In 1964 Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater said, “. extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice!” It sparked a national debate among both academics and the common man on the street. History has been filled with the horrifying records of the fruit of extremism. Could it be that there is a righteous time for extremism? Didn’t Solomon say there was a time for everything?
Since 9/11 the world has had an epiphany regarding the fruit of extremism. The cover of a recent issue of Time magazine featured an Afghanistan woman who had had her nose and ears cut off because she had fled from her abusive in-laws. The extremism of a faith that condones such an atrocity jars us to introspection. What kind of religion could sanction such inhumanity? How is it that women, the last and crowning act of creation, can be so brutalized? Surely only the ignorant could say all religions are the same. This is darkness compared to Jesus the Light of the World who tells us our identifying mark is our love for each other.
In that same 1964 speech Goldwater also wisely said, “Those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. And let me remind you, they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyrannies.” This is especially true when used by those with religious motivations.
I can think of one occasion when extremism is most desirable. In Psalm 119:11 we read, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” To do no harm, to be no harm, to always act in love is our goal.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 12, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org