“Talk about ‘the’ American idea is dangerous because it is often a precursor to, and an excuse for, the missionary impulse that sleeps lightly, when it sleeps at all, in many Americans.” George F. Will

We are a people who like to improve. We like to improve ourselves. Become a Better You. The Secret. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. We like to improve others. We want to save people from their own worst impulses. I’m not saying that we aren’t aware that this is a problematic impulse. We are a nation of people who are either people who lit out for the territories, like Huck Finn, or who are descended from those people who lit out for the territories. But we often got to the territories and tried to make them right.

Which is why I almost never actually admit that I don’t believe in God. On the rare occasions when I am with someone and we are discussing religion and they ask me point blank, what do I believe, I will answer honestly. There is often a flicker of surprise on someone’s face. People have asked me, if I don’t believe, what keeps me from committing crimes? Read More »