In the book of Romans, Paul the Apostle (who before
enlightenment enjoyed a good death by stoning) says,
“…we maintain that a man is justified by
faith apart from works…” On the other hand,
James (who most likely was Jesus’s brother) writes
in his own Bible book that “a man is justified
by works and not faith alone.” I was reminded
of this “faith” versus “works”
debate a few weeks ago, when watching Dennis Hastert,
the Speaker of the House, attack billionaire philanthropist
George Soros. In an utterly bizarre television moment,
Hastert claimed that he didn’t know where Soros
(whose legendary Quantum Fund earned him the title
of “greatest money manager in the world”)
gets his cash.
I suppose the attack shouldn’t be so shocking,
considering the relentless assaults Mr. Soros has
endured from Republicans since he announced that President
Bush is civilization’s greatest threat to world
peace and that defeating him in the 2004 elections
had become the “central focus” of his
life. Republicans went ballistic and since then I’ve
heard Soros verbally sodomized with every slander
in the conservative arsenal: “baby-killer,”
“morally bankrupt,” “anti-American,”
“drug-pusher,” “Jew hater,”
“madman,” “Devil incarnate”—
you name it.
Surprising appellations to be laid upon the head
of this 74 year old holocaust survivor, who is known
by many as the “Hungarian Horatio Alger”
— and who for the past twenty years has funneled
billions of dollars into democratic, health, and education
initiatives for developing countries around the globe.
Talk about good works. Here is a man that would have
impressed the sandals off brother James.
Except for one thing. Soros is an atheist.
I inevitably started wondering what would happen
if the competing Georges (Soros and Bush) were today
unfortunately called up to meet Peter at the Pearly
Gates; who would get the ticket to ride and who would
be denied?
George, the president, who set a record for the
most executions by any United States governor during
his stint in Texas?
Or
George, the philanthropist, whose
U.S. Justice Fund works toward eliminating excessive
violence and punishment in the American court system?
George, the president, who has abandoned
or dissolved more U.S. treaties than any other American
leader in U.S. history?
Or
George, the philanthropist, whose English Language
Programs have sent hundreds of native speakers abroad
to help foster international understanding and communication?
George, the president, who removed his country from
the United Nations’ Human Rights commission?
Or
George, the philanthropist, whose Human Rights
and Governance Grants Program provides support to
nongovernmental organizations working in the fields
of human rights and governance in Europe and Central
Asia?
George, the president, who has imprisoned more sick
people for growing and smoking medicinal marijuana
than any other U.S. Commander-in-Chief?
Or
George, the philanthropist, whose International
Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD), works
toward diminishing the individual and social harms
associated with drug use, advocating tightly controlled
legalization measures and rehabilitation?
George, the president, who withdrew his country
from The World Court (Permanent Court of International
Justice) and refuses to recognize its judgments?
Or
George, the philanthropist, whose Open Society
Justice Initiative promotes rights-based law reform,
builds knowledge and strengthens legal capacity
worldwide?
George, the president, who presided over 3.3 million
lost jobs and cut unemployment benefits for more
out of work Americans than any other sitting president?
Or
George, the philanthropist, whose Economic and
Business Development Program promotes the restructuring
of transitional economies, focusing on building
viable market economies and creating new jobs?
George, the president, who claims to have accepted
Jesus as his saviour, believing that God anointed
him as the world’s leader?
Or
George, the philanthropist, who has given billions
of dollars towards helping millions around the world
live free, prosperous, healthy lives?
You make the call.
| D.A. Blyler is the author of
the novel Steffi’s Club. His essays have
appeared at Salon.com, The Korean Herald, Bangkok’s
The Nation, and other international and online
publications. A lecturer at Rajabhat University
Rajanagarindra, he makes his home in Thailand.
His latest novel can be purchased at Amazon.com. |
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