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 A World Where Lies Are TruePosted on Mar 26, 2007
By Chris Hedges “Before they seize power and establish a world according to their doctrines, totalitarian movements conjure up a lying world of consistency which is more adequate to the needs of the human mind than reality itself; in which, through sheer imagination, uprooted masses can feel at home and are spared the never-ending shocks which real life and real experiences deal to human beings and their expectations. The force possessed by totalitarian propaganda—before the movements have the power to drop iron curtains to prevent anyone’s disturbing, by the slightest reality, the gruesome quiet of an entirely imaginary world—lies in its ability to shut the masses off from the real world.” —Hannah Arendt, “The Origins of Totalitarianism” In the middle of the lobby of the 50,000-square-foot Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., a 20-foot waterfall tumbles. Two life-size figures of children with long black hair and in buckskin clothes play in the stream a few feet from two towering Tyrannosaurus Rex models that can move and roar. The museum, which cost $25 million to build and has a sea of black asphalt parking lots for school buses, has a scale model of Noah’s ark that shows how Noah solved the problem of fitting dinosaurs into the three levels of the vessel—he loaded only baby dinosaurs. And on the wooden model, infant dinosaurs cavort with horses, giraffes, hippopotamuses, penguins and bears. There is an elaborate display of the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve, naked but strategically positioned so as not to display breasts or genitals, swim in a river as giant dinosaurs and lizards roam the banks. Before Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, museum visitors are told, all of the dinosaurs were peaceable plant-eaters. The evidence is found in Genesis 1:30, where God gives “green herb” to every creature to eat. There were no predators. T-Rex had such big teeth, the museum explains, so it could open coconuts. Only after Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out of paradise did the dinosaurs start to eat flesh. And Adam’s sin is a key component of the belief system, for in the eyes of many creationists, in order for Jesus’ death to be meaningful it had to atone for Adam’s first sin. The museum has a theater equipped with seats that shake and gadgets that spray mist at the audience as the story of God’s six-day creation of the world unfolds on the screen and the sound system rocks the auditorium. There are 30-foot-high walls that represent the cliffs of the Grand Canyon, floors that resemble rocks embedded with fossils, and rooms where a “Christian” paleontologist counters the claims of an “evolutionist” paleontologist. It has the appearance of a real science museum, complete with a planetarium, a gift shop and plaques on the wall with quotes from creationist “scientists” who have the title doctor conspicuously before their names. It has charts, timelines and graphs with facts and figures. It is meant to be interactive, to create, like Universal Studios, a contrived reality with an array of costly animatronic men and women as well as moving dinosaurs. The danger of creationism is that, like the pseudo-science of Nazi eugenics, it allows facts to be accepted or discarded according to the dictates of a preordained ideology. Creationism removes the follower from the rational, reality-based world. Signs, miracles and wonders occur not only in the daily life of Christians but in history, science, medicine and logic. The belief system becomes the basis to understand the world. Random facts and data are collected and made to fit into this belief system or discarded. When facts are treated as if they were opinions, when there is no universal standard to determine truth, in law, in science, in scholarship, or in the reporting of the events of the day, the world becomes a place where people can believe what they want to believe, where there is no possibility of reaching any conclusion not predetermined by those who interpret the official, divinely inspired text. This is the goal of creationists. Other creationist museums are going up in Arkansas, Texas, California, Tennessee and Florida. Museums are part of a massive push to teach creationism in schools, part of a vast Christian publishing and filmmaking industry that seeks to rewrite the past and make it conform to the Bible. The front lines of the culture wars are the classrooms. The battle is one we are slowly losing. Twenty states are considering changing the way evolution is taught in order to include creationism or intelligent design.1 Only 13 percent of Americans in a 2004 Gallup poll, when asked for their views on human origins, said life arose from the strictly natural process of evolution. More than 38 percent said they believed God guided evolution, and 45 percent said the Genesis account of creation was a true story.2 Courses on intelligent design have been taught at Minnesota, Georgia, New Mexico and Iowa State universities, along with Wake Forest and Carnegie Mellon*, not to mention Christian universities that teach all science through the prism of the Bible. The museum is an illustration of the movement’s marriage of primitive and intolerant beliefs with the modern tools of technology, mass communication, sophisticated fundraising and political organization. Totalitarian systems usually start as propagandistic movements that ostensibly teach people to “believe what they want.” This is a ruse. This primacy of personal opinion, regardless of facts, destabilizes and destroys the primacy of all facts. This process leads inevitably to the big lie. Facts are useful only if they bolster the message. The use of mass-marketing techniques to persuade and convince, rather than brainwash, has led tens of millions of followers to accept the toxic totalitarian line by tricking them into believing it’s their own. Ironically, at the outset the movement seemingly encourages people to think “independently” or “courageously.” At first all have, in the totalitarian belief system, a right to an opinion, or, in short, a right to believe anything. Soon, under the iron control of an empowered totalitarian movement, facts become worthless, kept or discarded according to an ideological litmus test. And once these movements achieve power, facts are ruthlessly manipulated or kept hidden to support the lie. Creationism is not about offering an alternative. Its goal is the destruction of the core values of the open society—the ability to think for oneself, to draw independent conclusions, to express dissent when judgment and common sense tell you something is wrong, to be self-critical, to challenge authority, to advocate for change and to accept that there are other views, different ways of being, that are morally and socially acceptable. We are beginning to see the growing intolerance that comes with the empowerment of these ideologues. There is a bill in the Texas Legislature to strip all mention of evolution from Texas school textbooks and institute mandatory Bible classes for all students. This is just the start. And yet, coming from the modern age, these Christo-fascists cannot discount science. They employ jargon, methods and data that appear to be science, to make an argument for creationism. They have created parallel research and scholarly institutions. They pump out articles in self-published journals to provide “evidence” that homosexuals can be cured, that global warming is a myth, that abortion can cause breast cancer, that something they call “post-abortion syndrome” leads to deep depression and suicide and that abstinence-only education is an effective form of birth control. This pseudo-science has seeped into the public debate. It is disseminated by nervous and timid media anxious to give both sides in every argument. Those who have contempt for facts and truth, for honest research and inquiry, are given the same platform by the press as those who deal in a world of reality, fact and rationality. The movement desperately needs the imprint of science to legitimize itself. It achieves this imprint by discrediting real science and claiming creationist science as true science. All attempts to argue the creationists out of their mythical belief, to persuade them with logic, evidence, scientific inquiry and fact, will fail. They have created a “fundamentalist science.” They know they cannot return to the pre-Darwinian innocence that let them believe the Bible alone was enough. They need, in the midst of their flight from reality, to reassure their followers that science, science not contaminated by secular humanists and nonbelievers, is on their side. In this they are a distinctly modern movement. They seek the imprint of science and scholarship to legitimize myth. This is a characteristic they share with all modern totalitarian movements, which co-opt the disciplines of law, science, medicine and scholarship to give a modern veneer to their primitive and superstitious belief systems, systems that allow the rulers to dictate reality and truth. The “paraprofessional” organizations formed by the Christian right, organizations of teachers, journalists, doctors, lawyers and scientists, mimic the activities of real professional groups. They seek to challenge the legitimacy and the power of the traditional organizations. The duplication of the structures and methods employed by the non-totalitarian world, the use of pseudo-science to dress up fantasy, is slowly undermining our legitimate scientific and educational institutions. It is destroying the foundations of our open society. It is ushering us into a world where lies are true. * Correction: A representative of Carnegie Mellon University states “Carnegie Mellon University does not teach a course on intelligent design. The contemporary issue of intelligent design is sometimes raised in discourse in courses such as Christianity and Science: A Multidisciplinary Approach. This fulfills an elective in the religious studies minor.” 1 Scott LaFee, “Local scientists, doctors and professors talk about ‘intelligent design,’ ” The San Diego Union-Tribune, F-1, June 8, 2005. 2 Frank Newport, “Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin’s Evolution Theory,” The Gallup Poll, Nov. 19, 2004, http://poll.gallup.com/content/default.aspx?ci=14107&pg=1. Previous item: Kucinich Blasts Democrats Next item: Outsourcing War Protest in an Imperial World Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig.
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By Jim Hanley, April 9, 2007 at 5:10 am # Amos Hart
By Jim Hanley, April 9, 2007 at 4:49 am # Lawdog;
By Jim Hanley, April 8, 2007 at 4:55 pm # To: Lapdog,
By Lawdog, April 8, 2007 at 11:38 am # Jim Hanley,
By Amos Hart, April 7, 2007 at 7:05 pm # Jim Hanley,
By velma kelly, April 7, 2007 at 4:58 pm # TAO Walker,
By JimHanley, April 6, 2007 at 8:22 pm # REPLY TO: #61970 by amos hart on 4/03 at 12:00 pm
By Jim Hanley, April 6, 2007 at 8:19 pm # RE: #61847 by Zena on 4/02 at 6:08 pm
By Hemi, April 6, 2007 at 12:36 pm # Hey TAO Walker, Very insightful. It’s mind boggling how connected to the “invaders” the remnants of the “basic minimal complement of human beings” on Turtle Island seem to be. My “domesticated, confused almost to extinction” mind tells me you are communicating to us either through the spirit realm or have intimate knowledge of our “electro-mechanical gadgetry”. If I had to bet the reservation, I think you have a computer. It was very neighborly to invite Velma “to come walk awhile in our moccasins”. Something tells me those moccasins have gel inserts. You talk a great game but can’t seem to get enough of the “invaders”. The “natural organic function of humanity within the living body of Earth” is a lovely story. They’re all lovely stories. You are not above the fray. Your ancestors were “invaders” to the continent first, congratulations. Face it, go back far enough, across a couple of land bridges and back thousands of years and even the Mayans were “invaders”. Conveniently they had a word for them when the “invaders” showed up. As Bill Murray’s character said in the movie Stripes, “Lighten up Francis!” Sorry, silly reference. I forgot you aren’t tied to our “electro-mechanical gadgetry”. My bad. WhatTheHey!
By TAO Walker, April 5, 2007 at 7:49 pm # Humanity, as such, is a vital component in Earth’s The natural organic form of humanity is called, in the Lakota language, “tiyoshpaye.” It is that basic minimal complement of human beings able to engage with its environment beneficially (beneficial, that is, to the whole living arrangement, not only to itself) and sustainably, and through intercourse with others of its kind to propagate healthily over many generations. There is no equivalent word in English, though the thoroughly (in these latter days) corrupted “community” once came almost within spittin’ distance. The instigators here of that ruthless process for domesticating human beings (thereby rendering them into manageable herds of tame two-legged livestock, called euphemistically “individuals") did it for the same reasons their early human victims inflicted the same inferior condition on others of our native relatives....a captive food supply and slave work-force. That all now caught-up in this vicious cycle of institutionalized degradation, including those self-deluded “masters of the universe” supposing theirselves to be “at the top of the food-chain,” are in actual fact in a death-spiral nearing its pre-ordained climax, is easily seen from outside the self-contained system itself. For those trapped inside it is an altogether different story. Sealed-off from the rest of the Living Universe, their instinctive sense of imminent catastrophe shows-up in the form of “wars on terror” and “horror flicks” and the mass consumption of canned entertainment, soporific or speed-freaky ideologies, and pharmaceutical crutches of all kinds. The Musak and drugs, at least, are prominent features of commercial feedlot and factory-farm operations, also. The sophomoric sarcasm velma kelly resorts to here is another symptom of severe stress from constant exposure to the usages of organized repression and exploitation....by forces and agencies, and by means and methods, mostly concealed from its hapless subjects. This Indian’s choice-of-words is entirely descriptive, and in no way intended to “dramatize” a situation already more than sufficiently compelling in its lethal content and dire implications. Finally, it is the free wild natural peoples, here on Turtle Island us Indians, who are the only real friends velma kelly and her fella and gal inmates have got “on the outside” of that death-cult contraption most all of ‘em are kept convinced is the only “world” there is. They are all welcome anytime to come walk awhile in our moccasins. HokaHey!
By velma kelly, April 4, 2007 at 11:52 pm # Re Comment #61964 by TAO Walker
By velma kelly, April 4, 2007 at 9:52 am # Re:
By my left foot, April 4, 2007 at 8:47 am # For goodness sakes , when you enter the spirit world governed by god’s , ghosts , angels , bearded Imams , pedophile priests and sexually perverted preachers , you are no longer responding to reality based stimulation . You are controlled by the speaking in tongues events taking place at your local evangelical church a promptly 7 pm on tuesdays each week . Get a grip and listen to what this guys saying and stop trying to justify absolute hocus pocus . It’s nothing but fables , fairy tales ,and overextended imaginations
By Alex Longboat, April 3, 2007 at 2:57 pm # Regarding: Comment #61964 You been to the white eyes school, eh chief?
By Buck Up Soldier, April 3, 2007 at 2:49 pm # RE: 61956 Sounds like you have made up your mind Leona. However, the so-called trick with the manuscripts would be like someone saying the television was actually invented prior to the microscope. And the reason for this so-called conspiracy is maybe...I don’t know...........salvation of a soul?
By amos hart, April 3, 2007 at 12:00 pm # Re Comment #61763 by Jim Hanley:
By TAO Walker, April 3, 2007 at 11:42 am # This same argument, between scientific rationalists and religious true-believers, is running in at least two or three other places on this site. There’s considerable redundancy in the names of those weighing-in on one side or another, too. Probably nobody has a more legitimate beef with those pushing their creeds on “captive audiences” than people here on the Rez....and that goes for both factions. European-based Christianists and rationalists have been carrying-out a tag-team assault on us free wild natural human beings here on Turtle Island, and all around the world, for a couple dozen generations now. So we might be the best-qualified ones around to “referee” this silly squabble. We can tell you straight-out that neither the suedo-science of “creationism” nor the suedo-religion of “evolutionism” has ever or ever will come up with the answers to the two most fundamental questions about just what in hell is actually going on here, so far as human beings are concerned. Neither side knows what, exactly, is the natural organic function of humanity within the living body of Earth. It’s a safe bet nobody of either persuasion even remembers there is such a thing. Neither knows exactly, either, what is the natural organic form of humanity essential to the fulfillment of its function here. Such woeful ignorance about the most basic facts of Life Herownself, and their own place in her living arrangement here, pretty much renders everything any of the domesticated contestants commenting here, or anywhere, think or believe, about anything at all, into mere guess-work. So it’s no mystery to us Indians how our tame brothers and sisters come to be in the dire straits they are today. They’re completely out of touch with their own essential human nature, desperate to somehow re-establish this vital connection, and looking to do it every way except the one that will get them there. Bumbling around clueless in a virtual world of hurt, confused almost to extinction by ideological make-believe and electro-mechanical gadgetry, the prey and playthings of forces and entities equally self-intoxicated and ignorant, the peretrator/victims of “civilization” are all squandering their lives in a worldwide ten-thousand-year-long episode of “LOST”....in which there are no “SURVIVORS.” What an end for “the crown of creation.” What a fate for “the pinnacle of evolution.” The real good news is this “show” is about to close. HokaHey!
By steve, April 3, 2007 at 11:02 am # you write: OMG, that’s a perfect definition of evolution. Lactation in reptiles? Ignore it. Irreducible complexity? Discard it. It doesn’t fit into the preconceived framework. Stop hyperventilating and look at things objectively. You just defined evolution which has a stranglehold on government-run schools and censors all dissent through the media. THAT is true totalitarianism.
By Leona, April 3, 2007 at 10:51 am # Regarding: “Proof Jesus existed: Come on now. The myth was written to fulfill the prophesies. Hard to swallow? Wash it down with a little “Miracle Spring Water” from Peter Popoff! That’s some goooooood water! (I hear it’s great for making kool aid.) “Maybe this is the reason that the world’s calendar even uses the term BC (before Christ)” Pope Gregory killed all opposition so we use the “Gregorian” calendar too. We now speak in terms of CE, Common Era. Welcome to the present. “Even false religions recognize Jesus’ existence (it cannot be denied)” They recognize at the point of a sword. All religions are false. But these “false” religions you mention have been bullied into acceptance, as is the “Christian” way, see: http://hamsa.org/ for one ongoing account. One of the few “blessings” of our modern media is that much information regarding religion suppressing reason is available to all. A happy and joyous Eostre to you Buck Up! PS I hope you don’t mind my calling you “Buck Up”, that is your name?
By Ernest Canning, April 3, 2007 at 9:38 am # The many inane mumblings in the comments to this article only serve to underscore Chris Hedges central point that “creationism removes the follower from the rational, reality-based world.”
By Mickey, April 3, 2007 at 9:26 am # Bravo. Non-religious people in the US, contrary to the conservatives’ battle-cries, are overly timid about challenging religious belief. How many open atheists hold publicly elected office? Science has no reason to reconcile its findings with any of the thousands of religions floating around out there. That’s the job of the religious believer alone. This is one of the innumerable reasons why “intelligent design” has no place in public education. It’s incomprehensible that this is even an issue.
By Hemi, April 3, 2007 at 8:51 am # “Only God can answer why He chooses not to give us everything we want or wish for. God however does answer those prayers for salvation: He recently answered a 7 year old prayer I had to save my Ex-Darwin believing son. This son, just last night, led a 17 year old drug addicted boy with parental problems to Christ, through the Holy Spirit of course. Praise God! We are all rejoicing over this event. Now tell me what is happening in your arena with your God?” - Buck Up Soldier Well soldier, a wonderful story repeated in many faith communities. It is also repeated in schools, jails, sororities, fraternities, P.A.L.s and many places without invoking a god myth or the publicity of a faith community but simply by humans concerned for other humans. People need and deserve human kindness in their lives, if you provide that in any guise, good for all of us. I give you Milton Hershey, as an example of someone providing for the well being and proliferation of an entire community of people without the threat of damnation or the promise of salvation for any of the participants. Hershey was from Mennonite lineage but as the Hershey Archives States “formal religion was never a part of Milton Hershey’s life.” The archives go on to say: “Milton Hershey was a doer, not a philosopher. He rarely wrote and seldom talked about his beliefs. Nevertheless, he obviously thought a lot about such matters as success and the value and purposes of money. He believed wealth should be used for the benefit of others and practiced what he preached. That he also understood that doing good works was also good for business did not lessen the depth or scope of his interest in other people’s welfare.” Hershey knew that when singular human kindness was provided the whole community benefited. By his example, the entire community thus “evolved” into one that had a better chance of future survival. From what I’ve seen, Hershey Pennsylvania continues to prosper, although somewhat “evolved” from Milton’s time. Hershey was asked what religion he followed he is said to have replied “The Golden Rule.” One might suggest Milton Hershey was “good for goodness sake”. Hershey’s was the same “Golden Rule” passed down through ancient literature long before being parroted by the fictional Christ as “Do unto others...”. “This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others what you would not have them do unto you.” — Mahabharata (5:15:17) (c. 500 BCE) “What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.” — Confucius (ca. 551–479 BCE) “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn”. (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Shabbat 31a) — Hillel (ca. 50 BCE-10 CE) Boy, with that time frame and quote from Hillel, perhaps some of his exploits could have been later attributed to…. Nah, couldn’t be! There are scads more, but the point is either man invented “God” long before Christianity or you are praying to the wrong “God”. My point is not to diminish your good works but to expose the serious problems religious dogma inflict on societies. The same point as the Hedges piece. If you want to teach by example without caveat (ala Hershey), no harm done. If you want to rule via Bronze Age fiction, we’ve got a problem.
By Buck Up Soldier, April 3, 2007 at 6:59 am # RE: 61827 Proof Jesus existed: Zechariah 11:12 compare to Matthew 27:9, 10- Maybe this is the reason that the world’s calendar even uses the term BC (before Christ) Even false religions recognize Jesus’ existence (it cannot be denied) I would suggest you visit a place like the Holy Land or Wycliffe Bible Translators, both in Orlando Florida, to view and learn about the evidence God systematically arranged and provided for us to introduce Jesus Christ. It is awesome! About Him being the Son of God: Once a person is convinced Jesus existed, they soon have to come to the conclusion either Jesus was a liar, crazy or was telling the truth about being the Son of God. (there is actually a book written about this) I personally choose to believe He is the Son of God. I have reviewed the evidence and have walked with Him daily for 8 years now. My daily walk has revealed His existence to me far beyond my expectations. Answered prayers included. Living a full life through Christ and encouraging others to join in on the journey of faith,
By Buck Up Soldier, April 2, 2007 at 8:30 pm # Re: 61749 re: 61789 re:61757 re: 67145 Life is short, but eternity is well..... eternity
By Zena, April 2, 2007 at 6:08 pm # Mr. Hanley; there is some truth to what you say. On the other hand, there has never been an evolution of this planet without the work of people who held very deep religious belief. You may think of it this way, guns don’t kill people; people kill people with guns for bad reasons. Religion is not the ends to a means for those who are truly Christian, but merely a door to be passed thru to pure spirituality and a personal relationship to and with GOD. Those who use it to satify their own personal financial gains shall find one day, it will bite them like an adder. And these people u mention is no more a true represention of GOD’S people than emptyness represents Atheists. You cannot compare Apples and oranges. Anyone who claims to represent GOD and is rabidly against freedom theology is a liar and a Satanist. I suggest you research it. Have a great day, Zena
By velma kelly, April 2, 2007 at 4:22 pm # Mr. Lies, etc. (61429)”
By Tim, April 2, 2007 at 3:45 pm # Regarding: Comment #61723 by Buck up Soldier on 4/02 at 5:33 am First of all, you say, “Jesus was here (everyone agrees).” There is no proof that Jesus existed, let alone that he was the son of God. Secondly, you say no one can stop any Christian from expressing his opinions and beliefs because this is America. All well and good, except people like you want to impose your beliefs on other people. The reason that evolution, rather than creationism, is taught in public school science classes is that the former is based on science, while the latter is a religious belief system. Because of the separation of church and state, a religious belief cannot be taught in a public institution.
By Archaeopteryx, April 2, 2007 at 11:20 am # Re 61429 (Lies...) 1. Please explain to Chris Hedges that evolution “is not a direct frontal assault on religion itself.” I’m afraid he missed that lecture. 2. You say “faith stands firm in the face of all evidence to the contrary.” You must be talking about the “fossil record.” We can’t figure out who the father is of Anna Nichole’s baby, yet Darwinists know that birds evolved from reptiles a gazillion years ago. Yes, that is faith that would be the envy of any Dominionist. “Science dies without revision,” you say. Then let’s get rid of the Miller-Urey experiment, Darwin’s Tree of Life, peppered moths, Darwin’s finches and four-winged fruit flies for starters. These bogus icons of evolution rival anything to be found in the Creation Museum in Petersburg Kentucky. 3. “There are no ‘static’ life forms by which we measure ‘transitional’ ones.” Where shall we send your Nobel prize, Baby Einstein? We know that there are transitional forms but we don’t know what their ancestors looked like. Sounds a bit like faith to me, but I’m just a deluded, superstitious Christian. We’re obviously talking serious scientific faith here. Without doubt, some faiths are more equal than others. 4. “A scientific theory, in addition to providing an explanation for what happened in the past, must also infer what will happen in the future.” See #3 above. Something evolved from something. Now there’s a provable hypothesis. Just look around you and you know it’s true. Whoa! Isn’t that what those stupid Christians say? “The heavens declare the glory of God...” Well, I admit I do sometimes think some people evolved from chumps (oops, chimps) based on reading this thread, but it could be the other way. As soon as we figure out where the avian flu virus is going, we can start on the future (past) of Homo sapiens. Ummm, Given the last century/millenium, do we really want to go there?
By Jim Hanley, April 2, 2007 at 8:54 am # A true God would expect credence for reason; not an idiot’s fear!
By Ernest Canning, April 2, 2007 at 8:31 am # re Buck Up Soldier #61723. No one, Mr. Hedges included, wants to “stop any Christian from expressing their opinions and beliefs.” You are right. “This is America.” The U.S. Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion. But when you start talking about taking over “our environment, our schools, our laws,” you are advocating something that is decidedly un-American. The same Constitution that protects your right to believe, shields others from being forced to believe as you do by preventing government from establishing any religion. The same Constitution that permits you to cling to your irrational beliefs permits others to disagree with your pseudo-science. The theocratic state you would create would be decidedly undemocratic. Indeed, as Mr. Hedge’s aptly demonstrates in his book, the right-wing Christian movement bears all the indices of Fascism and is led by charletons who have enriched themselves at the expense of blinded followers like you. It is, in essense, a cult.
By Zena, April 2, 2007 at 7:55 am # I also agree with Buck up. If people truly believe and have faith, there is nothing that can’t be done. As long as they trust and follow GOD’S lead and words. Still, it IS a scary proposition. But a leap of faith always is....
By Zena, April 2, 2007 at 7:51 am # I agree with Mr. Carper. Too many of these big fancy churches have nothing to do with GOD, and everything to do with the leaders worshipping their own egoes. In fact, they are still still selling tickets to heaven. And since many of their people don’t read the bible themselves, are unaware of it. That’s why I don’t go to church. I think we can all agree that everyone has a right to their own beliefs, but not when it violently breaks civil law. And those people who delight in murder and abuses of all kinds against others is directly violating GOD’S laws. They will pay for it. If not here on earth, after death, for sure.
By Hemi, April 2, 2007 at 7:44 am # Regarding: Comment #61723 by Buck up Soldier on 4/02 at 5:33 am Of course, he’s still here, he’s not done cleaning your pool. “Biblical Fact: He said that He is coming back and taking with Him those who follow Him (most of us know what happens to the ones who don’t)” Of course he’s coming back, you pay well and don’t take out taxes. As for those who follow him, his friends need work too. Those that stay at Home Depot don’t get paid. Pretty simple. “Legal Fact: No one can stop any Christian from expressing their opinions and beliefs, this is America.” Of course, America. Home of Abraham Lincoln. Who said: “"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma.” Thank god for honest Abe! “Biblical Fact: God has told his people that they can do anything through Jesus Christ. This includes answering prayers regarding all of the people we pray for to come to know Jesus as their personal king and savior.” Of course, like the Iraq war amputees praying for return of their limbs. If he can cure cancer why not give back a limb? Well maybe he has and you will “enlighten” us? “Inspiration to the believer only: If you are a Christian, get bold, get motivated, and start taking control of the environment, our schools, our laws (via voting) all through the unstoppable power of Jesus Christ! It is your job!!!!” Of course, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). We think you missed on this one. Perhaps a little more study is needed. Onward Christian soldier. Happy Eostre everybody!
By Buck up Soldier, April 2, 2007 at 5:33 am # Scientific Fact: Jesus was here (everyone agrees) Biblical Fact: He said that He is coming back and taking with Him those who follow Him (most of us know what happens to the ones who don’t) Legal Fact: No one can stop any Christian from expressing their opinions and beliefs, this is America. Biblical Fact: God has told his people that they can do anything through Jesus Christ. Inspiration to the believer only: If you are a Christian, get bold, get motivated, and start taking control of the environment, our schools, our laws (via voting) all through the unstoppable power of Jesus Christ! It is your job!!!!
By john carper, April 1, 2007 at 8:04 pm # I actually believe in creation and the possibility of a young 10,000 year old earth. Yet at the same time I do not disagree with Hedges. Our whole political[sic] system depends of polarization, fragmentation and the management of opinion. Having attended creationism/intelligent design conferences in years 1999 and 2000 I have noticed that while many of the scientists and presenters are sincere the promoters do have a political agenda. It is as if they want to co-opt a potential army of peasants with pitchforks in an upcoming religious war. Once I figured that out I stopped attending.
By amos hart, April 1, 2007 at 7:26 pm # Re 61429: BTW: which way will the avian flu virus next mutate?
By Zena, April 1, 2007 at 7:01 pm # Dear Mr. Canning , thank you for the comment you directed at me. I have never been soo condencendingly and smugly rebuked before like that. I guess you put me in my place. If only you knew what those ‘big’ words meant that you used you would be amused at yourself; that is if you even understood the problem going on here that you so verbally try to steer in your own direction. At least Christians are not as arrogant and conceited as you are, no wonder people have more sympathy towards them, then people who talk like you do. Only the strong survive, isn’t that what you’re saying?
By Ernest Canning, April 1, 2007 at 8:31 am # Re comment #61582 by Zena. One does not have to “believe” in a diety in order to “stand for” anything. A preference of science and the scietific method is a far cry from a rejection of the Constitution--a documentwhich belies the Christo-Fascist canard that America is a “Christian nation.” The beauty of the First Amendment’s “free exercise clause” is that anyone is free to believe, as you do, or not to believe, as is apparently reflected by the Agnostic-like views of Dr. Char Lee. The beauty of the “establishment clause” is that it prevents all religious zealots, like yourself, from forcing their unscientific beliefs upon everyone else. The “establishment clause” requires the maintenance of a separation wall between church and state. This is the reason why, under our Constitution, public schools teach the “science” of evolution but do not include the religious views of creationism masquerading under the pseudo-science of “intelligent design.” If you truly believe in the Constitution, you would not take exception to Chirs Hedges’ well-written critique of the pseudo-scientific confabulations emanating from the Christo-Fascist right.
By Zena, March 31, 2007 at 10:23 pm # This is a chilling march back into the Dark Ages and can only lead to the same profound ignorance offered by the Islamic world. Neither the bible nor the koran are worthy of anything more than a curious glance at the past. Dr. Char; I am assuming you have a better plan? ‘Cause the idiot you support have been proven not ONLY criminal but wrong time and time again. Seems you don’t believe in anything, not even the MOST IMPORTANT: the CONSTITUTION. Why are you in this conversation if you haven’t anything revelent to say? YOU’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything....what exactly DO YOU STAND FOR???
By Robert Lederman, March 31, 2007 at 1:28 pm # Robert Sheer while I have alot of respect for your positions and regularly listen to you on KCRWs left right and centre via podcast I am getting really really tired of your vendetta against Christianity. You claim that “creationism” is pseudo science and not based on fact is simply wrong, it is Darwinism that is on the defensive. and not just from a political point of view. More importantly the bible, purely as a historical document(rather than a religious one) is one of the most accurate sources of history around. Time and time again people have tried to discredit aspects of it only to be proved wrong. “...to accept the toxic totalitarian line by tricking them into believing it’s their own.” I guess you’ve never been to a liberal left leaning American University, tell people you respect the bible from a historical point of view and see how fast tolerance opened mindedness go out the door. While there are alot of legitimate complaints that can be made historical accuracy of the bible is not one of them. If there are any opened minded people out there I suggest spending sometime at http://www.apologetics.org/ and make up your own mind. Robert in Madrid While I personally feel that Christians should not be involved in Politics (beyond voting) the simple
By Lies, Damned Lies and Creationists, March 30, 2007 at 4:32 pm # Gotta love how the creationists (and their ID bastard siblings) project all their insecurities on evolution. Conveniently ignoring that: 1.) Evolution challenges a LITERAL INTERPRETATION of their creation story, and is not a direct frontal assault on religion itself. 2.) That evolution is not a matter of “faith”. Faith stands firm in the face of all evidence to the contrary, whereas science dies without revision and new data. 3.) Evolution is not every organism for itself, because cooperation is even more vital than competition. (Could you imagine a hive run with every bee working for herself?) 4.) There are no “static” life forms by which we measure “transitional” ones. (Hint for the creationists: Think calculus, not algebra!) Pat Hayes at Red State Rabble likes announcing a new fossil discovery with the joke “Look! Two more gaps!” (Meaning that if scientists discover a fossil “B” that seems to fall between points A and C, it creates two gaps where there had been one...at least for the creationists.) 5.) “Creation science” is an oxymoron and its bias is two-by-four-upside-the-head obvious. A scientific theory, in addition to providing an explanation for what happened in the past, must also infer what will happen in the future. Creationism merely offers a moronically simple blanket-answer ("God did it."). It can’t tell you which way, say, the avian flu virus will next mutate. So it flunks the standard for science. 6.) Hitler happily subverted the Church to his ends. Just like everything else. The German Army’s belt buckles read “Gott Mitt Uns” ("God is with us"). What’s that about Darwin leading to Hitler again? 7.) Evolution, the Big Bang, Secularism, Liberalism are not part of the same parcel. It’s unbelievable to me how many creationists start out hollering about Darwin and end up ranting about the ACLU. I’d go on, but my despair at some people’s lack of mental subtlety (and basic logic skills, not to mention their basic understanding of science and history and the religion that they claim to follow) is deepening dangerously. And, more importantly, dinner’s on the way. Thanks, all, for your patience in reading this far.
By amos hart, March 30, 2007 at 4:29 pm # There he goes again: |
Newsroom Carnage Continues at The Washington Post
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