Daniel C. Dennett
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/daniel_c_dennett/2007/01/the_role_of_faith_in_the_iraq.html
Relying on Faith Instead of Facts Brought Moral Calamity
"As Madeline Albright’s comment clearly articulates, in principle
there is such a thing as a just war. The conditions are seldom met,
however, and this is no accident. Naked aggression is almost always
dressed up, with varying degrees of plausibility, to look like the
furtherance of a cause that is at least arguable, so defending
innocent people from such aggression – which has to be the basis for
any just war – is seldom as clear-cut a grounding as the principles of
just war demand.
Moreover, as Albright also points out, even a war initiated with just
intentions can be betrayed by conduct of war that violates principles
of morality.
It is this, more than anything else, that utterly disqualifies the
fiasco in Iraq as a candidate for just war. Saddam Hussein was an
extraordinarily evil dictator, and the world is well rid of him, but
the steps taken by the USA to accomplish this – unilateral, arrogant,
and shockingly ignorant about local conditions – have brought shame on
the nation.
They have also been stunningly counterproductive. Respect for America
has plummeted worldwide, a dangerous development both for us in
America and for those around the world whose well-being and security
is partially protected by American support for principles of freedom
and equality.
Our declarations of good intent are now deservedly regarded with
cynicism by our friends and suspicion by those who desperately depend
on us. Inflating these declarations with religious rhetoric about God
being on our side is nothing less than obscene, however sincerely
these protestations of faith may be uttered.
Nothing has done more to discredit religious faith in recent years
than the self-righteous overconfidence with which our leaders have
“listened to God” instead of listening to the knowledgeable secular
advisors who have warned them, repeatedly, of the follies they were
embarking on.
Defenders of religion are eager to point out that the motivation for
this war was not religious, in spite of President Bush’s blunder in
calling it a “crusade,” but they must admit that the administration’s
faith in faith over faith in facts has probably been the principle
cause of the moral calamity that now confronts us."
Posted by Daniel C. Dennett on January 13, 2007 3:45 PM
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