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I, as others here too, have been a party to a gross injustice in comments made about, and directed against, religious elements which whilst their Theological perspective may well be contrary to mine own, and perhaps that of the others as well, do deserve, if not our respect for their viewpoint, at least our tolerance at worst and compassion at best.
I won't (and don't intend to) withdraw that I'm terrified of what I have termed "Religion Nazis"; but, what I failed to mention in my diatribe regarding one particular flavour of what I perceive (and have experienced) as being a definite threat to my personal well being, and that of each and everyone else whose opinions run counter to their own, is that devotees of many, if not all, off-the-beaten-track Theologies, Enterprises and Causes have been known to come in all colours, all races, and from all religions.
That North America is currently under (and has been for well over three decades) a well orchestrated, and benevolently financed, attack by both left- and right-wing CHRISTIAN religious elements is a certainty. Too, much of Africa and the Middle East are under attack, each by suitably well organized, and benevolently funded entites, which if not CHRISTIAN, have arisen from within the ranks of religious elements indigenous to their own cultures, with South and East Asia likely next targets, if not already under similar attack.
True too, are that these extremists regardless of their tongue, their race, their colour or their politics, generally do not represent the majority, with them seldom if ever at all in history having likely ever represented a majority. They subdue and cowl all opposition, using threats of force, and if that fails, force itself, until opposition to their viewpoint is quelled and they have prevailed. In another face, and by another name, we call this when being kind, bullying, and if being forthright, terrorism; but, in these instances we call this religious freedom; sadly, there can be no freedom - FOR ANYONE - if all are not being served equally in both the eyes of the Law and that in practice of that Law, Theological or otherwise.
I'm not learned enough of the ways within my own faith (I abandoned this before puberty) to speak knowledgeably about the ways and means of Christian Doctrine; nor am I equally learned enough to address that of other faiths; but, I do have a firm moral understanding of right from wrong, equal and unequal, just and unjust; each as it applies to the human condition, this regardless of age, colour, race, religion, sexual preference and orientation, or politics. The "Religion Nazis" of my experience care little else other than for their own creature comforts and that of their acolytes, and be damned to the rest of those they deem to be unworthy. They deserve to be vilified, as loudly and resoundingly as we may be able to ring that universal clarion call, as do any others (regardless of their Theology) who goals are the same.
Unfortunately, as NW® has so admirable pointed out to us here at A Place Of Safety, not all lesser Sects, or Theologies, however small their membership may be, espouse policies or philosophies in agreement with those touted by those I personally take, and have taken, exception to. Many are benign, benevolent in fact, exhibiting far greater degrees of tolerance and acceptance for the foibles of the human condition, than that taken by my own faith even in its' most generous of moments.
Brody and I will not ever agree on all points; his acerbic tongue too often flails my tender mercies; but, on the issue of the potential to inflict great harm as represented by the renewed, and especially fervent, activities of both left- and right-wing Christian elements within American and Canadian society he and I are not diametrically opposed.
Lastly, none of us should forget that what is transpiring within the United States, both Politically, and Theologically, is going to change the face of the human condition World-wide. No society is ever again going to be allowed remain insular in this the new Millennium; what effects one, is going to effect all; 24/7/365 global media communications and the internet have put paid to that. Whilst I may often take exception to Brody's rather aggressive literary style with regard to mine own, and our in general, overall grasp of his viewpoint, however bullying it may be perceived, I do understand it, and accept it for what it is - simple impatience. He wants to see the job get done; a job that has been too long wanting for universal support and initiative and the necessary synergy to effect change Worldwide, not just within the fabric of American society, but that yours and mine too. I think he may have lived in that cauldron known collectively as D.C. for far too long, and he's forgotten the graces of that kinder and gentler society from which he emerged; but, too, that self-same kinder and gentler society doesn't have the juice necessary to jump-start the change he (and those he rubs shoulders with) most earnestly wants to see come about. That too is understandable and perhaps laudable after a fashion. He deserves, as do his journalism brethren, our support, not our derision.
The foregoing is neither intended, not wanting of, opening old wounds or creating new ones. I ask simply that all give what I've said due consideration, and if you choose, thoughtful reply. There has been far too much controversy of recent, to satify even the most craven tastes.
Warren C. E. Austin
The Gay Deceiver
Toronto, Canada
"... comme recherché qu'un délice callipygian"
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Thank you, Warren, for this post. North America does not sound, at this time, like a pleasant place for a reasonable person to be. All of us, the world over, are beginning to appreciate this. While I do not - yet - feel threatened I take your warning to heart.
All religions have their wicked people whose piety is sham. Here in Israel, for example, we have a very influential crackpot rabbi who in his New Year's message to his faithful (the festival starts next week) broadcast live (!) he wished Abu Mazen (Mahmud Abbas) and all the Palestinians death in the New Year. All decent people in the country are in uproar and the prime minister has denounced the statement. (The rabbi is in his late 80's and is in his dotage; but his influence is enormous.) So the problem is not just in North America. Religious extremism - Christian, Moslem, Jewish, Shinto (you name them) - is a dangerous societal malaise where ever it raises its ugly head.
The important thing, it seems to me, is what are all the decent people going to do about it? As a great 18th century Irish philosopher is reputed to have said: all it needs for evil to flourish is for decent people to do nothing. Weeping and gnashing of teeth in frustration are not going to get us anywhere. We need concerted action. And, at this point in time, I do not see any attempt at concerted action anywhere, not in North America, not in Europe, not in the Middle East, not in Asia, not in Oceania.
And, may I suggest, that the "decent people" are not just the atheists and the agnostics. As NW pointed out many (probably the vast majority) of the world's religious people are decent human beings who go about their business quietly and with due respect for all other people. They need to be included in the concerted effort, not excluded.
My apologies for being so long-winded.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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