Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Ism Schism

So that’s why they hate us, supposedly…

Commentary has published a piece, written by David Gelernter, titled “Americanism—and Its Enemies." Gelernter’s piece purportedly finds that Puritanism isn’t dead, but has instead morphed into Americanism, with the Bible acting not only as the tie between the two, but as the focal point of the potency of both of these isms.  In support of this thesis, Gelernter provides many interesting points to ponder, noting old tyme preachers, founding fathers, various historians of renown, American-Zionism, the Bible, and, of course, democracy.

After reading Gelernter’s piece over a few times, all I have to say is that if being an American entails what Gelernter believes, then I am an enemy of Americanism, also.  But I don’t necessarily think Gelernter’s Americanism is the focal point of the hate which supposedly dogs Americans.  I think the focal point of the hate, if indeed it is hate, is much more simple.  It’s called envy.

Posted by John Venlet on 01/19 at 04:56 PM
News • (1) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Page 1 of 1 pages