on "national apologies" and "cultural apologies" | tim223

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September 19, 2006

on "national apologies" and "cultural apologies"

This is an interesting quote from Jonah Goldberg. What do you all think of it?

"I don't think the Pope's original comments have elicited nearly as much authentic rage as the images on TV would suggest. But I do think those driving these protests and whipping up anger know what they're doing. The West wants to be loved. It can't stand the idea that somebody — anybody — doesn't like us. This is doubly so in Europe and perhaps triply so at the Vatican. So much of European — and American liberal — foreign policy is based on the idea that being disliked is an enormous indictment, a sign of serious moral failings on our part, rather than resentment, envy or scapegoating on the part of those fomenting anti-Americans. What have we done wrong to make you hate us so!? And so we apologize again and again. Anyone remember Bill Clinton's global apology tour?"

... related is the fascinating (and quite prevalent) "historical burden of guilt" argument... "Your ancestors did ___ and so you have no right to say ____. So sit down and shut up." The question of where "moral authority" comes from is of extreme importance for our reeling postmodern generation.

(Hint... it comes from the Bible...)

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"The God Delusion" →

Comments (5)

i miss you, and i'm sorry i haven't called. maybe this weekend?
- 9/20/2006 12:21 AM
- joybean33
Thanks for your comment. I responded.
- 9/20/2006 10:32 AM
- Spoonwood
hmmm. would that be for them to be 'used' within the inner circle? or used by and for those outside? (not that there really is an 'outside'...) i wonder

you're welcome!!
- 9/20/2006 4:15 PM
- shenyuen
A quite convenient argument. If moral authority is relative, we can find a reason to dismiss anyone's position because they aren't perfect. One reason no one wants to admit the possibility of a perfect creator God. While no one is perfect we can all claim to be equally imperfect (although we like to accuse certain people - Hitler, Stalin are popular - of being more imperfect) which means we all have an equal amount of perfection - none. However, as soon as you introduce a perfect entity my imperfection looks like just that. Ugly stuff.
- 9/20/2006 9:24 PM
- jaypee303
Hey Tim, it has been a while! I think I will browse your site a bit!!!

Mark Kirby

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