Let's Reframe The Debate With The Religious Right

[ruggerson]

I know this has been discussed here in depth, however, I think it is important enough to examine one linguistic part of the debate.

The Republicans, as we know, have been very successful in reframing debates by inventing buzz words and phrases ("protecting marriage", "war on terror", "flip flop", etc) and using them so often and so consistently that the media picks them up and they enter the mainstream lexicon and they actually shape perceptions and opinions.

In that spirit, as a number of has have discussed, not ONE liberal or progressive elected official, nor any of us, should ever again refer to any of the leaders of the religious right without using the descriptive handle: Radical Cleric.

As in Radical Cleric Pat Robertson, Radical Cleric James Dobson, Radical Cleric Jerry Falwell. This should be used in letters to the editor, in discussions with workplace colleagues, everywhere and anywhere. The phraseology should become so commonplace that we force the media to adopt the language.

And this should just be the beginning. Any other phrases we should be using to retake the debate from the religious rightwingers?

[iamjoy]

1. Radical Cleric Is Good

As long as we use the term judiciously.

[Stop_the_War]

2. FRIGHT-wingers

[Mabus]

8. great description and its accurate!

Good show!
:toast:

[Coastie for Truth]

3. That's what THEY call Progressive/Liberal Clergy

In my old home town Msgr Charles Owens Rice was also called a "Radical Priest" --- and he loved it as he picketed the homes of Draft Board Members, and fought for the poor and downtrodden. ;-)

[Nitrogenica]

4. I'll use the words Radical Cleric. I love it! So true.

How about Rapturists?

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. I think I'm going to start calling them

anti-christians. They certainly aren't christian.

The singular of anti-christians, is of course, anti-christ.

The anti-christ George Bush has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

[liberal N proud]

6. I LIKE IT!

Radical Cleric, kinda has a ring to it.

[ailsagirl]

7. "Radical Cleric" is a good phrase

Also, I would urge anyone interested in the linguistics issue to pick up a copy of George Lakoff's book, "Don't Think of an Elephant-- Know Your Values and Frame the Debate." It's described as "the essential guide for progressives" and it has loads of important info in it.

It's not a technical book (linguistics can be pretty dry) and it's not a long book-- but it covers all the important stuff.

I heard Dr. Lakoff speak last weekend and was impressed-- so was the packed house to which he spoke.

One of the last chapters is entitled, "What the Right Wants," and I found it rather disturbing. "On the whole the right wing is attempting to impose a strict father ideology on America and, ultimately, the rest of the world."

Has rather a sinister ring to it.

[blm]

9. Exactly. Totalitarian clerics, fascist clerics, corporatist clerics....

the religion INDUSTRY.