Robert Reich’s Religion Problem

National Review Online ^ | July 6, 2004 | Ramesh Ponnuru

[17th Miss Regt]

If we allow only those who don't believe in a God to rule and prevent those who do believe in God from ruling, then we get a toxic mixture. That mixture has already been seen in practice in several countries. One of those countries tried to exterminate his people. But since he approves of the toxic mixture, it seems reasonable to assume that he approves of the results as well. An amoral monster. Good thing there is only 3/4 of one of him.

[johnny7]

“I will not reciprocate the sentiment. Reich is not my enemy, although I certainly want most of what he stands for politically not to prevail. I don't think we have to have the battle he forecasts. I hope we don't. In fact, I pray we don't.”

What the author senses is the lefts targeting of conservatives under the guise of 'separation of church and state'.

I have also seen the lefts frustration of losing the presidency in 2000. They have no respect for conservative politicians and are now slashing at anything valued by conservatives in general... traditional family, pro-life, religion, the private sector and even the military.

Should we be surprised? No... this is not surprising behavior for American socialists and the Democrat party is now full of them. Kerry and Edwards are already eying wealthier Americans to be the beasts of burden in the lefts 'Great Society II: The Destruction of Capitalism.'

[Alamo-Girl]

Jeepers... Thanks for the ping!

[mountaineer]

Sounds like Reich and the magician Penn Jillette are on the same pathetic, anti-Christian wavelength (from an interview with Jillette):

People tend to use the word faith as if it’s a good thing and it often is. If you’re talking about it in terms of loyalty and in terms of your friends, then it’s a beautiful thing. If you’re talking about it in terms of optimism and of being happy about life and things will turn out okay, then, it’s also okay. If you’re talking about it in terms of Allah taking care of me in the next life for being a martyr and, therefore, I will fly the planes into the Twin Towers, I don’t know how you can justify that as a good thing.

There is no difference between Mel Gibson’s faith and the terrorist’s faith. We have no evidence that there was a historic Jesus, we have no evidence that he died for our sins. We have no evidence, that we can agree on, for any of that. If you look at the distribution of religion, it tends to be geographical and not intellectual, which is a another discussion.

[editor-surveyor]

"Reich has just said that the ultimate enemies are: those who believe in God."

"Reich, and the terrorists are on the same side."

I am, as usual, in complete agreement with you gentlemen on this, but how is this 'news?'

We've known this for over a decade, have we not?

[Happy2BMe]

Ping on #44 - a glimpse of how Christians and Jews and the freedom of religion would be esteemed under consecutive Democratic Socialist rule with the likes of a John-John or John-Hillary or J-FK anything government:

_______________________________

"Reich has just said that the ultimate enemies are: those who believe in God."

[Happy2BMe]

Ping on #44 - a glimpse of how Christians and Jews and the freedom of religion would be esteemed under consecutive Democratic Socialist rule with the likes of a John-John or John-Hillary or J-FK anything government:

_______________________________

"Reich has just said that the ultimate enemies are: those who believe in God."

[Corin Stormhands]

We've known this for over a decade, have we not?

Indeed, but we need to keep repeating it for the sheeple.

[Salem]

LOL!!  

[Salem]

Good ... gosh. Thanks for the ping, Happy.

Hey, all you "religious" folks. Make sure you get 'a loadda' this. A full on Taliban cleric of the religion of Secular Humanism.

If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    
MikeFromFR ~
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~

[MeekOneGOP]

Man. I NEVER DID like this jerk.

---

He's the LAST one getting outta this car:

[Fzob]

This goes well beyond the common denunciation of "fundamentalism" where that term is meant to describe an ideology that seeks the imposition of religious views on non-believers.

I, for one am sick to death of these leftist defining fundamentalism to suit their agenda. Christian Fundamentalism has zero to do with imposing a religious view on anyone.

[sheik yerbouty]

"Beware of little men.."

[Nix 2]

If the left is to achieve its final goal, it must destroy G-d even as a concept. As long as G-d remains the final arbiter, they can never win. Since they cannot murder G-d, they must dim our memory of Him, erase Him, to cause the end of all that is left of morality. It ain't gonna happen, even if it comes to a reckoning.

[windchime]

"An amoral monster."

IMO, an accurate description of the left.

[Smartass]

"Reich has just said that the ultimate enemies are: those who believe in God."

As a person who believes in God and a dedicate member of the great right wing conspiracy, I'm glad to be an enemy to socialism, pro choice, Kerry, Edwards, the Clintoons and all other liberal left wing ideologies.

[Myrddin]

Reich has just said that the ultimate enemies are: those who believe in God.

Consider those who call God "Allah" and believe that everyone who does not call Allah "God" must be killed. Your level of alarm is biased by believing Reich's comment only pertains to God from the Judeo/Christian perspective. Frankly, I'm tired of people using religious beliefs as justification for killing other people whose beliefs are different.

I support the right of every individual to choose their notion of God and worship. So long as such worship does not infringe upon the rights of any other individual to pursue life, liberty and a state of happiness.

[xzins]

But then comes Reich's conclusion: The great conflict of the 21st century will not be between the West and terrorism. Terrorism is a tactic, not a belief. The true battle will be between modern civilization and anti-modernists; between those who believe in the primacy of the individual and those who believe that human beings owe their allegiance and identity to a higher authority; between those who give priority to life in this world and those who believe that human life is mere preparation for an existence beyond life; between those who believe in science, reason, and logic and those who believe that truth is revealed through Scripture and religious dogma. Terrorism will disrupt and destroy lives. But terrorism itself is not the greatest danger we face. This goes well beyond the common denunciation of "fundamentalism" where that term is meant to describe an ideology that seeks the imposition of religious views on non-believers. (That's what Andrew Sullivan means when he uses the term.) It is a denunciation — as a graver threat than terrorists — of people who believe that the world to come is more important than this world, or that all human beings owe their allegiance to God.

I believe you need to reread the above from Reich.

[opus86]

Well if you look at Christianity from a political perspective it is predominantly socialist.

I cannot agree with that. Early New Testament Christians sold their possessions and goods to help the needy (Acts 2:42-47), but it was done freely and wasn't imposed by anyone, least of all the government. The Apostle Paul exhorted the able-bodied to work (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12).

[opus86]

Frightening. Not surprising, but frightening.