Is hate speech from the pulpit more dangerous than hate speech elsewhere?

[cynatnite]

I was reading the article about the NC pastor who went on a hate-filled tirade about fencing in gays, etc. It seems to me that hate speech like this is far more dangerous coming from a church pulpit than if it came from anywhere else.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/pastor-delivers-anti-gay-rant-suggests-building-electric-142753831.html

Shouldn't they lose their exemption status for this? Shouldn't there be some kind of ramifications for inciting violence? This has very violent overtones, IMO.

[DonCoquixote]

1. Yes

Because the pulpit can make weak minded people think that murder is the right thing to do, and sadly, very rarely do preachers do anything to discourage this.

[cynatnite]

2. I think if they did, we'd hear about it...

They either say this garbage or not say a word.

[RainbowSuperfund]

3. Yes.

[Scuba]

4. There's no crazy like god crazy.

[rurallib]

5. To me yes - a pulpit gives it an aura of legitimacy

and approval from God.
Many in the US today seem to be unable to understand that preachers are human.
No one (or book) for that matter is inspired by any "god."

[siligut]

6. Yes and they should lose their exemption status

But sadly, they won't. There is a whole lot of criminal behavior hiding behind religion.

[Solly Mack]

7. I think hate speech from what some view as a position of authority

(or a position of influence, such as the media) is far more dangerous than your neighbor going off on a tirade in a small group. This includes so-called entertainers who make a living spewing hate.

Still, even within a closed circle such as your family, parents and other adults are in a 'position of authority' and their words will have an impact. Same for schools, businesses, etc..

What is said and absorbed around the dinner table can and will be compounded by outside (TV, radio, places of worship, etc..) influences.

Hate speech is dangerous, period. Words have impact. The bigger the venue the more people who will hear and react (either positively or negatively) to the hate speech. The more people you can reach with your hate, the greater your influence over how your audience thinks (and behaves). If you're also in a position that has been traditionally held in high regard then your words will carry more weight (because from a young age people are taught to obey/respect - even trust - authority figures).


That pastor in NC is dangerous - but then so is his flock if they don't reject him and his ideas. Entire families embracing that hate and teaching it to their children. Those children are hearing it at home and from the pulpit. Unless new ideas and thinking are embraced the children will grow into adults who hate. Maybe as adults they learn better...maybe not. People tend to stay within their comfort zone and hate is quiet comfortable (albeit a false sense of comfort) - you always know who the 'enemy' is and who is responsible for all the bad in the world and in your life. It's 'Them', 'Those people'...the others...everyone different from you.


Let me stop...I'm rambling and this will get as long as a book if I don't. (I've deleted several paragraphs already. lol)

[Arkana]

8. Depends on the "elsewhere".

Rush Limbaugh's no priest yet I'd argue his particular brand of hate speech is more dangerous than anything the right has at its disposal.

[cynatnite]

9. Since it came from a church pulpit it had a sanctioned by god credibility...

which is why I think it is more dangerous than even Limbaugh. That's what drives the anti-choice murderers.