|
Perry
I have long since reached the conclusion that governments, regardless of whether they are religious or secular, simply do not work. In effect, they are one man, one view, top-heavy protectionist organisations looking after the perceived fundamental interests of one or two select groupings. Generally speaking, they are bad managers, with distorted ideals and poor vision. A mole with his head up his arse could do better. Their words embarrass me, their actions fill me with shame, and their failure to act in accordance with their duty of responsibility angers me to a pitch which must be bad for my health. That is not to say that they do no good at all. But you could pull the most unintelligent man or woman off the street you could possibly find, and provided they had a single shred of decency within them, they could not fail to do a better job than all our politicians put together. I have also reached the conclusion, that self-interest and wastefulness have become two of modernity's political sins. And that silence is the sin of the people.
The recent events in Madrid can be seen in two fundamental lights. They can be viewed as a spectre that threatens our future and one that has to be fought on all levels. Or, they can be viewed as a product of, and perhaps the inevitable outcome, of our past. Most probably, neither view is an exact reflection of the truth of the matter. However, experience should tell us that when people hit out the way the Muslim world is at present,  then injustice is usually involved. It is also a truth, that we do not have to look too deeply into our past to find instances of such injustice. I have heard it said that there is no political solution to the situation between Palestine and Israel for example. Then perhaps it is about time we sought out a moral one?
Our world views Perry I feel are more or less the same. They differ only in the sense that my view is probably more settled, but ironically has arrived at the cold-fusion stage, whereas with your view, the chemistry is still very much at work and coming together. You get eruptions (don't we all), but I am not sure where you are going with them. Our world-views might come into collision, however, over God's perceived role of God in all this, and, over the question of how we apply a remedy to set matters right. Firstly, I think it is extremely easy to get things wrong about where God stands. And secondly, I think the notion of a remedy being readily available in some form of 'final solution' carries clear dangers with it. In both instances, God comes out of things badly. If you believe in a God, then you have to look for a model of the universe that sets God in a good light. But even if you don't believe in a God, all final solutions involve coercion in some form which is in itself an evil. So, either way, a moderate step by step solution beckons. Unfortunately, your suggestions involving 'brain washing' and 'suggestive therapy' are still open to the argument of coercion, although I agree, it was a noble attempt to overcome this fundamental problem.
As appears to be usual in deciding what to do when facing extremely difficult situations in this world, no clear answer presents itself. No ideology can prescribe moral action. There is no secret formula. No calculation that can be made. Whatever we do in the face of adversity, must be therefore, a carefully considered balance of actions with restraint and moderation in liberal measures. And by this alone it will be decided whether we are 'hell-bent or 'heaven-sent' : 'devils advocate' or 'God's instrument'?
Anarchic Brian.
|
