Mystic Politics

The Human Myth: Altruism and the New Enlightenment

‘Eusociality, where some individuals reduce their own reproductive potential to raise others’ offspring, is what underpins the most advanced form of social organization and the dominance of social insects and humans.’

#Kony2012: Youth Movement Promotes US Military Presence in Central Africa

‘KONY 2012 is produced like any other sleek marketing campaign – instead of stimulating elements of self-satisfaction like advertisers would do to promote a product, US military intervention is justified to end an atrocious humanitarian catastrophe. The film also plays on an underlying theme of the White Man’s Burden, a notion that persons of European descent inherit a quality of guilt for their ancestors’ inclination for slavery and colonialism, requiring an activist response to finally correct the situation by “saving Africa.”’

[Image] #Truth, #Justice, & #Wisdom

[Image] The rising sun can dispel the darkness of night…

[Image] I’m not anti-system, the system is anti-me…

Church And State: The Slow Decline Of Religion In American Politics http://mys.tc/1tg secularism society

News Flash: Obama uses religious references for political gain

‘At the National Prayer Breakfast last week, seeking theological underpinning for his drive to raise taxes on the rich, President Obama invoked the highest possible authority. His policy, he testified “as a Christian,” “coincides with Jesus’ teaching that ‘for unto whom much is given, much shall be required.’ “

Now, I’m no theologian, but I’m fairly certain that neither Jesus nor his rabbinic forebears, when speaking of giving, meant some obligation to the state. You tithe to the priest, not the tax man. The Judeo-Christian tradition commands personal generosity as represented, for example, by the biblical injunction against retrieving any sheaf left behind while harvesting one’s own field. That is for the gleaners — “the poor and the alien” (Leviticus 19:10). Like Ruth in the field of Boaz. As far as I can tell, that charitable transaction involved no mediation by the IRS.’

They’re back: Social issues overtake US politics

‘All of a sudden, abortion, contraception and gay marriage are at the center of American political discourse, with the struggling, though improving, economy pushed to the background.

Social issues don’t typically dominate the discussion in shaky economies. But they do raise emotions important to factors like voter turnout. And they can be key tools for political candidates clamoring for attention, campaign cash or just a change of subject in an election year.’

Prophetic Politics: Charting a Healthy Role for Religion in Public Life http://mys.tc/1sp religion secular society

The Tragic Story of Christianity: How a Pacifist Religion Was Hijacked by Rabid Warmongering Elites

‘Though founded by a pacifist, Christianity has justified some of the most brutal slaughters in human history, but we may be able to recapture its peaceful essence.

From time to time, I read about condemnations of religion coming from non-religious groups, especially concerning the all-too-common violence perpetrated in the name of religious gods. Indeed there is plenty to condemn.

Altogether too many religions sects of both major and minor religions, despite verbally professing a desire for peace and justice in the world, are actually pro-war, pro-homicide and pro-violence in practice (or they may be silent on the subject, which is, according to moral theology, the same as being pro-violence).’