As to Mr. Vasella's U-turn, Mr. Minder said, "It's easy to renounce something which should in any case never have belonged to you".
There is all of that, but the main thing is, we should renounce not because what we are renouncing is something dirty, or something evil or really evil incarnate, but because really there is no such thing as evil.
Crucially, the language no longer insists that the White House certify that Iran has fully renounced terrorism, something the administration felt was an impractical obstacle designed to scupper the talks.
The Southern Baptists also support Messianic Jewish groups like Jews for Jesus that try to persuade other Jews that they can become Christians without renouncing Judaism -- something most Jewish authorities reject.
And he has courted his party's left wing by renouncing his vote on the war, something he counseled Mr. Kerry not to do.
And he has courted his party's left wing by renouncing his vote on the Iraq war, something he counseled Senator John Kerry, his running mate in 2004, not to do.
No doubt a citizenry schooled in renouncing desire instead of imagining there could be something more would be, in many respects, advantageous.
In fact, it often comes specifically from renouncing those things and turning ourselves over to something greater.
Ida is someone whose nun's habit enforces a reflex respect from those she meets: she is aware that this is something not to be renounced lightly, and the idea of renouncing it in favour of Judaism is an ever-greater wrench.
The term "evil powers" is one you hear only in the church, or in Marvel comic books, or Republican speeches, and it isn't something I renounce every day.
