When I dismissed a ceremony to purge the White House of evil spirits

[DavidDvorkin]

as superstitious rubbish, I was attacked as being intolerant. This was in Editorials.

That seems to be a common approach among woo woos and fundies: attack your opponents as intolerant or closed minded.

[Warpy]

1. Although I'd prefer an official sweep for listening devices

to eliminating evil spirits through other means, I think anything that helps folks think the foul stench of the recent occupation by a fascist dictatorship can be somehow eliminated should be commended.

Some people live in a world dominated by symbolism and such symbols can be very powerful for them.

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Which is to say, they're superstitious and believe in superstitious rubbish.

[Warpy]

3. Maybe not

but a whole lot of people who voted for them are.

That's the point.

[Deep13]

8. Well, sure, but the WH should not be encouraging irrationality. nt

[moggie]

9. But are they?

That's what I first thought when I saw the headline, but the article doesn't identify anyone involved as a White House insider, and the ridiculous ceremony didn't even take place in the White House (they chose instead "the gay center of Washington DC", which is a little confusing, unless it's full of closeted Republican spirits).

[Deep13]

10. Well, in that case, who cares. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Pick your superstition targets more carefully

When it's a Republican anointing a doorway with holy oil, it's OK to scoff:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4789541
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x257861

and of course, Warren giving a specifically Christian prayer at the ceremony was right out.

But when it's a Democratic supporter burning plants, it's best to keep a straight face.

[moggie]

6. I guess it's the Native American angle

Since this use of sage is a tradition among at least some Native Americans, there's an element of white liberal guilt when the use of such a tradition is criticised: "we stole their country and tried to kill them all, the least we can do is be respectful of their superstitions".

I feel a little uncomfortable at the way (mostly) white Americans appropriate Native American traditions as a kind of lifestyle accessory ("playing Indian"), and treat their fellow Americans as living museum attractions.

When I saw the headline, I assumed it was some sort of official or semi-official ceremony taking place in the White House itself, which would be pretty shocking and embarrassing (like the holy oil thing), but it seems it was just a bunch of airheads somewhere in DC:

No one is certain whether the event occurred in close enough proximity to the White House to have any effect. But if the mindset and spirit of the crowd can have the effect of amplifying the cleansing effects of sage, I'm absolutely certain it was a success. The people in attendance couldn't have been more into the moment. The crowd radiated so much positive energy, I'm not sure the sage was even necessary. We sent the Bush Administration packing, and the evil spirits along with them

Funny how powerful "positive energy" can suddenly be after Bush and Cheney have gone.

[semillama]

11. Don't tell that to Batman

[mr blur]

5. There's nothing wrong with being intolerant of idiocy.

Whichever side of the political fence the idiots happen to be.

[Deep13]

7. I am intolerant of stupid ideas.

It is my open-mindedness that has lead me to this position. By looking at the actual evidence rather than wishful thinking, I am able to find the truth behind superstition.

It is only the intolerance of fact and the closed mindedness of refusing to consider ideas contrary to ones own preconceptions that allows people to believe irrational things.

[Ian David]

12. Ask them why they're too closed-minded to drink their own urine...

... when there are books and websites saying how good for them it is.

[TheWraith]

13. It's not superstitious rubbish, it's called an inauguration, and it's legally required.

:)

[frogmarch]

14. I thought the sage-burning ceremony to

rid the White House of evil spirits was a tongue-in-cheek thing to do, a joke of sorts, and I thought it was funny. I didn't realize it was meant to be serious!

[DavidDvorkin]

15. Unfortunately, yes.

[uppityperson]

16. could be superstitious but I don't see how it could hurt.

I see most religious things a superstitions, but I also see some that don't hurt, but can serve a positive thing.

[conscious evolution]

17. Chavez approved.

It got rid of the smell of sulphur.