Originally posted at 2.0: The Blogmocracy
It takes a particular type of self-righteous and aggressive ignoramus to think that the real evils of this world will all go away if enough people can be shamed or bullied into denying that those evils exist.
Case in point:
Russell Simmons Unveils ‘Coexist’ Banner Near Ground Zero
Simmons’ apartment on Liberty St. overlooks Ground Zero. Each letter of the banner features different religious and spiritual symbols. Like Bloomberg, Simmons is a big supporter of the planned center: “I was trying to figure out ways I could reach people and promote a message of tolerance…The fact that it is a public discussion, that there’s so many against it is what I think is disappointing to me, that so many people don’t know that we founded our country on the First Amendment,” he told the AP.
I am not the only one to complain
Recently, I have noticed that I am not the only one who despises this asinine symbolic slogan:
YouTube: Allen West Hates the Co-Exist Bumper Sticker
h/t: Kitman TV
More of Allen West’s speech here.
Coexist Reaction: The Good, The Bad, The Just Plain Silly
By Charlie Sykes
Story Created: May 15, 2009
(Story Updated: May 15, 2009)As John McAdams sums up the story so far:
It all started with a parody from Tom McMahon, who was aggravated by the extremely smug and intellectually slovenly bumper sticker in which a variety of religious symbols spell out “COEXIST.”
McMahon produced a parody bumper sticker with Nazi and Communist symbols substituted.
His point, of course, was that some religious views are simply impossible to coexist with, and must (like Nazism and Communism) be fought.
Update: Here’s another parody, courtesy of Mike C. on Blogmocracy:
‘Coexist’ in Firearm Manufacturer Logos
The underlying spiritual problem
When ‘tolerance’ proves to be nothing more than moral indifference and cowardice cloaked in self-righteousness, it is not a virtue but a vice.
Gates of Vienna: The Sin That Believes in Nothing
We Christians strongly believe in tolerance, and this is what British novelist Dorothy Sayers pointed out about “Tolerance”:
In this world it is called Tolerance, but in hell it is called indifference, the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.
If any viewpoint is equally as valid as any other, then no viewpoint has any meaning, and it matters not what any of us thinks, says, or does. This philosophy is truly satanic, and it is called nihilism.
But wait, there’s more:
- Doctor Bulldog: Top religious institution in Egypt demands Christian television shut down
Article (worth reading for its own sake) shows another Coexist parody.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have found that if I drift back into the lane occupied by a car with a coexist sticker without giving them an appropriate amount of clearance…
…I can easily goad them into an reaction that is anything but tolerant. Does honking at me and flipping me the bird constitute a desire to coexist?
No, Kurt, it shows a desire on their part to dictate and dominate.
Here’s another funny COEXIST parody:
Agreed: Coexist bumper stickers are teh lame
Religious or not, here’s the Christian version of the coexist sticker. http://eternalcoexistence.com/
I happen to love my co-exist sticker.
& I am spiritual, not religious, which is why it is easy for me to say that all religions should coexist rather than kill each other, judge, condemn, etc. in the name of God… because none of that is Godly at all.
However, I don’t think I know any religious people that use those stickers.
My preference would be of course, that all religions be done away with, but since I don’t see that happening, I choose to promote co-existing.
A common misconception is that these bumper stickers are aimed only at Christians. They are in fact aimed at every single religion they depict, as well as the ones they don’t depict. It is not telling people to coexist with others that want to kill them, it is telling anyone who wants to kill or judge based on religion to coexist instead. The fact that the religions that these symbols represent do not coexist is exactly the point. If they did, there would be no reason for the sticker. And yes, I’m sure that the driver that was not given a proper amount of clearance would want to coexist with you, but he/she would also want you to coexist with them as well. Peace be with you.
I’m near-sighted and I have trouble reading the ‘Coexist’ sticker. I only see the word ‘compost’ when I try to read it.
That fits pretty well!
I never cared for those types of religious sycretist foolishness. All those religions won’t end up in the same palce in the end.
It’s pretty simple really, and Mark Steyn said it best. Paraphrasing: The “C” is the only one who isn’t willing to coexist. Conflicts around the world: Muslims vs. Jews in Israel/Palestine, Muslims vs. Hindus in Kashmir, Muslims vs. Christians in Nigeria/Sudan/Egypt, Muslims v Buddhists in southern Thailand, Muslims v (your team here). Whatever one’s views of the merits on a case by case basis, the ubiquitousness of one team is a fact.
Is there anywhere in the world where there are significant tensions between Jews, Christians, Hindus, or Buddhists?? Of course not.