RADICALISM

From My Perspective - - -

There are many different philosophies for life and government embraced by people in this world. For anyone over the age of 50, there are too many remembrances of Nazism, Communism, Socialism, and Fascism (and too many “isms” to list them all). For those who fought in, and who still remember the horrors of World War II, Americanism (democracy) – with all of its quirks and foibles – is to be preferred over any alternative.

One should be wary when the possibility of “Change” is offered. It has a nice ring to it – but – what does it mean? “Change” from what – to what? One of the subtle possibilities that is submerged below the surface of political ambitions being seen today is Radicalism. This philosophy for a life and/or nation has been around since the early 1970s. It was popularized in the writings of Saul Alinsky and has been embraced by some well-known politicians in the United States and elsewhere. They do not trumpet their embrace of and their allegiance to this philosophy – they just follow many of the Tactics to subtly achieve certain objectives and goals. Saul Alinsky’s biographer, Sanford B. Horwitt, writes: “Alinsky believed in the radical American idea that democracy is for ordinary people…(and that) his spirit and importance live on is no small comfort amidst the decay of democracy…” You can read about this background and political philosophy at the website: http://www.itvs.org/democraticpromise/alinsky.html...

Another website that states the Alinsky principle more boldly lists the 13 TACTICS that Radicals must embrace and implement. Go to: http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/communism/alinsky.htm... Some of these Tactics are: “1. Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have….4. Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules… 5. Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage….13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. In conflict tactics there are certain rules that [should be regarded] as universalities. One is that the opposition must be singled out as the target and ‘frozen.’... When you 'freeze the target,' you disregard these [rational but distracting] arguments and carry out your attack.... One acts decisively only in the conviction that all the angels are on one side and all the devils on the other." These principles were selected to highlight the particular operative words: “Power… Ridicule… Pressure (on opposition to follow own rules)… Pressure… Conflict… Polarization (freeze the target)… Obviously, the idea is assertive on the one hand and encourages polarization and conflict (confusion) on the other. If a careful and honest analysis is done regarding where we are headed politically today, Radicalism (along with Socialism) are standing on the threshold of this nation – and – thousands and millions of people are rallying to this cause and around this banner. The underlying and unasked question is – Why? How can intelligent people develop a “herd instinct” and embrace the unknown and undefined, and head full speed toward the precipice?

Consider these things with me - - - ponder and ask – what has happened to Christianity and the Church that has left people with a diminished interest and lack of involvement? Why is the approach of Jesus Christ becoming increasingly passé, whereas the Alinsky approach is revived and energized? Jesus Christ offered a radical choice and a decisive commitment for one to be His disciple. Why is that no longer a focus? Whatever happened to the consideration of: Luke 14:26-27, 33 [NLT] – “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me…no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.” Have we become so enamored with materialism and power potential, that personal “stuff” and temporal is allowed to dwarf the eternal; and the true significance in terms of the soul and commitment to Jesus Christ is jettisoned for the rhetoric of the moment that may very easily crush the spirit and enslave the mind and neutralize the will? Don’t miss the only change of significance, namely, yielding to Jesus Christ – His will and His plan and His cause. He’s ready and waiting to be followed! He will lead you on a positive journey!