But the opening line of her public farewell was especially notable for its careful phrasing (Edwards, who did post-graduate work in literature, was, after all, a student of the novelist Henry James) about matters of the soul:
"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces -- my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope," Edwards wrote.
That she seemed to carefully evade a mention of God or Jesus or things eternal and Christian was striking, and it struck some as "odd," in the words of"American Power" blogger and neocon Donald Douglas.
"I can't say what it is -- spiritual or otherwise -- that animates her sense of grace, but it's not God," Douglas wrote before proceeding to add some even less graceful conjecture.
"Being anti-religion is cool, so Edwards' non-theological theology gets props from the neo-communists," he said. "Still, at her death bed and giving what most folks are calling a final goodbye, Elizabeth Edwards couldn't find it somewhere down deep to ask for His blessings as she prepares for the hereafter? I guess that nihilism I've been discussing reaches up higher into the hard-left precincts than I thought."Douglas drew some sharp critiques in the comments on his post but also strong support, and even in the report on the faith angle at Christianity Today -- the leading mainstream evangelical publication -- some commenters rued Edwards' apparent lack of orthodox Christian faith.
I'm always impressed by the crazy right wing's ability to read minds and assess the experience and personal knowledge of people they do not know, have never met, and did not know existed until one minute before their pronouncements. Given their god-like insight into the minds, hearts, and lives of people you would think they could do a better job - at anything they touch.
ReplyDeleteI'm struck by their rather occult abilities in public statements as well as by their personal pronouncements when someone has a perspective different from theirs. They pronounce that if you "knew anything at all about the military" you would agree with them. This is followed up by snotty remarks about how you hate America and hate the military and don't work for a living and have never had a moment of personal responsibility. Wow! All this from someone who has never served in uniform, always fed at the public trough, and has a mouthful of excuses for their personal behavior. It seems never to occur to them that they might be speaking to someone with extensive military service who is from a multi-generational military family, and who does actually work, has never received a public entitlement, etc. They don't need to ask - because they already know your mind and your heart. Again - impressive! I would EXPECT this man to be able to delve into Elizabeth Edwards' intellect, heart,and soul and make definitive statements. After all, he knows better than she what she might have believed or felt.
Jay in N.C.