Glenn Beck
After the Obama administration decided to drop its defense of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism praised the move.
In reaction, Fox News talk show host Glenn Beck compared Reform Judaism, the largest branch of Judaism in North America, to radical Islam.
The RAC, a social action organization affiliated with Reform Judaism, wrote, “The announcement by the Obama Administration, through the Justice Department, that it will no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage act is as welcome as it is overdue. Now is the time for Congress to repeal the discriminatory law once and for all.”
Beck’s anti-Semitic response was: “Reform rabbis are generally political in nature. It’s almost like Islam, radicalized Islam in a way… radicalized Islam is less about religion than it is about politics. When you look at Reform Judaism, it is more about politics.”
But most mainstream Jewish groups supported the Obama administration’s decision.
The Anti-Defamation League said: “We write to commend you for your statement yesterday announcing that the U.S. Department of Justice believes that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and will no longer defend it in court.
Abraham Foxman, national director of the ADL said, “Despite his feeble attempt to suggest that he was not equating Reform Judaism with Islamic extremist terrorism, the simple fact that he would mention them in the same breath is highly offensive and outrageous.”
That’s an interesting put-down from Abraham Foxman, a good friend of Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News.
The Religious Action Center said on their Facebook page, “We are deeply distressed by Glenn Beck’s profoundly offensive remarks about Reform Judaism and Reform rabbis. Beck’s sweeping dismissal of the religious faith of a million and a half North American Jews was both tragic and outrageous.”
This isn’t the first time Beck has made anti-Semitic statements. He made headlines last year saying that advocacy for social justice “leads to death camps.”
But we understand how Beck confuses radical Islam with Reform Judaism. Reform rabbis have been performing same-sex marriages since 1997. That’s when they voted (at a meeting in Dallas, by the way) to upgrade from so-called commitment ceremonies. And same-sex marriages are not performed in Israel, but the country recognizes all marriages that are performed in other countries.
Actually the position of Osama bin Laden on homosexuality has been the same as Maggie Gallagher’s and Glenn Beck’s and would be the opposite of most Jews.
I guess he’s never heard of social justice and/or tikkun olam. Also, how much money would it take to bribe this guy into not speaking in public anymore? I’ll host a fundraiser.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV): “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Homosexuality is also referred to as the sin of sodomy. This reference comes from an account in the Bible of two exceedingly wicked cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, which the Lord destroyed. Sodom was known for its rampant homosexuality and unrestrained sexual lust, as well as other sins such as arrogance, haughtiness, and disregard for the poor. When the Lord sent angels to warn Lot who lived in the city that it was about to be destroyed, the men of the city actually wanted to rape the angels! Genesis 13:13: “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”
We do not live in biblical times people. Evolve!
“Let she who is among you without sin cast the first stone”. Hatred, bigotry and self-righteousness are among a number of other sins you fundies tend to overlook. Convenient ethics.
Great informative and provocative post. I and most other people know what Beck implies is not true.
Can you give more explanation to the following thought?
“But we understand how Beck confuses radical Islam with Reform Judaism.”
I don’t understand how.
We know what specifically was behind the behavior of Roy Cohn and Anita Bryant. After the specifics were exposed their credibility was lost with everyone including their fans.
What specifically is it about Beck that causes him to think and behave the way he does? Not in popular cliches like he’s conservative, he’s homophobic, he’s from a red state, etc. It may be good for everyone if we understood.
I hope to read more articles from you.
How does Beck confuse radical Islam with Reform Judaism? Um, how about because they both use places of religious worship to make political statements that have nothing to do with religion. Frankly, he is right about the reform movement in that they place little to no emphasis on Torah – the most basic tenet of Judaism – and instead use synagogues to advocate for and justify political and social issues that are often strictly forbidden in Judaism, like homosexuality. There’s a name for that, it’s called pulpit politics. Also, it doesn’t make one homophobic to state the fact that homosexuality is forbidden in just about every major religion in the world, including Judaism. If you don’t like that fact, take it up with G-d, not Glenn Beck. To try to defame him for making honest and factually accurate statements is simply a sign of poor character.
Being surprised that Reform is a more liberal subset of Judaism is kind of like being surprised that KFC serves chicken. “Duh, big red truck”. While Reform may tolerate and even champion a liberal stance on the issues, I have never heard homosexuality encouraged from the pulpit. Reform Jews were also on the forefront of the civil rights movement and many other ethical concerns of modernity. To liken anything or anyone to radical Islam, who blow up planes and cut off arms of children stealing food to prevent their family’s starvation is inflammatory and oh so wrong. If you wish to try to cloak your hatred under the mantle of Biblical Law please make sure your own windows are clean before pointing out the spots on someone else’s. If you have ever had relations with your wife during her monthly then your sin is as real as theirs (read your Bibles). Bottom line, if you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one. If you don’t believe in homosexuality, don’t be one. But my right to swing my arms ends where your nose begins. I learned a long time ago I am not G-d’s mitzvah police. I’m sorry but this guy is whack and he needs to be taken off the air. The hate pundits are destroying our country and making all out war on abortionists, homosexuals and even liberals main stream. And while I don’t disagree with the other writer that we should try to understand Mr. Beck’s reason for acting as he does, remember we don’t ask the rabid dog his rationale for his actions until AFTER we have taken him off the streets.
Laura,
Blah, blah, blah. Leviticus. Blah, blah, blah.
Create a new argument instead of using two or three verses from a Bible that you don’t even follow.
Wow! just goes to prove: scratch a homophobe, find an anti-Semite, and the nut cases are in full cry once again.
What an ignorant and biased article. Take things out of context and you will always confuse people. Beck is correct in how he put his argument, its simple and straight forward. If you anti Beck igiots can not read just this tiny little blurp and understand what was being said then you should ask for understanding. No the liberal igiots who do not like FACTS must go on the smear attack. Typical Alynsky tactics.
Oops! Alinsky not Alynsky.
Nothing was taken out of context. Beck apologized for what he said and he himself called it the stupidest thing he has said on the air.
Have you ever noticed the only modes of defense fundies have are 1)denial, 2) “you did it too”, and/or 3) name-calling? At least if you are going to insult people use a spell-checker. We need to learn to disagree without being disagreeable.
The most abhorrent thing about Beck and his ilk is that he/they stand against social justice. So whether you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist or a humanist, he stands against the teachings of all our prophets and sacred texts. Time to dry the “tears of the clown” and toss his teachings in file 13 where they belong.