I was happy to see AlterNet post this significant debate as one of their lead articles today, under the title “Should Progressives Give Up on Obama? Chris Hedges vs. Rabbi Lerner.” Common Dreams posts Michael’s piece here.

As I write this there are 68 comments on the AlterNet site, and 318 on Common Dreams! If you are used to our comments culture here on Tikkun Daily you may be put off by the scathing tones of many of the comments, but persevere and there are well-made points. At least some people are wrestling with the ideas. (With one exception the quotes here are from AlterNet.) One writes:

I applaud both Hedges and Lerner for their thoughts and efforts to grapple with the serious challenges of framing our discourse around the urgent need to frame our shared goals for this society in a manner that represents the best of what we can be. Reading both pieces requires a little time and a lot of reflection and I hope that those who comment have done both.

Whether people’s points are well-made or not, you get the pulse of the Left, and much of it is indeed very angry. This is representative of many:

If I hear one more self-described “spiritual” progressive disparage legitimate anger and outrage – the same kind of outrage Jesus exhibited at the temple in Jerusalem when he brandished a whip and “cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers,” (actually very few of us have ever gone that far)- my head is going to explode.

But someone else counters:

I think this is just the sort of discussion the Left should be having. I’ve been an admirer of Hedges since War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning (an excellent graduation present, BTW). But as his position has hardened against Obama and as he has aligned himself with Nader and the Greens, I’ve felt a certain nihilism slipping into his point of view. The Left too often gets derailed by its yearning for purity.

I want to quote this one from Common Dreams in full:

My hat is off to Michael Lerner for having the courage and eloquence to gently critique Chris Hedges essay. The point he makes is an important one.

Both Michael Lerner and Chris Hedges are among our greatest spiritual voices and writers for radical social change. Spirituality is an essential element to social transformation and Michael Lerner is on target with his Network of Spiritual Progressives. Their voices and writings are a great gift to the U.S. in these difficult times.

As Michael Lerner spoke to Chris Hedges, I felt he was speaking to me as well. As a Catholic activist, I too at times can be caught up in anger, particularly about the lack of public anger at the injustices in our nation and the world. A little anger is good, but anger can become a seduction of the human ego. We cannot become what we detest.

I am a follower of Fr. Richard Rohr at the Center of Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM. His center is about social activism, but contemplation is of equal importance. Contemplation and discernment guards us against the violence of the human ego. As Fr. Richard Rohr says, most of the time we fail to be in control of our ego, but when we are in control, try to make it the most important minutes of the day.

Also, I too have great conflicted emotions about President Obama and am ready to abandon the Democratic Party. But I hear the message of Michael Lerner and I am sure Chris Hedges does as well.

I have immense respect for Chris Hedges because he is one of the few qualified voices speaking out about the hypocrisy of Christianity in America. There is hope though in the emerging Christianity movement. Check it out at www.cacradicalgrace.org.

For many comments from Tikkun readers on our site go here.