Just when you think the rightwing slime machine can't go lower, they attack Kent Conrad for being a Unitarian Universalist.
You don't believe me? Surely Republican activists wouldn't actively smear someone because of their private faith.
I mean, that would be bigoted and hypocritical--two traits absolutely no one associates with rightwing activists.
The atrocities are documented below the fold.
The site is "Taking back ND" run by far-right wingnuts who have a pathological loathing of Conrad.
Here is the slime, entitled "Sen. Conrad's ties to radicalism."
But wait, it gets worse. The text of the post is as follows:
Senator Conrad considers himself a Unitarian. He rarely, if ever, talks about religion, but he is a Universal Unitarian. He is one of about two hundred thousand in the United States. So what are the views of the Universal Unitarians?
Do they believe in miracles?
We do not believe in miracles in any supernatural way since our ideas of God generally do not include a deity who has the ability to alter the workings of the natural world. Most UUs feel that the gift of life itself is sufficient miracle, and that we should live as fully, joyfully and responsibly as we can.
Do they believe in Jesus Christ?
We do not believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, performed miracles and was resurrected from death. We do admire and respect the way he lived, the power of his love, the force of his example and his system of values.
Most UUs regard Jesus as one of several important moral and ethical teachers who have shown humans how to live a life of love, service and compassion. Though some of us may question whether Jesus was an actual historical figure, we believe his teachings are of significant moral value.
Do they believe in life after death?
Very few UUs believe in a continuing, individualized existence after physical death. Even fewer believe in the physical existence of places called heaven or hell where one goes after dying. We believe immortality manifests itself in the lives of those we affect during our lifetime and in the legacy we leave when we die.
What are their views on abortion?
As an institution, we are strongly pro-choice, as are most individual UUs.
What are their views on gay-marriage?
The Association, through action of its General Assembly and congregational actions, has advocated for nondiscrimination and hate crimes legislation; our ministers have performed ceremonies of union for same-sex couples; and now, the Association directs its attention toward the support for legalized same-sex marriage.
Certainly, I believe that everyone is free to live how they want to and I do not think that Universalist Unitarians are going to burn in hell or anything crazy like that, but I definitely think that this religion is way out of the mainstream of America. Senator Conrad's religious afiliation is out of the mainstream.
The Universalist Unitarians are also in cahoots with the Red River Freethinkers. The Red River Freethinkers were behind the attempt to take down the Ten Commandments at the Fargo City Hall. According to the Fargo Forum, the Freethinkers have "atheist and agnostic views."
How are the Universalist Unitarians in cahoots with the Red River Freethinkers? The Red River Freethinkers have meetings in Universalist Unitarian churches. I doubt Catholics, Lutherans, and most other Christian denominations would allow that. I'll say it again, there is nothing wrong with having Universalist Unitarian views, but they are entirely out of the mainstream.
Here's a quick recap. Senator Conrad's religion supports gay marriage, supports abortion, and is in cahoots with an organization that wants to entirely strip God from public life.
I guess it's no wonder why Sen. Conrad distances his private thoughts with his public actions.
Not content with gay-bashing and sectarian bigotry, our intrepid wingnut proceeds to add cowardice and dishonesty to his resume. In the comments section, he claims that:
"This is an issue that is of great importance to many people. Abortion and gay-marriage are important issues to North Dakotans. And it was hardly an attack."
"There is nothing wrong with being a Universal Unitarian. I have nothing against anyone who might be. I was simply pointing out that their views (pro gay marriage, pro-choice, and other religious positions) are out of the mainstream. They're more than welcome to be out of the mainstream... that's not a big deal. I'm an Oakland Athletics fan... I'm way out of the mainstream. Nothing wrong with that. I'm not saying that Catholics are better than anyone, Lutherans are better than anyone..... buti'm saying that UU are out of the mainstream.
Senator Conrad is a UU memeber. His religious views are out of the mainstream. That's fine with me. But for people who actually vote based on issues of faith, this information could be a great value to them. So... he would never meet the left's qualifications to be a Supreme Court Justice."
"Once again, I ask... where did I smear a religion? Name one phrase I used that smeared the unitarians? Name one.
Certainly those are all good qualities to have, Bob. Holy crap... how many times do I have to say "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A UNITARIAN!"
HERE IS MY POINT, READ IT CAREFULLY: 1)Unitarians are out of the mainstream. 2)Unitarians are connected to the Freethinkers. 3)Senator Conrad is a Unitarian.
That's all you need to read."
"Some of the biggest issues that Unitarians are currently fighting for are abortion rights and gay-marriage.
Because I am pro-life and anti-gay-marriage, I would never associate myself with their institution. Sen. Conrad does.
Do not look any further into that statement. That doesn't mean I think he's pro-gay-marriage or pro-choice, but it is kind of odd that we associates himself with an institution that supports those positions.
You guys are taking my statements and automatically suggesting that I'm making those conclusions. I am not."
I think this kind of thing needs the glare of the spotlight to expose just what the Republican party is really all about. I don't ask for this very often, but please recommend and spread news of this posting.