Sunday, October 17, 2004
I'm Jumpin' That Train
I'm sure countless bloggers around the world are linking to this Sunday's Ron Suskind article in The New York Times' Magazine, "Without a Doubt."
Wow. What an engrossing article, a real page-turner (or scroller depending on your preferred media)--full of unbelievable (and I mean that in the sense of, "Are you fucking kidding me?") anecdotes and quotes about and/or from George W. Bush.
During a delightful dinner at a friend's house Friday night, the conversation drifted--naturally, among our circle of friends--to politics. I interjected that if Evangelicals and others on the Right really believe that Bush was ordained by God to be President, then they should show (or test) their faith by not voting. I mean, if God's "will be done," they shouldn't have to, right? They laughed (as I hope you are now, beloved reader) and suggested I write that in an editorial to the Sun. I won't, of course--that's why I have a blog--but you're more than welcome to steal it from me if you will.
Looking back, that comment seems like it foreshadowed Suskind's article, which delves into Bush's "faith-based presidency" and his followers' "unquestioning faith" in him. I hope, though, that bloggers analyzing this piece don't just rant about how terrible religion is, which would miss the important point of the article's last lines, a quote from the author of Faith Works, Jim Wallis:
Please email me with your comments.
Wow. What an engrossing article, a real page-turner (or scroller depending on your preferred media)--full of unbelievable (and I mean that in the sense of, "Are you fucking kidding me?") anecdotes and quotes about and/or from George W. Bush.
During a delightful dinner at a friend's house Friday night, the conversation drifted--naturally, among our circle of friends--to politics. I interjected that if Evangelicals and others on the Right really believe that Bush was ordained by God to be President, then they should show (or test) their faith by not voting. I mean, if God's "will be done," they shouldn't have to, right? They laughed (as I hope you are now, beloved reader) and suggested I write that in an editorial to the Sun. I won't, of course--that's why I have a blog--but you're more than welcome to steal it from me if you will.
Looking back, that comment seems like it foreshadowed Suskind's article, which delves into Bush's "faith-based presidency" and his followers' "unquestioning faith" in him. I hope, though, that bloggers analyzing this piece don't just rant about how terrible religion is, which would miss the important point of the article's last lines, a quote from the author of Faith Works, Jim Wallis:
If you haven't already read my October 8th post titled "Reasonable Religion," please scroll down and read it. I hope I was able to get my point across about how important and useful religion can be as a personal psychological tool and as a vehicle for the improvement of humanity. I realize I risk being labeled a hypocrite for joking about others' faith in GW and the Almighty while extolling the importance of religion, but if you understand what I'm saying, I think you'll see (as Wallis and Suskind appear to) the difference between blind faith and useful, contemplative spirituality...."Real faith, you see, leads us to deeper reflection and not -- not ever -- to the thing we as humans so very much want."
And what is that?
"Easy certainty."
Please email me with your comments.