As It Is In Heaven

A heaven on Earth?

Once we believe in the possibility of a transformative politics, “the perfection begins.” [snip]

The danger of Obama’s charismatic healer-redeemer fable lies in the hubris it encourages, the belief that gifted politicians can engender a selfless communitarian solidarity. Such a renovation of our national life would require not only a change in constitutional structure—the current system having been geared to conflict by the Founders, who believed that the clash of private interests helps preserve liberty—but also a change in human nature. Obama’s conviction that it is possible to create a beautiful politics, one in which Americans will selflessly pursue a shared vision of the common good, recalls the belief that Dostoyevsky attributed to the nineteenth-century Russian revolutionists: that, come the revolution, “all men will become righteous in one instant.” The perfection would begin.

"Believe in politics."

"Politics can transform humanity."

"Politics can make humanity perfect."

Not according to this.

I'm beginning to understand Leftists.

(Thanks to Dan Collins)

Comments

[Donna B.]

I have to admit that I'm not an "anything" or "anyone". I'm not exactly Christian (though I was brought up to strive for Christian morals) and I'm not an atheist, or even an agnostic.

What I mostly am, is confused. And searching. Frankly, I find what you offer here as the "ideal" of being a Christian much more inviting than what I've found in most churches I've attended.

However, I must ask: do even atheists look to politics for answers?

I certainly hope not.

[Steve Skubinna]

William F. Buckley warned us not to immanentize the eschaton.

Even Jesus was plain on the distinction between this world and the next.