Article VI Blog

The Aftermath:

The future of the Supreme Court will turn on the elections of 2008, both presidential and in the Senate.

It's no time to pout, sulk, or otherwise quit working.

Romney hits an excellent note in reaction.

Was this loss because of libertarians leaving the fold? That Glenn Reynolds would think so is unsurprising, but looking impartially is there anything to the idea? If so, what does that say about Romneycare?

Moving On:

The '08 race started yesterday.

Lowell's blogging partner on his other blog looks at Tuesday in terms of Romney's potential run. I'm thinking we lost for not acting conservative enough, right now Romney is the most conservative name out there, so my guess it this is neutral to enhancing for him.

The blue state acts blue. So why is this news?

McCain is playing hardball, but then we knew that, didn't we?

Finally:

Mark Roberts points to the National Association of Evangelicals statement on Civic Responsibility.

Evangelical Christians seek in every area of life to submit to the authority of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11). Nevertheless, many contemporary political decisions—whether about environmental science, HIV/AIDS, or international trade—deal with complex sociological or technological issues not discussed explicitly in the Bible. As Christians engaged in public policy, we must do detailed social, economic, historical, jurisprudential, and political analysis if we are to understand our society and wisely apply our normative vision to political questions. Only if we deepen our Christian vision and also study our contemporary world can we engage in politics faithfully and wisely.

Sounds like room for common cause with other religions to me.

Yesterday on Hugh Hewitt's radio show, Christopher Hitchens referred to Harry Reid:

A Mormon mediocrity, and extraordinary, sort of reactionary, nullity.

To which Hugh responded:

Now isn't that bigoted to say a Mormon mediocrity, Christopher Hitchens?

The exchange continues for a while, and they return to it later in the interview. As the discussion continues, it is discovered that Hitchens is an "equal-opportunity" religious bigot feeling it important to point out which "cult" anyone in public life belongs to, apparently meaning Mormon, Anglican, Presbyterian….whatever. He is nonetheless incredibly insulting of Mormonism specifically, referring to Joseph Smith as "an idiot."

Does general religious bigotry somehow mitigate a specific expression of religious bigotry? Isn't that a bit like saying it is OK to be racist as long as you include the "high-yellas' and the "darkies"?

Hitchens seems to want to justify himself by pointing out how religion can affect political thought and it is therefore is important to know the religion of a specific individual, but that is a likewise weak case - race can affect political thought as well, yet it is widely acknowledged as bigoted to attack the race - one attacks the political conclusions, not the race or religion.

Hitchens is not pure left-but he is very left-leaning and this shows that in terms of the political opposition Evangelicals and Mormons have far more in common than differences. More, it illustrates that if we exhibit such inter-religious kinds of discrimination, we will play directly into the hands of that political opposition.

Lowell adds: Here's part of the actual exchange between Hewitt and Hitchens:

CH: [Harry Reid is] A Mormon mediocrity, and extraordinary, sort of reactionary, nullity.
HH: Now isn't that bigoted to say a Mormon mediocrity, Christopher Hitchens?
CH: No, no. I'm always in favor of pointing out which cult people belong to.
HH: You see, I think that is very, very harsh and offensive, but I will allow the Mormon listeners to call you on that.
CH: No, he's a Smithite, for Heaven's sake. I mean, he believes that some idiot found gold plates buried in the ground.
HH: But it is religious bigotry to call that out. And do you make similar comments…
CH: No, it's not me who says he's a Mormon. Excuse me, it's he who says it.
HH: I know that, but I still think…
CH: I say that anyone who believes that stuff is an idiot.
HH: I know you believe that, but isn't it sort of randomly bigoted to bring that out and throw it onto the table?
CH: Not at all, no. It's essential to point out…
HH: I disagree.

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