Ghost of a flea: Reason fallen ill

? Katie Holmes allergy | Main | Chavs, yarcos and neds ?

June 16, 2005

Reason fallen ill

Whatever my fundamental disagreements with the Holy See or with the views of any particular Pope, there is an enormous satisfaction at finding in Benedict XVI an intellectual voice to debate. In his "In Search of Freedom; Against Reason Fallen Ill and Religion Abused", this comment on the liberation of Europe from Nazi tyranny stands out.

We give thanks at this hour that this deliverance, in fact, took place. And not just those nations that suffered occupation by German troops, and were thus delivered over to Nazi terror, give thanks. We Germans, too, give thanks that by this action, freedom, law and justice would be restored to us. If nowhere else in history, here clearly is a case where, in the form of the Allied invasion, a justum bellum worked, ultimately, for the benefit of the very country against which it was waged.

It is fascinating to read an essay written by a theological figure that would take Jacques Derrida to task. I am also sympathetic to the view that religious conviction can address the nihilism that lies at the heart of deconstruction and the risk of tyranny such nihilism affords. That said, it is important to understand how very many Christians, both Protestant and Catholic, were active supporters of the Nazi party. Religious conviction alone is no guarantee against tyranny.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at June 16, 2005 09:21 AM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.ghostofaflea.com/cgi-bin/mt/trackback-engine.cgi/3943