No war is ever fought because of ideology, whether political or religious. All wars are fought between the very rich and the very poor, or to be more specific, the greedy and the destitute. Ideology in itself, despite the passionate claims of both adherents and detractors is as innocuous and inert as a gun, bomb, missile or any other tool of war or peace.
Iran, Israel and the United Sates at the level of government were the strongest of allies in the 50s. So was Cuba and the US. What happened subsequently should instruct us all of the dangers present whenever whichever Platonic philosophy kings may preside over the political and religious institutions of a people, become so infatuated with their positions and powers that they lose both regard and appreciation for the plight of the people under their jurisdiction.
Christianity is as capable of equally abominable atrocities as Islam, Marxism as free-market Capitalism. This is neither conjectural nor controversial. This is simply the lesson taught by history. Ideology is merely a tool of the human spirit, never master of it, regardless of whatever its claim to represent the governing principles or eternal truths of life, or whatever claims made of authorship, however sacralized or entrenched its institutions etc.
Those ideological purists who wish to attempt what Jesus said is impossible, which is to separate the wheat from the tares before the appointed day of judgment, have absolutely no standing to do so. Both Columbus and Cromwell were as Christian as Clement or Calvin. The armies of socialist states governed by Marxist ideologues have been as merciless butchers as have the armies of democracies with Christian presidents. There is no point to be had by labelling anyone ‘so – called’ in a bid to dissociate them for bad behaviour. Whatever one’s profession of conviction is their label.
Biblical heroes venerated by Christians were as capable of moral atrocities as their ‘so-called’ pagan counterparts. (Well, this is perhaps the only exception – when what someone is so-called is not claimed by them, but given by others.) Those who disagree probably never took the time to read the diaries of great leaders, or read their unvarnished biographies. When I say that Columbus and Cromwell were as Christian as they come, I am speaking about their religious devotion and inner spiritual life as recorded by themselves and their closest allies. Daily devout prayer and the assiduous reading and meditation on scripture is no necessary guarantee against genocide.
This is not to say that some ideas are not better than others. Of course not. That’s why we keep trying them on like garments across time and space. I actually both agree and disagree with Ian Boyne. Ideas matter indeed, but not as much as we tell ourselves. Those who think most of the people in the world are either stupid or ignorant or uninformed or unlucky and only they and those like themselves (thank God) actually have it right, are generally possessed of the kind of egos that will mishandle whatever ideology they espouse. Guns in the hands of infants are just as dangerous.
For God so loved the world …. why is that so difficult an idea to embrace? Because most of us experience it as such – an idea, and like most other great ideas, for as long as they remain on the level of the intellect, are morally neutral. Intellect is not the source of moral truth. Empathy is. (and before the ideologues get started on me, empathy is just another word for love is just another word for God … but this should make you see my point about people who learn religious ‘truths’ as teachings of men but have no understanding of what ‘in spirit and truth’ mean beyond words on a page and dictionary definitions.)
Empathy is learned in other ways than reading a book, or being taught a tradition. Jesus’ ability to see and connect with the heart of men and women across time and space is yes a gift of the Spirit, but such grace is commonly given every man, and if, whatever one’s spiritual practice may be, it affords them to nurture that grace and become proficient in its application, that is what will prevent whether genocide or any other transgression against humanity or Nature.
Not even an elightened conscience will do that for sometimes even when we know what is right, our inner drives are more wired to do wrong. When however one transcends self and selfishness through activated empathy, one is driven to do right because one has now embodied righteousness experientially into their own well-being.
This is what I believe Jesus referred to as ‘I in the Father and the Father in me’ ‘You in me and I in you’. Onesness and unity have become experiential – not negotiated, not taught, not legislated, not inculcated or even cultivated, although those may certainly help. When all have become one in spirit, transgression ceases. Glory is the experience.
The Americans have failed miserably with the idea of ‘Out of many, one’. One would have thought that victims of genocide would learn to refrain from the temptation, but then there is Gaza. The idea that the Caribbean people have something to offer the world by way of our experience is a grand idea … like all others, but it takes grace, fervency and leadership by example to score the goal.
We pray.
I have no idea what the discussants think or will say. My duty is to stoke controversy and excite interest. I hope I have succeeded. All are invited to consider and contribute.
Topic: Caribbean Civilization and the Caribbean Church
Time: Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026 06:30 PM Jamaica
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