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Letter Re: Why Christianity? and Recommendations on the Great Lakes
Mr. Rawles,
I just finished your novel ("Patriots"),
after a marathon reading session that consumed my entire weekend. It was marvelous.
I loved every aspect of the book except
all of the religious references aimed towards Christians. Can a man of your
obvious
intelligence
really believe that "being a good Christian" elevates someone morally
to a higher level than perhaps a Muslim, Jew (yes you showed respect in the
book
for [a Jewish character's] beliefs, but...), or myself a fence riding atheist?
I want so much to believe in god, but it appears that god has abandoned this
world.
Secondly, I have a logistical question that you may or may not be able to answer.
I currently live in Florida, but I was born and raised in Wisconsin. If you are
familiar with that part of the country do you think that upper Wisconsin, or
the
Upper peninsula of Michigan would be desolate enough to ride-out trouble that
you and I both see coming? I grew up hunting and fishing...living off
the
land for our meals on camping trips, but I worry about being "cornered" by
the Great Lakes. Am I just overly paranoid after reading your book or do I have
a legitimate problem? I'm finally in a financial position to start preparing
for the future
good or bad; but it would be a moot point to in that area of the country if
I have no means to leave if necessary. I miss the area terribly, and feel comfortable
there knowing that I can survive and even thrive there without a map. I'm sure
you get hundreds of similar e-mails like this, I'm no better or worse, smarter
or dumber than any of the other people. What I would like to do sometime with
you is debate theology with you; I'm always looking for someone to convince me
there is a god; and if you play, I'd love to play chess with you. I've
beaten
champions, and been destroyed by hoboes in the park at the game.
I
find it mirrors life in a lot of ways. Thank you for your time and your efforts
to save everyone. - P.J.S.
JWR Replies: Thanks for your e-mail. In answer to
your first question, I sincerely believe
that Judaism and Christianity constitute the moral underpinning in
western societies,
and
that the Ten Commandments are
the basis of our legal system.With devout faith, people behave
well toward one another regardless of
whether or not a formal system of law and order exists. But without faith,
in the absence
of law and order (such as during a major disaster or a societal collapse) I
only expect to see anarchy, widespread theft, and violence. This is not to
say that
there are not atheists and agnostics that have morals. Some, like you, clearly
do. But I believe that you are in the minority. For the past
40+ years, the state-run school systems have preached "moral relativism." (in
essence, claiming "There
are no absolutes of right and wrong", and "what is right for me
may be wrong for you", et cetera.) The product of this system
has been two generations that now do their best to get away with whatever
they can. The
higher
crime rates, gang violence, drug abuse, pornography, graffiti, shoplifting,
et cetera are all clear evidence of this dramatic change. Much of this change
has crept in insidiously. In a situation where law enforcement
is non-existent, I am certain that the vast majority of people will have
no compunctions
to take what they want, and that good portion of them will kill without much
hesitation. I would much rather have conservative Christians or Jews
for neighbors. I hope that you can
understand
and appreciate my position. (Although since you are a non-Christian, I don't
expect you to
embrace it.)
In answer to your second query, I cannot speak for Wisconsin, but I think
that the Upper Peninsula ("U.P.")
of Michigan will probably be a good place to ride out an economic collapse,
as long as you have a large firewood
supply. (By which, I mean an honest three winter supply, already cut and
stacked.) Water certainly isn't a problem there. You will find that most of
your neighbors
will already
be fairly self-sufficient. If
and when
things
fall
apart, I predict that the vast majority of
refugees
and looters from the major metropolitan centers such as Chicago will head
south. The first winter without grid power will be enough
to convince them of that! Thus, the U.P. will
in
all
likelihood
remain
relatively
intact.
My
only two areas of reluctance on this recommendation are 1.) The risk posed
by the higher population density of the Midwest and Great Lakes region (versus
the lightly
populated
intermountain
west--the region that I most highly recommend), and 2.) The entire region
would be downwind of fallout-producing ground bursts on the missile fields
of Montana
and Wyoming. Granted, this is a less likely
scenario, but if it were to happen, I would not want to be downwind!
As for your
concerned about getting "cornered", in my opinion that would only
be an issue on the U.P. if you were north of Houghton or out on Mackinac
or
Bois-Blanc
Islands. Otherwise,
there is plenty of room to maneuver.
