Chris Matthews Profanes The Name Of God
As Bobby Jindal walked to the microphone to give the Republican response to a speech by President Obama, Chris Matthews of MSNBC was heard to exhale a wry “Oh God!”. I was watching on another network. I was most interested to hear and see this minority alternative to Obama, a rising star of the Republican ranks. For me, for the purpose of presentation, it was more than a bit disappointing. The choreographed moment looked strange. This slight little guy tried to walk so casually up to the microphone and then proceeded to dictate a boring speech. Why the attempt of a grand entrance? It sounded far too canned, as if written by someone else. I sensed what this guy had to say simply did not come from the heart. It would have been much more effective to mimeograph the presentation. Surely Bobby Jindal is a good communicator. Born of Indian immigrants, he has overcome many cultural obstacles to become Governor of a conservative state and the darling of the Republican establishment. Such does not happen without charisma. But I sure did not see it on my television that night. Maybe next time he will tell his media handlers to go away? Now, that would be refreshing.
Matthews tells us that his vocal indiscretion had nothing to do with personal politics or a dislike for the man. Simply he was taken aback, like many of the rest of us, by the strange opening scene. And I believe him. It is somewhat humorous. This time I will give a break to the liberal, leftist, Democrat-loving journalist.
I do find it telling how casually this public personality chooses with profanity to invoke the name of deity. I wonder how many God-loving viewers find this to be inappropriate, even offensive? This is a man gifted with words, with a rich vocabulary, and yet with a spontaneous outburst he naturally selects to profane the Lord. I know nothing about the religious persuasion of Chris Matthews. Apparently he has no problem with such language. Likely he is surrounded with people of similar persuasion. Perhaps it is a trait of expression that he uses regularly? Lots of people use profanity. Most are not deliberately intending to blaspheme the name of God. And I understand that. While I would be quite upset to hear a regular church member talking in such fashion, I accept as a part of our secular culture that people on the periphery of the church often have a tendency to curse. What I would like to see from a media personality like Matthews is more decorum, even respect, for the members of his audience who talk differently and are offended by such a reference to deity.
I wonder if NBC and Chris Matthews have even considered the matter?
02.26.09 (10:24 am) [
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posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (8:22 am)
Jeez. I watched it happen and I KNEW exactly why C.M. said what he said the second he said it, cuz I said the very same thing to myself. And please, though he's evidently earned your "forgiveness", how is saying "Oh God" in any way profane?
posted by:
truthserum42 (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (1:07 pm)
Man are you stretching credulity,since when calling on the name of God equal profanity except when you add the word dammned as a suffix. Matthews is a catholic raised in Pennsylvania and educated in catholic schools and he was as surprised as many Americans were when they rolled out this light weight unknown person who governs a state that is 49th in education and in which he offered no solution to the problem and the system was taken over by the federal government. Look at where his state ranks in unemployment and standard of living, also he has a one million dollar budget deficit that he has no clue of how to balance. If he and Sarah Palin represents the best that the republicans can present as leaders of the future your party is in irreparable condition and your only hope is to clone a good Democrat. Hurry up now 2010 is approaching fast.
posted by:
bawdy (
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post date:
02.26.09 (2:28 pm)
I'm sure he meant no offense. Do you not notice how casually OMG! is used in conversation today amongst teens?
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
02.26.09 (3:26 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
The name of God for millions of people is a sacred and holy name. The early Hebrews, whose faith is the base of my Christian faith, felt so strongly about the name that they would not even pronounce it. Of course, you are likely aware of how seriously those of the Muslim faith feel about this matter. So, I think it would serve Matthews and MSNBC well to show a bit of respect for the many who have a high reverence for the name of God and would consider such language to be offensive.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (3:31 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
Oh yes, I do! I catch young people even in my church using OMG quite casually. I think it is highly inappropriate. It has sneaked into the language of their culture, evidence of how common and casual profanity has become.
I believe we should more carefully choose our words,and exclude profane references to God, foremost because of a higher respect due to God. But I further believe this is evidence of a decline of general decency and respect for others. Base language, which includes cursing and profanity, is associated with other base things. We need to do better.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (3:38 pm)
Reply to: truthserum42
This is not a prayer. It is an unscripted expression of dismay. Somehow, this man has been conditioned to state his incredulity and surprise and amusement by invoking the name of God. I think you would have to agree such is not appropriate. As far as Matthews being Catholic, it is likely that your average Priest or Nun, or good Catholic mom or dad, would also consider this to be inappropriate.
Now, what governor and future presidential candidate are you disparaging? As I read the list of negatives of the state being governed, it almost sounds like you are describing Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton. Apparently they were acceptable, though they governed poor southern states.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (3:53 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Wow! Thanks for the history lesson. Golly whiz, I never heard any of that before. -And here I thought we lived in America in the 21st Century where the expression "Oh God" is NEVER considered profane by normal people. If you're honest, I'll bet a thousand bucks you've even said it while making love WAY more than once. Make you a deal, you NEVER say it again, or swear at anyone, and maybe, JUST maybe, you'll have a legitimate point.
Sorry Dave. You aren't quite tall enough to reach the stirrups on this particular high horse.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (5:02 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Hah!
Now, when is the tongue no longer in your cheek with this reply? You do not really think that "Oh God" is NEVER considered profane by normal people? I submit to you there are millions of people, right here in America, who are just as normal as you...... ehh I mean they are normal people.... who are very uncomfortable hearing any of the varied profanity that invokes the name of God.
Now, do I use profanity? Sometimes. I'm not proud of it. Almost always it comes from my base nature, and is a poor choice for communication. While making love? Oh, come on! I do not think all cursing and profanity is equal. To profane the name of God is the worst.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (5:08 pm)
Dave, I'm sorry, but the term "Oh God" is simply NOT profane - except perhaps to holier-than-thou whack jobs who look for faults in other whenever and wherever they can find them - and/or make them up when they can't find enough real ones.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (5:10 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
I suppose the term "Good Lord!" is offensive too. And "God Almighty!"
Oy.
posted by:
truthserum42 (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (7:42 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave If oh God is the only reply you can muster to that dismal performance you are searching for something positive to say about it. The rebuttal was horrible and deflating to two men who prior won the presidency is not a valid measuring stick. Neither Carter who commanded nuclear submarines and Clinton who was a constitutional law professor both going on to win governor and the presidency was never as bad as Jindal was in any endeavor they participated in. Again if he represent the best future hope for the republican party can you spell hopeless. He was so bad that he was not even invited to the CPAC convention but Joe the plumber was.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.26.09 (7:53 pm)
Reply to: truthserum42
I think you and I agree the performance of Jindal was not good. He may yet prove to be a fine alternative. I remember the terrible and long speech given by Clinton at the DNC. As I remember, he went on the talk show circuit and readily laughed at himself, and thus disarmed his critics. I doubt that Jindal will be as able a politician. Really, few could match the guy.
