Christians, and especially Christian politicians, can say the dumbest things. In a recently self published book Jon Hubbard, a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, wrote this: “The institution of slavery that the black race has long believed to be an abomination upon its people may actually have been a blessing in disguise. The blacks who could endure those conditions and circumstances would someday be rewarded with citizenship in the greatest nation ever established upon the face of the Earth.” He also asserted that “the most important pledge I can make to the people of District 58, the citizens of Arkansas, and to myself, is to do whatever I can to defend, protect, and preserve our Christian heritage.”
On September 27th another Christian politician, Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia (a medical doctor, no less) declared in a speech to a group at Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell, Georgia: “God’s word is true. I’ve come to understand that. All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and the big bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of Hell.”
These words don’t reflect convictions of two men of strong faith. They reveal an appalling ignorance that has no place in religion or politics. Too often such statements are justified by people who may not agree with them but who insist on the right these men have to believe what they want to. What is more, criticisms like this one are often labeled “elitist.” But it is far from being elitist to say that freedom to say dumb things is not an excuse for refusing to grow up and join other adults in taking responsibility to be informed about things of which they speak. Whatever happened to the wisdom of Mark Twain who once quipped that it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
One of the major reasons Christianity is in decline in this country, why less than thirty percent of church members actually attend church, and why our government is no longer able to function is because ignorance goes unnamed based on some misguided notion that freedom and tolerance justify it being expressed in public. The word “ignorance” means a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. Just because someone is baptized does not mean they have knowledge, education, or awareness of what Christianity is really about or what the Bible actually says, and when they speak as if they do they should be called on it. The same thing is true for politicians. Just because Hubbard or Broun hold office doesn’t mean they possess knowledge, education, or awareness when it comes to the important issues we face.
One of my favorite words is “jackleg.” It means “characterized by unscrupulousness, dishonesty, or lack of professional standards, or lacking skill or training.” I don’t know about you, but I think religion and politics have too many jacklegs in leadership positions talking as if someone should listen to them. Unless and until we let them know unequivocally that their ignorance is no longer tolerable, that we insist they learn some things before they speak, that we have a higher standard than ridiculous points of view, we will continue down the road to chaotic politics and irrelevant religion we are now travelling. Exposing jacklegs won’t solve our problems, but it might give us a better chance at solving them.
linnposts.com 
….and then there was Romney in Jerusalem the end of July..comparing Israel’s economic success to that of its Palestinian neighbors and stating that this was due to “cultural differences” and the “hand of providence.” Frightening ignorance.
Yes! It is about time you fit “jackleg” into a blog 🙂 Definitely one of the best terms ever! I sure wish more people understood how hurtful and dangerous “beliefs” can be when they are based in ignorance. Truly prophetic words, Mr. Linn!
In the first year of Nazi rule, the eminent physicist Max Planck implored Hitler not to dispense with the services of eminent German scientists who just happened to be Jewish. Hitler replied: “If science cannot do without Jews, then we will have to do without science for a few years.”
In his totally dismissive attitude to evolution (and hence Biology) and embryology, does this Congressman Broun agree with Hitler? It’s surely worrying for the United States if he does.
I can’t help but think it is our own laziness as a species that allows such ignorance in the hands of a vocal or powerful minority to lead so many astray, cause history to repeat itself. Yes, everyone is obligated to seek and find informed knowledge so they can challenge lies and propaganda. The arrogant use ignorance and laziness to achieve power and exploit “the masses”. This is why the American Empire of today is going down the same self-destructive road as the Roman one did. They were the first ancient empire which did NOT employ debt relief for their citizens to rejuvenate and energize the kingdom. That repressive attitude eventually proved unsustainable and multiple revolutions and chaos lead to the “dark ages”. The elite “corporatocracy” behind our empire is following the same path and without serious challenge soon history will repeat itself on an even larger scare. Becoming informed can be awkward and unsettling but pain and suffering are harsh teachers by comparison. We all need to challenge ignorance whenever possible. Our survival depends on it! Thank you, Jan, for this message.
I am suspicious about ignorance, because mis-information might be intentionally used to manipulate a group. The manipulator counts on the ignorance of the audience to sell the information. We as citizens need to question information which asks us to follow a certain direction by arming ourselves with knowledge.