Whose fault is Glenn Beck?
A friend and I were discussing Glenn Beck’s comparison of social justice (ie. the authentic original teaching of the Jesus of the Christian gospel) to Nazism and Communism (which, to the radical right, seem to always be pretty much the same thing). My friend’s claim was that Beck, as a general charlatan in this case making clearly irresponsible claims, holds the moral responsibility for making the claims that he does. However, I suspect that more responsibility should be placed at the feet of Beck’s viewers.
Beck’s ilk have existed in all times and places — showmen who will say anything for popularity and prestige. Before Beck, I’m guessing there were hundreds of unknown bloggers saying the same things. What makes Beck different is that people actually listen to him. In this way he is a symptom of cultural degradation rather than a cause. I’m not sure we can let his viewers off the hook as sheep, free of agency or responsibility for associating themselves with these views.
Do we get the media we deserve?
-John
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