Freethought & Rationalism Archive

McDiggy · 05-08-2003, 11:35 PM

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0508-02.htm

Quote:

For Strauss, ''religion is the glue that holds society together'', said Drury, who added that Irving Kristol, among other neo-conservatives, has argued that separating church and state was the biggest mistake made by the founders of the U.S. republic.

''Secular society in their view is the worst possible thing'', because it leads to individualism, liberalism and relativism, precisely those traits that might encourage dissent, which in turn could dangerously weaken society's ability to cope with external threats. ''You want a crowd that you can manipulate like putty,'' according to Drury.

The church/state themes are something that is generally of interest here; the sad thing is that this isn't even the most frightening piece of the article, IMO...it's just, so...fascist.

lpetrich · 05-09-2003, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by McDiggy
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0508-02.htm

The church/state themes are something that is generally of interest here; the sad thing is that this isn't even the most frightening piece of the article, IMO...it's just, so...fascist.

Note that Strauss thought of the religion business as desirable as opium for the people rather than necessarily having any truth; I would not be surprised if he admired Plato for advocating a "royal lie" religion for his ideal society in his Republic.

Plato also advocated that his society's sacred books be banned from his ideal society, because they present such unedifying scenes as heroes lamenting and gods laughing. I wonder if any Straussian will follow in Plato's footsteps and criticize the Bible as unfit for the New Straussian World Order.

johngalt · 05-09-2003, 07:33 AM

Quote:

For Strauss, ''religion is the glue that holds society together'', said Drury, who added that Irving Kristol, among other neo-conservatives, has argued that separating church and state was the biggest mistake made by the founders of the U.S. republic.

Wasn't this the point that the founding fathers wanted? They specifically made sure that there WAS a separation between church and state because of the english monarchy.

Quote:

''Secular society in their view is the worst possible thing'', because it leads to individualism, liberalism and relativism, precisely those traits that might encourage dissent, which in turn could dangerously weaken society's ability to cope with external threats. ''You want a crowd that you can manipulate like putty,'' according to Drury.

A nice, extremely altruistic statement by a collective nut. He is attacking individualism because he wants everyone to be part of the same identity, a nation wide collective entity that doesn't think. Obviously he wants a Fascist or Communist government. He should read some Ayn Rand.

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