After reading this article about a United Methodist Missionary in Bolivia, I can see what Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris mean about how harmful Christians are. Kay Twilley is plying her evil notions, building a dormitory at a school for boys in the jungles of Bolivia, and working at the Hasta Crecer (Center for Children) helping children to break the cycle of poverty. This must be stopped as soon as possible. Who knows how many people have been harmed by her irrational behavior?
The argument that her work could be done, and perhaps done better, without any reference to her religious faith, or any religious faith, misses the point - and it is so simple it is too often missed - that it is in fact being done precisely because of her faith. Where are the secular folks building schools in the jungles of Bolivia? Where are the non-believers leaving behind home and family and career and comfort and all that they know and understand to live for others? I do not doubt that non-believers could do what Ms. Twilley is doing. Yet, they are not, and she is. There are children in B olivia who right now are benefitting from the work she is doing. You can argue that she is misguided in her beliefs. You cannot claim that she is doing more harm than good because she is motivated by reasons some do not understsand.
I do not doubt that morality and ethical behavior exist outside any religious frame of reference; it would be ludicrous to argue otherwise (although I will grant some Christians do so argue). To insist that moral action motivated by faith is somehow fundamentally flawed, however, is intellectually dishonest, and dishonors the commitment Ms. Twilley, and thousands like her have made. We should celebrate her achievements and commitment to others, even if some do not see her faith as containing anything intrinsically valuable.
Virtual Tin Cup
