Many of you know the joke about the guy advertising for a woman, but one that owned a boat and motor for fishing, the closing words of the ad “Send picture of boat and motor.” Most of us men laugh at the joke with a greater or lesser degree of understanding. But when it comes to the decision making processes of world leaders the lack of women in such roles may be the undoing of our human species.

Though not attending or belonging to any church one local Bakersfield broadcast I try to catch each week is that of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Tyree Toliver is the pastor, epitomizing simple honesty and sincerity in his preaching with a congregation that obviously loves this man as he loves them and responds accordingly. At a time when I find myself searching in vain for honesty and sincerity in the leadership of America, pastor Toliver and his flock offers continued hope there are some that have not sold their souls to the Devil, and it comforts me to listen to his simple, honest words to his congregation and their heartfelt response. So long as there exists in America people like pastor Toliver and his flock so long do we have some cause for hope that not all is lost.

The simple beliefs of good and honest people by whom and among whom I was raised creates its own longing in me for such things that is far from being mere nostalgia. There was a solid foundation to these simple people of simple beliefs, simple verities, their faith and trust in the Bible and America that helped guide us through WWII successfully and without which it is doubtful the war could have been won. And while I have moved far from the religious teachings of childhood and evangelical Christianity, I have never forgotten my debt to those people who loved me and were so transparent in their love for me. In the same way I never forget the debt Americans owe the Bible and Christianity.

As to religious beliefs, during a friendly conversation with a college biology instructor the topic of religion came up. Knowing I believed in Intelligent Design he told me with tears in his eyes, “If only I could believe the things I once believed.” He went on to explain his Roman Catholic affiliation, his being born and raised into the RC Church, baptized and catechized, first communion and so much more. But like the poor tortured soul in Elmer Gantry, he wanted to believe in the mysticism, the candles and incense, the prayers, to find once more the comfort he once had in the church environment and among true believers he had once known. But he had come to rely on the facts of science that contradicted so much of what he had once believed. However, he came to realize he had also traded his religious beliefs, beliefs that had brought him comfort and hope for scientific beliefs that had become tyrannical despots unable to offer the same kind of comfort and hope he once had, unable to explain or define life, unable to determine what animates at birth and departs at death.

Stubborn facts often get in the way of cherished beliefs, but if those beliefs bring us comfort and hope here is where it is sometimes folly to be wise. After all, when it comes to matters of belief in things supernatural, metaphysical, who is to say what is and what is not? Many an honest person has sought for the answers to the mysteries of life and death, and if in their honesty they come to rely on beliefs that bring them comfort and hope why should anyone take it upon themselves to disabuse people of such beliefs? “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow” and “Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” The Preacher obviously was able to distinguish between those things that offer comfort and hope as opposed to the kinds of knowledge that offers nothing of solace to the soul, no hope of “new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

No one can rightly accuse me of a slavish adherence to “When ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.” But there are many things that legitimately fall into the category of “I don’t want to know,” many of which some might be far better off not knowing. Gore Vidal has Lincoln telling Grant toward the end of the war “Now we know too much.” And when one knows too much, such knowledge coming at the cost of many lives there is no room in such a thing for “wise as serpents but harmless as doves.”

In conversation with a TV producer who had taken an interest in my writing he bluntly asked me: “How did you lose your faith?” I was taken quite aback by his question, but realizing he did not know me personally well at all I went on to answer that I did not believe I had lost my faith, but I had come to accept the legitimate questions that arise from an honest questioning and honest study of many things that might well be taken for a loss of faith as I attempted to work these things out in my writing.

For example, pragmatically we face the very real prospect of nuclear terrorism being visited upon America by religious fanatics, the result of Islamic religious and political fanaticism, the refusal of our leaders to secure our borders because of their greed for slave labor and profits aiding the terrorists. But it will not be terrorism born of the Bible and Christianity. However, there are those like Bush claiming as many like him have done to believe in the Bible and Jesus while at the same time denying by their very actions any such beliefs. And such hypocrisy cannot but make its contribution to the very real dangers America is facing, as well as giving our enemies a propaganda advantage.

It comes down to good people will do good, and while religious beliefs may encourage things like charity, living honestly, doing good for others, such things must come from a good and honest heart or according to the Bible they profit nothing. Certainly this is only a belief, but it is a belief that makes good sense.

No, I do not believe I have lost my faith. But cruelty and murder in the name of some deity will never be a part of my faith though I have many questions yet unanswered that will doubtless remain unanswered. This much I know; while knowledge has increased to the point where nuclear Armageddon looms there seems not the wisdom to prevent it. And perhaps this may be the result of a full half of humankind, women, being excluded from The Great Conversation.

The King of Disciplines remains a “boys club,” and while philosophers have waxed eloquent on the need for our species to abjure war, offering much advice on how to avoid wars and get along with one another, without the other half of humankind having a voice on the basis of equal value in the decision making processes of world leaders wisdom will remain orphaned from knowledge. And there are no Nancy Pelosi’s to be found in the nations of Islam; they are scarce in China and Russia, and they are conspicuous by their absence in the UN. And let’s not forget the absence of women in that first edition of The Great Books of the Western World, and given only passing notice in the second edition.

While beliefs vary throughout the world, the truth of the history of our species is that women attempt to make homes while men make wars. And the truth that women are not accepted as having equal value to men to my mind is the basis of our history being one of constant conflict explained to a large degree by “Send picture of boat and motor.”