[Dialogue] Gloriosky!! A real, meaty dialogue: Fundamentalists court disaster

[jim rippey]

Gloriosky!! A real, meaty dialogue  worthy of the Dialogue mission

Typically, I came at this backwards, read Bill Schlesinger's comment first.  (Re: [Dialogue] Bush's Fondness For Fundamentalism Is Courting Disaster)

As a Nebraskan, I am troubled by William Jennings Bryan's animus toward evolution. But I am also aware of progressive stands he took on social and economic issues and his courageous resignation as Secretary of State from Pres. Wilson's cabinet. He did so in principled opposition to certain of Wilson's foreign policy statements. So I began with mixed feelings.

I was particularly puzzled by Schlesinger's initial statement, "The argument here does not hold full internal consistency." As I read on, I realized how suspicious I am of Bush's motives in his charitable initiatives, which Schlesinger applauds. Apparently I was distracted at that point by an important personal message and it was only later that I noted George Holcombe had written on the topic. And then, finally I read Harry's original posting and saw that it was by Karen Armstrong, an author whose writings and life I deeply admire.

So I read Armstrong's piece carefully, then reread both Holcombe and Schlesinger. Now I am even more puzzled by the statement that Armstrong's "argument" isn't internally consistent. Armstrong does ask, "Is there a connection between a religiously motivated mistrust of science, glaring social injustice, and a war in the Middle East? Bush and his administration espouse many of the ideals of the Christian right and rely on its support." Then later Schlesinger states, "His (Bush's) actions in Israel and Iraq are more closely linked to oil and other 'rational' values than we admit." At least he puts "rational" in quotes.

But, if as president you feel a necessity to go to war for oil in the Middle East, and you realize you must mobilize popular support, then whether or not you share the "fantastic" beliefs of influential Fundamentalists, it's to your advantage to motivate them to lobby Congress for your war. That's not irrational or inconsistent, it's just cynical. Don't forget that Tom Delay led a significant coterie of rapture believers and he did have Congressional clout. Yes, Karen, I believe your suggestion that there was a connection, I see no inconsistency. 

In the end, Schlesinger quotes Armstrong's statement again: "Is there a connection between a religiously motivated mistrust of science, glaring social injustice, and a war in the Middle East?" Then is says, "The Catholic Church is no friend to the latter two, but shares a sense of the question of the first. Science says what we can do. Religious values argue for what we should do - including caring for the poor and weak, seeking peace, and acknowledging the complexities of the human condition."

Is Schlesinger arguing that the Catholic Church believes there is no connection between any religiously motivated mistrust of science that helped Bush build support for war in the Middle East? I'm aware that Armstrong notes that "Thomas H. Huxley, who popularized the Origin of Species, insisted that people had to choose between faith and science; there could be no compromise" But it seems obvious that she is explaining how this all started, not stating her own belief.. From everything of hers that I have read, I cannot believe she lacks faith or that she would argue with the proposition that "Science says what we can do. Religious values argue for what we should do." 

Finally, I agree with George that "Politics majors in inconsistencies." I do not believe that Bush is incapable of a kind, charitable act, one that is totally uncynical.  I believe that all humans have a shred of decency in them and will occasionally surprise us by acting charitably.  I remember some years ago when the New York press had a field day telling how a group of notorious gang members rushed into a burning building and rescued people. "We just did what any red blooded American guys would have done," one said. (It was the Gallo gang if my memory is correct.) 

Unfortunately, our world needs leaders who act decently, charitably and responsibly consistently. Occasional acts of decency aren't by any means enough. 

Jim Rippey, Bellevue, NE 
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