May 13th, 2012 by Justin
Ascension of Muhammad
Those who argue that Islam is basically incompatible with the secular and humanist values of the west, while Christianity is friendly to them, often focus on two major arguments. First, on a historical basis, they cite the supposedly “peaceful” origins of Christianity relative to the violent origins of Islam. Second, on a theological or doctrinal basis, they cite the differences between Jesus’ message and conduct and those of Muhammad. Unfortunately, neither of these two arguments is particularly effective in demonstrating their point. The fact of the matter is that the basic values of secular modernity are inherently incompatible with both of these established religions. Without realizing it, staunchly Christian Islamophobes saw away the tree branch upon which they sit.
The Doctrinal Argument
Jesus was a humble man of humble origins who preached peace and love. Muhammad was a cunning warrior who massacred his enemies and glorified violence. Pretty simple, right? Not so fast. This approach assumes that most if not almost all the essence of a religion can be found in the life of its founder. Now, the founder of the religion can give a good indication of what the religion is all about. But this is true only to a point. How much of a relation is there between the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth and the bitter theological disputes between Protestants and Catholics centuries later?
Upon inspection, a neutral observer is likely to discover that there is precious little that can be substantively said on “what the religion is all about” in any case. The Bible, for example, contains many verses and parables and stories that point to a message of tolerance, compassion and forgiveness, but it also includes many that construct a message of intolerance, violence and cruelty. Will the real Bible please stand up? How is a neutral observer supposed to know which is the serious part of the Bible, and which is just leftovers? One may point to the example of Jesus himself, but this is ultimately inadequate because there too we find contradictions. Also, if the violent components are so contrary to the “true” Christian message, then why were they put in the holiest book in the first place?
The same could be said for Islam and the Quran. The point is simply that those who would argue that Islam is not compatible with secular modernity, but Christianity is (indeed, secular modernity arises directly and naturally from Christianity) do not realize that “Islam” and “Christianity” are extremely slippery concepts unto themselves.
This is the easiest explanation for why on the one hand Jesus said to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” while on the other hand the Papacy ran European politics as a spiritual protection racket for hundreds of years. It is the easiest explanation for why the country with the largest Muslim population in the world (Indonesia) has a secular democratic form of government that affords freedom of religion, while Muhammad himself ruled as both religious and political dictator. And it is the easiest explanation for why countless individuals have taken to the battlefield in the name of these faiths, while countless others have taken to the soup kitchen.
Conclusions
Some will respond that, at bottom, Jesus’ message was simply qualitatively different than Muhammad’s. It expressed a commitment to peace, and the seed of state-church separation that is simply lacking in the words of the man from Mecca. The problem with such an argument is that whatever Jesus’ message is or is not, it can enjoy only a partial relationship with the totality of Christian doctrine and Christian tradition. If everything about Jesus’ message can be summed up in a few lines about casting the first stone and rendering unto Caesar, why all the fuss about the Bible? What is the Pope for? What is the purpose of church, except as a place to sing hymns and play bingo?
What is interesting is that the very people who would make such an essentialist argument also view all of these less essential things as if they were essential. One supposes that such logical confusion is simply a condition of being “devoutly” religious in the modern world. Thanks to this tradition of confusion, one must pay lip service to all sorts of outdated, simplistic and backward notions, while on the other hand, one is forced to accept the unspoken assumption of the superiority of secular reason. How else can we understand those who claim that the very belief systems that have held back human progress for so long are in fact vital to it?
May 12th, 2012 by Justin
We have seen that the US has significant amounts of Greed, Envy, Pride, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony and Sloth. This is not to argue that any of these things are necessarily bad. But given the significant attention accorded these themes in the Bible and in Christian tradition, the “sinfulness” of America on a number of levels should serve as strong supporting evidence that it is not a Christian society. To be sure, a large majority of Americans happen to call themselves Christians. Specifically, 78% of Americans self-characterize as Christians (of all adults, 51% call themselves Protestant and 24% Catholic). It is worth noting that this percentage has fallen in recent decades. It used to be well over 90%.
But this is irrelevant in any case. We must look at people’s actions and not their words. And that is precisely what we have done in this survey. Probably the strongest cases are for lust, greed, gluttony and envy. America is a basically secular society populated by basically secular people.
May 11th, 2012 by Justin
Seven Deadly Sins in America
Why America is not a Christian Country
7. Sloth
There are a number of ways to measure sloth. One is obesity. Another is the abundant anecdotal evidence in our lives of friends or family who take full advantage of labor-saving technology. One interesting thing we can consider is low rates of voter turnout, which have not exceeded 63% in the last 50 years, and have remained at right around half of eligible voters over the last few decades. Non-presidential election years have seen turnout rates even lower—typically in the 30s, and never greater than 40% (the last time a non-presidential election year saw over 40% turnout was in 1970).
Given the absolute essentialness of voter participation in the kind of sociopolitical system that the US has, the relatively low rates of turnout are significant. One must conclude that either huge numbers of Americans are thoughtfully considering the available candidates, and deciding not to support anyone, year after year, or they are politically sleepwalking.
Now many Americans work very hard on a number of levels, to be sure. And many statistics and studies can be generated supporting a vigorous work ethic and diligence on the part of much, if not most, of the American population. But sloth affects a significant enough proportion of the society and of American life to warrant its inclusion as a factor. On its own, it is not very compelling. But in conjunction with the other 6 sins, it helps to weave a picture of a basically secular population.
More deadly sins:
Greed
Envy
Pride
Wrath
Lust
Gluttony
May 11th, 2012 by Justin
Seven Deadly Sins in America
Why America is not a Christian Country
6. Gluttony
Americans love food. And it shows. The obesity epidemic barely needs mentioning, but estimates are that the majority of American adults are overweight, including a third that are obese. Significant numbers of teens and young people are also overweight (17% in 2006), as well as about 15% of low-income preschool-aged children as of 2008. Accordingly, as of the year 2000, daily per capita calorie consumption was at or near all-time highs, and average daily calorie intake rose 25% from 1970 to 2000.
An unscientific but thought-provoking look at weekly food consumption around the world is provided in a series of photographs here. Note the high per person food consumption of the American family (just 4 people) relative to the Italian family depicted (consisting of 5 people) or the Egyptian family (12 people—none of whom seem particularly malnourished).
Needless to say, another vital component of the obesity epidemic is low physical activity. Hence sloth, the next deadly sin.
More deadly sins:
Greed
Envy
Pride
Wrath
Lust
Sloth
May 11th, 2012 by Justin
Seven Deadly Sins in America
Why America is not a Christian Country
5. Lust
Estimates of the total value of the pornographic industry vary wildly, but the LA Times reports that:
At least five of the 100 top websites in the U.S. are portals for free pornography, referred to in the industry as “tube sites,” according to Internet traffic ranking service Alexa .com… Sites like Pornhub, YouPorn and RedTube attract more users than TMZ and the Huffington Post.
Even accounting for the fact that these websites are open for the whole world, one must recall the significant number of Americans that are on the net relative to other countries.
In the area of real-world sex, over 90% of Americans have done it by age 23, and yet the median age at first marriage is several years later and has been rising for years. These two facts produce a situation in which a staggering 95% of Americans have had extra- or premarital sex by age 44, according to a widely-cited study from 2006 (reported here, here and here, among other places). And premarital sex has been the norm for generations.
Since Christianity demands delaying sex until marriage, it is clear this situation does not characterize a Christian society. (Interestingly, a google search for “sex before marriage” turns up an unusually high number of Christian and Christian-themed websites, overwhelmingly against it, of course. Though they would seem to be swimming against the historical and cultural tide.)
More deadly sins:
Greed
Envy
Pride
Wrath
Gluttony
Sloth
