Agony And The Ignorance (Includes Blog Roundup)
Controversial conservative author, icon and columnist Ann Coulter is in hot water again — and this time she’s accused of being anti-semitic.
Coulter has been denounced before. In fact, most Americans are already free members of the Ann Coul…
Breathtaking.
oh dear. I’m still involved with the Protestant Christian circles via homeschooling and I’ve heard stuff like this (actually I recently got into a discussion with someone who believed something similar – just not quite as bad). But, Coulter takes the cake with this uneducated theological babble. But, then again, I’m not surprised that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I would never have put her in the “Christian Right” category. I also assumed that she was a political right winger with a little God on the side….but perhaps I am being presumptuous.
I don’t know if I made it clear in the past, but there are three basic impulses which are driving me to Orthodoxy.
1. The weak ecclesiology of every church I’ve ever been a part of, or witnessed first hand with the exception of the church I grew up in. Christianity is common. That is, it is communal. I may not yet believe it’s necessarily visible, but relationships in the church should be as marriages not as a social club.
2. A great void in my spiritual life caused by a lack of intimacy with God. I had failed up to this point, in tapping into the wisdom and gifts of the first 1800 years of Christians.
3. A desire to differentiate myself (both outwardly, but also inwardly) from Coulter, Dobson (except in his child rearing advice), the Dominionists, and anyone who’s book is sold in a “Christian” book store that has a soft-focus picture on the cover.
I have always tried to say, “if you say ‘Jesus is Lord’ you are my brother, even though I might think you mistaken on a great many things.” But it’s becoming harder and harder to keep such an open communion in my heart.
Just look at Kevin’s last post before this one: Protestantism is Catholicism “without the guilt.” According to this loon, it’s also Judaism on methamphetamines–the fast track.
I am wandering in the wilderness as to where I belong. Am I Protestant because I oppose papal authority? Maybe–but I find myself “protesting” much more often against this kind of crap than I do the Pope. I am an equal opportunity Protestant, I guess.
David, I very much identify with your 3rd point.
Kevin, you’ve been on a long hiatus. God uses all to His purposes. Proof? Ann Coulter caused you to break your silence. He can even create good out of her shocking stupidity.
Well I’m glad to see Coulter’s still out there fighting the good fight. Some things just gotta be said to expose dark things, like Coulter’s ignorance, to light.
But keeping that open communion David mentioned is one of the hardest things for me in Christianity. And that’s just Americans we’re talking about – people we share a common language and history with. Try going to places where most Protestants still believe dancing is outright sinful or most Catholics put Jesus’ words into Mary’s mouth.
Hello,
I found your site through a comment you left over at Fr Stephen’s. I hope you don’t mind my commenting.
Ann Coulter’s latest book, Godless, is what finally convinced me that she really had no clue what the hell she was talking about (when I read it, I was still a Christo-Republican of the Baptist persuasion and eager to defend her views as orthodox) and I’m convinced it is numbered among the many things that led me to the Orthodox Church. She has about the same grasp of Christianity and its tenets and its political, social, and personal implications as Rush Limbaugh: “Well, the West has always been Christian, and the founding fathers talked about religion and morality on occasion, so… yep, let’s defend this Christianity thing!”
Her policies and her opinions are in many cases reprehensible and if she were an Orthodox Christian I am certain her confessor would have a few choice words for her.
I am still just
=-o
Looking through my blogstats to see who was meandering by, I came across a blogger that had pinged me, so I visited. Looking at the comments on one particular post I saw this: “Tradition is an essential part of practical Christianity”
Yes, as a Protestant (I suppose), what I miss most is the sense of connectedness to the ancient, apostolic Church. Perhaps you’re right, but I don’t know if I can bend that far in my doctrine. I would like a church that had roots in the ancient traditions, and could even boast of direct continuity with the NT church, but without the innovations that I find so troubling (e.g. chrismation, prayers to the saints, coronating Mary as the “Queen of Heaven,” etc. And to be honest, I’m a little skeptical of icons as well. Not quite so much in theory, but how I’ve seen them used in practice).
Og course, such a church doesn’t exist. Thus the problem.”
I don’t know what is worse, a completely ignorant jerk who obviously knows nothing like Ann Coulter. She is easily dismissed as an ignoramous or someone such as the above commentor, who has just enough knowledge to be dangerous, but does not use the knowledge in a meaningful way.
MaryLeah,
I understand. I wonder if the sticking point for the people like your pinger is the difference between saying, “Tradition is a necessary part of practical Christianity,” and acknowledging that “Christianity is Tradition.”
The way those two approaches play out is significant.
Cort,
I can empathize with the “wandering.” Not always fun, but sometimes necessary for a time.
Kevin
I’ve seen a lot of mention of Ann Coulter, but I’ve not read anything written by her. But from what you have quoted, I agree, she should steer clear of theology.
Ann Coulter is an opportunist of the highest order. To see Christianity as a fast track to heaven shows just how little she (and our society) know about our faith. We should pray for her.
See, this is the kind of thing that doesn’t upset me in the least. She’s just some celebrity, a person famous for being loud. I have no fear that a rational person judges Christ by her… the only people who would equate Ann Coulter with Christians in General (CIG?) are people who’ve already made up their minds.
What upsets me are actual believing, walking Christians—James Dobson, Tony Campolo, Jim Wallis, President Bush (?)—who get our eternal faith mixed up with temporal socio-cultural-political ideas, many of which are still confusing the core of the Church, much less the young and meek. This is what drives reasonable people away from Christ… not feisty blondes whose political arguments are on the third-grade level.
Okay,
God bless Ann Coulter.
I don’t particularly feel any different, but hopefully that will help dear Ann grow a brain.
Forgive me, my facetious bone was itching again, I had to scratch it!
Nobody cares that she got the basic tenents of Christianity wrong, wrong, wrong! They only cared that she offended the Joos, and one must never, ever offend the Joos.
Oh and the Musslemen, because they are organized and will make a stink. One group will maybe go to the press and the other will riot. We must be careful about who we offend, but those Christians, they are meek, turn those cheeks and, I hear they will inherit the earth…
I have an acquaintance, a conservative atheist, who once claimed (tongue in cheek) it would be worth becoming a Christian just to be hated a little more by the ACLU and their “ilk” and I suspect this sums up the religious attitude of Ms Coulter and her ilk. They see Christianity as another string in their bow for shooting liberals with and that’s about all. Unfortunately, although I have found her immensely entertaining on occasion, I suspect she is actually rather humourless and can’t see how really silly it is to say, “Liberals hate Christians therefore I must be a Christian to further irritate them.” It’s a variation on people who think that misbehaving shocks Christians when it really bores them and makes them shake their heads.
Margi
Justin,
I think you are giving people too much credit for their reasoning abilities. Coulter’s type make news. To the unchurched, this is Christianity.
In a world driven by the sound-bite, I think we have to accept that people like Coulter do impact how many people view Christians. To say “reasonable people” will reject her will leave us searching in a world lacking in reasonable people.