Essays in Idleness

St Francis of Assisi had the good fortune of birth. a few centuries before he was discovered as a communist agitator. His patronage of “the environment,” of ecology, and of cute animals, was part of his “progress” away from being a Catholic saint; only posthumously did he become a fraud. The world is uncomfortably arranged, so to make the recovery of his mediaeval reputation difficult. But if one is determined, it can still be done.

In the Fifth Crusade he notoriously “crossed the line” at Damietta, Egypt, in order to preach the Gospel to Sultan Malik, as to anyone listening in the Islamic camp. They were utterly impressed and thus finally let him through, without further beatings. This happens sometimes in response to acts of humility and courage.

St. Francis — and Brother Illuminatus of Arce, who should also be mentioned — had walked right in. The friars endured the initial physical beatings of the traditional Islamic “hello!” — because they were saying something interesting. They did not come with the message that bloodshed is wrong, or even with the bureaucratic terms of a peace treaty. Dislike of violence could be taken for granted: it is just a gibberish argument against physical pain and death. Even dogs get it, to say nothing of Muslims.

Instead, the Christians proposed to discuss Faith; and did this for several days before being sent back with provisions and nice things.

I suppose one could call this “a dialogue.” But when truth is discussed, even and especially in war, it is something more. For then truth has a real background. We read a conversation of that sort in the Bhagavad Gita, between Arjuna and Krishna, which also see. For generally God is present, whenever angelic men and manly angels rise above complaint. Truth is higher, even than diplomacy.