Customer Reviews

A Jewish Conservative Looks at Pagan America

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a marvelous collection of columns and speeches by Jewish conservative Don Feder, on topics from family and feminism to abortion and euthanasia. Worth the price of the book is Feder's speech "Does Judaism Have a Mission to Humanity?" It most certainly does, he argues, and it isn't to bring the message of messianic secularism. The Jews are supposed to serve as a moral example to the rest of the world by observing the specifically Jewish mitzvot and by teaching the laws of the Noahide Covenant to non-Jews.

"This, ladies and gentlemen," he concludes, "is the essence of the Jewish mission: to persuade humanity that someone indeed is watching us, one to whom we all are ultimately accountable. On the success or failure of this mission the fate of the world hinges."

Amen. And all of Feder's writings turn on this mission in one way or another, both in this volume and in his later _Who's Afraid of the Religious Right?_ (and in his regular column, which interested readers will find on the website of the Jewish World Review). Handily smashing the idols of the modern, secularist left, Feder takes no prisoners in his reclamation of the moral high ground for the Judeo-Christian tradition which provides the foundation of United States society and culture -- or did, before that culture was debased and it became necessary to speak, as Feder's title does, of "pagan America."

There is a lot at stake here, and Feder knows it. He writes with both passion and wit in expounding a wide range of conservative positions, but at the center is his view of the Jewish mission as outlined above -- a mission he is undoubtedly doing his bit to fulfill. A strong voice in the "culture war," he ranks with Rabbi Daniel Lapin and Dennis Prager in clarity, moral vision, and plain good sense.

I don't always agree with him on every single point, but I can't recommend him more highly -- especially to those who have been duped into believing that Judaism is somehow synonymous with left-liberalism. It isn't.

It is nothing short of amazing that Don Feder's brain can fit inside his head. His intelligence seems to be comparable to the average think tank. What's more impressive is his ability to employ apropos sarcasm to accentuate his position. And he does it all in a way that makes his column a consistently enjoyable read.

This work constitutes a hodgepodge of his efforts with a few speeches thrown in for good measure. As usual, he does not eschew taboo topics. There is a certain irony to his persuasive essay "Returning Christ to Christmas;" in which an orthodox Jew articulates the authentic argument that most Christians are sadly now reluctant to make.

Page after page demonstrates Mr. Feder's ability to be sublimely succinct. While nearly any passage could be sited as an inducement to purchase this compilation, a few random examples will suffice. Discussing humanism, he postulates the controversial truth, "without God, morality is impossible; right and wrong become matters of personal preferences." Similarly, on relativism and the widely spoken falsehood that one person's values are as valid as another's, Feder asks, "what makes the Judeo-Christian ethic superior to modern paganism? What makes the volunteer at a drug rehab center better than a schoolyard pusher?...What makes the morality of those who hid Jews during the Holocaust superior to those who killed them?" And to show his astute use of sarcasm regarding obscene rap performers 2 Live Crew, he puts forth "the rap group is to music what toilet-stall graffiti is to literature." These selections are indicative of the wit and wisdom that permeates Don Feder's oeuvre, and this work is typical of his canny reasoning and literary prowess.

Although it was initially published in 1993, the anthology has not become dated. Most of the topics he discusses are timeless; the articles' urgency is as relevant today or in certain cases far more so.

"Can an eleven-year old tell the difference?" To quote Feder himself there. Oh, think of the children.

First thing I did when I received the book was read the back. Includes endorsements from Pat Robertson and Oliver L. North. The guy who recently got in some trouble for calling for the assassination of Hugo Chavez, a democratically elected president of a sovereign nation endorses this book. And Oliver North, that other guy who secretly and illegally sold arms to Iran in order to make money to overthrow Daniel Ortega's democratically elected government in Nicaragua.

So, this book is endorsed by high-level criminal masterminds and wannabes. But, those are just endorsements the publisher added, not the actual book. I'll still give it a chance.

Don Feder opposes the pagans of America. Pagans are essentially defined here to mean all those who aren't Judeo-Christian. Particularly those who are moral-relativists and those with poor work-ethic. These two traits go hand in hand for the pagans apparently.

One of Feder's most interesting examples of a pagan is Frank Zappa. Zappa has actually talked about striving to act like a true pagan, so Feder seems to be onto something. Just, apparently, the wrong thing. Zappa was that guy who wrote a lot of really complex and interesting music. Well he didn't just write a lot, he wrote a tremendous amount. Being an employee for Zappa was compared to being in basic training for the Marines. And Zappa was most demanding to himself. So work ethic's apparently not missing in this pagan. And then also every step of the way in Zappa's highly prolific life his resolute ethics was left in his wake. He espoused free-association for all and commonly railed against the situational ethics he saw around him. This is probably why Zappa's music was listened to behind the Iron Curtain. Listened to surrepetitiously by people who saw hope and beauty in Zappa's music when they were under the oppressive control of the Soviets. Lithuania even has a publically-installed bust of him in Vilnius commemorating the joy he brought people of the country. But, as Feder says, he named his daughter Moon Unit, so he doesn't have any credibility. I guess because Moon Unit is a weird name and people who do weird, anti-social things like that just gotta be no good, socially-destructive pagans. Like the Rolling Stones.

According to Feder the Rolling Stones made this song called Murder by Numbers which advocates the killing of family members. Oh, but Feder is wrong twice in one sentence. But this is no suprise at this point of the book(about three quarters through). The Police wrote that song. And is doesn't advocate killing family members. It actually expresses the evil of some politicians and how they kill people. But talking about murder and telling stories of murder must be advocating murder I guess is what Feder is saying. Maybe because eleven-year-olds can't tell the difference? Perhaps someone should tell whoever wrote the Old Testament this. Seems to be a lot of murder and sodomy in that thing. Eleven-year-olds might start sodomizing and murdering because of it. The author should probably convert to an Abrahamic religion...but not Islam, maybe just Judaism or Christianity, and then repent for such disregard of the social fabric of America.

The most interesting bit of information Feder supplies is a poll. A "1989" poll where something over 60% of people responded that they believe life starts at conception and another something over 60% of those still believe it would be alright to kill that unborn life at the advice of a doctor. But alas, no more information on where this startling poll came from. Does anyone know?

There's a lot more of the same. Bizarre characterizations of people, statements of facts I've never heard with no references to check and statements of facts I know to be wrong. The only thing that seriously sticks with me from this book though is him mentioning Frank Zappa.

Why can't Feder make something which critiques immorality without being cynical, like Zappa's satires? Zappa questioned moral relativism and the evils and stupidity in society while remaining hopeful and positive. Feder looks at the world and can do nothing but speak cynically and disrepectfully because he's apparently blind to all of the good things that are out there.

Two stars for trying to help the world, but only two because Feder should help himself before he tries to help others. Kind of like when the oxygen masks come down when the airplane depressurizes. You put your mask on first, then your kid's. Feder should try to see the good that is right there in front of him before demanding everyone look for it in Judeo-Christianity and nowhere else.

You can't help but love the guy. Witty, to the point, and on target, 99% - you can't ask for more than that. In my opinion, he sometimes makes things more complicated than what they are by adding lots of extraneous facts and figures, but then again, others may appreciate it, and find that interesting. At any rate, round off the the total score and you get 4 stars.

SO WHAT about his kid's problems? (with reference to another reviewer). Even the best teachers and philosophers and great thinkers have had occasional family problems. Take Einstein, for instance. He disrespected his wife terribly, and didn't know how to maintain a positive relationship with her. But if he were to write a book today, I would not criticize his book by pointing to his private life. That would be wrong. Also, if people really knew Einstein's politics, many would not consider him so smart. However, there's a difference between being "smart" and being "intelligent". The man was intelligent, no question about it.

As another example, if it were a requirement that religious preachers be perfect, then none could teach. Even the most hypocritical preacher in the business, can still preach the truth, and benefit those who take that truth seriously. IT MATTERS LESS IF HE IS "HYPOCRITICAL" IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE, BUT MORE THAT HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH.

Hypocrisy matters mainly when a person is running for office, or holds a judicial seat, and they try to impose laws than would likely not affect themselves or their loved ones. It also matters when you investigate their voting record, and you find that it doesn't match the so-called position that they claim to have.

All in all, I highly recommend this author's book, and his others, as well. Not only is his perspective unique and interesting, the information he imparts is vital knowledge that needs and deserves to be heard across the board. I like reading his writings so much that I've signed up for his newsletter, and I occasionally go to his website for addition news and comments. It is well worth the read.

Don Feder, a syndicated columnist and editorial writer for the Boston Herald published a collection of his columns, all published during the past decade, entitled A Jewish Conservative Looks at Pagan America (Layfayette, LA: Huntington House Publishers, c. 1993), which reveals some of the ethical values treasured in traditional Judaism.
Unlike those "liberal" Jews who often push high the barrier between church and state, he declares he could comfortably live in a "Christian America"--if only "Christian" rather than pagan morality prevailed! To explain the book's title, Feder says: "By Pagan America I mean that this is no longer a Judeo-Christian nation, animated by the ethical vision of the Bible, with its special emphasis on honesty, hard work, caring, and self-discipline. Instead we are evolving into the type of Canaanite culture (unrestrained hedonism, ritual prostitution, child sacrifice and the civic virtue of Sodom), which my ancestors encountered at the dawn of moral history" (p. 10).
He writes with the deeply held conviction that "Ideas have consequences." When the cultural "elite" espouses "toxic notions" the masses soon follow (p. 12). Then the nation decays. Most of the "toxins," like the first snort of cocaine, appear attractive at first glance. Thus "Churches, schools, government, and media all have done a fine job of cultivating immorality in the name of compassion" (p. 101). What's really needed is some tough Old Testament Law! To those who insist we must ride with the tides of the times and be tolerant of fashionable trends, that we be sensitive and tolerant lest we be labeled old-fashioned, Feder replies, reviewing a Steven Spielberg film which was packed with pro¬fanity: "Be a fogy; this is something you should care deeply about. Corruption begins with ideas, conveyed by words" (p. 172). Wise up! It's wrong to debase language with profanity! If it's old-fashioned to call filth "filth," then be old-fashioned!
That ancient Jewish moral code, for all its stringency and self-discipline, holds the key to the good life. Indeed, it contains "a life-transforming doctrine: that there is but one God--the Eternal, the Creator of life, ruler of the uni¬verse, and author of human destiny--and that our Maker and Master has two basic demands of us: righteousness and holiness" (p. 191). In defense of that displaced Judeo-Christian ethic, Feder hammers away in his columns, defending the traditional family, religion, chastity, public decency, attacking por¬nography, Planned Parenthood, radical feminism, homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia. When dealing with right-to-life issues, especially abortion, he joins conservative Roman Catholics and Evangelicals.
Indeed, he writes, "Feticide--the wanton destruction of 1.5 million unborn children a year in this country--could well be considered the modern equivalent of pagan sacrifice, a burnt offering to the voracious gods of modernity: rational autonomy, gender sameness, sexual liberation. Overturning these idols is a task worthy of a modern Elijah" (p. 201).
To deal with all the moral chaos we face, Feder urges us to get back to the Bible! "The roots of our drug problem, teen alcoholism, the crisis of illegitimacy, of a million abortions annually, criminality in our inner cities, and family dissolution lie in our abandonment of the doctrines decreed at Sinai" (p. 107). So, it follows: "Our society can yet be saved, if we but have the wisdom and courage to accept these sacred truths" (p. 107).
Writers of Feder's resolve rarely, it seems, gain a hearing in mainstream media. So this book helps him reach a broader public. He writes well, cites valuable data, and lets us know religious "conservatives" inhabit all religious communities in this land.

As Marxism/Liberalism dominates all platforms of religious, political and social areas of todays "civilized" society Mr. Feder's writings place light onto the fraud and misguided direction of social,political and legal morality. This book is a fabulous disection of today's "freedoms/right" as propigated by those on the G0dless, immoral and anti-moral absolute activist Left. Might I suggest a few books also explaining this trend and the reasons behind them: "The Perestroika Deception" - A. Golitsyn, "Naked Communist" - Skousen, "Decline of the West" - Spengler and "None Dare Call It Education" - Stormer. A good education behind the fascist leftward shift today and the guiding forces of it. I'd also suggest reading "The Communist Manifesto" - Marx. The outcome is to enlighten those to the end goals on the misguided and propagated Liberal/left. "The Professors" and "UnHoly Alliance" - D. Horowitz are also political reads to inform the reader as to many of the causes of todays grim political and moral situations.

At last- a "media-man" who relates ALL the facts about the deterioration of America's social structure- its "soul"! Must reading for those who want the "big picture", the WHOLE story, and not just the "correctly filtered" press releases.Must reading, not just for the "religious", but for all those whose concern is for the future generations of our great nation! Keep writing, and keep speaking Mr Feder!

This columnist really cuts through the silly assumptions that we all have in this culture. Just goes to show you can't trust the ACLU to represent anyone but themselves.

What the author of the book lacks in logic he makes up in angry rethoric. Feder simply makes no attempt at following the most elementary use of logic. His conclusions are pure dogma. For example, he (rightfully) criticizes Nazism and Communism for causing much horror throughout their respective history. However, when discussing Christianity, Feder argues that it cannot be judged because of all the bloodshed and wars it has caused because human beings distorted a good idea. In other words, it is ok to use empirical evidence to criticize ideologies I don't like, but not those I like. In other passages, Feder suggests that conservatives are a tiny persecuted minority. Which is all fine and well if it wasn't for the fact that they control the presidency, the House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court. The whole book is littered with similar examples of glaring contradictions. A classic case of "my mind is made up. don't confuse me with facts."

Don Feder was so busy focusing on other people's families when he wrote this book that his own son got expelled from the entire state public school system as a danger to his fellow classmates. Feder goes apoplectic over gays and lesbians, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Puerto Ricans, and anyone else who doesn't fit his narrow view of what is right, but would his own skills as a parent survive such scrutiny? In on piece, Feder rants about how "father-absent homes" produce children more likely to commit crimes and engage in violent behavior. ...