Many will accuse me of engaging in these sorts of practices,
while I might return the criticism. Most arguments are not perfectly
constructed and when we get into things like motive or arguments based on
interpretations... that can be tricky.
What I really dislike though is patently disingenuous
argument. What I'm referring to is partisan argument and denunciation that's
not really interested in what the actual truth is.
Again, I acknowledge that to many I would be guilty of this.
When it comes to politics and history, I'm some kind of Leftist they assert. I
deny that and offer an explanation. They still may not like what I'm saying but
I hope I can at least make it clear how their labeling me thus is not accurate.
I'm not a partisan for a political agenda and theologically
I'm not committed to any particular denomination or group.
There are many things that I most definitely am not, but
affirming the consequent is not always accurate either.
Non-Partisanship is liberating. I can tell the truth and
even if certain historical figures or movements don't always look good, what is
that to me? I have no stake in these partisan conflicts or the clashes over
political aspirations and control.
I used to. I used to be a diehard political conservative and
for many years was a defender of Calvinism and the Reformed tradition.
The moment I became a Christian and started reading my Bible
(with new eyes) I began a several year process of turning away from American
Conservatism and now find it completely incompatible with a Christian
profession.
Even though I still have some affinity with some of the
ideas in Reformed Theology, in other areas I am very much opposed to their
framework and how it has been applied in history.
But I can be honest about that. I can stand with them when
they're right and break with them when they have strayed. To me it's neither
here nor there.
Today it seems like everything has been politicized, even
the theology within our churches.
Truth isn't paramount, in fact it seems like it's not really
on the table. Winning the argument and power are the means... and the end.
This really hit me recently while listening to the local
Christian radio station.
Every Friday they have these political commentators on. One
represents Pennsylvania and the other New York. One is even a pastor.
So many times I've listened to them talk about the culture,
money and jobs. Needless to say since they represent the viewpoint of the
Christian Right, I generally not only disagree with them on most issues, I
don't even agree with how they're interpreting the culture, what's happening
and why.
Numerous times they've made a point to say that jobs are out
there. This point is especially driven home when they're talking about
Pennsylvania. Tom Corbett the Republican governor is in trouble with
historically low ratings and poll numbers. He's up for re-election and is
likely to face a stiff challenge.
These commentators have been hard at work defending him,
spinning the poll numbers, and frankly slandering anyone who opposes him. There
are times they are outright lying.
But what struck me about the jobs issue, is the fact that
they have repeatedly said that the 'jobs are out there'. Rather than extend
unemployment benefits or do anything to help the poor, people need to take
those minimum wage jobs and just get over their hang-ups about standard of
living etc...
This argument is nothing new. I've heard Howard Phillips
make it, Kevin Swanson and many others. They think people don't take the jobs
at McDonalds because they have an entitlement mindset.
Of course if you have ever tried to live on $8hr then you
know how ridiculous this notion is. It has nothing to do with standard of
living, unless they mean keeping the lights turned on and eating. We're not
talking about automobile expenses, because at that wage you're not going to be
able to afford one, let alone fix it if it breaks.
And anyone who has any dependents will have to sign up for
every subsidy they can get their hands on.
Sometimes I have found that if you frame the income in
different terms... say, $300 a week, if you can actually get full time, or
$1200 a month. And then say to them, now live on that. I've watched quite a few
people grow silent at that point. They can't imagine it. That's what they spend
in less than a week.
Anyway, while I disagree with them, I know what is
motivating their thinking. They are committed to a particular economic model
which is foundational to their political vision and they're not going to waver
from that.
But then I was stunned the other day to hear them on the
radio arguing against casino expansion in New York. Was I stunned over their
opposition to the casino? Not at all. But what struck me was as they went down
the list of all the negative things about casinos, the final thing was
basically.... well, you know these are low paying jobs anyway and aren't really
going to help anyone, and certainly won't pay enough for people to actually
live on. These aren't the kind of jobs we're looking for to help the region
economically.
Unbelievable.
You know if you really believe the casino is wrong, then say
so and give your argument. At that point it wouldn't matter if the jobs paid
$100,000 a year. That's not the point.
But to turn to this type of argumentation is just utterly
lacking in integrity and shows that in the end, you're not someone who is
concerned with the truth of the matter.
You're just a political activist and more than willing to engage
in deception, double-speak or whatever you have to do in order to win.
I don't really want to see a proliferation of gambling but I
would hope I never have to turn that kind of lame and deceptive method of
argumentation. This was a pastor saying these things.
What god does he serve that is so weak to have to resort to
cheap tactics in order to score a point for the kingdom?
Reading this, I was just reminded of the opening chapters of James' epistle where he admonishes those in the congregation who give preferential treatment to the wealthy. By contrast they treat the poor with indifference at best. It was to these people that James said that faith without works is dead, and this problem has persisted throughout church history.
ReplyDeleteEven though the idea that those who are poor are simply suffering the consequences of unwise choices may have some microscopic tidbit of merit, I find the argument to be completely self-serving. I think it has more to do with assuaging the guilt of having extravagant wealth at the same time that others are on the verge of starvation as well as acknowledging that income inequality is a structural component of a so-called "free market" system and intensifies at higher stages of political and economic development, specifically when a decentralized economy comprised of small to mid-sized businesses gives way to joint-stock companies, trusts, cartels and other forms of monopoly including state ownership.
And yes, any Christian pastor defending such a system is either grossly misled or has really gone the way of the serpent.
Cheers,
Jim
I think they will admit income inequality is inherent to the system. And I wouldn't have a problem with that. In fact I would say we'll always be near the bottom. But I fail to understand the morality of their system which suggests those at the bottom who put in an honest day's work can't get by. We're not talking about living well. We're just talking about being able to eat, stay somewhat warm and pay some bills. You can't do that when you're at the bottom.
DeleteThe congressman in our district said rather than raise the minimum wage people need to further their education and get more training.
But that doesn't address the fact that they way the system is structure it is absolutely necessary that there are people way down at the bottom who are being exploited for cheap labour.
If these people get educated and advance, they'll just be stepping on someone else.
We can't fix it all and thus that's why some have argued for an increase in the minimum wage. Yes I know that leads to a lack of job growth... believe me the people at the bottom care very little.
And inflation... but it's happening anyway and so the people at the bottom have effectively been getting a decrease in wages over the past several years. It seems silly to have the minimum wage without being pegged to some kind of inflation index... but I'm afraid those are kind of a joke too. They keep saying that inflation is low...under 2% or so last time I paid attention. Their metrics are flawed. Electric bills have doubled, food has doubled and tripled. The only thing that has gone down in the past few years is Natural Gas... the 'price' for that is yet to be determined. I hope the Superfund is maintained because we'll be utilizing it in 20 years as we try to clean up the mess. However I'm not aware of how you can clean up an aquifer.
It's also interesting how that under Communism you ended up with a lot of people who weren't part of the privileged or 'Party' class. These people were apathetic and defeated. It made little difference to them how they performed at their job. Service was terrible and inefficient. There was no reason to work harder, if you were at the bottom... you were never going to get anywhere.
Ironically Capitalism as it intensifies reaches a certain point where we find the same phenomenon. We see it every day as we interact with the people at the bottom.
right on again unfortunately brothers.
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