Rove is an atheist

By Libby Spencer

I heard it from Matthew Yglesias who got it from Christopher Hitchens. According to Chris, it's no secret that when Rove is questioned about his religiosity he replies along the lines of, "I'm not fortunate enough to be a person of faith." The ensuing discussion seems to center around whether that's a reflection of a condescending mindset.

Generally, I don't think it is. I'm not an atheist but neither would I be considered a person of faith in this context. I don't believe in churches or in any particular religion. I believe in a universal source of power but I don't think it can save my soul. My spirtual beliefs are so complicated that I envy those people who can fully commit to a simplistic faith and find comfort in a God they believe can save theirs. But I don't find either position superior - morally or intellectually. It is what it is.

In Karl's case, there's probably an element of condescension in his pat answer but more likely it's a just a convenient politic response to a question that's bound to come up because he's surrounded by fundies.

I'm not at all surprised to learn he's atheist though. It's clear the man believes in nothing but power. If he was a "person of faith" he would have to believe he was going straight to hell for a lifetime's worth of deceit and outright malevolence. How on earth would he even drag himself out of bed in the morning, if he believed in the evangelical God?

(Cross-posted at The Impolitic.)