They don’t believe in God; they don’t have a Church. Chances are there isn't much of a family, either, because they've killed their children or alienated them by neglect or enlightened child-rearing methods. But they still need something large and strong and good to secure their futures in this world—the only world in which they believe. So they believe in the State, and put their trust in it, willing to vote for any person or program that makes it as big as God and as kind as God ought to be, if there was a God.
Re July 9 "Observations"
Book review of "South Park Consevatives"--
"Entertainment industry [figures] are by and large whore-chasing, drug addict [losers]. But they still believe they're better than the guy in Wyoming who reallly loves his wife and takes care of his kids."
"Commentary Magazine" July-Aug p. 83
Posted by: Robert A. Banet | July 10, 2005 at 02:47 PM
Re July 9 "Observations"
Book review of "South Park Consevatives"--
"Entertainment industry [figures] are by and large whore-chasing, drug addict [losers]. But they still believe they're better than the guy in Wyoming who reallly loves his wife and takes care of his kids."
"Commentary Magazine" July-Aug p. 83
Posted by: Robert A. Banet | July 10, 2005 at 02:47 PM
My son and I are reading Whittaker Chambers' Witness (published 1952). He writes passionately and clearly and truly about the menace of communism -- and the fact that the battle with it was the battle between those who believe in man and those who believe in God. Our modern liberals hold that same vision, just perhaps without the same organizational power and the fanatical zeal (or at least the willingness to kill and die for it) -- yet.
The battle is always the same. Even Thomas Sowell's secular account of the two visions that have been at odds throughout history (A Conflict of Visions) lays them out in essentially the same terms -- either we believe that man is inherently flawed and we must structure society on that basis, or that man is inherently perfect, flawed only by his environment and capable of perfection if we just come up with the right policies which will effectively change that environment.
I know some for whom hope springs eternal because they believe that man himself can somehow fix the problems overwhelming us. But there is only one true hope -- that God Himself has come among us and will someday redeem His creation fully. But it's hard not to be anxious over the battles that will come before that day, especially when one watches one's grandchildren playing innocently nearby . . .
Posted by: Beth | July 10, 2005 at 06:13 PM
But like communism, the ideology of today that seems so supreme - I'm not sure what to call it; maybe Day Care-ism? will fall because it can't sustain itself. I wonder what its Berlin Wall will be.
Posted by: Common Reader | July 11, 2005 at 04:52 AM
You paint with a broad brush and as a result demean a number of people who would claim to be Democrats yet are pro life, pro God, pro family, etc.
You must be wearing rose colored glasses if you think liberals are the only people trusting in the state. Blue state conservatives receive welfare from the government just like those who live in the Red states. Corporate and farm welfare flow in vast amounts to the fine conservatives of the Blue states. Shh, don't tell anyone. Just rail about all those people who don't/won't work and who are getting welfare, food stamps, section 8, etc.
The Blue states supported George Bush. George Bush is an advocate of BIG government. Look at the deficits. Look at the Patriot Act. To suggest it is Red state liberals alone who are for big government is simply not true.
Bruce Gerencser
Posted by: Bruce Gerencser | July 12, 2005 at 10:24 AM
Well this is about the most bogus statement I've read from a conservative in a while.
I am Christian and a Blue State Liberal. I read my bible and attend every Sunday. Most of my fellow congregants are Blue State Liberals as are the people in quite a lot churches. You'll find lots of us in mission groups to the 3rd world and working in soup kitchens and shelters at home.
We don't make the state into God. (We leave that to those Red Staters who can't seem to tell the difference between GOD and GOP.) But we do believe as red-staters claim to - that we are accountable to God for how we use our vote and our voices to shape how everyone is governed and that it is important to pay attention to the messages in the prophets for discerning how we should behave as a country.
Posted by: Carol | July 12, 2005 at 12:09 PM
Well this is about the most bogus statement I've read from a conservative in a while.
I am Christian and a Blue State Liberal. I read my bible and attend every Sunday. Most of my fellow congregants are Blue State Liberals as are the people in quite a lot churches. You'll find lots of us in mission groups to the 3rd world and working in soup kitchens and shelters at home.
We don't make the state into God. (We leave that to those Red Staters who can't seem to tell the difference between GOD and GOP.) But we do believe - as red-staters claim to - that we are accountable to God for how we use our vote and our voices to shape how everyone is governed and that it is important to pay attention to the messages in the prophets for discerning how we should behave as a country.
Posted by: Carol | July 12, 2005 at 12:09 PM