The Tampa Tribune's Cowardly Cartoon Editorial
10 Feb 2006
As a Christian, I was offended by a cartoon appearing in today’s edition of the Tampa Tribune. The cartoon shows “RADICAL MUSLIMS” and “INTOLERANT CHRISTIANS” yelling at each other while two youngsters ponder the question: “AREN’T WE SUPPOSE TO BE THE CHILDREN?” Despite my offense at the Tribune’s cartoon, the Tribune need not fear the torching of its buildings or the breaking out of violent protests in downtown Tampa. However, both the Tribune and the city of Tampa have much to fear if “RADICAL MUSLIMS”—the Tribune’s supposed counterpart to us “INTOLERANT CHRISTAINS”—are equally offended.
It’s easy for newspapers to draw cartoons and make insinuations. It’s not so easy for them to draw clear lines and clearly state their beliefs, especially since the courage of conviction is the very thing often mistaken today for intolerance. Therefore, I would like to challenge the Tampa Tribune to clearly delineate for its readership who it means by “intolerant Christians.” Just who is it in the Christian church that the Tribune perceives as counterparts to “radical Muslims” coming out of today’s madrasses? I assume by “radical Muslims” that the Tribune means embassy burning, throat slitting, suicide bombing, 9/11 perpetrating, card carrying members of al-Qaida. But just who is it in today’s Christian community that the Tribune sees as equivalent to Osama bin Laden or Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?
If the Tribune defines as intolerant all Christians who believe that Christ alone is man’s only hope of salvation, then all Christians are intolerant in the Tribune’s eyes. The belief that there is only one name under heaven whereby men must be saved is the defining and distinguishing doctrine of the Christian faith. Those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ are Christians; those who don’t are not. If the Tribune equates the Christian’s strength and courage of conviction with intolerance let it come out and boldly say so. Let it once and for all denounce to its readers the Christian faith.
I suspect what the Tribune really means by “intolerant Christians” is Christians who hold beliefs that are intolerable to today’s politically correct world. The politically correct world’s animosity towards the church is never perceived as intolerance; however, the church’s refusal to toe the world’s politically correct line is always condemned as such. It’s all right for the world to disagree with the church, but never all right for the church to disagree with the world. Consequently, I’ve concluded that the finger of blame is pointing in the wrong direction today. Still, if the Tampa Tribune wants to point fingers at the church, let it do so; but let it do so brazenly before its readership, not slyly behind some cartoon.
Perhaps, the Tribune ought to begin with its definition of intolerance. Intolerance is a funny word. It no longer means what it once did. It once meant denying everyone an equal right to their opinion. When I was growing up I was taught that everyone had a right to their opinion, even if they were wrong or crazy. Today, however, intolerance no longer means denying everyone an equal right to their opinion. Instead, it now means denying that every opinion is equally right.
Is this what the Tribune means by intolerance? Does it see Christians as intolerant because of our refusal to believe that one’s beliefs don’t matter, since all beliefs are equally valid and no belief is superior to another? If so, the Tribune is welcome to condemn me as intolerant for refusing to adhere to such nonsense. If really believing something makes you intolerant, then I’m intolerant, since I really believe in Jesus Christ.
If the Tribune’s staff or readership would really like to learn what intolerance means, I would suggest a trip to some place like Saudi Arabia or China. Once there, pick out a street corner, any corner will do. Then begin reading out loud the New Testament. You won’t believe what will happen, but one thing for sure, when it’s over you’ll have a whole new idea about intolerance. By the way, isn’t it interesting that religious freedom, as well as all other freedoms, are most prevalent in and championed by those “intolerant” Christian countries?
Don Walton
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