Critical Thinking - An agenda driven redefinition
This is so precious, so telling, so arrogant, so incredibly insulting and from someone who honestly believes she's being... Godly, helpful, erudite, etc:
I hold a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies and have been fascinated by study of politics from a young age. I’ve been intrigued by politics and movements the way some people watch soap operas. What will happen next and the speculation is a source of endless enchantment for me.
...
My first thoughts are that all Christians need to take a course in critical thinking. This is critical. As an adult convert (at the age of 30) who went to a regular liberal arts college and learned the art of critical thinking and discourse, I have been regularly appalled at the lack of critical thinking that I see amongst the brethren and sistren. It is why so many are now so bitterly disillusioned with President Bush. Those of us who are critical thinkers saw him for who he was back in 1999; a charlatan. But most Christians only heard what they wanted to hear in 2000 and again in 2004. Having done that, and been so badly burned they seem unwilling to trust any politician again.
They need to listen for themselves and read for themselves what the candidates are saying. Do not rely on the media reports … do not rely on Fox News or CNN or anyone else. The internet is rife with the ability to get the speeches whole cloth. Do this for yourself. All you have to do is get one or two of the whole speeches and you will have enough to have the tenor of the candidate. For instance,hen the story broke about Barak Obama’s pastor (Dr. Wright), I searched YouTube until I found his entire sermon and found the little bitty clips in context. They meant something then and were not nearly as offensive. If you know anything about the African-American church in this country, then you can understand where they came from. If you don’t, then shame on you. You have some homework to do.
Isn't it a beautifully put together string of words that simply drips with condescension? Isn't this the antithesis of humility yet presented by someone who'd argue she's being most humble? Ravine of Light typifies all that is wrong with the Religious Left and liberalism today.
To argue that George W. Bush is a charlatan while defending the likes of Jeremiah Wright is an incredulous thing. To attempt to ignore the Black Liberation theology that Wright and his church openly embrace and which gives context to so much of his You-Tubed sermon snippets and then attempt to portray yourself as a critical thinker is just too damned much. To portray the President as a charlatan while being unable to articulate the substance from which that thinking comes is just too damned much.
Sadder however is that this "critical thinker" won't allow anything but an echo chamber on her site. I'm banned and I'd submit that anyone who vociferously disagrees with her would soon also be.
This friends is liberalism today and this unadulterated arrogance is especially appalling coming from someone who'd be the first to tell you how tolerant, loving, and embracing she is.
An amazing post folks... just freaking amazing.
Then again, not really. I shouldn't be surprised anymore by how pathetic The Religious Left are. Neither should I be surprised when evidence unfolds before our very eyes that substantiates the pathetic-ness.
Precious is right. I couldn't resist tweaking. I hope she enters a comment or e-mails a response TODAY.
This guy goes into a bar at eleven o'clock and there's this blond sitting there with a glass of wine, watching the TV. As the news comes on, there's a story about a man threatening to jump from the bridge. The blond leans over to the guy who walked in and say "That's so sad...I hope they manage to talk him off there." And the guy says, "Nothin' doin'. He's gonna jump. Twenty bucks says." So the blond says, okay, and they both put up twenty dollars.
Five minutes later, the man on TV jumps from the bridge, and dies.
The blond orders another glass of wine, and hands the guy the money. He says "Miss, I'm sorry, I can't take your money. I already knew what happened to the guy because I watched it on the six o'clock news." The blond says "So did I, but I was hoping this time it'd turn out better."
Methinks she went to the same liberal arts college and learned about the same arts of critical thinking.
Posted by: Morgan K Freeberg | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Critical thinking my . . . never mind.
If she's a graduate from the typical liberal arts college, her thinking was skewed, not trained critically. She probably has never questioned her libtard assumptions ever in her life, just accepted everything with open mouth and empty mind.
And it's so heartening to know that there are so many clairvoyants amongst these people who can peer into the recesses of peoples' hearts, never mind that their actions speak louder than words.
And I think the Bible has lots to say about people who call black white, and white black.
This just totally disheartens anyone who really knows how to think things through.
Posted by: Mommynator | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Morgan's comment is wonderful. Here is what I added.
I agree with Mr. Freeberg, but the part that jumped out at me was, “Evil despises change.” I wonder how a “critical thinker” reconciles that with a God (Jesus Christ) who is the “same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.” –Hebrews 13:8
Can you help me understand?
Posted by: BroKen | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 04:25 PM
I especially like here view on critical thinking while at the end she wants her readers to “Get involved in voter registration drives for the other (that would be uneducated folks…”. Now there’s some critical thinkers- the uneducated. Brilliant.
I noticed no reply yet Morgan. Loved you tweak.
Posted by: tim aka The Godless Heathent | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Hey, we did get a response. Here it is:
@Morgan - your arrogance astounds me. You seem to have missed the bit where in accusing me not thinking critically because I want everyone to think like me, you are doing the same thing … because I do not reach the same conclusions as you. You are correct … I’ve left some big holes here, just to trip people like you up with your assumptions. Guess it worked. When you can find your own assumptions and work through them, we’ll be ready to have a conversation. Until then …
@Ken - God is unchanging. People, however, are not and God desires our change. In fact, the last time I looked His greatest desire is that we would change to reflect His heart. Evil desires that we do not change. Evil hates change. Think on that for a while. Maybe you’ll begin reflecting more of God’s heart.
And here is my response to the response:
I caught some ire from a friend a while back for suggesting the necessity of nuance in critical thinking. I might catch some here, too.
But look, "Evil despises change" is demonstrably false. Here are a couple of counter examples that prove it. Divorce is a change and evil likes it a lot. Death is change and evil loves it. So, when you had the chance to clarify or qualify your statement, you instead reiterated it. Not an example of "critical thinking" in my book.
I hear you saying, "That's not what I meant and you know it. You are taking me out of context!" Well, let's go back to your post. The context is voter turnout and you think an increase in votes is a change that evil hates. But by your logic (or at least by your statements) the same would apply to a decrease in voter turnout. Would evil hate it if they held an election and no one showed up?
You begin by describing our Republic but if we CHANGED our Republic into a pure democracy (which would have horrified our founding parents, as you say) would evil hate that? Is the tyranny of the majority really what you seek?
You are viewing "Change" as a moral category and it simply doesn't fit. Change can be good. Change can be really BAD! There is nuance for you.
This mantra of "Change!" as if it is always good is one of the most troubling aspects of the Obama campaign. REAL critical thinkers recognize it for what it is.
Posted by: BroKen | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 12:51 PM
My reply:
Sonja,
When did I accuse you of uncritical thinking just because you don’t reach the same conclusions that I do?
I await your reply.
Posted by: Morgan K Freeberg | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Only those posts that agree with our Religious Leftist Critical Thinker remain over at Sonja's narcissistic, arrogant, presumptuous blog... and... I'm sure all you non-critical thinkers have been banned...
Which makes me feel exceptionally good... I'm now in good company... and this sorry excuse for a human being is seen for what she is...
An extraordinary ass-hat.
Posted by: Rick | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Apparently "critical thinkers" can't take criticism from people who think critically.
Personally, I would be THRILLED to find out that Mr. Vanderleun had read anything I've written, even if he then called me demented!
Posted by: BroKen | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Well, I've been much more harsh with this "lady" on other blogs than I have on hers, even going so far to use the "rhymes with rich" word in my own space...so the fault may have been mine. I don't know for sure. I got the impression going back to the beginning that she was following trackbacks, and replying to what she found behind the links instead of responding directly to what was put before her -- without saying so. And then blaming others for the resulting confusion.
My last exchange over there was something to the effect of Gerard coming over to chide me, asking why I waste my time with delusional fools. And I responded back, Matthew 9:11-13, not a single word more than that.
I'd hate to think the poor dear is so delicate as to take offense at that...but, oh well.
Posted by: Morgan K Freeberg | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 09:54 PM
The 'poor dear' has tonight put up the following:
Ugly slurs...
I guess calling the President a charlatan isn't an ugly slur nor is it personal and it certainly shows restraint...
And note that the only comments she's left up are those that are kissing her rear-end...
This, ladies and gentlemen, is religious leftist hypocrisy and arrogance at it's best...
One of the most incredible displays of ass-hatness I think I've come across...
And I believe I'll move to add the sycophants who are kissing her tail to my renamed 'Critically Thinking' Religious Leftist blogroll...
We can always use the fodder here at Brutally Honest.
Posted by: Rick | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Another good day on your blog, Rick. Congratulations.
Posted by: Mike | Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 01:19 AM
What does this mean Mike? Why not have the courage to expound pal rather than post a cowardly drive-by… you want to engage on this… engage… you don’t find anything wrong with Sonja’s absolute arrogance? I wouldn’t be surprised… you’re ideological twins aren’t you?
A good day on my blog indeed when ass-hatness by arrogant hypocrites is clearly branded…
Take your holier-than-thou-ness somewhere else pal, doesn’t play here…
I love the fact that you Jesus following liberals are great at dishing out dirt and not so great about getting confronted about it...
If you'd like to engage in this discussion, come on back and do so big boy... otherwise, stay over at your place and continue to dish out your guilt trips and your moroseness, both of which seem to be your mainstay...
Posted by: Rick | Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 06:07 AM
Mike replies (in e-mail, of course):
To which I replied (in e-mail):
You are sadly mistaken son... sadly...
It's more like this:
Mike and other religious progressive hypocrites: Conservative Leader
(Bush-Harper) are charlatans. Obama supporter like real charlatan Jeremiah
Wright is virtuous and anyone who disagrees isn't a critical thinker.
Rick and friends: Huh? Substantiate this idiocy.
Mike and other religious progressives: No. I don't have to. I think more
critically than you, am better than you, and to disagree with me is evidence for
your ignorance. By the way, this discussion is over, you're banned because you
dare disagree with me and oh yea, I'll delete any comments that support your
case.
See how that works Mike....
And the amazing thing to me is that you, your sycophants like Sonja and other
like-minded idiots don't see your own arrogance or your condescension and yet
you claim to be humble, gentle, loving and caring followers of Christ.
Bullshit.
And oh by the way, have the freaking courage to carry this conversation to the
blog... or I will...
Your arrogance sickens me Christ follower... as does your wilful blindness to
it.
Posted by: Rick | Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I'm curious -- were there any "ugly slurs" between the last time I logged on to that thread, and the time she locked out the comments?
I saw Gerard come up with a vulgar term to describe her, but he was doing it as a criticism of me...as in, why do I waste my time on people like that. And the more I see of that school-o-thought, the more I agree with him, but that's neither here nor there.
What does Mike know about this, anyway? As you point out, Sonja's just left up eight comments, which are intelligently selected because they all kiss her rear end. Is he just jumping to conclusions about what got dropped out when the thread was locked down, or taking her word for it?
I find it interesting, Rick. You had some moderately harsh words for Sonja for misusing the phrase "critical thinking." For that, Mike dishes out his criticism. Some other guy says Christians suck because we don't give away as much of our money as he thinks we should, and for that, Mike has nothing but hero-worship.
I find that interesting. Apparently, it isn't criticism that earns criticism. You forgot to lecture people about diminishing themselves financially. If you'd simply have done that, you'd be in like flint.
That which creates or preserves, must at all costs be destroyed; that which destroys, must be preserved.
Posted by: Morgan K Freeberg | Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Gave you a hat tip, Mike. Swell friend you got there in Mr. Davis.
You scold Rick because you perceive (perhaps by a fragile and enormous leap of logic) that Rick has been scolding. Rick scolded to make a point about what is happening to the human condition; to sound an alarm. People like you and Tom Davis make a sport out of it.
You are what you call others; but slightly more of the same.
Posted by: Morgan K Freeberg | Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Morgan,
There were no ugly slurs in Sonja's comments... at least no uglier than the slur she used against the President... it's so typical of the left and especially the Religious Left, to abhor behavior they themselves engage in and you go on to point that out articulately and effectively in your post reacting to the Christians Suck commentary.
Mike and Sonja 'know' each other in that they frequently comment on each other's blogs and Sonja and I have tangled before at Mike's place (before I was banned... just as I'm sure you now are, and Gerard, and probably BroKen)...
Mike won't be responding here anytime soon (and probably ever) because this is what he does... drive-by flippant comments with no substance is his mainstay... along with nonsensical and typical leftist drivel.
As to the why engage question put forth by Gerard... someone ought to confront these people with the cold hard truth and hope (against hope) that in some way they'll awaken from their ideological idiocy as a result.
Posted by: Rick | Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM