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Journal Mr.Intel's Journal: Religious Extremism in America 8

Journal by Mr.Intel

So there are a couple of journal entries that have been talking about the flap over Santorum's comments on marriage.

It would be very easy for me to take one of two sides in the debate over his comments, pro-family or pro-freedom. However, these two facets of the issue are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, as we take a closer look at the history behind his comments and the character and nature of civil society, we will be better able to understand how to form our opinions.

The United States of America was founded by people who desired at least one of three things: economic freedom/opportunity, a new start in life, or religious freedom. I desire to focus on the latter in order to demonstrate the rich tradition of religious extremism in America. Over time, a multitude of other people have immigrated to its shores in an effort to find something better than what was afforded them in the land of their birth.

In the beginning of the 19th century, there was an unusual interest in religion in the states of the union. This interest led to the creation of many new sects of Christianity and the persecution of many whose views were considered deviant. The overriding commonality between the various religions was a sense of moral superiority. It is a persistance of this perspective that has grown into tradition and become part of religious culture. Moral superiority has affected society in a far more profound manner than any attack on the family.

I have a very strong belief in God and therefore believe that the family is an integral part of society and God's plan for us His children. My belief in family values is shared by many, but this does not motivate me to enforce my views on others. Sadly, this is not the case for everyone who believes the same. Senator Santorum espouses certain values and as an elected representative, it is his responsibility to make decisions based on what his constituents desire and the law of the land. Currently, there are laws against sodomy and polygamy. He desires to see these laws remain in effect. If this is the desire of the majority of people he represents, then the republic we live in is working. If not, then the voters have a mechanism to remove him from office. I don't view his comments as extremist.

What is extremist, is the desire for a minority of people to enforce their view of society on the rest of the nation's citizens. This is what happened in Hitler's Germany, Hussein's Iraq, Iran, Communist China, Communist Russia, the Taliban's Afghanistan , and Castro's Cuba. People's freedoms are being repressed beyond tolerance because of one moral perspective being enforced upon others. Its results lie in the ashes of Waco and Ruby Ridge and the millions of deaths suffered at the hands of cruel authoritarians.

America, founded on the principles of religious tolerance, cannot afford to lose moral perspective because of a vocal minority. Liberty and virtue do not need to be in conflict. They are the two primary ingredients to a free and just society that cannot be compromised. If we sacrifice liberty in the name of religion, then we are no better than Hussein or Hitler. It matters not what our motivations are if the results are a decrease in freedom. For if we sacrifice freedom in any degree, to whatever ends, then society will arrive at an end that is frought with misery and repression.

Decreasing freedom will not only be a detriment to society, it is a paramount of hypocrisy to even suggest it. Virtue is the quest to do what is good or right, the very ideals religion holds dear. How then can we justify the unvirtuous actions proposed by religious extremists, when the very reasons they give for their actions are to make society more virtuous? Such action is folly and we would be best to let society as a whole judge what is in its best interests, even if its choice is to self-destruct. At least moral agency will not be pierced with the sharp dagger of moral superiority.

Update: 15:15, 5/6/03 EST

Here is a shorter way to say it.

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Religious Extremism in America More

Religious Extremism in America

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  • is why I friended you. Cool, level headed, well thought out, and well written ideas. May your fans list grow!
    • Thanks. I do aspire to be such, but am always trying to do better. Although more fans would be nice, what I would really like is more replies. Sometimes it feels like I am talking to no one. Even so, it is good to get these thoughts written down in some kind of permanent form, regardless of who reads them. Again, thanks.
  • The United States of America was founded by people who desired at least one of three things: economic freedom/opportunity, a new start in life, or religious freedom. I desire to focus on the latter in order to demonstrate the rich tradition of religious extremism in America. Over time, a multitude of other people have immigrated to its shores in an effort to find something better than what was afforded them in the land of their birth.

    Let us not forget how a lot of people who came to America before it was
    • Let us not forget how a lot of people who came to America before it was a country viewed 'religious freedom'. Many of those who left England due to persecution of their beliefs (such as the Puritans), as soon as they got here, created societies that were just as quick to persecute people who disagreed with them.

      I agree and this although I did not explicitly state it, this is central to understanding the roots of religious extremism in America.

      Question - do you believe in the importance of the nuclear fami

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