Monday, June 1, 2009

Bryan Calls it Quits!

In breaking news, Bryan Fischer has revealed that he is no longer committed to making Idaho the friendliest place in the world to raise a family. He has announced his intention to leave Idaho to take up talk-radio in Tupelo, Mississippi. Sadly, without the ex-Pastor Fischer’s guidance, Idaho can now only hope, at best, to be the second friendliest place in the world.

In a heartfelt explanation of his decision to abandon his Idaho donor base, Bryan explains that ‘All people, whether they admit it or recognize it or not, have an ethical worldview which, if extended far enough, eventually intersects with America's public life. It is that intersection - the place where a Judeo-Christian worldview intersects with America's public life - that fascinates and energizes me. It is that intersection I will have the privilege of exploring two hours a day with our listening and viewing audience.’

How odd that Bryan's obsession with 'intersections' would prove so divisive.

While we’re thrilled this day has arrived, we can’t help but feel pain for the good people of Tupelo, and for those unfortunate enough to stumble upon Bryan’s radio show, as all will now be subject to a steady deluge of his bullshit.

We fundamentally believe that Bryan’s brand of religious intolerance is one we must strive to live without. It’s the type of fanaticism that claimed lives and destroyed families in the Salem Witch Trials of the late-17th Century, and it’s the type of fanaticism ripping apart Iraq and Afghanistan today.

Whatever the creed, religious absolutism will always beget intolerance and hate, and when combined with political power, will be used as a tool of oppression. It is unacceptable in a plural society, and Idaho will be a better place without it.

During his tenure at the Idaho Values Alliance, Bryan Fischer has exploited fear and ignorance to harass marginalized communities in an already overwhelmingly conservative Christian state, all while claiming richly to be under assault by those very communities.

To Bryan we say ‘goodbye,’ and to his hate we say ‘good riddance.’ Neither will be missed in Idaho.