Perfected
This week Ann Coulter stirred the political pot yet again. On the CNBC show “Big Idea”, Coulter was asked for her views on the perfect American society. At first she spouted off the idea that it would be a Republican society, shifted so far to the right that Joe Libermann would be viewed as a liberal Democrat. Host Danny Deutch didn’t let her off the hook that easily, and pressed her for specifics. In response, Coulter stated that an ideal American nation would have to be populated solely by Christians. Even Jews should convert to Christianity, because in this way they could be “perfected.” You can see a clip of this discussion here.
Needless to say, this did not go over well with Deutch, and Coulter has taken a great deal of heat over her comments. However Miss Coulter’s claim is exactly the view of many religious faiths all over the world. Through Islam the Abrahamic faith is perfected. Through the Book of Mormon, the message of Jesus is perfected. Even among Christian denominations there is contention for the title of perfect faith. The Catholic Church, for example, recognizes that Christianity comes in many flavors but Christianity is perfected through the authority of the Church.
As a religious argument, the idea of the perfection of your faith is simply a less harsh version of heaven and hell. Rather than saying your faith is the only path to heaven, the claim is that your faith is a better path to heaven, or perhaps a path to a better heaven. We may all receive mansions in heaven, but some of us will be given more square footage, or perhaps a better view of the beach.
Of course one does not need religious faith to hold such a view. The claim of religious perfection is just one example of the more general view that your demographic is inherently better than others. Atheists are better than believers because their minds are unchained by delusional thinking. The wealthy are better than the unwashed masses. A college education makes you better than the ignorant commoners. The nobility of my ethnic heritage is more perfect than yours. My political party can do no wrong, and your political party can do no right.
All the world’s queer but me and thee. And even thee is a bit queer.
What we value about ourselves, be it our religious faith, our education, or our political views, is a large part of how we define ourselves as individuals. We value the things that make us better people. It is only a small step to believe that our values are what it takes to be a better person. Those who do not share our values are less worthy. They are inherently imperfect. Perhaps there is some truth to this. I suspect most of us would argue that a world without slavery, starvation and war would be a better world than the present state of our planet. But how far can we travel along the path of common values before we begin to part company?
It is easy to criticize Ann Coulter for her outrageous statements and lack of tact, but what if we instead take her view and compare it with our own? How often is the concept of our inherent perfection reinforced? When we listen to political commentary, how often is the debate over nothing more than which worldview is superior. How often do political candidates simply claim their (our) political views are more perfect than their opponents? Can you find examples where the claim of perfection is not used in a political debate?
If we are to be Brave Humans, then we need to move beyond the idea that our way is the only way. Beyond the idea of our own superiority. But to do that, we first have to listen to ourselves and to our opponents. In our modern political debates, what are you hearing? What are you saying?
Be Brave. Be Human. Listen.
Brian
October 13th, 2007 13:13
Oh, Brian! Where, oh where, do you get this stuff?
“Even among Christian denominations there is contention for the title of perfect faith. The Catholic Church, for example, recognizes that Christianity comes in many flavors but Christianity is perfected through the authority of the Church. ”
Christians who understand their faith (Catholic or non Catholic) do not believe any such thing(s)!
Denominations do not think they are more perfect than the others; they feel that they are clinging to the faith of the ancient church more perfectly than others. This leads me to point out that perfect in its older, more literal meaning means “complete”. This is where it gets dicey and easy for people to misunderstand.
Perfection in our more current understanding of “highest possible attainment” (of whatever) can be, and too often is, mistaken in our church-speak as moral superiority. But any Christian who thinks this way, if such there be, is sadly and seriously mistaken. We are all sinners. Every single one of us. If we make it to heaven, we will have been “perfected”. Not before.
I think that all of us (historic creedal churches) believe that the New Covenant is the fullfillment of the Old Covenant that was given to the Jews and that Christ is their promised Messiah. So she would have been better off speaking of Christians as adopted brothers and sisters.
I am pretty sure that theological fatuity is a sin. (It ought to be, if it isn’t, but honest compels me to confess that the Lord hasn’t consulted me recently on this or any other subject.) So, I am hoping that Ms Coulter will learn from this, repent, and refrain from sound bite (mis) theology in the future.
October 13th, 2007 22:38
I’m with Lily on this one (I think). Ms. Coulter is in several kinds of error. Her attempt at perfection is hers, and may (in her opinion, at least) be helping her, but it is ultimately no more “true” than any other path. Her over-weaning arrogance is perhaps a hint that she may be missing the target here. My friend Todd follows the original Hebraic path and , so far as I can tell, is making more headway and is offending fewer people than Ann Coulter with her tactless and self-promoting comments. Lily seems to follow the path set out by Jesus as it is interpreted in Rome, and she too is apparently (to my mind) making headway in exploring the issues we all face. Ms, Coulter is looking for sound-bytes, book tours, and face time on national television. I’m suspicious of people like Coulter who seem to always have a quick answer. In terms of what is important, I’d rather be talking with Todd or Lily, who at least seem to be considering the points-of-view of a variety of people, and are open to the basic humanity of other humans brave enough to have a question.
I do think that many people, myself included, find a path and “by clinging to the path more perfectly,” fall into the trap of thinking they are better, more perfect, operate with truer understanding. It is the classic trap of the Hogans, thinking intellect can lead us to wisdom. (-sigh-). So. I try to remember to breathe. And to listen. And to ask a question and really listen to the answer. Thanks Lily, and Brian , and all other folks out there, for being other points of reference.
Nick
October 15th, 2007 09:24
A reference to a site that sheds some light on the RCC’s stance about salvation outside the Church:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Salvation_Outside_the_Church.asp
There is an on-going discussion on a chat board (?) site I visit regularly that speaks to this very issue:
http://p071.ezboard.com/Bible-Flood–Scientific-Proof/fjustmyopinionfrm2.showMessage?topicID=884.topic
October 15th, 2007 09:52
I agree with you Brian.
October 16th, 2007 01:45
The Pew Global Attitude Survey has an interesting finding that shows a strong correlation between religiosity and GDP. Poorer countries are much more religious than wealthier countries.
There’s a short summary and a neat graph here.
http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=258
The US is one of the few exceptions to the broad pattern.
If GDP is such a strong factor relating to (accepting that correlation is not causative) religiosity, I suspect that the arguments/justifications we put forward to support our views may be missing the bigger picture.
I suspect that ‘what we value about ourselves’ is also strongly correlated to GDP. For me, this helps put a chink of light between me and my cherished beliefs — in recognition that if I was born in a different time and place, I would probably cherish something else. Better let go of some of these personal views and open up a bit.
I’m fully in support of ‘remember to breathe, listen, really listen’.
October 18th, 2007 13:08
I did not see Hinduism listed and want to add that its not a religion but a way of life.. But this kind of perfecting, is still present. It may be a spin off from other religions or just a human attitude which we apply to the actual religion/codicils..
There is nothing better than a sanctimonious “perfection theory” to stir the pot and split people vertically..
Since I have observed most faiths up close in India, I just think that religion more and more is a political tool.. Most people prefer to be in a click (back to high school days?), and are scared of opposing or standing on their feet and dealing with social sanctions.. Its easier to belong..The community benefits outweigh the individual stands..
There is much to say about the alliance of religio-political groups, and Anne Coulter is nothing but a mouth piece of the same.. Giving her so much build-up and me reacting like this is what feeds her power, as Deutch himself admitted on the NBC today show..
Gillian: All religions need practitioners.. And poor people will back whoever gives them what they need.. They cant afford to be choosy.. Hence the incidence of huge conversions to christianity, as the missionaries hand out food, jobs water etc. So whichever religion is having the cash flow, they rule..
Our politicians know this, and they gather votes in much the same manner..
Even if people think, they have what i call misplaced priorities.. And nobody wants to be punished in the afterlife.. So this guilt prompts a lot of weird behaviour..
Separation of religion and state (which is what makes US a little more progressive), will be affected if the religious parties have a say. And that will be very bad.
The fact that US has so many brains and immigrants contributing also tells us of the welcome levels to various ethnicities. This is also the prime reason why most people want to come here (a sure welcome based on merit) and to overcome these perfection situations. I hope that Anne ’s voice wont influence the next elections..
October 23rd, 2007 02:23
Hey Brian,
Good post.
It seems to me that all of us are seeking a way of being in the world which is “right”. Few of us would admit to trying to find a way to be “bad” or “Evil” in our way thorough this existence. Therefore most of us believe that our “way” is a correct way, if not “the way”.
Those of us who believe in relative truth, probably accept that their way is a good way, but others can also have a good way that is different.
Those of us who believe in an absolute truth, probably believe that our way is the true way.
This a priori assumption or attitude seems to me to account for the differences among us.
It appears to me that your preference for science, provable and repeatable, is valued as more correct than an intuitive, subjective, and non-testable spiritual insight. I make no inference of fault in this, a belief that science will answer our questions and tell us how to live is a belief system, no different that my belief in a religious Catholic set of rules and principles for living.
Regards,
Denis