August 22, 2005
UNUM:
The dream of multiculturalism is over (David Rieff, AUGUST 23, 2005, The New York Times)
The attacks on the London Underground last month have compelled Europeans of all faiths to think with new urgency about the Continent's Muslim minority. Such a reckoning was long overdue.
Some left-wing politicians, like London's mayor, Ken Livingstone, have chosen to emphasize the proximate causes of Muslim anger, focusing on the outrage widely felt in Islamic immigrant communities over the war in Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But the harsh reality is that the crisis in relations between the European mainstream and the Islamic diaspora has far deeper roots.
Indeed, the news could scarcely be worse. What Europeans are waking up to is a difficult truth: The immigrants who began coming to Europe in the 1950s because European governments and businesses encouraged their mass migration, are profoundly alienated from European society for reasons that have little to do with the Middle East and everything to do with Europe. [...]The multicultural fantasy in Europe - its eclipse can be seen most poignantly in the Netherlands, that most self-definedly liberal of all European countries - was that, in due course, Islamic and other immigrants would eventually come to "accept" the values of their new countries.
It was never clear how this vision was supposed to coexist with multiculturalism's other main assumption, that group identity should be maintained. But by now that question is largely academic: The European vision of multiculturalism, in all its simultaneous good will and self-congratulation, is no longer sustainable. And most Europeans know it.
What they don't know is what to do next.
The fundamental premises of multicultural were never plausible nor its realization desirable. A decent society must have a higher end than getting along. The bitter pill the Europeans have to swallow is that the monocultural U.SA. has produced genuine tolerance.
MORE:
Grooming Politicians for Christ: Evangelical programs on Capitol Hill seek to mold a new generation of leaders who will answer not to voters, but to God. (Stephanie Simon, August 23, 2005, LA Times)
In the blue and gold elegance of the House speaker's private dining room, Jeremy Bouma bowed his head before eight young men and women who hope to one day lead the nation. He prayed that they might find wisdom in the Bible — and govern by its word."Holy Father, we thank you for providing us with guidance," said Bouma, who works for an influential televangelist. "Thank you, Lord, for these students. Build them up as your warriors and your ambassadors on Capitol Hill."
"Amen," the students murmured. Then they picked up their pens expectantly.
Nearly every Monday for six months, as many as a dozen congressional aides — many of them aspiring politicians — have gathered over takeout dinners to mine the Bible for ancient wisdom on modern policy debates about tax rates, foreign aid, education, cloning and the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Through seminars taught by conservative college professors and devout members of Congress, the students learn that serving country means first and always serving Christ.
They learn to view every vote as a religious duty, and to consider compromise a sin.
That puts them at the vanguard of a bold effort by evangelical conservatives to mold a new generation of leaders who will answer not to voters, but to God.
"We help them understand God's purpose for society," said Bouma, who coordinates the program, known as the Statesmanship Institute, for the Rev. D. James Kennedy.
Just read the Preamble. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 22, 2005 11:00 PM
Europeans will do what they have always done with people they dislike. Only the euphemisms to describe the genocide change over time.
Posted by: Peter at August 23, 2005 3:10 AMAny plan that has as a step "and here the magic happens" should be taken with a huge grain of salt.
Posted by: Mikey at August 23, 2005 9:36 AMThey learn to view every vote as a religious duty, and to consider compromise a sin.
That puts them at the vanguard of a bold effort by evangelical conservatives to mold a new generation of leaders who will answer not to voters, but to God.
For these two reasons alone don't expect many of these guys to win many elections.
Robert:
Who do you think is running Congress and the Executive now?
Posted by: oj at August 23, 2005 5:23 PMoj:
Very funny.
The religious right has some influence, but not much power.
They get a win every now & then, but they're hardly "running" anything.
Michael:
Have you read David Frum's book, where he talks about the bible study groups and prayer at the White House? Read about W saying that he feels like God put him in the White House at this time for these particular tasks. Read about the folks like Sam Brownback who've converted to Catholicism or the guys in Opus Dei, etc. The Religious Right is the government.
Posted by: oj at August 23, 2005 7:15 PMI'm somewhere between agnostic and atheist and I also feel that God put Bush in the White House.
In fact, although I spent eight years in Catholic schools and have read extensively about religion, Bush's election at this point in time is the first thing that has ever moved me to rethink my position on religion.
As for bible reading in the White House, so what? It's better than the shenanigans of the previous residents.
Any inclusion of the phrase "the religious right" is valuable. It is a highway-marker-sized sign which tells you that the column/comment/post is garbage and can safely be ignored.
Yes, Michael, the correct term is "religious kooks".
Posted by: Robert Duquette at August 24, 2005 2:01 PMI'd be interested to learn how many evangelical beliefs Orrin believes are correct. These are all from To Every Man an Answer, a program I listen to (cough, cough) religiously. (And these are the true evangelical beliefs. How do I know these are the right ones and not some others? Because the preachers on TEMA have told me so, and they got it straight from the Bible. Take that to the bank.)
1. These are the endtimes, believers will be raptured before the generation born in 1947 passes away.
2. Demons cause disease.
3. Catholics are not Christians and the Roman Church is the Whore of Babylon in Revelations.
4. Muslims follow a false god.
5. God talks to individuals these days, but they should hesitate before letting other people know, lest people like Harry 'hoot' (their word) at them.
6. Christians should listen to their preachers.
7. Tithe.
8. The husband should make all the decisions in the family.
I could go on, but that's a start.
3 & 4 are going to give him a bunch of trouble, I think.
The second half of 5 would appear to be a deep form of blasphemy.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at August 25, 2005 12:16 AMThen you're not a Christian. According to them.
Fastest growing church in the country, too, they say.
I wouldn't know about that, but surely a preacher wouldn't lie to me?
Posted by: Harry Eagar at August 25, 2005 3:46 PMharry:
Yes, I'm not Christian according to them. But they are Christian according to the rest of us. It's a big tent no matter how small some people in it.
Posted by: oj at August 25, 2005 3:53 PMChristians have given up on orthodoxy to concentrate on membership. They'll let anyone in the tent nowadays.
Posted by: Robert Duquette at August 25, 2005 5:07 PMYes, God set the bar pretty low.
Posted by: oj at August 25, 2005 5:10 PM