Thursday, September 11, 2008
National Public Radio has reported a series of thought-provoking and disturbing facts about Gov. Sarah Palin:
1) During her tenure as governor of Alaska, she as a parent objected to certain books being available in her children’s libraries. She went first to the school board, then to the libraries, to try to have the books pulled off the shelves. When that did not happen, she tried as governor to have the librarians in question fired.
2) Although it is not one of her “governing priorities,” Palin is a creationist and supports the de-emphasis of evolution in state standards for science classes.
3) Despite Bristol Palin being pregnant, Palin supports the teaching of abstinence-only sexual education in health classes.
To this, I would add that in evangelical circles, especially Pentecostal circles (Palin’s family is Pentecostal), the Bible can be used to argue for a whole host of propositions that cannot be derived from the reason we use to negotiate the everyday world.
These four propositions concern me in the following ways:
1) Palin believes that it is acceptable for a government to actively censor books. This is so, despite the fact that the First Amendment expressly bans Congress abridging the freedom of the press.
2) Being a creationist, Palin believes that the consequences of creationism express scientifically true statements — consequences like “abortions cause breast cancer” or “the earth might be getting warmer, but it has nothing to do with human activity.” Consider the claim about abortions: Scientific studies have shown no possible link between having an abortion and any type of cancer. The purpose of this claim is to express a thinly veiled theological threat against women (Since God is pro-life, He will condemn women who have abortions to hell by giving them cancer).
3) Studies show that knowledge about contraception helps prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Studies also show that among teens who have heard only abstinence-only education the rate of pregnancy is almost as high as in underdeveloped countries. But Palin supports abstinence-only sexual education.
4) Leviticus 18:22 declares that it is an abomination unto the Lord for a man to lie with another man. Therefore, “End of debate: homosexuality is sinful.” But Leviticus 25:44 reads, “You may purchase male and female slaves from the nations around you.” So is it acceptable for me to purchase Steven Harper, the Canadian prime minister, to be my valet, and what is an appropriate bond price to do so?
If you don’t think these propositions entail a contradiction, I encourage you to endorse the McCain-Palin ticket.
I am sick and tired of theological certainty being a required principle of governance for the Presidency. It worries me that, if one presses a believer in certainty on these or similar issues, they themselves believe that God encourages and endorses their irrationality. All I see is a reason not to take their beliefs seriously. Therefore, even though I am a registered Republican, I will not and cannot vote for McCain-Palin. I encourage you to do the same.
— Nathan Roser is a DeSoto graduate student in philosophy.
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Comments
Letter: Palin's theological certainty endorses irrational proposals
A few things.
The book of Leviticus should be understood as instructions for a specific theonomy, and there were differences between laws geared toward the specific culture (i.e. the slavery laws) and cultural universals (i.e. restrictions on sexual behavior.) Back then, slavery was more of a form of indentured servitude that was actually often kind. Back then, cultures did not recognize individual freedoms, and selling oneself into indentured servitude was often superior to dying of starvation or the like.
Also, I do not consider myself a creationist in that I do not reject evolution, but I don't see what the heck her being a creationist has to do with abortion and breast cancer. I don't even like Sarah Palin (I support Obama) but you're just putting together a bunch of stereotypes of Christians to make a poorly assembled case against her. Let's focus on the issues. Palin's stand on the environment and other issues is extreme enough that we don't need to mock her faith.
Letter: Palin's theological certainty endorses irrational proposals
I wish this newspaper required a fact check before allowing publication.
Letter: Palin's theological certainty endorses irrational proposals
This letter has no basis for the positions taken by the author against Palin. I've got a suggestion Nathan Roser, do a little bit more thinking and researching before you rashly send a letter to the editor. This piece shows no logical discipline and paints YOU as a hateful/spiteful person. Christianity and extreme fundamentalism are completely different. She doesn't endorse censorship, creationism as curriculum, or any of those crazy/fundamentalist positions. Little distinctions like the difference between christians and extreme fundamentalists would be helpful to you, especially considering you are a philosophy student.
Letter: Palin's theological certainty endorses irrational proposals
By the way, mr2b, C.S. Lewis was actually a theistic evolutionist (like me) and not a creationist.
Letter: Palin's theological certainty endorses irrational proposals
My interpretation was that she knew a pointed question when it was asked of her so she asked for a further clarification. The Bush Doctrine is interpreted some as justification of pre-emptive war for perceived threats. It is interpreted by others (like Palin) as justification of pre-emptive war for imminent threats, and it is interpreted by still more (its detractors) as justification for pre-emptive war based on the idea that we should force non-democratic regimes to be democratic because it helps our security.
I think she made a fair response.
Let's not go throwing rocks at the other side just yet. Obama said there were 57 states at one point, didn't he? Maybe he doesn't know his geography! How ignorant!
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