D'Souza Answers Islamists
One of the critiques which the radical Islamists raise against us is that our freedom and tolerance lead to vice on a previously unheard-of level. They’re right: many of us live in a cesspit of iniquity, and have no desire to be freed from it. But as Dinesh D'Souza points out, this is the way it must be.
The thing is, without freedom there is no virtue, but only the appearance thereof. The man who will be killed if he gets drunk cannot be lauded for his sobriety; the woman who will be stoned if she commits adultery cannot be praised for her fidelity. Yes, we live in a crass, vulgar and sinful society: but that makes the success of everyone who isn’t crass, vulgar and hopelessly sinful all the better.
This is a lesson that we Americans need to learn, just as much as the Islamists. Everyone who advocates laws against alcohol, or against homosexuals, or against atheists, or against Christians—he aims to prevent his fellows from doing what he believes is wrong: if he’s correct, he has stolen from them the ability to choose the right; if he’s wrong, then he has kept them from doing what is right.
It’s an interesting article, ending with this profound thought,
that America is worthy of our love and sacrifice because, more than
any other society, it makes possible for its citizens the good life, and
equally important, the life that is good.
