Five years ago, we called Star Jones onto the carpet for her remarks about atheists on The View:
Star: Everyone was mad when I said on the television that I wouldn’t vote for an Atheist, but it’s interesting that the Oath of office of the President is with “so help me God.” So who would the Atheists be talking to if they weren’t given the Oath? I mean you gotta have someone!
Joy: I think that’s religious discrimination that you would say you wouldn’t vote for an Atheist. What does that have to do with doing his job as President? That’s like saying, “I wouldn’t vote for a black man.” It’s the same thing.
Star: Absolutely not the same thing. I think it is absolutely important for you to be led by a higher power so you feel as if you have some responsibility — not just to man. I would never even consider it. Anybody got a problem with it, its your problem!
Joy: O.K. that’s fine. I’m just saying … All I’m giving you is a hypothetical point of view.
Lisa: Just out of curiosity, would you vote for someone who is a Muslim?
Star: …If that person was a good person. I’m not as concerned with the manner in which….
Meredith: You could be a very good person and not believe in God, but the question — it doesn’t necessarily apply if you believe or don’t believe.
Star: …you wouldn’t get my vote. I mean you could be a nice person — you could baby-sit my kids — possibly — but that doesn’t mean you would get my vote because you got your finger on the button. I want you to feel like there are long term, everlasting ramifications.
Just in case you think she was speaking off the cuff, here are written remarks by Star Jones in a response to a letter complaining about the above remarks:
When I vote, I make decisions on political candidates, based on how I think they will act, vote, direct and lead during certain situations … and I want that person to be led by God. An atheist, as I understand the term dies not believe that there is a God. Given a choice between someone who knows the power of a spiritual presence bigger than they, that moves them to have values, to have morals, to have made a mistake and to know forgiveness versus someone who has never understood the gift of a personal relationship with God … the choice is clear for me. I want a president who is God Knowing … I do not want an American President who does not believe that God is real and present in our lives. I support each persons [sic] right to make political decisions based on issues that matter to them … but quite frankly, this is not even a close call for me. If that bothers people… then that is truly their problem. I plan to be steadfast and unmovable in my stand for God.
Then we gave Star Jones a label for her remarks. We called her a bigot.
Today, Linda Schulte wrote us with the following comment:
She has every right to voice her decision making in regards to voting. She is not asking nor suggesting anyone do the same. I personally agree but it doesn’t mean I look down on or criticize anyone else for their reasoning. Like it or not the majority consider the same when voting. I don’t personally like Jones but you are more judgmental then she.
For the record, we never questioned her right to raise her voice. But let’s look at the rest. We called Star Jones a bigot. We criticized her for her reasoning. Is it a vice to criticize someone for their reasoning? Is the size of a group agreeing with someone relevant? Is it a mark of bigotry to call someone a bigot?
I think Linda is being judgemental by calling you judgemental. I think she is even more judgemental than you, and you are more judgemental than Star Jones.
Oh, oh. What does that make me?
Hey now, don’t be judgemental!
Christianity doesn’t always have a hell anyway.
Besides, what’s wrong with a politician who’ll consider the morals of his actions because of his MORALS instead of devine discipline?