Salman Rushdie - kdc

I doubt I’ll do this one justice, but here goes…

Rushdie’s lecture was, by far, the best attended at the Festival. There was a visible, though low-key, security presence there, checking bags at the doors, and standing at key points in the Field House.

He seemed nervous at first, whether it be in giving the speech or in being in a crowd of Christians, wasn’t obvious. I’m guessing his interaction with true Christians has been limited, thus the thought of a crowd full of cartoonish fundamentalists must have been in the back of his mind. Once everyone began laughing at the appropriate parts, he loosened up and flowed from there.

ATHEIST TRUE AND THROUGH
It was early on that he announced himself as a “dreadful old atheist” and made his case for disbelieving in God. He outlined a case of science and evolution, being repulsed at 14 by an hideous chapel at his British school (that made him think, “What kind of God lives in an ugly house like that?”), how any religious group that seems to take government control soon begins killing those who refuse their beliefs, and what Muslims and Hindus did in the name of God (kill each other in the thousands) as the nation-state of India was formed, among other things.

Between the lecture and the interview, I don’t believe he once used the word “faith,” so his experience with God is obviously limited. That said, I realized I have no vocabulary to reach someone like him. Christians simplistically - and correctly -­ say “those are false belief systems,” and believe that the god they kill each other for is a false god and that’s it. That explanation doesn’t help us reach Asians (and others) for Jesus because a basic conversation is so difficult.

TOUGH CONNECTION
Rushdie doesn’t see the difference between the god each religion claims. They’re just various monolithic belief systems with often unsavory actions claimed in their name.

The next day’s interviewer pointed out those without religion have killed more people last century (think: Hitler, Mao, Stalin, and Pol Pot), than every religion has killed in 2,000+ years. Rushdie conceded the point, stated it was due to technology and laid emphasis on the extended period of religious killings over the amount of bodies accumulated.

It was all polite disagreement, with plenty of literary discussion in the main. He read from Midnight’s Children, and discussed writing, literature, and a shot at immortality.

STRAY FACTOIDS & QUOTES
* I was intrigued that Marilynne Robinson’s interview (on Friday) was better attended than Rushdie’s (on Saturday), as Rushdie’s lecture (on Friday) was at least a third larger than Robinson’s (on Saturday). One knowledgeable source said the lower attendance during the interview was probably due to the disappointment of the lecture (I presume she meant his immovable atheism.)

* “I’m so puzzled I’ve never written a play.”

* Because he was promoting his latest novel last fall, he was unable to participate in a movie with the working title of “Untitled Will Farrel Movie.” He was to be 1 of about 5 “unlikely” NASCAR drivers.

* Rushdie actually appears more Caucasian than Asian Indian.

* He insisted there was no spiritual dimension to his work.

* The word “Spiritual” should be put to rest for 50-60 years since it’s overused to the point of meaninglessness. It got to that confused state “thanks to California.”

* Advice for young writers? Write a book you can’t avoid writing. “Write necessary books” not for the world, but for the writer and let the world decide (on its value).

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!