Review of Dinesh D'Souza's The Enemy at Home

I recently finished listening to the audiobook of Dinesh D’Souza’s recent work “The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11.”
Because I don’t have much time to read but do make time to work out, I thought I’d get through it faster if I listened to it for half hour each day (which is more than I usually get for reading). The problem I noticed, though, and a caveat to those reading this review, is that it’s hard to back up one’s iPod and verify things. In the end, however, this isn’t a formal or complete review, but rather a handful of things I found interesting, and a couple things I took issue with, or at least with what wasn’t included. I recommend much of this book, having learned a good deal. Taking notes and writing this review has also helped me better consider American-Islamic relations.

Summary
D'Souza begins by explaining that he is not accusing the cultural left of intentionally co-organizing the actual attack on the Twin Towers. His premise is that, to the Muslim, the most appalling thing about the United States is not our foreign policy, as many on the left would have it, but rather our defense and propagation of immorality. The reason the U.S. is called “The Great Satan” is because it is the ultimate global tempter, exporting cultural depravity to Islamic countries.
Muslims recognize both the depravity and the allure of the U.S.’s immoral entertainment, and they hold us accountable, aware of the shameless American promotion of immorality that takes hold in Muslim countries despite the depth and influence of Arab traditional morality.
Incidentally, D’Souza remarks, Muslims acknowledge that they, like us, are not immune to western vices, but nonetheless hold to an enforced moral law, even if it’s one the Islamic populace and its leaders fall short of.

Notes
20 years before 9/11, the goal of radical Muslims in the middle east (a term against which D’Souza mildly cautions, as it betrays our geographic ethnocentrism) was to overthrow the “near” enemy, Islamic governments too nominal for radical Islam, and to replace them, as in the successful installment of the Khomeini regime. The death toll during this period, therefore, was primarily Muslim. Because this strategy wasn’t working, and because Arab civilian deaths incited protests in the Muslim community, a then-unknown Ayman al Zawahiri changed tactics to fight the “far” enemy, Israel and America, and soon met Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, who had also changed focus to the far, U.S. enemy. Together, they formed Al Qaeda.

D’Souza cites moderate Islamic scholars to posit that there is less antipathy for the Christian or Jew than for the effectively atheistic cultural left. I found this point in need of more convincing, as I wonder how the Christian crux of Christ’s sonship and deity – blasphemy to Muhammad – is reconcilable with an alliance on traditional morality. How much weight should we attribute to a shared outworking of our religions when ultimately the Muslim is called to fight until the religion is Allah’s (and not of the God of the bible)?

The same point is absent in D’Souza’s closing call to action, as he criticizes the castigation of Islam itself as if it were not culpable in its doctrine.
I believe much of the Qur’an sorely needs to be defused before we skip on ahead with D’Souza’s recommendations. The following is from Surah al-Taubah (9:29ff) of the Qur'an:

Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizyah (poll tax) with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.
The Jews call Uzayr (Ezra) a son of God, and the Christians call Christ the Son of God. That is a saying from their mouth; (In this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!

I originally read this in Emir and Ergun Caner’s book More Than A Prophet. These Christian ex-Muslim authors have likely had the most formative influence on my own understanding of Islam, and their book is a wonderfully written and valuable resource.

Christians and conservatives do need help in combating immorality and I’m grateful that D’Souza has brought to light this blight on America’s culture, but D’Souza doesn’t address even the perception of the Qur’an’s volatility. Regardless of how many Muslims don’t follow every letter of their scriptures, there’s nothing preventing an orthodox believer of Islam from choosing subjugation of non-Muslims through dhimmitude and jihad over any collaboration against profanity and immodesty.

Although he is reasoned in his worthy objective of cleansing the culture, D’Souza would’ve built a stronger case if he had made even brief reference to interfaith inhibitors like the Qur’an’s commendation of Christians to the fifth level of hell, especially since his book will be most welcomed by conservatives. While the Christian gospel states that all sinners are deserving of hell, the same gospel of Christ has made provision for all sinners (regardless of particulars) to receive equal access to salvation through the one sacrifice made for all people, Jesus Christ. This is a crucial point for secular audiences who don’t differentiate between evangelical Christianity and Islamicism, and it should be as well for D’Souza.
D’Souza recognizes how inextricably linked Islam is to all aspects of the Muslim’s life. He also recognizes Christianity’s (if not Christ’s) domination of the obedient Christian’s life. To ally for cultural morality gains means aligning irreconcilable beliefs in the very source of our morality, and this, for many a Muslim, is something they will not abide.
It is up to proponents of Islam to open up the Qur’an to free, thorough, and linguistically unhindered dialogue on their scriptures, or neither the Muslim’s interfaith or intrafaith unity will go very deep.

Wisdom from Willard

I listened to a free download of Dallas Willard and thought I'd share two bits of his unique wisdom:

Taking notes (writing things down when you hear them) is equivalent to reading it eight times. Think about that next time you're handed a sermon outline in church.

Love is: The intention to act for the good of the object.
This means that much of what we label love is actually desire.
His example was, "I may say 'I love chocolate cake.' But my intention is not to act for the good of the cake. That's desire."


What problems could be avoided if we ran everything through that filter!

Disaster Relief Training

Thursday evening, the Pookies and Pastor began a weekend of disaster relief training with the Southern Baptist Convention, which has the largest number of trained volunteers, more even than the Red Cross (which has the largest number of volunteers period).
We signed up for Water Purification and Clean-up and Recovery, with training on a front-loader called the Komatsu.

Friday, we got our training on the Komatsu.


Sit, Komatsu, Sit!


Upon hearing about the fires in southern California, I considered volunteering, but we decided that between our busy schedule before the baby arrives, and the chance of an early delivery (Pookie's brother came a month early, and my coworker delivered three weeks early), that we weren't committed to me going. Upon deciding against it, I found out my boss is taking nine business days off in a row starting tomorrow. That helped our decision settle well, though I'm not certain it counts as a sign from the Lord.
I still wish circumstances were more ideal to help, especially since this isn't the kind of thing that should be done only when convenient.

birthday for pookie! birthday for pookie!

b-day for pookie the wife began thusly:

Thursday, Oct. 11 - The Pookies Go to the Symphony

This is the only symphony experience I can recall, and my initial reaction to the strings was one of sublime wonder. I was enraptured, albeit briefly, by the first strains (what an inappropriate-sounding word for violins) but I guess that's also because I rarely pursue such artistic indulgences.
The uncultured and simple side of me thinks it silly that the conductor goes off stage so often only to come right back on. That, and shaking hands and giving hugs to the first chairs. Seems snooty. On this night the solo was by a tubist, or whatever tuba players are called. Very Pookie-appropriate.

Friday, Oct. 12

As we sat in 5:30 traffic, we enjoyed talking about Carol's exhortation that day to slow our daily pace enough to hear God's voice. This is one of a couple truths we have yet to implement that is as elusive as it is simple, the other major one being scheduling one-time tasks for an actual date, rather than just leaving it at the bottom of the pile while we tend only to the new stuff dumped daily onto the top.
We seem to think less of worship when we don't do ministry stuff, and that's our mistake. Props to Carol for her insights.
We listened to the wife's SCBC mix on the way to Ikea (It's so much fun singing "Come to Jesus' together). It was fitting that, since we mainly just returned stuff there, it was the first relaxing and short trip we've made to Ikea.

I recited to my Pookie-kins a poem I wrote on my Blackberry:

My oh my
I testify
to wonders nigh
within my bride.
I always find,
when at my side,
she strengthens my
resolve to try
that which to me doth sanctify
of God, our loving Adonai.
And in His marriage plan from high,
I joyfully with you abide.
Enjoying all your treasures thy
good nature gives in great supply.
You draw from me a love so high
and give so much to just one guy.
The best companion for my life,
I'm thankful for the knot we tied.
Each morning you're an easy sight
on tired eyes
from restless nights.
And evening brings such soft delight
upon your back and arm and thigh.
Each word and song and laugh and sigh
befriends the heart and piques the mind.
Of all won over by your style,
your husby most of all must smile
at merits smartly reconciled
in one so sweet and lacking guile,
one who prefers bamboo to tile.
At home for solely you I'll strive
until that day when he says, "I!"


(The "he" in the last line is our little boy Isaac, due next month, and the "I!" is something Grace joked that he would shriek as shorthand for his name, or just for no reason at all.)


Saturday, Oct. 13

In the evening, we attended Bayside Church's evening service and were impressed with their overview sermon on James.
Towards the end, I felt God reminding me that nothing is accomplished for His glory at SCBC apart from His power. I'd been guilty of a man-centered view of our church's stagnant condition and of my own abilities.

In the end, we were both blessed by the service, though it's good that we don't live closer because we might be tempted towards more comfortable service, and away from a church and city that seem to need us more.


Monday, Oct. 15
We met Sara and Peter for Korean BBQ at our favorite place, Oz, where they let you spin the super fun happy wheel on your birthday!

Deacon

A couple Sundays ago, I began a leaders' study at our church, one initiated and led by our English-speaking pastor. We're reading through John MacArthur's book "The Master's Plan For the Church," in hopes of improving communication between the English-speaking and Chinese congregations. It is also for me a closer look at the office I've been offered, that of deacon. My guess is that I won't want this added responsibility when I'm to make the decision in early '08, and less so the added commitment of time, the handiest example of which is attendance in Sunday meetings.

Nonetheless, I reminded Pookie the Wifey that this study is great for my spiritual growth (and fun, too), largely because of what I'm studying, and not solely dependent on who I'm studying with, which is to say, if we achieve none of the aforementioned goals, it will still have been worthwhile. Independent study as a means to growth is far more enjoyable and effective for me than for her and this point will bear repeating in our marriage.

It's been wonderful seeing the Spirit's work in my sanctification, but it does require that I keep in mind the lack of growth my more biblically experienced wife is experiencing.

Know what you believe and stand by it

I discovered this Mark Steyn article via Gene Edward Veith's Cranach blog.
It's an engaging argument for a national, cohesive and consistent ideology in place of our current mishmash of fraudulent "rights," political correctness, and politicking.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071015/COMMENTARY08/110150014/1012/COMMENTARY

Pray Through Ramadan

For the last couple of weeks, I've been learning and praying through 30daysfire.net's calendar online now for the Muslim month of Ramadan.

Today's entry is worth relaying, and the site is well executed and well worth five minutes of your time.

(The following is excerpted from today's prayer focus: Brunei and Christian Oppression)

"The national constitution states, “The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Muslim religion”. Islamic Shari’a law in Brunei supersedes civil law, and it regulates all aspects of life. Life is difficult for Christians in Brunei. Some have lost their jobs without any notice, while those seeking opportunities for higher education must leave the country to access universities. Evangelism is strictly forbidden, and some Christians have been arrested and detained for planning local outreaches. Expatriate schools must give instruction in Islam to all students and are not allowed to teach Christianity. Recently a foreign English teacher who simply prayed for blessings on a Malay family during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations (at the end of Ramadan) was given 48 hours to leave the country."

Hamlet, Saudi Arabia, and The Dangerous Book For Boys

The other night, the Pookies watched Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet and thoroughly enjoyed Shakespeare.
It was interesting to see how much more I enjoyed it ten years after first seeing it. Back when this was in my movie collection as a copy from laserdisc, I was primarily interested in cinematography, editing, and acting, so Branagh’s long and beautiful steadicam shots always give me a thrill (I know, I know. NERDDDDD!). I also was impressed with Branagh’s long takes because Shakespeare is even more impressive when it’s not cut up.

I’d like to think that it’s a gauge of my maturation, though, that when so many of the movies that were my favorites four or more years ago, have seemingly paled in the light of sanctification. A year ago, I revisited some of my favorite titles through our Netflix subscription, because the films (and movie-renting with even monthly regularity) were new to my wife. But I was surprised to see how much clearer I saw the ugliness of immorality or the decadence of character superficiality. If nothing else, my movies just seemed smaller, less significant.

By contrast, quite soon into the first two and a half (out of four) hours of Kenneth Branagh’s easily accessible 1996 version of Hamlet, the poetic Pookies were relishing Shakespeare’s dialogue with big grins. For the record, I do not consider myself a familiar fan of Shakespeare, formally speaking (I just say “Hoisted by my own petards” a lot).
But the enjoyment I derived from his writing is in keeping with the satisfaction I’ve been receiving from (relatively) wholesome and edifying entertainment.


Before Hamlet, we enjoyed “The Ultimate Gift.”
I had dismissed this title out of hand before our friend recommended it, figuring it was more well meaning than well made, but I was surprised in the beginning by it’s use of G.K. Chesterton and Psalm 116:15, and wished in the end that more movies like it were being made.
It does pull at the heartstrings, but competently so, and one of my favorite scenes was one of bad news.

Next in our queue is “As You Like It.” We’re continuing the Branagh-Shakespeare trend.


The Kingdom
Nothing in global affairs holds my attention more than Islam in world culture. It stems from my love for Jesus and an all-nations overflow of that love, contrasted with Muslims’ convictions that outweigh the hope available to them outside of martyrdom.

So I was eager to see The Kingdom as soon as I saw the trailer. It also helped that Peter Berg was directing, a name I’ve come to respect since seeing The Rundown, of all things, and watching him turn a molehill into a mountain, visually speaking.

Perhaps it’s my age (33) or the kind of person I am (serving at church is my hobby, to give you an idea), but I’ve never experienced more thrilling action on screen.

I mention that both as praise for the film (props to the stunt coordinator and editors), and as a revealer of my latent enthusiasm for vengeance. There’s an awesome highway action scene, where the bad guys try to kill the good guys, and the good guys try to stop the bad guys from killing them and from escaping, and the thrill for me, I noticed, escalated from the visceral excitement of a car crash, to seeing one bad guy get shot, and yearning, almost, for the rest of the bad guys to get killed. It triggered in me enough of a reaction to give me pause at the movie’s last bit of dialogue (and social commentary), instead of dismissing it altogether as simplistic and anti-American. (Once I’m done pausing, however, I’ll most likely dismiss it as such.)

Reflecting on the whirlwind that is The Kingdom, I see a contrast of sinful nature and imputed righteousness in that I could have tears in my eyes watching a jihadist detonate himself at the beginning of the film, and an hour later relish in the battle deaths of similar jihadists.




The Dangerous Book For Boys
By God's mercy, I've avoided developing an interest in video games.
After college, I developed a serious DVD habit, but since being married, even this has diminished to the point where I periodically argue for canceling our Netflix subscription.

So, as we prepare to raise our first child, my wife and I have set our sights on a noble non-video upbringing, and The Dangerous Book for Boys is, I hope, something that will prove a valuable resource in shaping both little Isaac's recreational direction and our own parenting mindset. Theology aside, I want to instill in his mind (and body) good and varied, constructive hobbies, not choices merely in game system and CDs.

The Dangerous Book For Boys is a compendium for all interests. Not all of it interested me, but that's a necessity of it's scope, not to mention what makes it so fun to read—if you don't enjoy the 1-3 page segment you're reading, the topics change quickly and dramatically. My favorites were: The 7 Ancient Wonders of the World (of which I was familiar with only 2), The 7 Modern Wonders of the World, Latin Phrases Every Boy Should Know, Five Knots Every Boy Should Know, Sampling Shakespeare, wrapping a package in brown paper string, and extraordinary stories, from which comes this quote by Robert Scott, expeditionist to Antarctica in 1911, "Make the boy interested in natural history if you can. It is better than games. They encourage it in some schools."

I'm hoping I'll be able to give the book to Isaac, and he'll quickly find something that appeals to him, setting him off on a pattern of constructive interests, keeping derivative digital entertainment at a distance. I may have to give this book to the parents of his contemporaries as well, though, to ensure he's not the lone battery-making, latin-studying, treehouse-building boy on the block.

It is extremely rare that I read (and recommend) a non-theological book, but this one wonderfully champions my new cause, wholesome edification for a much-needed revival in maturity. Play marbles, not Halo.