I blame the parents
January 12, 2011
Now that things are calming down after all the excitement surrounding Liam Goligher, the latest winner of the UK reality TV show, I'm a Presbyterian, Get Me Out of Here! (in my humble opinion, a far better UK choice for Tenth than either Piers Morgan or that girl who used to be in the Spice Girls), I can get back to doing what I enjoy most: first, trousering the stacks of cash (used notes, unmarked bills only, brown envelope please) that come my way from being in the OPC; and, second, reading The Spectator.
This week there is an interesting article on Jay Bakker, son of Jim (PTL) and Tammy Faye (she of the `Tammy Faye' label line in pantyhose). Two things come to mind:
1. Ho hum, the taxonomy of Religious Left and Religious Right continues to fall out along the lines of identity politics issues, with concern for the poor on the left being by and large replaced by concern for the weird or, failing that, those with hip lobby groups. Where do those of us fit in who are (a) conservative in theology; (b) economically and socially liberal in politics, in terms of the old-fashioned concerns for untrendy things like unemployment, poverty, and health; and (c) wearers of Barker's brogues and Charles Tyrwhitt ties? Are we of the Right or the Left? I think we should be told.
2. I grew up in a loving, non-Christian home; and I am grateful that whatever else `messed with my head' or `screwed me up,' and against which I am now reacting, it is not the Christianity of my parents. There is surely a lesson for all Christian parents there.
This week there is an interesting article on Jay Bakker, son of Jim (PTL) and Tammy Faye (she of the `Tammy Faye' label line in pantyhose). Two things come to mind:
1. Ho hum, the taxonomy of Religious Left and Religious Right continues to fall out along the lines of identity politics issues, with concern for the poor on the left being by and large replaced by concern for the weird or, failing that, those with hip lobby groups. Where do those of us fit in who are (a) conservative in theology; (b) economically and socially liberal in politics, in terms of the old-fashioned concerns for untrendy things like unemployment, poverty, and health; and (c) wearers of Barker's brogues and Charles Tyrwhitt ties? Are we of the Right or the Left? I think we should be told.
2. I grew up in a loving, non-Christian home; and I am grateful that whatever else `messed with my head' or `screwed me up,' and against which I am now reacting, it is not the Christianity of my parents. There is surely a lesson for all Christian parents there.
