Distracted,
Perhaps you are coming to see why some of us respond so badly to Ms. Coulter. This is an excellent example.
Now, in order to be fair to her, let me say that there is a kernel of truth to what she’s saying. Some elements of our society do glorify single parenthood in a way that plays down the importance of marriage and the two-parent family. So I see what she’s going after. But I think there’s more wrong with her approach than a lack of “bedside manner.” She has embraced an ideology that glorifies individualism, hard work, prudent choices, and is willing to punish and shame those who don’t live up to these values in the interest of creating a strong, self-controlled, prosperous society. And this basic ideological stance isn’t just a bit harsh. It’s fundamentally evil by the standards of the Gospel. It is a classic example of scapegoating. As Christians, we follow and worship the One who became the “scapegoat,” who took our sins upon Himself and suffered outside the city walls, where the refuse of society is thrown. Whatever Ann Coulter says about single mothers (if it is not said in the spirit of charity, helping them see their errors and live godly lives) she is saying about Jesus. She is quite literally committing blasphemy.
Furthermore, as Christians we are called to believe in original sin. The line between good and evil runs not between societies or individuals but within them. In its simplest form, “it’s not my brother or my sister, but it’s me, O Lord.” That doesn’t mean that she has no legitimate points. But she not only drowns out her legitimate points by her excessive rhetoric, but far more seriously she puts those legitimate points in a fundamentally evil and anti-Christian ideological context.
Edwin
