Ben Stein, God, and Me

It is only reasonable that I describe myself as a secular, cultural Jew who does not believe in a higher power or god. I believe in the appropriate separation of church and state.

I have excerpted parts of a piece that was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary. I trust that what I do will not take anything that Stein said out of context, and if I have, I apologize for having done so.

Here are Stein's comments, followed by my questions.

BEN: I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period."

Who exactly is "pushing you around?"

BEN: I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Who exactly is shoving this down your throat?

BEN: Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

Who exactly is not allowing you to worship God, as you understand him?

BEN: When Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show, Jane Clayson asked her (Regarding Katrina), "How could God let something like this Happen?"

Anne Graham said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

Do you happen to know when God told Ms. Graham why Katrina happened, and exactly how often God fills her in on stuff?

BEN: In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare *(who was murdered, her body found recently)* complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Many commented about the same thing, and lived to discuss it.

BEN: Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Do you happen to remember who it was that said that you couldn't read the bible in school? Might it have been the Supreme Court?

BEN: Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

How about the people who believe that this stuff has been going on for thousands of years?

BEN: Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

When people like me believe in the constitution, is that trashing God?

BEN: Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Is it not possible for public discussion of God to take place outside of schools? Organize this Ben wherever and whenever you wish, just not in school. "... lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace" is a dreadful metaphor.

BEN: Worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Heathen that I am, I am concerned what other people think of me. And if there is in fact a god, I expect that I will have to deal with the consequences of my non-belief and behavior, whatever they may be, whenever that will be.