I don’t know the politics of Mr. X but this column reminds me of what I’ve often felt is one of the main differences between liberals and conservatives. Liberals are open to other viewpoints, want to understand how and why others think differently than we do, and are comfortable letting those different folks live whatever kind of lives they want to lead. Conservatives often feel theirs is the only right way and they want to restrict the beliefs and actions of those who believe differently. I realize that is a generality, but when you look at recent actions in our state regarding reproductive rights, book banning and LGBTQ rights, I rest my case. Keep exploring and seeking to understand, Bob.
When you believe in freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion only when it's easy or only when it's your team (tribe), then you really don't believe in it.
It takes a strong person to stand up to those who try to manipulate you in the way that the person you describe tried to do. When you are in the public eye as a writer or a teacher for several decades as I was many just drop out rather than constantly fighting to maintain what you see as logic. Keep talking while others retreat.
I'm a newer subscriber and I work in the academic sector. Others have commented more eloquently, but I read your posts because I want to learn more. I couldn't travel to the capitol to see the display. I didn't know anything about their group. Now I do. Thank you for your willingness to share.
Thank you for this. I appreciate getting to share in your anthropology. It takes courage to withstand people who don’t just disagree but write you off. It seems we are too divided for debate. This is a huge loss in a democracy or in any human endeavor, really. Thank you for your voice, Bob.
Mr X sounds like Church Lady from SNL. Eastern Iowa legislator, Brad Sherman, speaks of Satan so often I expect Satan to be at an Iowa Republican caucus. Bob, keep your mind open and pencil.sharp. BTW New Orleans is the home of the amazing WWII Museum and the historical St Louis Cathedral which must scare Satan. Amen
Thank you, Bob. I am certainly surprised by the reader response you discuss. The Satanic group is so much an obvious needling of the hypocrisy we see all around us, especially of those claiming to be so religious. I suppose to someone among the hypocrites, yours was an uncomfortable calling out.
Diversity of opinion should not be our enemy. For example, I agree with Jennifer Rubin of the
Washington Post that only repetitive sweeping Republican loses can rescue the party from its current insanity and make it worthwhile to the country’s future. I am disturbed that Chuck Offenburger can write favoring Nikki Haley over President Biden. But I am not harmed. I can read what he says and simply question with his judgement. Disagreeing with what is written should merely clarify our own thoughts.
That was quite a reaction from Mr. X. I personally appreciated your curiosity about the Satanist display and your further inquiry into the tenets the group holds. I am enlightened and find much in common with those beliefs.
Regarding the Satanists, watch George Carlin's piece. It gives substance to what many of us thought of the conventional logic presented in Sunday school.
Thank you for writing the original article and allowing readers to form their own opinions. And, hey! New Orleans is a hoot and a great study in humankind. Yeah, Iowa could benefit from a bit more of the NOLA vibe here and there.
I don't understand what your disgruntled reader objected to. What was your supposed error? and why the reference to New Orleans? It's not clear to me. Was it just the fact that the group you describe call themselves "satanists"? Sorry to be clueless.
...your Mr.X isn’t much of a loss. I’d struggle to work my brain around satanists, but the truth is that I struggle to work my brain around the views of a great many people who consider themselves Christians. The difference between the two groups seems to me to be intent: the Satanists are happy to practise theit beliefs amongst themselves, while so many Christians feel a need (or perhaps an obligation) to impose their beliefs on others. I prefer the former.
Agreed. I think there are still many good Christians out there who aren't White Nationalists or Dominionists. I wish we would hear more from them about those who have hijacked their faith.
Thank you, Bob, for another informative and important column. I particularly like your emphasis on the role of anthropology in your values: 'The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences.” So important, particularly right now.
I don’t know the politics of Mr. X but this column reminds me of what I’ve often felt is one of the main differences between liberals and conservatives. Liberals are open to other viewpoints, want to understand how and why others think differently than we do, and are comfortable letting those different folks live whatever kind of lives they want to lead. Conservatives often feel theirs is the only right way and they want to restrict the beliefs and actions of those who believe differently. I realize that is a generality, but when you look at recent actions in our state regarding reproductive rights, book banning and LGBTQ rights, I rest my case. Keep exploring and seeking to understand, Bob.
Thanks Dave. You too! And thanks for your columns...
Exactly, Dave. Well said.
When you believe in freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion only when it's easy or only when it's your team (tribe), then you really don't believe in it.
It takes a strong person to stand up to those who try to manipulate you in the way that the person you describe tried to do. When you are in the public eye as a writer or a teacher for several decades as I was many just drop out rather than constantly fighting to maintain what you see as logic. Keep talking while others retreat.
Bob: I just annualized my substack subscription. Perhaps that'll counteract your pal's vision problems.
Keep 'it' up...Iowa needs vision and perhaps your pen can provide it.
Vr, Mike Franken
Thanks much Admiral. To many of us, your vision is what we need. But I'll do my part.
I'm a newer subscriber and I work in the academic sector. Others have commented more eloquently, but I read your posts because I want to learn more. I couldn't travel to the capitol to see the display. I didn't know anything about their group. Now I do. Thank you for your willingness to share.
Thanks Brenda, welcome. There are many more writers in the collaborative I'm sure you will enjoy.
Bravo! Encore!! Thank you.
Thank you for this. I appreciate getting to share in your anthropology. It takes courage to withstand people who don’t just disagree but write you off. It seems we are too divided for debate. This is a huge loss in a democracy or in any human endeavor, really. Thank you for your voice, Bob.
Mr X sounds like Church Lady from SNL. Eastern Iowa legislator, Brad Sherman, speaks of Satan so often I expect Satan to be at an Iowa Republican caucus. Bob, keep your mind open and pencil.sharp. BTW New Orleans is the home of the amazing WWII Museum and the historical St Louis Cathedral which must scare Satan. Amen
Thanks Mary! Sherman is one of the most hypocritical of them all. He lies so much I don't know how he keeps them straight.
Thank you, Bob. I am certainly surprised by the reader response you discuss. The Satanic group is so much an obvious needling of the hypocrisy we see all around us, especially of those claiming to be so religious. I suppose to someone among the hypocrites, yours was an uncomfortable calling out.
Diversity of opinion should not be our enemy. For example, I agree with Jennifer Rubin of the
Washington Post that only repetitive sweeping Republican loses can rescue the party from its current insanity and make it worthwhile to the country’s future. I am disturbed that Chuck Offenburger can write favoring Nikki Haley over President Biden. But I am not harmed. I can read what he says and simply question with his judgement. Disagreeing with what is written should merely clarify our own thoughts.
Perfectly put Scott! Thanks.
That was quite a reaction from Mr. X. I personally appreciated your curiosity about the Satanist display and your further inquiry into the tenets the group holds. I am enlightened and find much in common with those beliefs.
Regarding the Satanists, watch George Carlin's piece. It gives substance to what many of us thought of the conventional logic presented in Sunday school.
I haven't watched it in some time, but I'll revisit. We need Carlin back...
I appreciate your column and your readers response to it. Mr. X gives “Iowa nice” a bad name.
Come to think of it, most of the individuals in Iowa government have drug “Iowa nice” through the mud for quite a while now so it’s lost some meaning.
Thanks Art. Yes, I cringe a bit when I hear "Iowa nice."
Thank you for writing the original article and allowing readers to form their own opinions. And, hey! New Orleans is a hoot and a great study in humankind. Yeah, Iowa could benefit from a bit more of the NOLA vibe here and there.
I don't understand what your disgruntled reader objected to. What was your supposed error? and why the reference to New Orleans? It's not clear to me. Was it just the fact that the group you describe call themselves "satanists"? Sorry to be clueless.
Margaret
My impression is that the commentator wants people to only write about Christians. At least that’s what I got from it.
He writes more broadly than that, maybe the word "Satan" bothers him.
I definitely see that, but I'm not sure why it would bother him except from a Christian perspective.
Hard to say, Margaret, but it must be how I wrote the piece. I let my empathy for their effort to show.
...your Mr.X isn’t much of a loss. I’d struggle to work my brain around satanists, but the truth is that I struggle to work my brain around the views of a great many people who consider themselves Christians. The difference between the two groups seems to me to be intent: the Satanists are happy to practise theit beliefs amongst themselves, while so many Christians feel a need (or perhaps an obligation) to impose their beliefs on others. I prefer the former.
Agreed. I think there are still many good Christians out there who aren't White Nationalists or Dominionists. I wish we would hear more from them about those who have hijacked their faith.
Thank you, Bob, for another informative and important column. I particularly like your emphasis on the role of anthropology in your values: 'The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences.” So important, particularly right now.
Margaret
Thanks much Margaret!