Bill Moyers Journal: Difference, Dissent and Tyranny

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Difference, Dissent and Tyranny

This week on THE JOURNAL, Anouar Majid, professor of English at the University of New England, explains that dissent in communities is vital to maintaining social, cultural and intellectual curiosity. Stifling disagreement and smothering debate, he believes, can have dangerous effects on a civilization:

People who cannot live comfortably with differences always have a tendency to slide into tyranny. That's why we have to maintain vast differences within every society...to prevent those practices from ever taking root.

Yet even though constructive conversation is often desirable, is it always possible? As Bill Moyers asks Professor Majid:

You can't have a conversation with somebody who doesn't think you're human, a conversation with somebody who wants to kill you, somebody who thinks you're subhuman, somebody whose purpose is to manipulate you, right?

How would you answer Bill Moyers' question? We invite you to respond by commenting below.

Photo: Robin Holland

Tag(s): America , Islam , Muslim , atheism , belief , culture , religion
Posted by Bill Moyers Journal on October 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Permalink

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Where would we be without strong 'Christian' values? 'Faith' groups support EX Miss Calif. even though she posed for racy photos - no problem. Republican Governors committing adultery while badgering others who do the same - no problem. Intentionally lying (Bush and Fallwell against McCain and his wife in 2000) no problem. Supporting a war (Iraq)idiot Bush started off lies that kills our military men and women - no problem. How pathetic of 'conservative' book house Regency to release a book around CHRISTMAS time on behalf of EX Miss Calif. who failed to fulfill her end of the bargain, not to mention have racy photos taken of herself. Conservatives no doubt will back a hussy lazy girl just because she is against gay marriage. No biggie that she didn't do the job she was supposed to do. No biggie that she posed for nude/semi-nude photos. Numbskull EX Miss Calif. was stripped of her title because she didn't fulfill her obligations. No Work No Title. Dah! Interesting how 'Faith' groups have only SOME morals and obey SOME of the commandments. 'Faith' groups are not trying to stop Mormons from having several wives (adultery and perversion there). Plus, forcing underaged girls to...

Posted by: Jodi | July 22, 2009 5:06 PM

I've read and contributed to many talk boards and blogs but this one is by far the most intelligent and thought provoking. On the question of war, it is the most senseless activity, except for the Cheney and Bush types who gain enormously from it but avoid taking part, that man has ever devised. I served in the British army for 25 years and saw my share of murder and mindless slaughter brought about by crasy lunatics aided and abetted by a conditioned public. Just switch on your television or open a newspaper and there's nothing there but mindless propaganda. Every other nation or nationality is a terrorist or illegal when in fact with the exception of native inhabitants wrongly called indians all americans are illegal since the country was taken by force of arms. What really makes my blood boil is the acceptance by the world that 19 arabs overcame the military power of the USA on September 11 2001, they didn't.

Posted by: douglas kay | December 22, 2007 10:45 AM

Would it be ironic if we had to have a war to bring Democracy to America?

Posted by: Michael | November 3, 2007 3:47 AM

Remember, we are the invaders, the enemy.No other country threatened us.Back when Bush was talking about Saddam I felt he was describing himself. And now he is doing the same thing to the Iranian Pres. Guess Bush hasn't started enough wars,he wants to start another one with Iran. A country that has been minding it's own business, has wanted Nuclear power plants for years and been promised help from several past U.S. Presidents. None forthcoming. At least Putin has shown some common sense and so far has put off Bush from building a missle defense system in So.Africa. We have 10,000 wmds, biological & chemical weapons. The largist amt. of weapons in the world yet, Bush wants to attack still anmother country that has none. I'm afaid of no other country or groups of so-called terriorist, only Bush He is the one who has spent seven yrs. committing wars,aiding/abetting wars, violating the nuclear proliferation treaty by building more new nuclear war heads. He has alienated Germany, Italy, & Canada with the abduction, imprisonment & torture of one of their citizens. Which I guess he forgot about his first torture victim-John W. Lindh. He twisted words & meanings in his last...

Posted by: janice Pound | October 22, 2007 6:58 PM

Zach, my man. Looks like you are a trigger happy joker. Blackwater is looking for a few junkies like you. Walk the talk and go get on their payroll. You have probably not traveled outside your state borders and all of a sudden you are expert on foreign cultures and the lay of the land. Iraq's culture is long lasting and richer than what you have been exposed to or will ever be exposed to. Pipe down and stop barking about other cultures. Don't show your ignorance. Guys with views like yours are the root cause for the false sense of gun pride that the guy in the WH and his side kick tout.

Posted by: Raj | October 21, 2007 2:29 PM

The Modern State of Israel is a criminal state which must be destroyed, and the principals of that state prosecuted, tried and hanged… The Holocaust was an inside job that saw the destruction of millions of faithful Jews whose crime was that they saw thru the Zionist plan to establish the MSOI making void the Divine Covenant, by which Jews await The Messiah who will restore the true dignity of the Jewish tribes, now besmirched by thousands of years of Talmudism… The Talmud being the Book of Hate which keeps Jews nose to the grindstone and shoulder to the wheel, of filth, lies and murder. Benjamin Freedman, says it is a relatively modern document, these references he quotes must be seen as endorsing hatred against the Christian community… Non Jews rank as animals. They have no property rights… no legal rights under any code whatsoever… Even the best among the Gentiles deserves to be killed… A Jew may lie and perjure to condemn a Christian… Regarding and Gentile property rights, their possessions are… like unclaimed land in the desert… With respect to robbery: if one stole or robbed or seized a beautiful woman, or committed similar offenses, if these were...

Posted by: Martin Timothy | October 20, 2007 7:45 AM

Zach "I mean come on lets not forget the type of people that are in the hell hole of a dessert they call Iraq." Just how do you know the kind of people in Iraq? How may of them have you met? Have you been there?

Posted by: MLM | October 19, 2007 2:06 PM

I think they had every right to shoot at thoose people because god knows they probably saw someone with a gun or bazzokka. I would have shot the place up to. I mean come on lets not forget the type of people that are in the hell hole of a dessert they call Iraq. Ive said what I have to say. Bye

Posted by: Zach | October 19, 2007 10:06 AM

As an ancient Gnostic who finds the trivial differences between Muslim, Jew and Christian foolish, I can't help but say kudo's to this man. He had such a nice way of saying the same thing. After all, there is only one and they all agree on that. Keep it up Bill, you are my hero. Jack

Posted by: Jack the Just | October 17, 2007 5:29 AM

How can the current executive administration learn from the values of Majid? We are currently a society persisting on economic strengths directly influenced by military campaigns and weapon development. If at once the value were to be placed on open critical analysis, both historical and political, then perhaps we can begin to reassemble the crumbling state of our world community. By hardening its economic values, America continues to endanger itself and the countries it incurs upon. Our country must invest in a personal inquest to revolutionize how we view and approach the world, most especialy the Middle East.

Posted by: Jose | October 16, 2007 11:15 AM

Afterthought: I got so caught up with my comment, that I actually forgot to answer Bill Moyer’s question – I will keep it short & to the point: It is us who needs to open the dialog. At first it will be hard to gain the trust of pre-conditioned people. They shoot because they are afraid, desperate & brain-washed; made possible by our lack of (promised) support. Let’s reach & entrust in the people of the streets. Tell & show them that they can count on us, when they need our support. By reaching & supporting the people & (rightfully) gaining their trust, we will take the power of those who try to suppress their basic human rights. Only when we/they feel safe do we have a chance to communicate. If you mix black & white you’ll get a soft grey… Why don’t we find a few minutes, sit down & write a letter of support to an anonymous child, mother or father in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Burma, North Korea or any other country we feel we don’t understand. A postcard, a letter or a drawing with a kind word is all what it takes. I am sure that any...

Posted by: sabina | October 15, 2007 10:56 PM

Re: Interview with ANOUAR MAJID 10/12/2007 I am a 42 years old female immigrant from Germany, who came to the states about 20 years ago. For the past 15 years or so I found my match with the Jewish way of life, especially or even more so, after I found out (a few years ago) that I am actually of Jewish decent. When I was younger, I was involved in many organizations (e.g. Amnesty Intl, Greenpeace, etc) eager to turn the world into a better one. In the meantime life happened. I found myself being less & less involved in matters I still stand up for (intellectual, as well as spiritual). I put my efforts into being kind & to support the needs of my family & friends. I stayed away from heated "world changing discussions", partially due to lack of opportunity & partially due to the fact that I had to be in peace with my own life, first. It was not until my ex-husband (I haven't spoke to him for years) & I started to communicate over email, which triggered me to defend my beliefs out in the open. He, my ex husband that is, seemed to have...

Posted by: sabina | October 15, 2007 9:31 PM

I can't beat those comments so I'll just say thanks. Gives me something to be proud of the USA for.

Posted by: macbags | October 15, 2007 8:51 PM

Mr. Majid has stolen many thoughts & beliefs from me! I'm so happy he did. And, he added so many fantastic corrolations to the blind obediance to organized religion; like America's corporate excess is indeed equivalent to extreme Muslim religion. America's Christian extremists & Corporations have indeed replaced Queens, Kings & Dictators. Listening to brilliant thinkers like Mr. Anouar Majid makes me believe there may be a God after all! Wake up America, do NOT follow any religion (Christian, Jewdeism, Muslim, Corporate or Materialism) blindly! Thank you Anouar Majid. We're lucky to have citizens like you. Dick St. Romain

Posted by: Richard St. Romain | October 14, 2007 11:14 PM

I would like to belive that most cultures want the same things. Love, Family, beliefs, happiness, safety, employment,and if the entire world aspire for the same goals why is there WAR, HUNGER, CRIME and DISEASE. We must learn to diagree and not be so intolarable.Why do we drown our pain and sorrow on liquor and drugs? Knowingly that it won't help any situation we are going through.Why do we think that we are always right.When I look at my children I feel sorrow because the world seems to hate each other. When I hug them I hope that they never find out what kind of world we live in.A world of no tolerance of just being diffrent, not acceptance but respecting others peoples point of views.

Posted by: Most People | October 14, 2007 9:55 PM

"Could it have been even conceivable to avoid WW-2, by trying to talk to Hitler and his Nazis about their ''Jewish problem'' and other goals like 'global conquest' to restore German 'honor' ?" Maybe not, but I sure hope it is possible for America to enter into a discussion about our "islam problem" to avoid WW-3. There is not Hitler on the other side. This time the agressor is us. We are the ones killing tens of thousands of people and dismanteling entire cultures this time. Maybe not with the same insane, diabolical cruelty. But then I am not a mother or child in Iraq either it might seem pretty cruel from that perspective.

Posted by: MLM | October 14, 2007 9:06 PM

As to the question, ''Yet even though constructive conversation is often desirable, is it always possible? I would like to answer that with another question: Could it have been even conceivable to avoid WW-2, by trying to talk to Hitler and his Nazis about their ''Jewish problem'' and other goals like 'global conquest' to restore German 'honor' ?

Posted by: Paul Amigo | October 14, 2007 5:17 PM

Another GREAT session, as usual. Among the expressions that struck me most was the term ''economic orthodoxy'' which, as Bill put it, is ''cut-throat capitalism'' and all its arrogant manifestations by way of mindless military 'adventurism', exploitation of poor countries by big corporations through globilisation etc.The conflict between 'rich and poor' will play out, as it always has throughout mankind's history at every micro and macro level in this world. It will depend on wise and mature leadership to take precautionary steps through 'equitable sharing' of global resources and wealth of nations. Ha, but then, there will always be this evil emotion called G-R-E-E-D in possession of men's hearts to keep them going for more and more and more - - -

Posted by: Paul Amigo | October 14, 2007 5:03 PM

My post is a message to Mr. Majib... How refreshing to hear your thoughts this afternoon in our part of the world... Having lived in Morocco a long time ago you reminded me of that wonderful place of peace. As a young American there, for a year and a half, I would eat, drink, talk and sing with Arabs, Jews and westerners all at the same table... The people I met and enjoyed life with then are still close to my heart. We lived in Essaouira mainly. But we also had the pleasure of living in the foothills above Tangiers and in Casablanca. Thank you for your book, your kind thoughts and your efforts for better relations between people. A salam ali cum... I pray for health and long life for you and your family. Sincerely, D. Dugay

Posted by: Donna Dugay | October 14, 2007 2:51 PM

This program is one of your very best, Bill, at least for me. Mr. Majid is so very intelligent, charismatic as well as great teacher. I look forward to reading his book. Also enjoyed most of the posts tonight!! (esp. Lee J. and Malbone).

Posted by: aximr | October 13, 2007 11:16 PM

Additional arguments supporting Professor Majid's concepts of orhodoxy and heresy can be found in AMERICA FASCISM + GOD, Sermons from a Heretical Preacher by Davidson Loehr - Chelsea Green Publishing Co.,White River Junction, VT. 2005. The economic orthodoxy that has gotten the US into Iraq is fascism. The orthodoxy we face in Iraq is fundamentalist Islam. To break out of the militaristic face off we currently find ourselves in will require either an acceptance of heresy - or the tolerance of a few heretical views - in both the U.S. and the Islamic countries of the world, or one more catastrophic, cataclysmic event similar to 9/11, The Maine (remember?), or the Golf of Tonkin. If our political leaders can not find a peaceful way out of this, perhaps academics, theologians or true leaders from other areas can come forward to provide the leadership needed. Moyers for President?

Posted by: Jeff Martin | October 13, 2007 11:05 PM

This is a great interview. Bogle is right about how the financial services industry is adding no value to society by trading pieces of paper around. The same argument applies to the $1.5 trillion health care/insurance industry. However I would argue that the latter is far more harmful to society than the former. We can avoid dealing with hedge fund managers all our lives but at some point we have to interact with the health care industry. The blame for rising costs of health care do not lie with the health care insurance companies as is commonly imagined. The insurance companies are here to fulfill a market need caused by expensive doctors who operate in a market which has been manipulated by forces such as the American Medical Association to keep the supply of doctors artificially low. As Milton Friedman the celebrated Nobel Prize winning author so tirelessly pointed out, the AMA is a special interest group which has worked hard to keep the barriers to entry into their profession difficult enough to enjoy an immunity from competition all in the name of protecting consumers. If a true free market were allowed to operate in the case of medicine the...

Posted by: Girish Pai | October 13, 2007 10:39 PM

An enjoyable interview, and an ingenious use of the word "heretic" by Majid - particularly in reference to issues that extend well beyond religion, and yet are touched by it almost inextricably. However, I wonder if Majid, with Moyers in tow, sets up an apparent contradiction here. In order to enrich and balance society, must one, as a virtue, only assume a role of "dissent"? If so, dissent against what, exactly, since the idea of dissent implies a minority in strong disagreement with a larger, more pervasive and prevailing thought? To put it a different way, over the past 3+ decades I've watched America create two new virtues: tolerance and pluralism - almost to the level of tyrannical social orthodoxy. I've spent the better part of my life "in dissent" against these two new orthodoxies. To consider a converse usage of the principle of heresy... is there any tolerance left for someone whose viewpoint might be tagged as "fundamentalist"? Ah, I've given myself away... or have I? Or does it really matter?

Posted by: Jeff Szolomayer | October 13, 2007 9:31 PM

I wish everyone including Majid and Moyers would read Ken Wilber's book "Integral Spirituality" and other works by him - also the ideas of Beck and Cowan, "Spiral Dynamics". There are LEVELS of DEVELOPMENT and GROWTH , each level is more inclusive, deeper, larger, more rational (the higher levels are trans-rational or mystical which include but surpass rationality.) It's all quite clear. One can map where a culture is religious/spiritually, culturally, economically, intellectually, etc. (Economics is the most controversial and undeveloped discipline/domain at this point discussed in these meta-theories). The European enlightenment of the 17th century was a fulcrum from dogma to rationality, for instance. Fundamentalism of any kind is pre-modern, i.e. medieval. http://racetoinfinity.blogspot.com

Posted by: racetoinfinity | October 13, 2007 9:03 PM

Correction: Moyers talked way too much to Donaldson - Robert Kuttner did not talk enough. Donaldson screwed up the SEC when he would not enforce the rules.

Posted by: mimi | October 13, 2007 7:16 PM

Moyers talked way too much to Donaldson - Robert Kuttner talk enough. Donaldson screwed up the SEC when he would not enforce the rules.

Posted by: mimi | October 13, 2007 7:14 PM

Heresy? What has happened to me, being a critical thinker, is that I was tagged as a trouble maker, not directly, but ostracized for it by those in power. Not acts of direct violence, but it is more subtle. It is painful and traumatic. In working on The Firefighter Story, I have found an alternative. Balancing content and character to engage young adults and the young at heart in an inspirational story about what it takes to be a good leader.

Posted by: Mindy Block | October 13, 2007 11:37 AM

I have been told many times that it is best not to discuss religion or politics at dinner, yet many times dinner is preceeded by a prayer. And ONE other thought: A universe united by the truth of equality would have no reason for dissent! = MJA

Posted by: Michael J Ahles | October 13, 2007 11:27 AM

All the commentary on last night's program was stimulating, especially Majid. Please people, elect a president who can converse intelligently with world leaders, who will keep religion separate from politics, who has insight and creative thinking abilities to change our world w/o bloodshed, and to solve the real problems of this country like our debt and the social issues. All we hear from the current slate of candidates is "same old", the tweaking of politics as usual.

Posted by: Barb | October 13, 2007 11:18 AM

Pardon me if this angle has been presented prior---after just watching the interview--I have to ask if maybe the human craves a tyrranny--? Americans, free to choose their religion, have united in capitalistic worship...as a moral high road and a uniting force. How do we till the mental terra firma without alienating the patriotic? How do we embrace the fear to question?

Posted by: Christine | October 13, 2007 6:01 AM

It is nice to read so many well-thought-out comments on a blog (for a change.) We live in 'interesting' times. I have seen evidence of much of what other writers have written here. But the truth is, if we cannot find a way to enter the consciousness of those who refuse to hear, there won't be enough people who employ their critical thinking skills to stem the tide of what appears to be a looming disaster. I am reminded of a couple of quotes: "In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." (George Orwell, I think). "there are none so blind as those who refuse to see." I guess we have to just try to keep getting the message out there, and hope it hits pay dirt with people. The ones who need to hear it the most, they aren't listening.

Posted by: Patricia | October 13, 2007 5:19 AM

This discussion reminds me of a Monty Python quote that I will probably butcher. "I strongly believe that most right thinking people are generally wrong." It goes without saying that under the definition of "heresy", as presented by Mr. Majid and Mr. Moyers, Jesus was a heretic to church orthodoxy. My own "belief" echos some previous posters' sentiments. That is, vanity is believing that you or I (or the person you or I were "so smart" to believe in) can impose your or my "chosen" religion or your or my "selection" of religious (or nonreligious) beliefs to the detriment of others. If the Golden Rule has a subtext under belief systems themselves it might be this: reciprocal religious respect. In other words. Accept that you or I and the "God" "you or I" were "so smart to select" (or fell upon through blind or ordained chance)may not have a monopoly on the truth for others. Pat Robertson, if I may, seems a bit too sure of "his" choice in message and God. I am almost certain even Pat would admit there are many smarter individuals than himself, and yet he speaks as though his choice in God and message is...

Posted by: Marc Andersen | October 13, 2007 2:19 AM

This was a great interview, thanks Bill.

Posted by: stephen miller | October 13, 2007 12:43 AM

Mr. Majid is operating under a very Eurocentric mentality and American mythology. He thoroughly romanticizes and glamorizes the American revolution as the "miraculous greatest gift to American civilization". What a naive and ignorant statement. I can't believe he describes the American economic system as "global". He says he is fascinated by America. What a childish perception. His crazy hypothesis, as he so characterizes is based on this. He seems to represent complete ignorance of European/American racism and imperialism. He only quotes Adam Smith. My goodness, he is so uninformed about the truth of America's genocidal, imperialist, racist, proselytizing beginnings. He was a very poor guest to have on Bill Moyers Journal, who usually seems to have more “balanced” intellectuals.

Posted by: ae | October 12, 2007 10:54 PM

the solution to every problem you can think of is The Robotic Wageless Economy http://TeamInfinity.com/RoboWagelessEconomyBM stop by and help make it happen sooner

Posted by: sysop | October 12, 2007 10:51 PM

Funny how no one mentions the deregulation of Ronald Regan during his Presidency. I remember going to the grocey store & was told by the butcher "we can sell you anything we want since deregulation".

Posted by: bettie williamson | October 12, 2007 10:33 PM

I had never heard of Professor Majid but seeing him on PBS convinced me he is a tremendously clear thinker. Absolutism leads to tyranny and turbulence. The terror after the French Revolution -- in the name of freedom -- led to a much worse history for France until 1871 than befell the US, even counting the Civil War. And absolutists need and even encourage absolutism in their enemies in order to provoke a greater battle. That's why Christian fundamentalists feed on the spectre of Muslim fundamentalism, and vice versa. Ultimately the dissenters in society forge the most creative links with the best in other societies. The Beat revolution in the 1950s, and the Beatles' famous embrace of Indian gurus, led to a great acceptance of Zen and other Eastern religions that have enriched the West far more than the apocalyptic visions of the Christian Right. It's very hard for a nation to deliberately foster dissent. It happened in the US in 1789 with the Bill of Rights, in Czechoslovakia after the Velvet Revolution, and perhaps in Germany and Japan after the Second World War. Each of those episodes has strengthened those societies. We need to find the dissenters in every...

Posted by: Malbone | October 12, 2007 10:27 PM

Human beings always push things until they break.

Posted by: Sandy Farrell | October 12, 2007 9:32 PM

I have always felt very uncomfortable with discussions when two people strongly disagree. I have avoided these conversations like the plague. but everytime I have ever had one of these discussions, and it hasn't gotten too out of hand.(and sometimes when it does), I always walk away a deeper person. and when I have had a night or two to reflect upon what they have have said to me, I rethink everything I said and I realize I am not right and that the person I talked with has been offering me something that enriches me everytime. and it has never failed. though it is hard everytime because of my struggle with conflict, it never ceases to be valuable to me in my relationships to all people and myself. God, give me courage to talk to everyone and to be honest and speak in such a way that allows them to speak the truth to me. and let me not forget what i learn. I facilitate a prison program called Alternatives to Violence Project. When I listen to others I try to make myself a safe place for them to say and do what is truly within them. I have...

Posted by: lee jankowski | October 12, 2007 8:57 PM

What would the world be like today had the president after 9/11 said: "It's important for us all to understand each other and to do that we have to talk, to communicate. Let all the mosques in America open their doors to Christians, to Jews and people of any faith. Let them hold conversations with each other to understand and learn about each other, our faiths, our hopes and dreams, our similarities, our wishes. Let all of us get together and find out how we can help reach greater understanding among Muslims of the world, and use our treasure not for war but for cultural exchanges, for assistance to those in need of more opportunity. Let us hold interagency, governmental and nongovernmentsl conferences at every level of society. Let the government and private foundations pay for people from Muslim countries to visit America and for Americans to visit them. Let us use common sense and good will to come together and drive out the demons of fear, oppression and poverty. Let us aid each other in a quest for understanding and brotherhood of all peoples. And let us begin with ourselves, our families, our schools and businesses, churchs and neighbors...

Posted by: Barbara Wickwire | October 12, 2007 4:22 PM

I have heard several heads,or representatives of other countries, on Democracy Now. Surprisingly they all speak of peace and verbal communication as a way to achieve this.This program taped Armiminjad's speach almost in it's entirety. Aside from his gaffs re: gays and the Holacaust, it had substance and common sense . I'm sure the reason he said the subject of wmds was closed was because an inspection was done with neg. results. They all appear to be intelligent and highly informed about other countries. Unfortunately we are stuck with a leader who does not have the knowledge or ability to communicate with others. One leader stated the taliban were trying to negotiate politically. However with our continued bombing more people are going to the Taliban organization. Bush is supporting a military leader in Pakistan creating mayhem. Bombing and killing hundreds of innocents in those countries we invaded, assisting Ethiopia and Israel in killing people, alienating approximately ten other countries calling them names is hardly the way to achieve peace. If Bush wants to see evil he should look in the mirror. Make sure you vote for a President who can speak to every leader in the world.

Posted by: Janice Pound | October 12, 2007 3:40 PM

To comment on Majid, I see his point and agree. However slideing into tyranny is up for debate. I agree with Moyers, anyone who would judge a person as not human or subhuman has eigther a mental disability or is just an imbicile. Also if that person wants to kill or manipulate you, the possiblility of a genuine conversation is slim to none. Its doubtful this person will put any thought or heart into the conversation, that is if you can get them to speak at all. These sort of people generally have a problem with change, and thats what the world is about... change.

Posted by: Matthew Davis | October 12, 2007 3:38 PM

Morgaine, Good comment. There is no problem with religion but there is a big problem with people who distort the truth to support actions that are inconsistent with the teachings of their prophets. Distorters come to conclusions that are not consistent with the premises of their religion. It is the old ploy of mob psychology to support death and destruction. We are not civilized until we quit killing each other to solve problems.

Posted by: David Eddy | October 12, 2007 12:01 PM

You have to have the capacity to think in abstract terms to allow for the possibility that you might be wrong. Most adults never get past the median level of moral and ethical development. They accept their values from a given external authority - the church, the bible, the law, the consensus reality, etc. - and they not only never learn to question that authority, they are threatened by anyone who does. This is the source of the fundamentalists' hatred of what they call "moral relativity" - they can't conceive of any idea except the one they were given as they grew up, and have been taught that deviating from it will land them in hell, in jail, etc. They want their morality carved in stone, and believe it was, by "god himself." The greatest danger to the world right now is this form of fundamentalism, no matter who practices it. It isn't the belief that defines these people, but their insistence on concrete concepts and inability to step beyond the world as they know it and conceive of another point of view. I've met atheist fundamentalists and Christians who could embrace other ideas. It's not what they believe but...

Posted by: Morgaine Swann | October 12, 2007 5:25 AM

The Iraq Occupation and the Coming War Against Iran Political Wickedness and Moral Bankruptcy By Rodrigue Tremblay (read this very informative/interesting article after the “Just War Theory”) The U.S. Congress should wake up before it is too late. When armaments are in the hands of immoral people, the danger is high that a nuclear war could be launched. Indeed, people in power who have no morality and no judgment can be expected to do anything, including killing millions of people, to save face. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18530.htm === http://findarticles.com/ Just WAR Theory (A brief historical review of sovereignty-issue treaties -- see below for the text of each section-link): 1. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_3_63/ai_101261140 2. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_3_63/ai_101261140/pg_2 3. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_3_63/ai_101261140/pg_3 4. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_3_63/ai_101261140/pg_4 5. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_3_63/ai_101261140/pg_5 6. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_3_63?pnum=6&opg=101261140 === 1. Just WAR Theory: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_3_63/ai_101261140 Does the Bush administration have the right under international law to attack and invade a sovereign nation in order to change its government? On March 20, 2003, a U.S.-led war against Iraq began when cruise missiles and laser-guided bombs were fired at the city of Baghdad and its surroundings. Since this war hasn't been formally approved by an international court of justice or by the United Nations, isn't the U.S. government in a legal quandary by having...

Posted by: Dr. Murray M. Morgan | October 12, 2007 1:36 AM

All other freedoms are dependent on the freedom of speech and the right to be heard. Truth is an essential element of effective communications. When the truth is distorted and corrupted by lies; there is no bases for correct understanding and arriving at the right action for the situation is impossible. Survival is always dependent on the correct response to a given situation. People formulate conclusions from given premises and the premises need to be consistent with reality. Otherwise, we ar ignorant fools groping in the dark.

Posted by: David Eddy | October 12, 2007 1:03 AM

Dear Friends, When you send out weekly notices via e-mail of Bill Moyers' programs, please send them in larger type. They are so small that my old eyes have a difficult time reading them. Thanks, Sincerely, Albert A. Bartlett

Posted by: Albert A. Bartlett | October 11, 2007 7:51 PM

If someone has chosen to edit you out of their worldview, it's pretty difficult to break into it. I've seen this with misogynists: my wife will say something that makes sense, they ignore it. I repeat what she said and it suddenly makes sense to them because it was spoken by a man. When there is someone who is blind because they will not see, you have to find an alternative means of communication (shunning, boycotting, voting for their rival candidate, get an advocate to whom they'll listen, etc.) or shock their worldview until it cracks (public demonstrations, etc.).

Posted by: Max Kaehn | October 11, 2007 7:45 PM

On the surface it does appear that it is impossible to communicate with someone who denounces another's human value, but like most common sense approaches it is more complex. Speaker Angry and Speaker Belittled can communicate with one another if the environment is right. One on one communication is fair easier than communication in the presence of a peer group. Since we are humans, we have common experiences which can breach intolerant icebergs within the sea of communication. Once two people realize that they are not under attack, they become relaxed and less defensive. Another obstacle to communication is the lack of empathy. There is a background to all views and perspectives, whether they are right or wrong. To approach a person who does not value another's humanity with condensation is quite counter-productive since defense mechanisms will be employed. When communicating with someone with a rigid view it is most productive to ask the simple question "Can you tell me why you feel that way, so I can understand your points more clearly?" Then the hard part comes in-Listening.

Posted by: Danielle | October 11, 2007 7:38 PM