Explain to me which approach is more realistic, continuing to supply condoms when that has been tried for a while now and the rates of disease keep growing, or possibly suggesting the only way you can be 100% sure of not getting STDs? Which is more condenscending, assuming that Africans are unable to understand the concepts of monogamy and restraint, or asking them to think about changing behaviors that increase risk needlessly? Has the U.N. stopped supplying condoms to Africa? How does nominating a practicing Christian curtail worldwide programs which have been in place for years?

Heaven forbid that religion motivate altruistic impulses, like the equality of men and women, Greek and Jew, free and slave. Or the abolition of slavery. Or the idea that your enemies deserve respect because they are your equal in God’s eyes. Or the idea that you should serve others instead of yourself.

WingNut U

At least plunge had a somewhat cogent argument related to experience in large-scale management. Prefaced by dismissal on grounds that the candidate held certain thoughts he found silly, and which are not particularly germane to the post for which he is nominated.

“And what is Bonicelli’s own view? He smiles. ‘I am basically persuaded by the young Earth. I believe in six literal days, but I remain open to someone persuading me otherwise.’

But that’s neither here nor there.

I’m tolerably familiar with his new job. He’s going to be the #3 guy at USAID, which is the major dispenser of US foreign aid and assistance. It has about 4,000 employees and a budget of around 7.6 billion. Bonicelli will be running the Democracy and Governance section, which is USAID’s biggest component; it has a budget of about $3 billion.

What’s disturbing about this appointment isn’t the creationism. That by itself hardly matters. No, the problem here is that Bonicelli has no relevant experience. Basically, he’s been a House staffer and academic dean at a small Bible college. Think of it this way: if you were choosing someone to run a $3 billion company in the private sector, would you accept these as valid qualifications?

USAID is no small thing. It’s the agency most central to rebuilding US “soft power” around the world. It’s not a trivial job, and we should have good people in charge.

Rich is right: this appointment reeks of political correctness (Republican version) and cronyism.

Doug M.

Rich, I am not a Bible scholar, but Proverbs 3:5 is saying that we should look to God for guidance in all things, listening to the inner voice (not in your head!) that will teach what direction to take, which decisions are best suited to keep you on the path to a more fulfilling relationship with God. To me, this does not mean that God will tell me in excruciating detail how to live my life, but that he will guide me in the path that is in my best interests if I will let Him. I have free will at all times, and can choose based on my own will and talents whenever I want. My choices may coincide with God’s, but they may not. Regardless, He will continue to lead me closer to Him.

As far as 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul was concerned that the Corinthian church was backsliding into pagan rituals (some member was sleeping with his father’s wife!), and he was pointing out that the Corinthians needed to get their minds right, so to speak. He was reminding them to get back to the basics of the gospel he had taught them, and to ignore the false teachings that had been imported into the church.