Perverse Dogmatism

In an essay on Local Agenda 21- The U.N. Plan for Your Community (this comes from Chapter 18 of the UN's Agenda 21), this dogmatically driven writer includes the following:

To many well-meaning people Agenda 21 sounds good. This U.N. document, drafted for the purpose of creating "sustainable societies" and saving the earth from environmental catastrophes, has been welcomed by nations around the world. Political, cultural, and media leaders have embraced its alluring visions of social justice and a healthy planet. Relatively few are willing to consider the contrary facts and colossal costs. After all, what could be wrong with preserving resources for the next generation? Why not limit consumption and reduce energy use? Why not abolish poverty and establish a global welfare system to train parents, monitor intolerance, and meet all our needs? Why not save the planet by trading cars for bikes, an open market for "self-sustaining communities," and single dwellings for dense "human settlements" (located on transit lines) where everyone would dialogue, share common ground, and be equal? The answer is simple. Marxist economics has never worked. Socialism produces poverty, not prosperity. Collectivism creates oppression, not freedom. Trusting environmental "scientists" who depend on government funding and must produce politically useful "information" will lead to economic and social disaster.

To see how dogmatic ideology is refractory, just look at this next section to see how things get stood on their head:

Social Justice. Remember the stakeholders that are defining social justice and preparing its standards? They include NOW, Beyond Beijing, social welfare leaders, environmental groups - all the voices that demand the abolition of Western culture, male leadership, and biblical absolutes. Look at their vision for Santa Cruz County: "Desired State: A Paradigm Shift We envision a community that stretches itself from its historical conditioning and ethnocentric comfort zones to increased cross-cultural empathy and understanding - a community that avoids oppressive hierarchies, but instead passionately advocates for inclusion, respect and cooperation with all members." Politically correct tolerance sets a new standard for communication and inclusiveness. It immediately disqualifies biblical Christianity as exclusive, hateful, patriarchal, and intolerant. Their list of practical suggestions for change matches their vision: Train facilitators for the "paradigm shift" to be wholistic supporters of the value of diversity Develop an interagency approach to intolerance abatement Encourage the business sector to hold managers accountable for promoting minorities and women into management. Create a design for teaching the principle of universal security Continue with forums, meetings, events, and expand our social justice library with books, tapes, video tapes for community TV, and literature available for interested people... Involve college students and professors in social justice issues Bring in speakers; support individual clubs. Of course, their utopian plan won't work. People aren't naturally good. Fifty years ago, the Holocaust opened our eyes to human depravity, but many have forgotten its message.

So, it seems, because we have not been caring and kind, we should not make an effort to be caring and good; because we have been violent and cruel, we should not make any effort towards being peaceful and just ... and so, the wheel turns.