Silent No More: Bringing moral clarity to America.while freedom still rings
by Rod Parsley
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Book Summary Information
Author: Rod ParsleyEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-02-17
ISBN: 1591856590
Number of pages: 200
Publisher: Frontline
Book Reviews of Silent No More: Bringing moral clarity to America.while freedom still rings
Book Review: Parsley's Con and Contradiction
Summary: 1 Stars
"[T]his book isn't designed to move you to think great thoughts," confesses Rod Parsley-Christian rigorist, senior pastor of the World Harvest Church, and founder of The Center for Moral Clarity-in the introduction to his new book, Silent No More. One could at least credit the pastor with candor and consistency, I suppose, had he not recorded the sentence, "I don't apologize for writing a book that requires thought," only one short paragraph earlier. Confused? So was I, until I grudgingly accepted that both con and contradiction are core elements of Parsley's style.
Silent No More might not inspire great thoughts, but it certainly invites a great deal of criticism. Each chapter, in fact, seems to build on the last in terms of both incredibility and spectacle. Let's explore the text, then, section by section.
"The Constitution," Parsley points out in chapter one, "never mentions the word church." This fact he offers as proof that separation of church and state (or, more aptly put, `religion and government') is contrary to the founders' intentions. He never considers the possibility that the Constitution's failure to refer to religion (except, of course, in Article VI and the First Amendment) constitutes evidence of secular intent; and he never addresses the all-too conspicuous fact that this Constitution-this foundation and cornerstone of all American law-never mentions a supernatural entity of any kind, most notably the pastor's Christian god.
Untroubled by such details, Parsley concludes that among America's founding fathers, "[n]o one wanted a secular state." In support of this clumsy boast, he submits various personal acts of dubious consequence. James Madison, for example, sat on a committee that approved congressional chaplains and recommended days of thanksgiving. George Washington (whom Parsley mistakenly labels an outspoken Christian) spoke in churches and prayed in public. As for Thomas Jefferson, Parsley grieves that he surely "would have been astonished to witness how his words [to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802, calling for `a wall of separation between church and State'] had been twisted," perhaps judging that Jefferson was too thick to comprehend the difference between a wall and a door or a window.
What Parsley fails to disclose are literally hundreds of quotes from the revolutionary generation that clearly evidence secular purpose. For example, the pastor should have researched more diligently the declarations of James Madison, who warned as follows: "Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies may be illustrated by precedent already furnished." Once researched, perhaps Parsley should consider heeding Madison's warnings as well.
But it was the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between America and Tripoli (1796-97), negotiated during Washington's presidency and signed by John Adams (while Jefferson served as his Secretary of State), that spoke for the country itself: "[T]he government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion." Did Parsley innocently overlook this famous treaty, or did he intentionally attempt to deceive his audience? One would withhold judgment, I suppose, until one reads further into chapter five where Parsley flaunts his knowledge of the Tripolitan War for other purposes. In either case, let the founders' voices be Silent No More.
In chapter two, entitled "Race," the author contends that "no one could ever make a case from the Bible for hating a man because of his color . . . [u]nless someone tries to make a peculiar case for racial division or slavery from an obscure passage . . . deep in the Old Testament." I can only guess what Parsley means by a "peculiar case," and I am equally powerless to divine under what standard one Bible passage might be deemed more "obscure" or deeply embedded than any other. Nevertheless, Parsley is plainly mistaken.
First, consider the Bible itself. Indeed, in the Old Testament, Christians are commanded to refrain from interfering with another person's slaves (Exodus 20:17, for example). But, contrary to Parsley's claim, even more obvious support for the miserable institution can be found in the New Testament, where slaves are instructed that, in order to please God, they must be submissive, respectful, and even loyal to their worldly masters: "Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in the world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you only had to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God . . . Work hard and willingly . . . but do it for the sake of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:5-7) One must wonder how "obscure" these verses really are, given that a life-long atheist like me was able to locate them with little trouble at all. For his readers, Parsley divulges neither passage, but let them be Silent No More.
And what about the church fathers? Basil of Caesarea (329?-379 CE) ruled that escaped slaves desiring admission to the monasteries had to be returned to their masters unless those masters were exceptionally cruel. According to Leo (390-461 CE), bishop of Rome, slaves were categorically ineligible for ordination. Most notably, though, in City of God, Saint Augustine (354-430 CE) decreed that slavery was nothing less than divine justice: "The primary cause of slavery, then, is sin . . . and this can only be by a judgment of God, in whom there is no unrighteousness, and who knows how to assign divers punishments according to the deserts of the sinners." Parsley, by the way, appears to be sufficiently familiar with Augustine's work, referring to him passingly as "the father of Western civilization."
Consider next the relationship between Christianity and the institution of American slavery. Ex-captive Frederick Douglass (1817?-1895) surely did so in 1846 when, in front of a packed house in London, he attacked Christianity for encouraging slavery: "The church and the slave prison stand next to each other. . . . The church-going bell and the auctioneer's bell chime in with each other; the pulpit and the auctioneer's block stand in the same neighborhood. . . . We have men sold to build churches, women sold to support missionaries, and babies sold to buy Bibles and communion services."
Ponder also the voices of Christian leaders in America during the antebellum years. Peter Cartwright (1785-1872), for example, exposed other Methodist clergy who, in large numbers, appeared to embrace slavery once they discovered its economic benefits: "They began to apologize for the evil; then to justify it on legal principles; then on Bible principles-till lo and behold! It is not an evil but a good! it is not a curse but a blessing!" Dutch Reformed minister Samuel B. How (1790-1886) argued that the Bible taught slavery was no sin, that "there are rights of property; that there are masters and that there are slaves, and [the Bible] bids us to respect the right of the master, and not to covet his man-servant or his maid-servant." Roman Catholic bishop John England (1786-1842) defended slavery on the basis that it was approved by God, and Baptist Richard Furman (1755-1825) observed that the "right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example." These are voices, one would think, with which a senior pastor at an American mega-church would be familiar. Regardless, let such voices be Silent No More.
But the effects of Biblically justified racism have never been limited to slavery, American or otherwise. While Parsley claims, "Jerusalem was meant to be the United Nations of the kingdom of God," the facts reveal a tale of religiously and racially motivated butchery. Jerusalem, Parsley ought to recall, has been fought over 118 times, completely obliterated at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked an additional 52 times and captured or recaptured 44 times. It has seen 20 revolts, innumerable riots and five distinct periods of violent terrorist attacks during the past century. Jerusalem, in fact, has changed hands peacefully only twice in 4000 years. Most significantly, however, those who killed for Jerusalem believed that they alone possessed a God-given right to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sherif.
Consider the Christian Crusaders' own accounts of their sacking of Jerusalem in 1099 CE: "The pagans were mercifully beheaded, others plunged from towers, others tortured and burned to death in searing flames. Piles of heads lay in the streets." Such pious Christians, incidentally, burned or disemboweled these darker-skinned infidels alive simply to pilfer their swallowed coins. "After a great and cruel slaughter of Saracens, of whom 10,000 fell . . ., we stabbed women [and] seized infants by their feet, dashing them against walls, breaking their necks." All this for the glory of their God. Parsley mentions the Crusades, but apparently deems these details too trivial or, perhaps, too inconvenient to relate. Let them be Silent No More.
Summary of Silent No More: Bringing moral clarity to America.while freedom still rings
Click Here for Sample Chapter!
A CALL FOR CLARITY IN A CONFLICTED CULTURE
Cutting through the clutter of conflicting extremes, Rod Parsley has a perspective that enables him to see clearly and speak forthrightly to the issues of our time. Parsley believes a consensus of common sense can be crafted even in the midst of inflamed and polarized passions.
IT'S TIME TO SPEAK OUT!
" America's future depends on moral champions like Rod Parsley."
-The Honorable Walter Jones, U.S. Congressman, North Carolina
This book should inspire men and women of faith...and make 'values voters' a force that politicians can no longer ignore." -The Honorable Kenneth Blackwell, Secretary of State, Ohio
"Silent No More does not merely lay out the scope of the challenge, but also offers the information and action steps essential to the solution."
-The Honorable Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
"Rod Parsley is the real deal-a bold, dynamic man of faith who's committed to doing the right thing no matter what. This book...is a proven, winning game plan."
-Ted Haggard, Sr. Pastor, New Life Church, Colorado President, National Association of Evanelicals
About the Author:
Rod Parsley is pastor of the dynamic World Harvest church in Columbus, Ohio, which is powerfully affecting lives worldwide. As a highly sought-after crusade and conference speaker whom God has raised up as a prophetic voice to the world, Parsley is calling people to Jesus Christ through the good news of the gospel. He oversees Bridge of Hope Missions and Outreach, World Harvest Bible College, Harvest Preparatory School, and is the host of Breakthrough, a daily and weekly television broadcast seen by millions across America and around the globe. Parsley has authored many books, including the number one bestseller On the Brink, bestsellers The Day Before Eternity, No Dry Season, No more Crumbs and the devotional Daily Breakthrough. He and his wife, Joni, have two children Ashton and Austin.
A CALL FOR CLARITY IN A CONFLICTED CULTURE
Cutting through the clutter of conflicting extremes, Rod Parsley has a perspective that enables him to see clearly and speak forthrightly to the issues of our time. Parsley believes a consensus of common sense can be crafted even in the midst of inflamed and polarized passions.
IT'S TIME TO SPEAK OUT!
" America's future depends on moral champions like Rod Parsley."
-The Honorable Walter Jones, U.S. Congressman, North Carolina
This book should inspire men and women of faith...and make 'values voters' a force that politicians can no longer ignore." -The Honorable Kenneth Blackwell, Secretary of State, Ohio
"Silent No More does not merely lay out the scope of the challenge, but also offers the information and action steps essential to the solution."
-The Honorable Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
"Rod Parsley is the real deal-a bold, dynamic man of faith who's committed to doing the right thing no matter what. This book...is a proven, winning game plan."
-Ted Haggard, Sr. Pastor, New Life Church, Colorado President, National Association of Evanelicals
About the Author:
Rod Parsley is pastor of the dynamic World Harvest church in Columbus, Ohio, which is powerfully affecting lives worldwide. As a highly sought-after crusade and conference speaker whom God has raised up as a prophetic voice to the world, Parsley is calling people to Jesus Christ through the good news of the gospel. He oversees Bridge of Hope Missions and Outreach, World Harvest Bible College, Harvest Preparatory School, and is the host of Breakthrough, a daily and weekly television broadcast seen by millions across America and around the globe. Parsley has authored many books, including the number one bestseller On the Brink, bestsellers The Day Before Eternity, No Dry Season, No more Crumbs and the devotional Daily Breakthrough. He and his wife, Joni, have two children Ashton and Austin.
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