Outrageous, bizarre and nonsensical statements continue to be heard, and read, from the right-wing.

Among them, Bryan Fisher, founder of American Family Radio, and James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, claimed that the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut was God's way of punishing us for the practice of abortion (and the gay lifestyle). Fisher quoted from the Book of Isaiah to back his claim: "[O]ur iniquities have made a separation between you and God and your sins have hidden his face from you so he does not hear, your hands are defiled with blood." Dobson said," I think we have turned our back on the Scripture and God Almighty and I think he has allowed his judgement to fall upon us."

As with other passages in the Bible, the Isaiah quote is so vague that Fisher could conjure up anything as an interpretation of the quote. I could just as well say that God is punishing us with the Newtown (and other) shootings because of the million Iraqi deaths in the Iraq War. Whatever the case, Fisher and Dobson are crazy to make such a claim for the obvious reason that the Newtown shootings and abortion are two unrelated issues.

Another way to question the claim is to put forth the idea that God could have prevented the shootings, life being precious, rather than let them happen. Fisher called God a "gentleman" who doesn't go where he/she/it isn't wanted. First, millions have worshipped God rather than turn their backs on him/her/it. Second, in the Old Testament, God is no gentleman, ordering the Israelites to slaughter neighboring tribes because he/she/it is vengeful and jealous. In this case, it sounds like God isn't too concerned with the living.

Fisher's and Dobson's claims aren't anything new. Religious zealots have made absurd claims before, and will probably continue to do so. They are reminiscent of the charlatans of the 19th century who sold "magic" potions to cure anything and everything. And they always seem to find an audience willing to listen. Fisher and Dobson do have their audiences. But it's based on the prioritization of ignorance, rather than reasoning. That's how religious empires have been built a la the Jimmy Swaggerts and Ted Haggertys.

Fisher, Dobson and other religious fanatics mentally live in a medieval past. In a 21st century world with its high technology and major gains in science, Fisher and Dobson are passe in when it comes to their religious claims. They adhere to 2,000+ year old writings whose authors couldn't even imagine what the world would be like today. Their claim is on par with using leeches as a medical aid or throwing someone into a lake to see if he/she is a witch. (If he/she floats, that's a witch. If not, then he/she is innocent, but dead.)

It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, that Fisher's and Dobson's goal is to outlaw Roe v Wade. Similar to a pre-Roe v Wade world, a post-Roe v Wade world would bring back "back alley" abortions, coat hangers, unclean procedures and quite a number of women's deaths. It would be especially hard on low-income women as opposed to high-income women (who can get an abortion secretly and with the proper procedures).

The murders in Newtown were the result of a sick individual who finally cracked. Like other shootings, it is predicated on an acceptance and the glorification of violence in society.

It is a comedy of the absurd that Fisher and Dobson preach in. It's a shame that it's also tragic.

David Starr writes on various issues, both national and international