LEO STRAUSS, FUNDIE EXTREMIST

Leo Strauss, a man of vast influence among the neo-conservatives, is much closer to the American Religious Right than I realized. Compare this statement, from Strauss's essay, "Progress or Return?", from Pangle's book, p. 258:

Fundamentally, the institution of human kingship is bad - it is a kind of rebellion against God, as are the polis and the arts and knowledge. But then it becomes possible, with divine dispensation, that these thing, which originate in human rebellion, become dedicated to the service of God and thus become holy. And I think that this is the Biblical solution to the problem of human knowledge: human knowledge, if it is dedicated to the service of God, and only then, can be good; and perhaps, in that sense, it's even necessary. But without that dedication it is a rebellion.

to this statement from an American fundamentalist:

"Our job is to reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost," Kennedy says. "As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors -- in short, over every aspect and institution of human society."