Science & faith, enemies?

 

Many people believe or perpetuate the idea that science & faith are enemies.  Here's my religion column in the Timesnews addressing this: Click here for the original Newspaper article

Would Orwell approve of how he is used today -- Before Conservatives quote Orwell again

 From Carson Tucker to Glen Beck to Ben Shapiro, many Conservative talk show hosts like to quote George Orwell, especially to back their points of view when attacking the dangers and downfalls of socialism.  Think of the many memes on Facebook with clever Orwell quotes.  In these Orwellian times like we find ourselves in, you can certainly justify this use of Orwell, or not? 

I've personally been a fan of Orwell for decades, I've read much of his fiction.  Have you read any of his nonfiction?  

Was he wise, was he insightful, was he correct in much of his cultural analysis in his fiction and nonfiction?  Mostly yes.  So why should conservatives be cautious in utilizing Orwell to support their stances?  

I recently delved into his short book "Why I write" and if you've read it, then you'll know why conservatives might not want to cite Orwell to defend their stances.  I didn't learn of Orwell's socialism from a meme, I read his own words and his passionate plea for socialism in his book "Why I write."

I'm not saying Orwell is not worth reading, or worth quoting, I am saying that full disclosure is more consistent, and we should strive for more consistency -- and Orwell probably wouldn't approve of how his quotes are being used today.  It's childish/foolish to cite Orwell to argue against liberal socialism, since Orwell was a blatant Democratic Socialist to the core.   Read his words for yourself, before you use his words to make your own points.