Vox Blogoli: Volume 2, Number 1

By Matt for the TIB Network:

Hugh Hewitt has another symposium up and running. This one deals with an excerpt from a Jonathan Rauch piece in the Atlantic (subscription required):

“On balance it is probably healthier if religious conservatives are inside the political system than if they operate as insurgents and provocateurs on the outside. Better they should write anti-abortion planks into the Republican platform than bomb abortion clinics. The same is true of the left. The clashes over civil rights and Vietnam turned into street warfare partly because activists were locked out of their own party establishments and had to fight, literally, to be heard. When Michael Moore receives a hero’s welcome at the Democratic National Convention, we moderates grumble; but if the parties engage fierce activists while marginalizing tame centrists, that is probably better for the social peace than the other way around.”

What I can't quite figure out is whether or not Rauch is justifying the bombing of abortion clinics and the riots over Vietnam and civil rights. Is that really what he's saying? Because these wackos weren't embraced by their respective parties, they had to engage in tactics that hurt people? Did I read too much in to that?

And are these three things even remotely related: abortion, the Vietnam War, and civil rights? Rauch seems to think so.

That last sentence is the one that gets me:

When Michael Moore receives a hero’s welcome at the Democratic National Convention, we moderates grumble; but if the parties engage fierce activists while marginalizing tame centrists, that is probably better for the social peace than the other way around.

Are we more concerned with social "peace" that we would set aside principles? Is that really a peace worth having?

Enough Questions...How 'Bout Some Answers?

The inherent danger in allowing a Michael Moore have any kind of legitimacy is that his type then have the ability to broaden their support and quash the more sane elements of the party. The same can be said for those zealots who blow up abortion clinics.

The goal has to be sufficient political participation by all voices with something to say. But in the end, the marketplace of ideas is going to shun the radicals. And that's the way it should be... The problem, of course, is that the Michael Moores don't shut up after they've lost. Usually, they get more obnoxious. More radical. The frustration of not convincing people seems to push this sort of person over the edge. And that is how you get bombed out abortion clinics.

What Does This Say About the Author?

Clearly this is a man who is not in touch with Christianity. While mainstream Christians oppose abortion, they sure don't advocate bombing clinics. Do mainstream liberals and/or progressives oppose the truth, yet advocate on behalf of Michael Moore and his mockumentary? I don't know. I'd like to think not, but the film did rather well at the box office, I can't imagine it was because it was that entertaining of a cut and paste job. Rather than draw a ridiculous parallel, I'll just ask the question; Rauch makes this comparison without questioning it. I don't know what that says about him, but it looks to me like he is equating Michael Moore with an abortion clinic bomber.

What Does This Say About The Atlantic

Clearly the editors of said magazine are as clued in to what's happening out here in Jesusland as Rauch. Which is to say, not much. If this was supposed to be the sort of piece that asked questions, that's one thing (and I only have the one paragraph to work with here), but I don't think that's what this is... As the song goes, what it is ain't exactly clear.

What Does This Say About the Left's Understanding of Christianity

To put it succinctly, it doesn't say anything. Nobody on the Left appointed Rauch to speak for them. Although in general, I think Rauch is probably more in tune with his lefty brethern than he is with Christians. I get a fair number of lefties dropping by the site, I encourage them to address these questions in the comments section. My feel for the question is that the Left really doesn't understand Christian culture.

Final Thoughts

Let's set party affiliation aside for a moment, because it is quite clear that you can be Christian and be either a Democrat or a Republican. Christian culture isn't going anywhere regardless of the assault against it by extremeists on both sides of the aisle. I have no problem with politicians or political parties integrating Christian philosophy into their platforms, in fact I encourage it. Do I think that will prevent the loonies from blowing up abortion clinics? Nope. And that, my friends, is why Rauch fails to makea valid point...

Islamofascism Delenda Est!