Kos makes comparisons between our religious leaders here in America and religous leaders in Islamic countries that I have been harking about for a while,
1. Though not strictly part of government, hold such
substantial political power as to be able to dictate many government policies,
with well-known religious figures holding forth in frequent public court on
government policies and actions.
2. Extremely distrustful of science as being contrary to
religious values. Generally anti-intellectual.
3. Intolerant of those with differing religious values;
view other religions -- even generally closely related sects -- as
illegitimate. Associated persecution complex which presumes religious-neutral
or religious-absent law to be intentionally oppressive of their own beliefs.
4. Attempting to weaken state-based education systems in
favor of a government-funded network of religious schools dedicated towards the
teaching of strict fundamentalist values.
5. Demand government support for their religious agendas,
including the passage of laws based on their particular religious beliefs,
under the assertion that the country was "divinely founded" and
therefore inherently subservient to their religious sect.
6. Generally dismissive of the rights of women.
7. Generally dismissive of the rights of minorities.
8. Calls for God to "remove"
political opponents by killing or otherwise rendering them unable to serve.
9. An extensive worldwide fundraising network that
includes financial connections to the bloody West African "conflict"
diamond trade and other questionable financial activities.
10. And finally, as we have seen in the last few days: willing to publicly endorse the utility of violence against international foes. Significantly, actions against purely political or socioeconomic foes are justified based on questionably religious grounds.
Although I agree with this statements whole heartedly, most Americans would not. Admittedly Robertson’s group is less likely to advocate violence as a means of change; his recent comments a notable exception. Most Christians in America however do see notable difference. In my opinion most do see the present struggle as good vs. evil and do not draw comparisons between the two groups of religious leaders. They are willing to excuse the statements and actions of Robertson, Dobson, etc. because at the very least they are advancing American ideas.
It is up to liberals and
Democrats to attempt to carefully draw comparisons without seeming like we are against
Christianity. We need to be vocal about
resistance to extremism in all its forms while being supportive of religion in
general. It is important to keep in mind
that not all religious groups and people are as extreme in their thinking as
some of the more visible leaders. It is
important to show the similarities and therefore the danger in allowing such
extremism to carry on, without criticizing Christianity in general.
Comments