Pope´s White House Visit and Larger Questions
Rizwan Ghani
April 20, 2008
Pope´s visit to White House has raised larger questions including is secularism a sham in America as pointed out in my article Eliot Spitzer: Boys are Boys http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/55681.
Similarly, in the same article I also discussed that idea that Eliot´s resignation once again shows that American society despite acting modern (challenging old traditions and scriptures in step with spirit of Renaissance that supported individual freedom including role of religion in state affairs) is still living in Puritan Age. That is one-reason European intellectuals are always grumpy with American intelligentsia-including those from New England- for failing to help America experience Renaissance.
The Pope´s visit to White House cannot be allowed to pass as a personal matter based on his or her personal belief. In that case, either Pope should have been invited to personal property or host attended mass in the church. White House is a public property and its residents have to observe the law of the land.
Here is the fault line: America is a secular state and American constitution strongly protects and preserves the distinctions between state and the religion. Thus, the office of the US president by hosting a religious leader in White House has challenged the very concept of modern state.
The visit has therefore raised many serious questions. For example will White House host-with matching enthusiasm- religious and spiritual leaders of other world religion including Imams and monks to uphold ´democratic spirit´ and ´bridge religious divides´.
In broader context, Pope as the administrative head of church stands on inherited mountain of abuses and (sex) crimes that merit accountability not forgiveness.
It is a dark day in the US history because White House: as symbol and custodian of individual rights, including right to justice instead of pressing for delivery of justice opted to entertain Pope. It can therefore be argued that president´s conservative beliefs have rendered laws of a modern 21st century secular state subservient to religion.
It explains my assertion that America for want of experiencing Renaissance on line of Europe is still living in Puritan Age of 17th Century conforming to strict religious discipline thereby confusing characteristics and functioning of modern state with 14th politics where religion, religious order not (secular) laws determined fate of an individual.
The chroniclers endorse anti-religious movement as one of distinguishing features of Renaissance. Europe destroyed religious citadels because they had been turned into torture camps. The people of Cambridge in UK are remembered in British history for successfully challenging local religious authorities who were unwilling to return four local women abducted for sex slavery.
In my opinion history will judge Pope´s visit as a ´missed opportunity´ to bring to justice the culprits world over, allegedly responsible for ruining hundreds and thousands of lives. The lives that have been scarred for life for no fault of their own. An ´admittance of crime´ should not be ´spun as closure´.
It is a global phenomenon begging justice from international community including White House. The alleged abuses are gross violations of national constitutions and global justice system. The national courts including US Supreme Court, US justice department, child protection and anti-molestation laws should in step with handful of Cambridge people should come forward to end this curse. It is only possible if the culprits are brought to book-without fear and discrimination.
It is a tall order because reportedly the members of Holy See/Church enjoy the different financial and legal protective clauses including diplomatic immunity for persecution etc. Few details about Holy See can be read on http://thepope.blogs.nytimes.com/author/rruether/.
The question that American and global law makers, legal experts and human rights watch groups should ask is which church law authorizes allows spending of (reportedly) two billion dollars of out of church coffers to settle abuse cases. Reportedly, church-state due to its strong influence is covering crimes and allegedly saving criminals from facing the local justice systems worldwide. Because in its answer lies the fate of thousands across globe who allegedly are still being victimized by their churches. The delay and cover up on part of the concerned to act is only taking hope away from the victims.
In all probability, Pope´s White House visit will be remembered as extension of conservatism-belief in faith over reason. It warrants an explanation from the g liberals as to how the visit has not undermined constitutional secularism of a modern state because separation of state and religion forms the basis of modern state and modern civilization. It distinguishes west from east, modern world from extremist world and theocracies from democracies. If accepted the question that America should ask conservatives to explain US Iraq and Afghan occupations as war against extremism/terrorism or conservatives using extremism to secure corporate America´s economic and energy interests. Because, Pope´s visit confirms that religion based conservatism not secularism rules White House. The report ,Behind TV Analysts Pentagon´s hidden hands adds credence to such assertions which retell Vietnam war manipulations by Nixon (Anti-Vietnam War Movement by David Farber) and others. The report is reminiscent of Pentagon Paper that The New York Times started publishing in June 1971. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/washington/20generals.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/04/20/washington/20080419_RUMSFELD.html
In the 19th century, American nationalism claimed to have a "manifest destiny" to guide and educate "lesser" peoples in the world. Many conservative intellectuals and political leaders, therefore, favored a colonial policy for the United States. In 1980 renewed support for religious and national values opposition of government controls accounted for the ascendancy of the conservatives within the Republican Party paving way for Ronald Regan (Macridis, Roy C. "Conservatism." Microsoft Encarta). McCain and his Republican supporters want to continue with US military occupation and anti-liberal foreign policy in post Bush era at the cost of economic meltdown and undermining US image as continuation of 3rd Bush term in office.
Pope´s by pivoting his UN address on Universal Declaration of Human Rights has fallen short because UK, US and most third world NATO allies including Pakistan have not ratified Universal Human Rights Declarations. If Pope really wanted to use an international platform to deliver message of unity it should have also used Bible to stress on human rights because entire Muslim world respects teachings of Bible because belief in prophets of God, the revealed religions and the Books is one of the basic tenets of Islam.
Pope´s visit to a New York Synagogue shows that so much has changed since Shakespeare´s Merchant of Venice.
Pope´s visit to president´s personal property in Texas would have made sense but his visit to White House has undermined independence of secular states. Similarly, the failure of White House and other law enforcement agencies to help alleged victims of alleged abuses on church properties tantamount to collapse of modern secular state versus religious state.
The missed opportunity to bring alleged culprits to book will not only leave victims disappointed but encourage others to continue with such inhumane and illegal practices. Thereby, muddling the difference between modern states and dark ages where doctrines not law ruled.
Pope´s White House has left a precedent. Is the visit a legacy or a mistake? It depends on who is making the judgment. However, for those who want an objective view may have to wait until history makes its own judgment-until then it is a missed opportunity.
Finally, it would be interesting to see how liberals and Democrats address the issue of protecting legal rights of those who have been offered ´apology´ in exchange for accountability.
Similarly, in the same article I also discussed that idea that Eliot´s resignation once again shows that American society despite acting modern (challenging old traditions and scriptures in step with spirit of Renaissance that supported individual freedom including role of religion in state affairs) is still living in Puritan Age. That is one-reason European intellectuals are always grumpy with American intelligentsia-including those from New England- for failing to help America experience Renaissance.
The Pope´s visit to White House cannot be allowed to pass as a personal matter based on his or her personal belief. In that case, either Pope should have been invited to personal property or host attended mass in the church. White House is a public property and its residents have to observe the law of the land.
Here is the fault line: America is a secular state and American constitution strongly protects and preserves the distinctions between state and the religion. Thus, the office of the US president by hosting a religious leader in White House has challenged the very concept of modern state.
The visit has therefore raised many serious questions. For example will White House host-with matching enthusiasm- religious and spiritual leaders of other world religion including Imams and monks to uphold ´democratic spirit´ and ´bridge religious divides´.
In broader context, Pope as the administrative head of church stands on inherited mountain of abuses and (sex) crimes that merit accountability not forgiveness.
It is a dark day in the US history because White House: as symbol and custodian of individual rights, including right to justice instead of pressing for delivery of justice opted to entertain Pope. It can therefore be argued that president´s conservative beliefs have rendered laws of a modern 21st century secular state subservient to religion.
It explains my assertion that America for want of experiencing Renaissance on line of Europe is still living in Puritan Age of 17th Century conforming to strict religious discipline thereby confusing characteristics and functioning of modern state with 14th politics where religion, religious order not (secular) laws determined fate of an individual.
The chroniclers endorse anti-religious movement as one of distinguishing features of Renaissance. Europe destroyed religious citadels because they had been turned into torture camps. The people of Cambridge in UK are remembered in British history for successfully challenging local religious authorities who were unwilling to return four local women abducted for sex slavery.
In my opinion history will judge Pope´s visit as a ´missed opportunity´ to bring to justice the culprits world over, allegedly responsible for ruining hundreds and thousands of lives. The lives that have been scarred for life for no fault of their own. An ´admittance of crime´ should not be ´spun as closure´.
It is a global phenomenon begging justice from international community including White House. The alleged abuses are gross violations of national constitutions and global justice system. The national courts including US Supreme Court, US justice department, child protection and anti-molestation laws should in step with handful of Cambridge people should come forward to end this curse. It is only possible if the culprits are brought to book-without fear and discrimination.
It is a tall order because reportedly the members of Holy See/Church enjoy the different financial and legal protective clauses including diplomatic immunity for persecution etc. Few details about Holy See can be read on http://thepope.blogs.nytimes.com/author/rruether/.
The question that American and global law makers, legal experts and human rights watch groups should ask is which church law authorizes allows spending of (reportedly) two billion dollars of out of church coffers to settle abuse cases. Reportedly, church-state due to its strong influence is covering crimes and allegedly saving criminals from facing the local justice systems worldwide. Because in its answer lies the fate of thousands across globe who allegedly are still being victimized by their churches. The delay and cover up on part of the concerned to act is only taking hope away from the victims.
In all probability, Pope´s White House visit will be remembered as extension of conservatism-belief in faith over reason. It warrants an explanation from the g liberals as to how the visit has not undermined constitutional secularism of a modern state because separation of state and religion forms the basis of modern state and modern civilization. It distinguishes west from east, modern world from extremist world and theocracies from democracies. If accepted the question that America should ask conservatives to explain US Iraq and Afghan occupations as war against extremism/terrorism or conservatives using extremism to secure corporate America´s economic and energy interests. Because, Pope´s visit confirms that religion based conservatism not secularism rules White House. The report ,Behind TV Analysts Pentagon´s hidden hands adds credence to such assertions which retell Vietnam war manipulations by Nixon (Anti-Vietnam War Movement by David Farber) and others. The report is reminiscent of Pentagon Paper that The New York Times started publishing in June 1971. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/washington/20generals.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/04/20/washington/20080419_RUMSFELD.html
In the 19th century, American nationalism claimed to have a "manifest destiny" to guide and educate "lesser" peoples in the world. Many conservative intellectuals and political leaders, therefore, favored a colonial policy for the United States. In 1980 renewed support for religious and national values opposition of government controls accounted for the ascendancy of the conservatives within the Republican Party paving way for Ronald Regan (Macridis, Roy C. "Conservatism." Microsoft Encarta). McCain and his Republican supporters want to continue with US military occupation and anti-liberal foreign policy in post Bush era at the cost of economic meltdown and undermining US image as continuation of 3rd Bush term in office.
Pope´s by pivoting his UN address on Universal Declaration of Human Rights has fallen short because UK, US and most third world NATO allies including Pakistan have not ratified Universal Human Rights Declarations. If Pope really wanted to use an international platform to deliver message of unity it should have also used Bible to stress on human rights because entire Muslim world respects teachings of Bible because belief in prophets of God, the revealed religions and the Books is one of the basic tenets of Islam.
Pope´s visit to a New York Synagogue shows that so much has changed since Shakespeare´s Merchant of Venice.
Pope´s visit to president´s personal property in Texas would have made sense but his visit to White House has undermined independence of secular states. Similarly, the failure of White House and other law enforcement agencies to help alleged victims of alleged abuses on church properties tantamount to collapse of modern secular state versus religious state.
The missed opportunity to bring alleged culprits to book will not only leave victims disappointed but encourage others to continue with such inhumane and illegal practices. Thereby, muddling the difference between modern states and dark ages where doctrines not law ruled.
Pope´s White House has left a precedent. Is the visit a legacy or a mistake? It depends on who is making the judgment. However, for those who want an objective view may have to wait until history makes its own judgment-until then it is a missed opportunity.
Finally, it would be interesting to see how liberals and Democrats address the issue of protecting legal rights of those who have been offered ´apology´ in exchange for accountability.
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