I am not objecting to "anti-Noachide slurs." I am objecting to the use of tired old elitist liberal cliches on a forum supposedly for conservative Americans. America's rural (especially Southern) Fundamentalist Protestants take enough guff from the mainstream media. There is no need for them to take it on Free Republic as well. Any reference to a "bead fumbler" would have been met with shrill cries of bigotry.
I myself disagree most profoundly with rural American Fundamentalist Protestants. But I respect them, and I don't engage in childish invective that belongs in a New Orleans "gay pride" parade rather than on a conservative web forum.
You were not the offender and I don't hold you responsible. It is disheartening, however, to see you acquiesce to such despicable language. Shame on you for that.
“Bid fumbler” is a new one, but I am quite used to disparaging the Rosary prayer, and countless other Catholic practices. I also would not feel offended based on some colorful language. If I sense there is a serious question behind the ridicule and if I have time I respond to the question. So far that I kept notice, Kolokotronis pretty much does the same.
At the same time, the Protestant absence of sacramental sense in their faith amuses us — both Roman Catholics and Orthodox, just like the Holy Rosary might amuse them. All people, as the Church teaches us are children of God endowed with dignity. It is sinful to deny them respect. But it is, at the same time, important to react negatively to their error. Here the Protestant culture in America has created a society where divorce rate is 50%, illegitimate children are born left and right, gay marriage is at the door, contraception is a trivial fact of life, adultery is the celebrated topic of hollywood production. While we have our own faults in that regard, we put them in the context of the society largely not shaped by us. If we get testy at times that is the reason.
This is not an elite vs. plain folk issue. Surely both Kolokotronis and I know and love the church life of plain Greeks and plain Russians, and plain Mexicans, and plain Croats, and plain Arabs and plain Poles. It is in the thickness of rural parish life that Christianity flourishes. If you ever read the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ in honesty, you will never mistake authentic Christianity with elitism.
Now do me a favor and, while we are at it, stop mangling the Holy Name of Jesus Christ in every post, or stop commenting on matters Christian altogether if you cannot contain yourself. I will consider it a sign of respect to your fellow human beings and to God Who loves you.