Nutty Liberalisms: The Common Link

self | 1/14/03 | Ralph W. Davis

[AnalogReigns]

Vegetarianism, Anti-Capitalism, Pacifism, Anti-death-penalty-ism, Nudism, the Sexual Revolution and Liberalism: The Common Link

The anti-capitalism/world bank protests of recent years, and the current protests against the looming war with Saddam's Iraq, along with various other '60s era sentiments controlling many in our generation all over the world, have brought up the question: What do these freaks all have in common?

A straight-forward answer is this: All reject the classic theological principal, held by traditional Christians of various denominations the world over, of original sin.

America's founding fathers, while not all churchmen--or committed Christians (though with a lot fewer (if any authentic) Deists than we're often taught), all did have--from their Calvinist and traditional Christian culture, the idea that everyone tends toward doing wrong, therefore governments must be set up with careful checks and balances in order to work in an imperfect world of sinners. People are imperfect, and will remain so--regardless of their circumstances.

If you look at any of the -isms mentioned in the title, all seem to be dominated by people who think that persons are basically good--that if the environment is tweaked enough (by never killing animals, by living in co-ops, by never going to war, by never punishing murderers with death, by abandoning shame, by throwing off repressive sexual standards, by having a nanny-state....) people will be good--that problems are EXTERNALLY caused by "the system" so if we overthrow or change that system (or systems) we'll all just get along....

Now I know that there are exceptions....most people who believe in one of the -isms don't blanketedly accept all, however there really is a trend. Is it a coincidence, in a Europe just a generation after the Holocaust, they've reacted to all that government sponsored murder by abandoning the death penalty? Is it a coincidence the Roman Catholic church...based in Europe takes much of the same line now on the death penalty--contra centuries of tradition?

Every one of the -isms denies or minimizes that peoples basic problem is internal....and tries to provide external solutions, no matter how wacky they sound--the same basic materialistic approach done by the Marxists...and the Fascists of the past. All tend toward utopian thinking....which makes them genuinely scary, because at the same time, all tend toward moral relativism. Relativistic utopians are exactly what Stalin and Hitler were--one can do anything to bring in the people's paradise (or Reich) after all, "in order to make an omelet you have to crack a few eggs."

Anyway, this isn't fully fleshed out...and I'm no terrific writer, but I just put out this idea to hear your comments FReepers.....

[AnalogReigns]

Just for anyone's comment....

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[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

You are absolutely right. I think you can draw a more or less straight line from the enlightenment movement in the 1700's, through the French revolution, through the terrors, that followed, through Marx, through 20th century totalitarianism (communism, nazism etc.) right up through today's enviro-pacifist-islamophile loony left.

Either you believe in an imperfect man and a perfect God, or you believe in a perfect (or perfectable) man.

If you opt for a perfect God and imperfect man, you come up with a Christian based society and a system of checks and balances much like our founding fathers envisioned.

If you opt for a perfect or perfectable man you end up with a utopian society where you abolish all sins, suffering, imperfection, poverty, illness whatever.

It all stems from your basic philosphic/spiritual/relgious outlook and oh by the way, anytime utopia has been tried it has failed miserably and at great human cost.

I think the (French) enlightenment is the source of much of what ails us today - they wanted to advance science and diminish the role of an oppressive church and monarchy. But they did not have the wisdom of Jefferson, Adams, Madison et. al. They valued the individual but never saw his inherent imperfections.

Good post.

[Russell Scott]

Yep. If they don't think they have a disease (sin), they won't have to think about the cure (Jesus Christ). The spirit of deception is great, that’s why it doesn't matter how much sense something makes, hey just can't accept it, because truth is like a lie to us right thinking people. In other words, liberals embrace lies because they wholeheartedly believe a lie is actually the truth. They will keep trying because they somehow believe that if they try hard enough, the lie will become truth. Of course it never will, and that’s why many of them are unhappy and frustrated. It is also why they are often dangerous and destructive.

John 1
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

2 Thessalonians 2
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

[MSCASEY]

You are very judgmental!! I assume you are not a Christian. I am a conservative and a Christian and a VEGETARIAN.

Before the fall no one ate meat. God gave man and the animals food without meat. Animals will not kill or be killed in heaven. Who made you in charge of the world?

[thinktwice]

"Original sin."

I am not guilty.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

American Conservatives believe (usually) that Man is an imperfect creature under God, and all morality comes from God, therefore decisions have to be reflected upon.

Everyone else believes morality comes from the State or Nature, so the State or Nature formulates and answers all moral questions. There's no need to reflect.

Because Human Nature is from God, conservatism reflects God's wishes most accurately.

The Theme IS Freedom

Religion, Politics, and the American Tradition

by M. Stanton Evans

is an excelent treatment of the topic. Evans points out that "conservatives" conserve their own nation's traditions and central values. The theme of American conservatism is freedom.

Evans points out things that made me better understand that we Protestants were sold more than a bit of antiCatholic propaganda along with our government-school Protestant-eyed history.

[AnalogReigns]

The Lord Jesus ate meat. Who made you better than Him?

Since the fall, and more specifically the Flood, animal death is a fact of life--and never is the eating of meat forbidden in God's law (as a matter of fact is was required...from animal sacrifice, under the Old Covenant)--including in the perfect example of obedience to God, namely Jesus Christ.

You are judgemental assuming I am not a Christian.

[f.Christian]

My summary was truncated, and Tolkien enthusiasts might fairly raise objections. I note with pleasure that no Wagnerians yet have written to complain, validating the observation that Tolkien has taken back the Ring on behalf of the forces of light. If you prefer Wagner to Tolkien, you might be an Orc, and you should . . . seek (( link )) - - - professional help ! ! !

[AnalogReigns]

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with being vegetarian....and some are that way merely for health concerns.

However, at the same time, there is nothing morally superior about eating only vegetables.

[AnalogReigns]

"Original sin."

I am not guilty.

A lie as serious as that proves otherwise.

[AnalogReigns]

Which post is that?

[Fiddlstix]

Good Post

[BeAllYouCanBe]

"All reject the classic theological principal, held by traditional Christians of various denominations the world over, of original sin. "


We have many people who are evil and the leftist like to make sure we remember them. Take for example, Ted Bundy, Jeffery Dahmer and Charles Manson.(George W. Bush is in this list but I didn't want to include him for your sensivity.)

I believe what is being taught in colleges today is the doctrine above -- that all men are good except white men -- and all white men are bad unless they are gay. So you are correct but must include the caucasian factor that takes out Europeans/Euro-Ancestry from "the all are good" hypothesis.

[Dogrobber]

I wouldn't try to disturb ThinkTwice from his reverance for logic, Aristotle and the pursuit of pure reason. He follows the dogma of the perfectabilty of humanity thru education in "logical ethics" (whatever the hades that is). His view is the same type of view which invites the very thing this post points out. I don't dispute his honest belief in his ethical system, I only dispute that it has any difference from religion by another name (he doesn't think much of religion, don'cha know).

[AnalogReigns]

Perhaps amoung some of the loonys in the racial (racist) part of the liberal village what you say is true. I wouldn't want to rule out any ridculous ideas. However, many many liberals are white anglo-saxon (former) protestant types--so I can't believe they think the gender of one race is just inherently evil--since so many in their ranks qualify.

I think they would argue since white men historically have been so influenced by the Judeo/Christian worldview--and have formed history and thought the USA, this makes them especially "enviromentally" tainted....and especially in need of "reeducation." Hence our elite universities are busy at the task....

[AnalogReigns]

Amen!

The problem I see with liberals and the McCain types alike, is all seem to minimize the temptation to power, inherrent in government, and her officials. While they love to point out the corruptions (imagined or real) associated with money, they fail to see those corruptions are most associated with that which money (OR government) can bring, namely power.

That's why democrats fight so brazenly against lower taxes or reduction in government...it takes away that which they hold most dear, power. That's also why corruption is apparent in Washington...the corrosivity of power.

And our government is more powerful now, than ever...