At an event in Virginia titled “Rediscovering God in America,” Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee aimed to recapture lost political momentum for the Christian right with strong exhortations for members to involve themselves in politics in order to maintain and increase the presence of religion in the public square, the Virginia-Pilotreports.

Both men railed against abortion rights, gay rights and the lack of religious influence in American public life, however Gingrich upped the ante in his attempt to stir up the crowd with this line:

“I think this is one of the most critical moments in American history. We are living in a period where we are surrounded by paganism.”However, Huckabee was not to be outdone in the use of hyperbole. The former Republican presidential candidate called the United States a “blessed” nation whose victory against the British in the Revolutionary War was “a miracle from God’s hand,” indeed the same type of miracle that defeated the legalization of gay marriage in California

Socialism.

Facism.

Now Paganism.

Have we run out of isms yet?  I mean, I’m just wondering.  Are we done trying to conjure up the boogy man or boogy woman who’s going to scare the public into running into the arms of whatever Caucasian males the Republicans are trying to protect in the 2010 races (And what’s her Botox in Minnesota), or are destined to put up in 2012?  Because guys, it’s not working.

Paganism?  REALLY?  What is this, the 1600s?   Is being out of power making these people insane?

Maybe it’s because I wrote for a show about floating magical fairies, or a half-ghost kid for so long – but these things do not make people run screaming from faith or religion.  I doubt very much anybody watched Harry Potter and thought – “The heck with the bible, I want the book that Dumbledore has!”

Well, maybe so… but that person was NINE.  Tomorrow, they will want to be a fireman.

For what it’s worth, if you truly want to bring people back into “the fold,” you should lead by example.  When I see a decent person, and they’re happy, and I find out it’s because of their faith – REGARDLESS OF WHAT THAT FAITH IS – it makes me wonder about it a little bit more.  Maybe I get inquisitive.  

But when I see puffy blowhards use God as a cudgel, or invite their flock to bring guns to their Church to make a point, or cheer the death of someone because they disagree with their views… it hits an off switch.

CLICK.

And I am not interested in your viewpoint on faith, faithlessness, or anything else spiritual for that matter.  You have disqualified yourself from the debate.  And if you want an example of that in action, re-read the results of the 2008 election.  Learn a lesson already.

Paganism.

Dude, just shut up already.

I’m trying to watch “Twilight” here.