Sleepycatz

Of ‘ists’ and ‘isms’

I have been slowly catching up on some of my online reading, and was struck by an apparent argument occurring between Glen Greenwald, Ann Althouse, and others regarding the use of term ‘Christianist’, as a Christian version of the popular usage of ‘Islamist’. I don’t wish to re-hash the entire set of arguments (please read the posts and their links, if you are interested), but in summary the argument is that Althouse and Glen Reynolds, and other conservatives, find the term insulting to Christians, while Greenwald, and other liberals, believe this is hypocrisy. Greenwald sums up his argument thus:

Are Althouse and Reynolds (and their like-minded comrade, Hewitt) really incapable of comprehending it? “Christians” (like “Muslims”) are those who believe in the religion. “Christianists” (like “Islamists”) are those who believe that their religious beliefs ought to shape politics and dictate the law. “Christian fascists” (like “Islamofascists”) are those who believe in the use of violence and terrorism to achieve those goals. The term “Christianist” has nothing to do with violence, only with a desire to compel others to adhere to Christian religious views via the force of politics, state power, and secular law.

Unfortunately, and it pains me to say this to Greenwald, all of you are wrong.

In my younger days, I was a bit of a stickler for using the proper terms for their intended objects - as I grew older I began to appreciate the fluidity of meaning more, and gave most of this habit up. However, there are still instances where the proper definition of a term allows for the more granular subtlety one finds in the real world. Twenty-some years ago when I did my studies in poli-sci, the terms ‘Islamism’ and ‘Islamist’ were not pejorative but referred to a specific political doctrine. The definition was/is that Islamism is a conservative political movement to bring together all Muslims under a single unified Islamic state. Thus, it is a pan-national movement, opposed to nationalistic, or socialist goals. It is pan-national as it seeks to unite, not encumbered by geographic boundaries, but by religious practice. It is conservative in that it supports a rigid social structure and is opposed to market regulation — within the limits if its theological boundaries.

Islamism was nurtured by both the British and American governments throughout the region after WWI, in order to counter pan-arab nationalism, and to deter a Soviet foothold in the Middle East. As I recall, and I am not a Middle East scholar, the acknowledged grandfather of the movement was Jamal al-Afgani, who was directly followed by such luminaries as Hassan al-Banna - one of the fathers of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The term ‘Christianist’ — as a derivation of ‘Islamist’ — cannot not apply to the American conservative Christian movement. The movement, as it exists today, is not pan-christian, but relies strongly upon nationalism and American exceptionalism. The term ‘Christian Nationalist’ does seem to apply well to many American fundamentalist Christians, and most will not strongly deny their desire for a theocratic state; while others will suggest, or even cry out, the need for a theonomic state. But this is not Christianism, as it still relies upon a particular national identity or national mythos at its core.

For those like Reynolds, and their ilk, who seem to use the word ‘Islamist’ the way a petulant child uses a word he believes is naughty, and whose parents are too indulgent to correct him, I would point out that not all terrorists are Islamists, nor are all combatants in Iraq. The PLO, for instance, — which many have named a terrorist organization — is/was more of a nationalist movement then an Islamist one. Men like Muqtada al-Sadr in Iraq, have shown themselves to be far more nationalistic then pan-Islamic.

One of the great and unfortunate losses in recent years has been the loss of subtlety and meaning. Too many wish to see the world as black or white, while it is inevitably grey. To paraphrase — somewhat ironically: There are more things in heaven and earth, Ms. Althouse, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Back — Kind Of

I am back again — I am not sure how much at this point. My mother passed just over two weeks ago. Though we didn’t always agree, she was a beautiful, generous, intelligent, and strong woman, and I will miss her till my passing comes.

Armistice / Vetran’s Day

Remember today, those who have sacrificed.

He sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark,
And shivered in his ghastly suit of grey,
Legless, sewn short at elbow. Through the park
Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn,
Voices of play and pleasure after day,
Till gathering sleep had mothered them from him.

About this time Town used to swing so gay
When glow-lamps budded in the light blue trees,
And girls glanced lovelier as the air grew dim,-
In the old times, before he threw away his knees.
Now he will never feel again how slim
Girls' waists are, or how warm their subtle hands.
All of them touch him like some queer disease.

There was an artist silly for his face,
For it was younger than his youth, last year.
Now, he is old; his back will never brace;
He's lost his colour very far from here,
Poured it down shell-holes till the veins ran dry,
And half his lifetime lapsed in the hot race
And leap of purple spurted from his thigh.

One time he liked a blood-smear down his leg,
After the matches, carried shoulder-high.
It was after football, when he'd drunk a peg,
He thought he'd better join.-He wonders why.
Someone had said he'd look a god in kilts,
That's why; and maybe, too, to please his Meg,
Aye, that was it, to please the giddy jilts
He asked to join. He didn't have to beg;
Smiling they wrote his lie: aged nineteen years.
Germans he scarcely thought of; all their guilt,
And Austria's, did not move him. And no fears
Of Fear came yet. He thought of jewelled hilts
For daggers in plaid socks; of smart salutes;
And care of arms; and leave; and pay arrears;
Esprit de corps; and hints for young recruits.
And soon, he was drafted out with drums and cheers.

Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal.
Only a solemn man who brought him fruits
Thanked him; and then inquired about his soul.

Now, he will spend a few sick years in institutes,
And do what things the rules consider wise,
And take whatever pity they may dole.
Tonight he noticed how the women's eyes
Passed from him to the strong men that were whole.
How cold and late it is! Why don't they come
And put him into bed? Why don't they come?

– Wilfred Owen (KIA November, 1918)

Vote for Coffee

Just a reminder. Tomorrow, 11/07, our coffeehouse will be conducting our regular Vote for Coffee event. Show up with an election receipt, or sticker, and you get a cup of great coffee on us. It’s simple, vote and get free coffee. . . . what more incentive do you need?

Additionally, we will be showing election results most of the night.

Pick a Cup Coffee
1813 Dempster St.
Evanston, IL 60201

Free Internet Access
Great Coffee

Sorry

I have not been able to update any posts for a while — due to an ongoing family emergency. I will hopefully return in better spirits with the month.

Thanks for you patience.

– Steve