Idiot Compassion

American Thinker ^ | June 06, 2007 | Ralph Alter

[neverdem]

The term "bleeding-heart liberal" has been bandied about for years, in an effort to illustrate the faux or at least hyperbolic sense of compassion attributed to those on the left.  The lefties in America and Europe would like to be known as those who care, unless you happen to be a Bible-following Christian, a conservative or a fetus.

The information age has facilitated the dissemination of all things cultural, spiritual and intellectual.  One of the most important developments in the West has been the study and practice of Eastern religions and "ways."  Zen Buddhism, for instance, is thought of by those who practice it, as a way rather than a religion.  These religions and ways, particularly Buddhism, are thought of as the fonts of compassion.   Buddhists are thought to be unwilling to harm even a mosquito.  Hence the occasional story about a temple over-run with rats or monkeys because the attendant monks are unwilling to harm these creatures.  They believe that the rodents or simians have as much right to their sacred spaces as any other being.

The most intriguing and brilliant analyst of the world history of spiritual practice and the melding of East and West today is undoubtedly Ken Wilber.  Wilber`s insight into Buddhism in general and compassion in particular is unmatched in the West.  ( Read A Brief History of Everything, for instance.) In One Taste, Wilber responds to a student's question about compassion with an illuminating view: 

"[Most] confusion... in spiritual circles ....comes from confusing compassion with idiot compassion." 

This term was first used by Chogyam Trungpa, a Tibetan Rinpoche who helped bring Buddhism to the West in the 70`s.  Wilber continues:

"Idiot compassion" thinks it is being kind, but it's really being cruel.  If you have an alcoholic friend and you know that one more drink might kill him, and yet he begs you for a drink, does real compassion say that you should give it to him?  After all, to be kind you should give him what he wants, right?  Giving him the drink would therefore show compassion, yes?  No. Absolutely not.

"Real compassion includes wisdom and so it makes judgments of care and concern; it says some things are good, and some things are bad, and I will choose to act only on those things that are informed by wisdom and care."

Of course, here Wilber illuminates the missing ingredient in liberal "compassion."  The world, viewed through the liberal's gray colored, politically-correct glasses, makes no discerning judgments, or at least incorrect ones.  Hence, we get addle-brained protesters picketing to save the lives of serial killers on death row or human shields willing to give up their lives to protect suicide bomber cults and Islamic terrorists.   Since all killing is bad, it must be bad to kill Islamic terrorists or convicted murderers.  This idiot view, foregoes the greater good and lapses into solipsism.

The biographies of the Buddha reveal that in one of his early incarnations, he met a murderer of 1000's of men.  Acting correctly and with compassion for all sentient beings, the Buddha's incarnation killed the murderer to prevent additional suffering.  That  is true compassion!

The "compassionate" left would rather have us believe that the detainees at Guantanamo, the murderers and rapists in our prisons, the violent Palestinians and other Islamo-fascists are the rightful and primary objects of our care and concern.  

• Idiot compassion invents Miranda rights to protect criminals from prosecution rather than allowing police powers to protect innocent citizens. 
  
• Idiot compassion is so concerned with the rights of terrorists that it sabotages legitimate Patriot Act procedures designed to protect Americans from murderous organizations. 
  
• Idiot compassion is so fearful that one innocent man might be imprisoned that it helps enact laws that insure freedom to thousands of certainly guilty ones, by disallowing evidence obtained against them. 
  
• Idiot compassion is so deeply concerned with the feelings and freedom of young women, that it goes to great lengths to insure that these young women are allowed to destroy their unborn children, rather than endure the hardship of responsibility for their sexual conduct.

It's time we revealed this sham pretension of compassion for what it is:  a reckless disregard for reason and judgment, disguised in the touchy-feely cover of political correctness.  When you spot liberals pretending compassion under the guise of idiot compassion, out them! 

True compassion offers help even for the idiots!

Ralph Alter is a real estate broker and student of Buddhism from Carmel, Indiana.

[XR7]

Wanna bet we will see this column printed in the “Faith & Religion” section of any west coast newspapers?

[Slings and Arrows]

Buddhism ping.

[goldstategop]

Idiot compassion is really a love of evil or at best a tolerance for it. Nothing much has changed since the Hebrew prophets decried moral relativism thousands of years ago. An informed mind recognizes the necessity of making a moral judgment. Its necessary to the good order and continued health of civilization itself. Otherwise it simply disintegrates if no standards exist to hold it up. We keep having to relearn, at times painfully, the lessons of ancient wisdom. They are there for our benefit.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[XR7]

VIET NAM - This car is associated with one of the most enduring images of the war. In June of 1963, Buddhist monk, Thich Quang Duc,
drove this particular car into Saigon, got out, poured gasoline all over himself and burned himself to death to protest the government of
South Viet Nam. Photos of this human bonfire blazed across television screens and newspapers around the world. Quang Duc's act also
affected leftist Americans who later immolated themselves to protest the war. On May 31, 1966, a group of students and Buddhist youths
burned down the U.S. consulate in Hue, Viet Nam.

[JoeSixPack1]

Idiot Compassion..... Allowing the mentally ill/criminally insane to hold office.

And I’ll bet at least 3 to 5 names just filled your head! :-)

[Marie]

I need to print and frame this.

[Rembrandt_fan]

The article read, “Hence, we get addle-brained protesters picketing to save the lives of serial killers on death row or human shields willing to give up their lives to protect suicide bomber cults and Islamic terrorists. Since all killing is bad, it must be bad to kill Islamic terrorists or convicted murderers.”

The logic doesn’t follow. While I support capital punishment, I respect the point-of-view of those who do not. The last time I debated an opponent of capital punishment, her reasoning was solid and her argument compelling--and had nothing whatsoever to do with 'since all killing is bad, it must be bad to kill Islamic terrorists or convicted murderers'. The author created a straw man when he wrote that, and--since he is an attorney as well as a 'student of Buddhism'--knew he was committing a fallacy. Further, I don’t view opponents of capital punishment as ‘addle-brained protesters’, nor do I lump them in with human shields vacuously unable to draw even the most rudimentary moral distinctions. The author, it seems, is as guilty of lack of discernment as those he so roundly condemns. Didn't the Buddha preach 'Right Thinking'? Doesn't law school teach the fundamentals of reasoned argument?

[Marie]

A few weeks ago I was listening to a radio show and the host referred to liberals as "compassionate" and conservatives as "mean".

Well, I went off. I cornered my kids and made them listen to the idiot then gave them a little lecture. In the example I gave, I recalled an issue I'd had with my son at the beginning of the school year. He'd forgotten his homework, called home and begged me to bring it to him. I told him, "This is your *ONE* freebie for the year. I will only do this for you one time, after that, you're on your own. Are you sure you want to use it right now?" He assured me that this assignment was *that* important and I took his homework up to the school for him.

Later that *same* week, he called again in a total panic. He'd forgotten his homework and *this* assignment was *SO* much more important than the last!

I told him, "tough cookies," and hung up. He hasn't forgotten another assignment.

I told the kids that I *did* hurt for him at that moment. I was tempted to help him. But I knew, if I did, that he'd never learn responsibility and I'd be handicapping him for life. I told them that *this* is the difference between the left and right. The left feels compassion for the moment, the right looks down the road and sees that it's sometimes better to allow someone to suffer a little now so they don't suffer forever.

Over and over I've seen this example played out in real life. I see the young woman who's parents never gave her a break and pushed her to be smart and do her best and I see the young woman who had (at least one) parent who enabled her to get away with murder out of a displaced feeling of "compassion". And I see the end results.

NO. Compassion does NOT mean giving and enabling and sheltering people from the natural consequences of their own actions. Compassion allows us to help people who've genuinely been screwed by life or other people, not by themselves.

[ovrtaxt]

This is the difference between those who ‘feel’ and those who ‘think’.

[neverdem]

I need to print and frame this.

Thanks for the compliment, and putting up with my choices in articles for a ping, aka teaching. Docs are supposed to do it. A well informed electorate won't hurt.

[gotribe]

Or even any midwest newspaper.

[neverdem]

Doesn't law school teach the fundamentals of reasoned argument?

I didn't go to law school. For terrorism and civil cases, I'll use the preponderance of evidence standard, not beyond the reasonable evidence of doubt standard for criminal cases.

[raybbr]

Wanna bet we will see this column printed in the “Faith & Religion” section of any west coast newspapers?

Did you read the article? Or, does the fact that it was written by a Bhuddist bother you?

[jabbermog]

“The host referred to liberals as “compassionate” and conservatives as “mean”.

My theory (maybe lame brained)is that the driving force behind radical liberal ideas is Narcissism - that is, an unhealthy preoccupation with your own feelings, and how you feel a need to project those feelings with the aim of public approval. Narcissism clouds the mind, so for example, when faced with a choice or dilemma, you or me would put some thought into your decision, make a choice and that would be it. With a Narcissist, however, their first reaction is “what is the right way of describing this situation ?” or “how will I look in the eyes of others” ; their secondary reaction will be that any disadvantaged person is in difficulty because someone, or something, is to blame.
Another symptom of this is the person’s obsession with levelling ie. every single human being is equal. Taken to extreme the tribesman running through the New Guinea jungle is equal to the Wall St fund manager living on Park Avenue.
Modern Narcissism really took off on America’s West coast in the mid 60s (sorry some of you freepers!) but it has spread out all over the Western World. However, of all the first world , developed societies Liberal Narcissism will have the least success in the United States.I say this from visiting and speaking to people over there, and it strikes me that you Yanks, unlike Europeans, are an obstinate bunch - decent and honest - but will not allow noisy minority interest groups to tell you what to say and think.
I mean, Free Republic is proof of this.

Of course this is only a theory, after all I am I am only a commercial real estate agent not an anthropologist; so it goes without saying reply if you think this is wrong.

[kenth]

“I cornered my kids”

meanie

;-)

[Daffynition]

Institutions provide paradigmatic templates the individual can adopt, and through which he can look so as to see as little as is possible and acceptable.

[I'm at work ... and you want me to think too?] Cad!

[Red Boots]

My theory (maybe lame brained)is that the driving force behind radical liberal ideas is Narcissism - that is, an unhealthy preoccupation with your own feelings, and how you feel a need to project those feelings with the aim of public approval

I've studied narcissism intimately and I definitely agree. Do I need mention I was once a liberal...

[jabbermog]

Were you liberal ?
Theres nothing wrong with it - in theory, I think Fr Rep people are liberal in the sense that they believe in live and let live.
A lot of lefties fret about such things as imbalance of wealth, pollution, racism, war etc. and funnily enough , in theory I agree with some of what they have to say.BUT, and this is a very important caveat, here we are, in this particular world, in this particular time, and it is easier and more practical to just roll your sleeves up and make the best of life.

[Marie]

You know it! ;-)

[Red Boots]

I was codependent and had (still have)a lot of narcissistic issues. Until I realized what was happening, of course, I was a compassionate Democrat. It took a few years for the knowledge to really sink in and make changes, and issues are something you have to try to be aware of forever.

What the left defines as social justice, I call narcissism, because it is narcissism to assume that your definition of justice is universal.

What the left calls compassion, I call codependency because it's codependent to use the power of government to assume/take what is other people's responsibility.

If spiritual growth is all about assuming 100% of one's personal responsibility; then the left, which does everything it can to take people's responsibility ( in the name of help); cannot be compatible with spiritual growth.

[Rembrandt_fan]

Neverdem, I was referring to the author of the article, not you. The short bio after the author’s name states he is a student of Buddhism and an attorney from Carmel, Indiana.

[HanneyBean]

“that you Yanks, unlike Europeans, are an obstinate bunch - decent and honest - but will not allow noisy minority interest groups to tell you what to say and think”.

I appreciate your compliment, but I only wish it were true. IMO, we have far too many Americans willing to swallow the liberal lie hook, line and sinker!

[XR7]

Did you read the article? Or, does the fact that it was written by a Bhuddist bother you?

Huh? Not sure what you are getting at.
Am I bothered that a Buddhist wrote it?
Should I be?

[XR7]

Another symptom of this is the person’s obsession with levelling ie. every single human being is equal.

Except for the obsessed person, who believes he or she is "above" everyone else and knows best how they should run their lives.

[MarineDad]

"Quang Duc's act also affected leftist Americans who later immolated themselves to protest the war"

Any chance it's still got the same ol' magic?

Any chance at all???

[Teacher317]

Idiot compassion invents Miranda rights to protect criminals from prosecution rather than allowing police powers to protect innocent citizens.

"Idiot compassion" means no right to be silent? And no right to counsel during questioning? Hmm.

[raybbr]

Huh? Not sure what you are getting at. Am I bothered that a Buddhist wrote it? Should I be?

Your first post to this thread was "Wanna bet we will see this column printed in the “Faith & Religion” section of any west coast newspapers?"

I took that to mean that you think because it's Buddhism, that it shouldn't be posted in any "Faith & Religion" section. As it it's not a legitimate religion. If not then why ask the question?

Your second post shows a reference to a man immolating himself who is a Buddhist. I was trying to understand the point you were trying to make. It seems to me that you are denigrating Buddhism. What is YOUR point?

[XR7]

Your first post to this thread was "Wanna bet we will see this column printed in the “Faith & Religion” section of any west coast newspapers?"

My question was merely rhetorical. Most "Faith & Religion" columns in West Coast papers include a diversity of religions, including Buddhism. However, this was one article I am betting is probably not going to get printed in any MSM paper.

Your second post shows a reference to a man immolating himself who is a Buddhist. I was trying to understand the point you were trying to make. It seems to me that you are denigrating Buddhism. What is YOUR point?

I was not denigrating Buddhism. I was merely presenting a graphic example of the title of this thread, and the subject of Ralph Alter's article.

[raybbr]

My question was merely rhetorical. Most "Faith & Religion" columns in West Coast papers include a diversity of religions, including Buddhism. However, this was one article I am betting is probably not going to get printed in any MSM paper.

Okay, I get it now. It's because it uses Buddhism as a way of slamming socialism. You are right, there.

I was not denigrating Buddhism. I was merely presenting a graphic example of the title of this thread, and the subject of Ralph Alter's article.

Put together with your explanation I understand now. Thanks. Sorry if I offended. I really didn't know what you were getting at.

Enjoy your day. Ray

[LiteKeeper]

Very well put...and very wise!

[Marie]

Thanks for the compliment, and putting up with my choices in articles for a ping, aka teaching. Docs are supposed to do it. A well informed electorate won't hurt.

No problem! You're one of my favorite posters. :-)

[Marie]

What the left defines as social justice, I call narcissism, because it is narcissism to assume that your definition of justice is universal.

Not to hijack the conversation, but it's also narcissism to believe that the climate, as it is now, is the ultimate climate. I suppose we can project this theory on to the "global warming" controversy.

[Marie]

Very well put...and very wise!

Thank you LK. I try to pound wisdom into my children as well as I can. (My daughter gets it - my son... well, he still thinks he can out-smart reality.)

[jabbermog]

Britain is becoming increasingly more centralized, despite Wales, Scotland, and N Ireland having new Parliaments. The are attempts to bring in new laws which will effectively prohibit criticism of minority groups;there might be an even more generous Dole (welfare) system, and a bureaucracy bigger than the US Army.
I don’t blame the Liberal lobby for this I blame the British public for taking a bigger interest in Soccer, alchohol, and topless actresses than in what is being done in their name. After all a nation gets the politicians it deserves.
The States, however, is more a federation of 51 countries (if you lke) each with its own Capital, Parliament (or is it Assembly) and Police force. Don’t they even have their own Army - the National Guard ?
Any way the point I am trying to make Hanneybean, is that yes, there are parts of America where this loony liberal mindset may be catching on, but in the long term your 51 states are a firewall against socialism, and equally, against Nazism.
So to sum it up, American liberalism will prove to be a here today, gone tomorrow, idea.

[Red Boots]

Not to hijack the conversation, but it's also narcissism to believe that the climate, as it is now, is the ultimate climate. I suppose we can project this theory on to the "global warming" controversy

Well, it goes right along with the rest of the left's narcissism, so, why not? I've thought so as well.

When I was deep into the study of my own narcissism, I had the thought that if I subtracted everything I said that came out of my narcissism, I'd have nothing left to say. The Democrats could well be the same.

[Red Boots]

One other interesting thing: I attend a prayer group with a bunch of well-meaning liberals, who all attend a social justice group.

We were discussing global warming and environmentalism one day ( I have a degree in earth science, so they were asking me if I thought global warming was a problem).I pointed out that the planet had had many climates in it's past history, and would always be changing. That no matter how many restrictions one placed on a wilderness area, it's natural state would inevitably change over time, even without human intervention.NOthing can really be preserved.

I asked them; what would you do if everything was OK, just as it was ? I thought it very telling that they all became visibly agitated. They simply are unable to imagine a situation where they are not needed to save something.

That shows that their helping is all about them. In fact, I think it's one reason narcissists are drwn to environmentalism and animals. The earth, and animals are not going to argue back that they don't want to be helped, as many people will do. (remember the troops answer to the attempt by Kerry to be their un-asked for saviour?). It makes their self-congratulations easier.

[TigersEye]

Good article. My teacher has flatly said that buddhism and leftism are incompatible. Entirely antithetical for just the reasons this article points out. Compassion without wisdom (ie idiot compassion) creates more suffering. A lot more.

"Sometimes the most compassionate thing you can do for someone is beat the living crap out of them!" - (my teacher) Gotta love him! ;^)

[Slings and Arrows]

I know this reply is a month late, but thank you for Getting It! Now if you could only explain it to our Blue Staters...

[jabbermog]

What is a Blue Stater ?

[Bob]

"Quang Duc's act also affected leftist Americans who later immolated themselves to protest the war"

Any chance it's still got the same ol' magic?

Any chance at all???

Perhaps I'm mistaken but I sure don't seem to remember that happening.