Progressive Ponderings: Faith-based Government
by Joe Mayer
Before we continue to dismantle our "separation of church and state" and advance "faith-based initiatives" sponsored and paid for by government, we need to step back and look at modern examples of church/state marriage. Al-Qaeda is a faith-based initiative, as is the Taliban. The Israeli/Palestinian and Irish/English conflicts are faith-based. Do we want to emulate that which we condemn in others, that which we label as "evil," that which we war against? I'm afraid to answer that question.
The Borg quote at the top refers to one image of God as the almighty, wrathful judge who lives outside our world, a God of empire who demands exclusive loyalty, favors some tribes of people over others, rules over the world through earthly anointed representatives and visits a terrible vengeance on his enemies and unbelievers. The second image of God is that of a loving creator living amongst his / her cherished people, always encouraging an interdependent, all-inclusive relationship and understanding within all aspects of an evolving world.
These dueling images of God have clashed in governance, the ownership of resources, and spiritual dominance from the very beginning. Religious structures usually sided with the almighty judge-image as it enhanced and enforced a dominant hierarchy which granted faith leaders religious power often combined with civil power. The loving creator-image has been kept alive through mystics and prophets to the present day. These were often not recognized and even considered dangerous by "official" religious leaders.
We need to recognize how deeply this wrathful image of God affects the beliefs and actions of the fundamental Right. It provides a deep-seated righteousness that sees the world divided always between good and evil: "Since I'm aligned with God my actions are always justified. There is always an enemy to be feared, which in turn causes alienation, which must then be overcome by turning to and depending upon leaders appointed and anointed by this judgmental God."
Slavery, racism, sexism, all sorts of phobias, war, authoritarian rule (including rigged elections), and use of violence are not only justified but even demanded by this wrathful God. Democracy and equality are just terms to be used to satisfy the masses in a feel-good myth. Human and resource exploitation, along with environmental devastation are justified by a self-referential morality – good is what serves my interests.
With such a self-serving definition of morality and ethics, the following flow automatically:
"Tell me your image of God and I'll tell you your politics." — Marcus BorgIn a previous Pondering I asked the rhetorical questions: Do we really believe America has a preferential place in God's divine plan? And, does that plan approve of the violence that we use? Sadly, today in this 21st century after the birth of the namesake of our "national religion," the answer to both questions is a resounding "Yes."
Before we continue to dismantle our "separation of church and state" and advance "faith-based initiatives" sponsored and paid for by government, we need to step back and look at modern examples of church/state marriage. Al-Qaeda is a faith-based initiative, as is the Taliban. The Israeli/Palestinian and Irish/English conflicts are faith-based. Do we want to emulate that which we condemn in others, that which we label as "evil," that which we war against? I'm afraid to answer that question.
The Borg quote at the top refers to one image of God as the almighty, wrathful judge who lives outside our world, a God of empire who demands exclusive loyalty, favors some tribes of people over others, rules over the world through earthly anointed representatives and visits a terrible vengeance on his enemies and unbelievers. The second image of God is that of a loving creator living amongst his / her cherished people, always encouraging an interdependent, all-inclusive relationship and understanding within all aspects of an evolving world.
These dueling images of God have clashed in governance, the ownership of resources, and spiritual dominance from the very beginning. Religious structures usually sided with the almighty judge-image as it enhanced and enforced a dominant hierarchy which granted faith leaders religious power often combined with civil power. The loving creator-image has been kept alive through mystics and prophets to the present day. These were often not recognized and even considered dangerous by "official" religious leaders.
We need to recognize how deeply this wrathful image of God affects the beliefs and actions of the fundamental Right. It provides a deep-seated righteousness that sees the world divided always between good and evil: "Since I'm aligned with God my actions are always justified. There is always an enemy to be feared, which in turn causes alienation, which must then be overcome by turning to and depending upon leaders appointed and anointed by this judgmental God."
Slavery, racism, sexism, all sorts of phobias, war, authoritarian rule (including rigged elections), and use of violence are not only justified but even demanded by this wrathful God. Democracy and equality are just terms to be used to satisfy the masses in a feel-good myth. Human and resource exploitation, along with environmental devastation are justified by a self-referential morality – good is what serves my interests.
With such a self-serving definition of morality and ethics, the following flow automatically:
- Truth is my version.
- Since I act on God's will I'm incapable of error.
- Without error I am not responsible or accountable for any disastrous unforeseen consequences.
- Acknowledging error or deceit on my part is to question God's direction.
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2 Comments:
aprotestwarrior: Christianity is more dangerous to our freedoms. The Middle East poses the more serious threat to us physically. They are two very different issues that the RaptureRight bludgeons us with whenever they feel insecure.
As for the post, it is an excellent piece, striking just the right note.
Unfortunately, the tone-deaf religionistas are incapable of reasonable discourse, and are blind to the reality of their threat to democracy.
Actually, I think he THINKS it's the same thing. The only difference is that FUNDAMENTALIST Christians haven't RETURNED to mass sectrarian killings...YET.
Bravo! Great post and right on the mark. You nailed exactly why I turned to Buddhism after my combat tour in Afghanistan. It's not faith that is the problem, it's religion and the MEN who are empowered by it.
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