Hi,
In one sense, John Lofton's notion of "operational atheism"
has much more to it than meets the eye. Consider, for example, the
views of "Radical Orthodox" Christian theologians (e.g., John
Milbank) and some other important "post-liberal" contemporary
Christian thinkers (e.g., Stanley Hauerwas) who tend to take the view
that much of modernity, including the underpinnings of our social
science, the basis of our economic system, and the assumptions of our
political theory, are profoundly at odds with the world-view of the
Bible. If you're looking for an uncompromising,
religiously-inspired, critique of the "operational" assumptions of
our government and society, this is it.
Significantly, though, these thinkers are _not_ sympathetic
to the so-called "religious right." To the contrary, they tend to
find much of the "religious right" agenda to be either beside the
point or perniciously "Constantinian." Moreover, to the extent that
they have "public policy" views (though they dislike the term), they
tend to focus on issues such as justice for the poor (and skepticism
about capitalism) or, in Hauerwas's case, an uncompromising
opposition to war.
So, at the end of the day, Ed Brayton is also profoundly
right to point out that staunch religious believers can end up taking
what might, in crude shorthand, be called the "ACLU position" on many
of the issues that divide us, while proud atheists (including many
neoconservatives) can easily take what might loosely be called the
"anti-ACLU" position.
The interesting question, though, is why this is, at least
in popular discourse, so little noticed and appreciated.
Perry
*******************************************************
Perry Dane
Professor of Law
Rutgers University
School of Law -- Camden
217 North Fifth Street
Camden, NJ 08102
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.camlaw.rutgers.edu/bio/925/
Work: (856) 225-6004
Fax: (856) 969-7924
Home: (610) 896-5702
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