The Other Limbaugh: Rush's Brother Speaks Out

56k | High-Speed - Reaction to David Limbaugh

By Jeannie Blaylock First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- He is far, far away from the glitz of Rush's golden EIB microphone. But the younger brother of Rush Limbaugh is making his own waves with a controversial bestseller, "Persecution."

The book was on the New York Times Bestsellers list and has inspired thousands of e-mails and letters to David Limbaugh. He's an attorney who lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a town of about 35,000 on the Mississippi River.

The book tackles a hot topic, discrimination against Christians. Jeannie Blaylock went to Missouri to interview Limbaugh. He says he doesn't want to "cram" his religion down anyone's throat. He just wants Christians to have what he believes is their constitutional rights to free speech and free expression of religion.

Limbaugh's book documents what he says are cases all over the U.S. of Christians winding up "at the bottom" of the politically correct ladder. For example, a librarian in Bowling Green, Kentucky was fired for wearing a cross on her necklace to work. Limbaugh says no matter what your religion you should have the right to express it anywhere, as long as there's no violence involved.

In his book Limbaugh goes in great detail about the Founding Fathers and what he sees as their overwhelming mission to make sure religious freedom is established for our country. He says the constitution never included the words "separation of church and state." The Founding Fathers, Limbaugh says, wanted only to prevent the Federal government from ever establishing a national church.

Limbaugh says his father was a Sunday School teacher but it took Limbaugh until his 30's to truly feel his Christian beliefs. He wants his book to be a "wake up call to Christians" to see the big picture and not give in to opponents and court fights.

Blaylock showed Limbaugh's story to people from other belief groups. Dr. Parvez Ahmed, a Muslim in Jacksonville, says he appreciates Limbaugh's idea but wished "he'd have been more inclusive." Dr. Ahmed says Muslims in Jacksonville experience discrimination, as well, when they, for instance, try to take off work for Friday prayer, a key component to their faith. He believes since 9/11 Muslims are the most discriminated-against group, not Christians.

Ken Hurley with the ACLU says Limbaugh is just upset Christians lose some cases in court. He says his group defends anyone, even Christians, if the ACLU believes their rights have been trampled. Hurley says the book does invite interesting discussion, though.

Dr. Jerry Vines, pastor of First Baptist Church, says Limbaugh is right on track. He says, though, Christians shouldn't get all bent out of shaped if they're persecuted because Jesus said that would happen but to "be of good cheer" because Jesus has overcome the world. Dr. Vines says anytime Christians stand up for their lifestyle and it doesn't match the current culture they'll get flack.

David Limbaugh says he may write a sequel because so many people are asking him the next question, "What should Christians do?"

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