Can Fundamentalists Learn From Chomsky?

Curt Day

I will go out on a limb here. By most definitions, Noam Chomsky is not a Christian fundamentalist. So can Christian fundamentalists learn from Chomsky? One would have to listen to him or read some of his works to answer that question.

Many conservatives are taught not to give Chomsky a fair hearing. He has been called a defender of Communism and an apologist for terrorists. I would challenge anyone to not just read those accusations but to fully examine the reasoning used. Then, instead of selectively reading small portions of Chomsky's writings, read all that Chomsky has said about tyrants, terrorism or Communism to see if the allegations have merit. A fair reading of Chomsky might lead one to conclude that those who charge him with defending evil do so in order to prevent those trapped in an authority addicted, conservative culture from escaping by reading or listening with an open mind.

Having read some of Chomsky’s books, I was delighted with having the opportunity to see him in person. This is what I observed from both his writings and seeing him in person. First, he lists legitimate references to back his claims. Of course, using solid references does not make one right. But the reliance on credible references shows a concern for truth.

Second, and what has been problematic for some, is his willingness to not only give credit where credit is due, but to give criticism in the same way. Chomsky's critics are as horrified when Chomsky praises a country considered to be an enemy as when he criticizes either the US or an ally. And though his critics see these tributes and censures as implying a character deficit, the opposite conclusion has more support. That Chomsky is willing to recognize when both the unpopular does what is right and the popular does what is wrong indicates a commitment to fairness and absolute values. The unwillingness to either recognize the unpopular or to judge the popular can indicate the presence of character deficits such as partisanship and the willingness to compromise one's moral standards.

Third, Chomsky openly criticizes the popular because he cares about the future of those who are at risk. In "Imperial Ambitions," he states that Social Security has existed because of a sense of concern and community responsibility. Compare that with the discussion I just heard on a conservative radio show bemoaning the fact that a US automaker cannot compete with a Japanese automaker because of pension obligations. The implication from this show was that our irresponsible, selfish retirees were at fault.

Finally, Chomsky puts great energy in communicating with others as an equal. This is true whether he is speaking to groups or when he is interacting one on one by answering questions.

The question becomes how well do these observations compare with Jesus' words in the Beatitudes, Paul's description of the fruit of the Spirit or the examples provided by the saints in the Bible? To the extent that these observations compare well favorably what we see in God's Word, so Christians can learn from Chomsky. But we must note that admirable attributes a Christian does not make. Faith in Christ does that. But we cannot afford to become arrogant because of our faith. We are told that all kinds of people can act honorably and speak wisely. In Romans 2, Paul tells us that the non-religious person can, by acting on their God given conscience, by noble behavior show the sinfulness of the religious person. And one has to wonder how any philosophy that blames those at risk rather than striving to help can be elevated by God's people over a view that earnestly desires to help and protect those who are vulnerable.

But something more must be said. My experience with my fellow flaming American fundamentalists is that they are currently heading in two opposite directions. On the one hand, the conservative Christian church is becoming too closed a society. We too quickly dismiss any more liberal minded person by what we call them. Our descriptions give us permission not to listen. At the same time, American Christian fundamentalists desire for the Bible to have more say over our government despite society's pluralism. In essence we are becoming Amish Imperialists--with apologies to the real Amish.

Certainly we can learn from Chomsky and where he speaks the truth we must. Only pride would cause one to disagree.

##

Curt Day is a religious flaming fundamentalist and a political extreme moderate. He can be reached at cday@prodigy.net

###