Dispatch From Beck University: Student Enrolls For Faith 101

politicsdaily.com:

Since I've been lacking formal education in my life this summer, I took the plunge and signed up for Beck University's first class, which debuted Wednesday night. Donning my classroom-appropriate gym shorts and t-shirt, I logged in early and eagerly waited for the session to begin. In the minutes leading up to our professor's arrival, the live feed played new-age Celtic, soft rock, and techno music, which set an odd mood for serious learning. At 8:01 p.m., class began with a short intro from Chancellor Beck, who stated: "You will learn more in this next hour than you ever have in American history."

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Comments

[Foodgrade]

12:43 AM on 07/17/2010

Glenn, what are you going to reveal that you're the modern day prophet of god and open your church of the modern day latter day Glenn Beck Prophet of God? I want to find out the conversion fee. Will you require payment in gold?

[lackofoversight]

06:17 AM on 07/12/2010

Yeah, the founding fathers didn't think anything about the separation of church and state.... yet the original settlers came here to flee religious persecution from the state... the monarchy.... Can't wait to enroll in the class!

[Cinnamonape]

02:43 AM on 07/12/2010

These preachers actually had very little influence on the thinkers involved in the American Revolution. They principally served as advocates to their parishioners of the cause...and served to overwhelm the major barrier that these groups had against fighting the Monarchy. At that time it was held that the Monarchial power was ALWAYS lawful, since the faithful believed in an orderly, perfect and unchanging "good" universe. Obedience to the authority thus reflected obedience to the order, and to God.

Thus one had to move people from a panglossian world view to one where basic processes, rights and principles were "God Given" but NOT the actual results of these interacting. Natural laws could thus produce the possibility of "good", but also of "evil". Monarchies were inherently susceptible to tyranny, while democracies were less so, unless the force of arms or power were used for individual or partisan gain while harming the interests of others who collectively shared equal rights.

Thus a collective decision to apply the force of arms to resist a tyrant was accorded as legitimate...but not so a force of arms against one's fellow citizens.

[haval2]

11:59 AM on 07/11/2010

is everyone taking the Beck challenge? "Learn more in the next hour than you ever had in American history?" I'm going with my gut on this one...don't think so. He is a fright.

[CoastalNC]

09:45 AM on 07/11/2010

They don't give up, they just keep on and on and on.....

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

10:26 PM on 07/10/2010

So sad to witness supposed academicians glossing over the fact that the Founding Fathers were acutely aware of the current and long historical past of the incestuous relationship of the church and state. If anyone wants to see a model of religion just "influencing" government or society, all you have to do is scan the pages of Huffpost and witness an alleged adulteress scheduled to be stoned to death, female genital mutilation in Pakistan, the ravages of the Talabani on women.....all in the name of Allah. No, Glenn, thank you, but I will take my government without any influence from religious figures, no matter their faith...

[blogisti]

01:38 PM on 07/10/2010

On the surface there doesn't appear to be anything new. However, the subtext appears to be that government needs a religious influence(not directly mind you, except when it comes to taxation, that is biblical(no mention of tithing 10% being a good thing). Bottom line? Religion is "intrinsic" to government so I guess we don't even have to think about that any more, it just is.

Don't trust government to allow you to keep your weapons(although there is no evidence they have ever tried it since the Constitution was ratified in 1788, but you never know).

Religion, guns, taxation=tea partier pandering=$$ for Beck

[Vernie31]

09:22 AM on 07/10/2010

Meat fried ’fo’ day won’t las’ twel night. - Uncle Remus

[SangZe]

07:26 AM on 07/10/2010

Hate 101. Racism 102 . . .

[farmilyman]

03:36 AM on 07/10/2010

He should call it Dumbdown U.

[ranchero42]

05:48 PM on 07/09/2010

Okay, not so much "learn" as "tell you what you want to hear".

Isn't this the academically challenged update of the circular firing squad?

[amdezurik]

12:41 PM on 07/11/2010

more like a circle-jerk...