The Old & New Politics of Faith

The Old & New Politics of Faith
by Cost-of-Progress
18-Nov-2010
 

The Old and New Politics of Faith: Religion and the 2010 Election." This is the title of the new study by Brookings Institution on the role of faith in American politics.I found the following exchange from the Wednesday’s NPR interview with two of the Brookings Fellows to be the most profound of the survey’s results……as well as pretty much anything I had heard lately about religion and politics in America (scary, is how I describe it).

Question: But when you speak of American exceptionalism in these terms, what are you speaking of?

Answer (Mr. GALSTON): Well, the idea that America is a chosen nation that has been singled out by God for a distinctive mission in the world, we put a very strong version of that proposition on the table in this survey and 6 in 10 Americans affirmed it. Indeed, 30 percent of people who probably don't believe in God at all affirmed it. So, this is a remarkably persistent part of America's cultural and political DNA that I think our political leaders ignore at their peril.

Silly me, I thought it was the Islamic regime in Iran that had a mission to lead the world with Allah’s “help”...

----------------------

Here’s the NPR interview transcript (you can also listen to audio).

//www.npr.org/2010/11/17/131393356/faith-poli...

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Rea

Escape, will check your blog

by Rea on

In the meantime, who the hell is Pope to tell us in Europe that "laïcité" is not good ? 


Escape

I have posted a blog just for you 20 regulars

by Escape on

  check out my blog on the discovery of the REAL Mt.Sinai and lets discuss - THE VIDEO and the FINDINGS! It is really amazing stuff! Now I must go for the day.


Anonymous Observer

Oh, please do Escape, please do...

by Anonymous Observer on

Until then I have decided I will begin to post biblical post's here,from now on.

Please do...we can use a bit of comedic entertainment around here...and trust me, nothing says comedy more than the Bible, Old Testament, Quran, etc...!!!! 


Rea

Escape

by Rea on

By sending biblical posts you gonna scare the hell out of me.

Imagine !


Cost-of-Progress

Esacpe: you and the Islamist

by Cost-of-Progress on

anti-iran cheerleaders are one and the same. Just imagine, you're as bad as the Islamist cockroaches. You are all ZEALOTS.

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


Rea

AO

by Rea on

hear, hear!  ;o)


Anonymouse

Satan's Cheerleaders!

by Anonymouse on

Satan's Cheerleaders! 

Everything is sacred


Escape

Whatever

by Escape on

  Pride yourself in being a faithless one on the way to hell.

It is your OPINION and your right but I also have MINE.

When your PROVE yours,we will talk again.

Until then I have decided I will begin to post biblical post's here,from now on.

If you don't like it - GO TO HELL

The Remains of Sodom and gommorah

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgQHQ992Wnw


Anonymous Observer

Escape, Escape, Escape....(sigh...)

by Anonymous Observer on

I hate to keep being the bearer of bad news to you, but, here we go.  Here's another bit of info. that will turn your world upside down.  Do you know where you cherished "Ten Commandments" (the foundations of everything you base your existence on) came from?  "God" sent it to Moses? Don't think so!! Here, check this out:

 //www.aerobiologicalengineering.com/wxk116/Maat/maat.gif

it's from ancient Egyptian mythology. 

How do you like them apples?

Now, here's more bad news:

We, the atheists, are smarter than you religious folks:

 //www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/201004/why-atheists-are-more-intelligent-the-religious

But, you should have been able to figure that one out by yourself...despite your inevitable low IQ!! 


Shazde Asdola Mirza

Very nice flag

by Shazde Asdola Mirza on

Perhaps the one thing that all Iranians can agree on.


default

socially-frustrated??

by Doctor mohandes on

LOL.

You know.  Being in exile on one's own term does not go along with having to deal with the culturally alien surroundings. After all. one would have to have chosen to be residing in a location, therefore it necessarily and logically follows that one chooses to aslo adopt to the culture and the surroundings.

Of course. That also means that one does not spend most of his time cruising the country on on his bike.

Hey Sagord. How many shares of GM do you own? Did you call your broker yet? I hear checks are gonna be in the mail in 7 days? Are you considering donating some to your "meehan" ?


Cost-of-Progress

Mark tagord, I knew you're a phony

by Cost-of-Progress on

You cannot produce a convincing case (saying you're an islamist would suffice) why you support tyranny and why you're anti -iran.

Because you're a phony.

Now go back to your hole in the embassy so you can get up tomorrow and post a response on every freaking blog on how great the Islamic thugs occupying Iran are.

Like anonymouse said, you are dime a dozen...even less.

If I.com does not boycott you, the posters and bloggers here MUST.

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


Anonymouse

Ingenunie means u = blind to the atrocities taking place in Iran

by Anonymouse on

Everything is sacred


Sargord Pirouz

What is a "Genunie"? And how

by Sargord Pirouz on

What is a "Genunie"? And how exactly am I a "dime a dozen"? 

I'll tell you what's a dime a dozen: socially frustrated, self-exiled Iranians on the IC. 

All you people do is bitch and moan. It's no wonder the Meehan rejects you. What place wouldn't? Here in my country, you're semi-accepted in semi-hostile, culturally alien surroundings. Which, to a certain extent, you deserve. 


Anonymouse

Sargord people like u are dime a dozen. Genunie? definately not!

by Anonymouse on

Everything is sacred


Sargord Pirouz

Anon

by Sargord Pirouz on

Well I already sent the email. Read it and if you have any additional questions or comments, let me know.

As usual, I'm sensing these are not sincere queries. Really, you people are a flawed bunch. So many character flaws. So much hate filled baggage.

Gotta say, it is so much better not being like you people. 


hamsade ghadimi

i don't think one can

by hamsade ghadimi on

i don't think one can readily link the survey results with influence of religion in this country.  just the fact that america is a bountiful country with negligent attacks on its soil may give reason to some to think that the u.s. is more special than other countries.  not to mention the fascination of people all around the globe with the u.s. (whether they claim they hate u.s. or not). i believe these phenomena feeds to some's egos in this country.

at any rate, 30% who "probably" don't believe in god and at the same time believe god has chosen u.s. for a "distinctive mission in the world" is a contradiction and may just show the power of stupidity in this country and not religion.


Anonymouse

Sargord I'm not interested in emails, spell it out here.

by Anonymouse on

Everything is sacred


Cost-of-Progress

Mark, of course I'm interested, let's go off topic for this

by Cost-of-Progress on

I've been asking you this forever. If you're willing to tell us truthfully, I believe the whole I.com would want to know.

What's your stroy man? And no bullshit.

I'll have to get away for a while, but I'll be back (like Aa'nold..)

Now, the floor is yours... knock yourself out right here, not email.  I am not published anyway.

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


Bavafa

I have a question for Sargord that I have been wanting to ask

by Bavafa on

I know COP, I am getting off the topic but if I don't ask it now, I doubt I ever will so please bare with me

Sargord,

Is there any thing, any thing at all that you or your family have not been involved and in fact great at? I mean, any time there is a talk of aviation, nationality, military, religion, women, cars and motorcycles, travel to space, you name it… it seems either yourself or a member of your family has been at the forefront of it.

I mean how impressive that is!!!!!!

BTW, Any climbers in your family?

Mehrdad


Sargord Pirouz

COP

by Sargord Pirouz on

I thought you wanted me to stay on topic. I just sent an email to Anon with the answers.

Are you really that interested? If so, let me know and I'll email you through IC, as well.

Again, I think you're right about staying on topic. 


Cost-of-Progress

Must be a glitch

by Cost-of-Progress on

there were 3 comments that disappeared....hmmmm.

Mark, no answer, ha?

What's your story man?

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


Sargord Pirouz

Sorry COP

by Sargord Pirouz on

You're right. I should stay on topic. I should just send a message to Escape, instead. 

edit: Anon, I'll send you an email through IC with more details, per your request.


Anonymouse

Sargord what is the name of your tribe?

by Anonymouse on

Our comments were deleted so I forgot your specific questions but your explanation here are generic.

For example, what is the name of your tribe and what religion did they practice?  I know you practice Islam now but I'm talking about your tribe.

What is the name of their reservation and which tribes they did not get along with?   

Everything is sacred


Sargord Pirouz

For some reason comments were removed

by Sargord Pirouz on

I asked Escape to explain his Native American ancestry, such as territorial region, tribal affiliation, elder's traditional roles, AIM movement references, etc. Then Anon asked for mine (from my maternal American mom's side of the family).

For some reason, these comments were removed.

Anyway, below is my reply to Anon. And I'm looking forward to hearing from Escape. Like I had said, I thought my siblings and I were the only ones composed of this multi-ethic combination.


Cost-of-Progress

Mark, stay on topic

by Cost-of-Progress on

but before you do, you say you're open and honest? Then answer the question I've asked you a million times: "what's your story man?" what could possibly be your motive - a non-Persian - with no "apparent" ties to my motherland to defend the murderous regime of the anti-Nationalist clergy? why are you anti iran?

The only answer is: YOU ARE NOT THE PERSON YOU CLAIM YOU ARE.

Afterward, stay on the topic. Should be near and dear to you since you support theocracy in the worst form.

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


Sargord Pirouz

Anon, per your request

by Sargord Pirouz on

Well, Anon, I've actually discussed this here in the past on different threads. But here's what you requested:

On my maternal American side, we originally come from the southwest (what became New Mexico) before homesteading in Colorado at the turn of the 20th century.

My grandfather is our patriarch. He is still living at 102 years of age and  remains physically and mentally vital. At one point, he was considered one of the greatest horsemen in the state. (The family were ranchers) Here is a photo of him at age 70! on a ranch in Colorado:

//img697.imageshack.us/i/grandfather.jpg/

My great grandmother was a native healer (doctor). She was capable of setting broken bones on family members injured from horse work and many other things, using local remedies. Her native name was "Pifi". Here's a picture of her:

//img508.imageshack.us/img508/4461/greatgreat...

My AIM story revolves around my university days, where one of the leaders of the Wounded Knee occupation was granted sanctuary by the governor of Califonia. One of my best memories from those days was this leader giving me a nod of approval as he saw me on my Norton motorcycle at a stoplight, I was 19 at the time.

Our capital city is Gallup. It's a fine place. I haven't been to a reservation in many years, I'm sad to say. I was with a group of anglo friends once when we went. At first they were terrified, but once they were in they found it delightful. That's how these things go.

You know, I think I've shared more things about my life here on IC than anyone else. I've really been open and honest about things.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Escape's story.


Anonymouse

Bavafa "serpant handling" is no longer practiced in Appalachia

by Anonymouse on

I was into serpant handling for a while, not "handling" them but reading about them and documentraies and such.

So many Preachers were bitten and killed by snakes that they finally gave up and left the snakes outside the churches of West Virginia and Appalachia in general!  At one point Huckabee might have handled some snakes as well, although they were most likely garter snakes! 

Everything is sacred


Cost-of-Progress

Escape, at least be courteous

by Cost-of-Progress on

But I'll have to give it you. You have turned this around completely from anti-religion to anti american. And at least have the courtesy to distinguish between those who have a legitimate gripe about religion and those who use religion as a tool to opress, i.e., those who beat their chest for the Islamic Regime while comfortably resting their filthy existence in the West. If you want to insult me, choose something else, 'cause that "don't fit".

Besides, if you call someone like me anti american, what would you call the chest beaters of the Islamic Alliance of Anti-Nationalist regime of the clergy? 

Why am I even wasting time on a brainwashed faithfull like you?

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


default

Despite it all

by Doctor mohandes on

I tend to agree with Escape in  one particular regard and i would say that  the fact is that there cannever be a collective overtaking of the GOv and legislature, and hence any amendments to the constitution, in this country. For all we know, Be it 30% of the atheist or non-believers or what not, one thing that americans are good is changing their mind and that can  happen in an instant and they will not go for this meaningless takeover. So basically it means that religion as a whole cannot event be direct threat. the majority in this country at any given time, will not let it. Its quantitatively not feasible.

You gotta face it, So many lives are in tatters and have been screwed that people have no choice but to think of alternatives and ways that they fathom would save them in some way. It was bound to happen.