Photo Courtesy of Washington Post
There is breaking news from the Washington Post’s ‘On Faith’ section. Religious people think we need more religion in our foreign policy. This week they ask: Should U.S. foreign policy “get” religion?
There is little doubt that we live in a world ravaged by religious mythologies. Almost ever part of the globe features a religious conflict of some sort in which two or more religions are either on the brink of war or in open conflict with each other. Then there are the moral concerns within particular religions such as the Muslim oppression of women, the Hindu cast system, and the Catholic war on contraception. The list goes on quite a bit.
With this in mind, it is clear that the regions in which U.S. soldiers and diplomats are stationed surely have some sort of religious conflict. So obviously it would make rational sense to have a good and comprehensive religious studies program which rather than indoctrinate one particular religion elects to educate about all religions. The goal ought to be on teaching those who go abroad about the beliefs of people that they may encounter and the history of religion in those regions. Had someone pulled former President Bush aside before the War in Iraq, he might not have said that we were waging a Crusade. He might have realized that such terms have a history which is less than friendly to those who he claimed to be trying to win over.
In this sense, the United States does need more religious education in our foreign policy, but we don’t need more religion in our foreign policy. In fact, in large part because of the volatile nature of religion in various regions of the world adding more religious dogmatism to these conflicts seems like a very bad idea. Not long ago Al-Jezeera covered a story about how the US Military were doing religious proselytizing in Afghanistan. This didn’t exactly help our foreign policy over there.
It should also be pointed out that there are growing factions of religious fundamentalist here in America who believes that war in the Middle East involving Israel would be the best thing that could possibly happen. These people are convinced that such a war would is a sign that Jesus will be returning to Earth soon. Sadly some of these people are in government and are waiting for the opportunity to start this world war. These are not people we want consulting on issues of foreign policy.
If foreign policy “gets” religion it will almost certainly provide an opportunity for the growing fundamentalist movement to move into positions which will affect the lives of everyone from Philadelphia to the rest of the nation. More then that, if these Rapture enthusiasts get deeper in our foreign policy decision making the entire world will be at risk.
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On Faith Series:
On Faith: Should the president be a religious figure?
On Faith: Does God allow Haiti to suffer?
On Faith: Media biased against Christians?
On Faith: Free speech vs. God
On Faith: Religion’s Impact 2009
On Faith: Climate change a moral issue?
On Faith: Good News -- Oral Roberts is dead
On Faith: Just war or holy war in Afghanistan?
On Faith: A crèche in the White House?
On Faith: Swiss ban on Islamic minarets
On Faith: holidays or holy days?
Atheism 101 Articles:
Atheism 101: What is the difference between atheism and agnosticism?
Atheism 101: Is there moral grounding without God?
Atheism 101: What happens when we die?
Atheism 101: The Purpose of Life
Atheism 101: The Nature of Good and Evil
Atheism 101: The Problem of Evil
Atheism 101: Is the Bible the inspired word of God?
Atheism 101: The anti-intellectualism of religion
Atheism 101: Why has Christianity demonized nudity, sex and sexuality?
Atheism 101: How to respond to the lord, liar, lunatic argument?
Atheism 101: Does it take more faith to be an atheist?
Atheism 101: What came before the Universe?
Atheism 101: How to respond to the ex-atheist
Comments
Hello Staks,
Allow me to congratulate you on yet another plateau reached: your brazen lack of any facts in asserting blatant inanities and untruths; ie, that Christians in general and specifically Christians in the US Govt. actually want to start a war in the Middle East.
Once again you prove yourself to be utterly ignorant of what is found within the pages of Scripture, what is taught within biblically based churches, or in the hearts of biblically based Christians.
You have also illustrated quite clearly, that you have zero understanding of Quranic Doctrine, what is taught within its pages, or preached from Mosques across the globe.
Nothing new on your part of course, but just another illustration of how very terrified you are of the Word of God, terrified of people who place their faith in the Bible, and so very terrified of actual, verifiable, facts (which is why 99% of the time, you offer none of your own for anyone to check).
You're "Whistlin' past the graveyard."
Lol, more insults JR? Is that all you have? What facts here are in doubt that I did not justify? There is only one that I can think of and I take it for granted that it is widely known.
"It should also be pointed out that there are growing factions of religious fundamentalist here in America who believes that war in the Middle East involving Israel would be the best thing that could possibly happen."
Is this really in dispute? There is a documentary currently out in limited release that deals with this very topic. I will probably do a review of it as soon as it comes to Philadelphia.
I have also talked about on my blog not long ago how Sarah Palin is among this group of fundamentalists. She is a serious contender for President of the United States in 2012.
Oh please also inform me of what "untruths" I have written. This coming for a guy who defends the untruths of Christianity with every article and comment. What a joke.
Hello again Staks,
"Insults"? I didn't insult: I made statements of fact which are provable.
I doubt some 'limited release' video will prove to be anymore reliable than the drivel which Michael Moore puts forth. I'll be interested to know the title, so that I can try to get a hold of a copy and research it for myself.
You can't name any biblical Christians who have called for war in the ME, and you don't name any, because you can't name any such persons.
Time and again, biblical Christians and Jews have CONTINUED to 'pray for peace in the Middle East.'
Why is this the case? Because unlike our Islamic counterparts, the Bible does NOT teach that war is the way resolve anything in human terms, much less in spiritual terms. Just the opposite is true.
Secularly speaking, peace is desired by biblical Christians and Jews, because 11 million Jews are surrounded by 220 million Arabs...most of whom want all or most Jews exterminated.
The evidence?
The evidence may be seen on You Tube, Al Jezeera, al Arabiya, and elsewhere, in the weekly sermons by prominent Muslim scholars across the globe.
All calling for the extermination of Israel and the Jews.
Peace is the solution which is seen as the BEST chance for Jews to NOT be exterminated in the ME....not going to war.
I would add that were you not so blinded by your terror of what is found within the Word of God, you would be open minded enough to study it from a secular viewpoint; ie, the historicity of the documents, the archeological records, the anthropological aspects, etc.
I urge you to take your blinders off, cast aside for the nonce your obvious hatred for the Bible and those who believe in what it says, and actually open your mind.
Lastly, I would add that Pres. Ahmadinejad of Iran is stating accurately, what the Noble Quran teaches concerning the Return of the 13th Imam (12th by some reckonings): global war is necessary and Muslims are to work to that end.
JR, you asked for a name and I provided you with one. You then ignored it. Your insinuation that no Christian supports war is ridiculous. Former President Bush is a Christian and he started two wars. Current President Obama is a Christian and he continues both those wars. But they aren't the particular fundamentalists that I am referring to. Also, to claim that the Bible does not support war is pretty ridiculous. The Old Testament is full of God ordering various wars.
I also like how you discount a documentary that you know nothing about just because it might contain facts you disagree with. So instead you just attempt to insult the unnamed documentary. JR, all you do is level insults.
As for the historicity of the Bible, you would be surprised to know that much of what laymen think of as "history" within the Bible never happened. I am referring specifically to the book of Exodus here. But that is another article for another day.
JR - If you look through Staks previous discussions about his articles, you will notice that he is so disingenuous and incredulous that he will gladly write one thing in black and white and then have no issue denying he said it a comment or two later. Even better, he has a bunch of "pre-programmed" assertions ready to launch against anyone that disagrees with his "blinder" hindered view of the world, as you may put it.
Even though you will easily "win" any discussion against him, you won't because he is one of the best "politicians" I have ever come across.
ROTFL - Nigel how can you talk about blinders as a fundamentalist Christian. The Bible is your blinder. I also think it is funny that all you and JR seem to be able to do is insult rather than discuss rationally. Why do you hate atheists so much Nigel? That goes for you too JR.
Staks;
I hate blatant dishonesty, the fact that you happen to be an Atheist, has nothing to do with it.
I dislike unsubstantiated accusations so ain't we both content. I also dislike how many Christians like to insult people instead of having a rational discussion and then have the nerve to call atheists the mean ones.
The Mousad and the CIA created the Islamist movement to undermine Arab nationalism, and because we are all just lovey dovey abrahamics who get along, why not?
Well, how is that foreign policy working for ya...?
snot nosed punk!
I find it funny that JR Bailey keeps talking about facts. Yea, because the Bible is a book of facts, right?
It's laughable. Staks, these people live in their own fantasy world. No sense in arguing with them.
"In this sense, the United States does need more religious education in our foreign policy, but we don’t need more religion in our foreign policy. In fact, in large part because of the volatile nature of religion in various regions of the world adding more religious dogmatism to these conflicts seems like a very bad idea."
I agree with this statement completely.
Unfortunately, it is doubtful that the Chicago Council on Global Affairs agenda is encouraging a more religiously educated and nonbiased approach to foreign policy.
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