po-lem-ic 1. A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine.

If we choose faith we must suspend our reason in order to believe in something higher than reason. In fact we must believe by virtue of the absurd." Kierkegaard

This Kos Diary pointed out the scary mix of patriotism and religion in a Fourth of July celebration in Arkansas. I see this as an example of two forms of “blind faith” in action: the religious blind faith in God and the patriotic blind faith in Nation. Frankly, this does not surprise me. I contend that if you are able to suspend rationality in one domain, then, in all likelihood, you are predisposed to do it in other domains.

Blind faith, to me, suggests unwillingness to question or doubt. It is acceptance of a concept or belief despite evidence to the contrary, or in some cases, no evidence at all. Blind faith requires suspension of rational thought.

Belief in a “higher power” is the most common form of blind faith, though there are others. For example, I had friend who would only buy Dodge cars. No other brand compared and he had many reasons, along with a statistically insignificant collection of data to support his claims of superiority. (This same individual also was vehement that the Air Force was better than the Navy though he had not served in either. Not surprising, is now a Christian fundamentalist). I have also met “Macintosh zealots” (I used to be one), and Yankee Fans. :-)

Patriotism, taken to its extreme is another common form of blind faith. Here the irrational belief is that your nation (the place you live, your government, etc.) can do no wrong. This form of blind faith in action can be seen when someone is labeled “unpatriotic” because he or she questions what the country is doing (particularly when the military is involved).

Blind faith in a leader is similar to blind faith in a Nation. It’s basically ones inability to see wrong in a leader. This form of faith is common throughout history. Hitler is the best worst example of this. Enough Germans followed him blindly to commit the worst human tragedy in recorded history – 11 million human beings died. Of course there are plenty of examples where blind faith in a leader can be a good. The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. comes to mind.

The problem with blind faith in leaders is that it is hard to know who to put your faith in. Many followed Martin Luther King Jr. to equal rights. Many others followed Jim Jones to their death. Examples like Hitler and Jones show us how dangerous blind faith can be.

Blind Faith and the Current Administration

The current administration has, by pandering to the religious right, added a large contingent of “blind faith” driven people. And as I asserted above, if one is willing to suspend rationality in one domain, in all likelihood, they are able to suspend rationality in other domains.

It is not a stretch then to think that these people who have willingly suspended rationality for their religion can do the same for a President “just like them” or the government run by him. And it appears that they have done just that. We know that a large portion of Bush’s power comes from the blind faith the far right puts in him. And, as is the nature of blind faith, the faithful do not seem to question the abuses of power committed by him and his administration.

Should we stop Blind Faith?

Even if we wanted to, I suspect that there is a genetic or an evolutionary component to it. In other words, it may be wired into us (some more than others) so we are stuck with it. The most we can do is show the blindly faithful the damage they cause by keeping their eyes shut.

ARB

I hope this polemic has made you think. After all, that’s what a polemic is supposed to do. It is also supposed to get you talking. So start talking.