Last week, I received a phone call from a very nice person at the Fixed-Point Foundation, a ‘Christian “think-tank” and teaching resource for churches and the broader community.’
She wanted to make sure I knew that Dinesh D’Souza and Peter Singer will be debating at Princeton in December at an event co-hosted by her organization.
I know I disappointed her when I said it wasn’t something that interested me.
Why? The title of the debate is “Can there be morality without God?”
They’ve done this same debate at least once before. And while the subjects of infanticide and euthanasia will certainly be discussed, it will all be within the framework of the newest installment in the “Culture Wars” debate.
The framework for this debate serves both men’s current agendas. D’Souza’s latest book is What’s So Great About Christianity – and we can conclude from this that it’s not just a God that D’Souza believes is necessary for morality, but a Christian one.
Singer, of course, loves nothing better than to put his ethical positions up on a stage where his opposition can be framed solely in religious terms.
There will be no room in this debate for the secular viewpoints of disability advocates and activists who have been prominent in opposing Singer’s public policy advocacy in the areas of infanticide and euthanasia.
Even outside of the disability community, there are voices that could lead to a richer debate. Columnist Nat Hentoff, for example, describes himself as a “Jewish, atheist, civil libertarian, left-wing pro-lifer.” He’s written passionately on infanticide, euthanasia, assisted suicide and the case of Terri Schiavo.
Seeing Hentoff debating either of these two men would be both enlightening and entertaining. Much more so than this tired retread of the “Culture Wars.”
But I don’t see either D’Souza or Singer jumping at the opportunity. They’d have to dump their prepared scripts. And besides, it wouldn’t do anything to further their respective careers. –Stephen Drake
PS – The event isn’t linked anywhere, but it’s scheduled for 8:30 pm, December 3, 2008, at Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University. I am willing to bet that copies of both men’s books will be on sale in the lobby.
PPS – Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!
This sort of thing can get really frustrating. The “religion” (read: conservative Christianity only) versus rationality conflict, the exclusive assignment of everyone’s right to live to the former.