INQUIRER Editor: Gerald Dantone
Thumbs Up Inquirer Print Publication Design: John Wilmarth
Long Island Secular Humanists Box 119, Greenlawn, NY 11740, 516 742 1662, Email: InfidelsRe@aol.com

Volume 2, Issue 4, April 1999  [Thanks to David Miller for his help in designing this newsletter, including the cool header and logo. Ideas are always welcome! I promise it will get better with age. J. W.]

All articles in this newsletter may be reprinted by organizations affiliated with the Council for Secular Humanism with a reciprocating reprinting agreement with LISH, so long as the article is used in full and with complete crediting. Edited versions can be used with written permission.

1 Christians Massacre Muslims?
2 Morning After Pill for War-Rape Victims
3 Letters to the Editor
4 The Good Old Days
5 Joining Up
6 Religious freedom in America
7 Hey' dummies
8 Happy Easter
9 Silence Is Still Death

CHRISTIANS MASSACRE MUSLIMS?  Gerry Dantone
Is the above headline an unfair description of the events that have been taking place in Kosovo and before that, in Bosnia? Why is this happening? Is there a humanist point of view of this crisis?

According to a Newsday article on 3/24/99, "about a tenth of Kosovo's 2 million people consider themselves Serbs and believe in Orthodox Christianity. The rest consider themselves ethnic Albanians, the majority of them Muslims although some are Christians. Because these two groups have failed to coexist peacefully the military might of the United States and Europe is prepared to force them to do so. "

There can be no appeal to religious morality apparently, because they do not share such a morality. Both systems of morality emphasize "belief' or "faith" and the "others side fails this test in both cases. The irony about morality emanating from a religious belief is that though often claimed to be absolute, there are obviously numerous competing contradictory claims of absoluteness. Yet few persons seem to be able to admit that most of humanity must indeed be incorrect in assuming that their absolute moral code is true. Since no one religion claims even a plurality in the world, most people's religious beliefs must be wrong in part or in total)

The Newsday article goes on to offer a quick history f the conflict. "How did we get to this point? ... Kosovo * situated along one of the mayor cultural (a euphemism for religious - G.D.) fault lines of the world. Moslem Turks from the south and east, Catholics from the north and west, and Slavic Orthodox Christians from the north and east have waged a bloody struggle over its hilly terrain."

This is quite an admission from a mainstream and not particularly humanistic newspaper. This explanation is not isolated. Lars-Erik Nelson, a N.Y. Daily News columnist wrote on 3/24/99 "The Kosovo conflict is a vicious religious/civil war between two peoples, the Orthodox Christ~an Serbs and the Muslim Albanian Kosovars." A more typical spin on the problem is one President Clinton and other politicians weave: The problem is Yugoslav President Milosevic. The truth is that this battle has raged for centuries before his rise to power.

On June 28, 1389, Ottoman Turks defeated Serbian Prince Lazar in Kosovo taking control of that area and bringing the religion of Islam with them. Most of the neighboring Albanians had adopted the new religion and migrated into the area, while most Serbs left Kosovo and retained their Orthodox Christianity. However, as per the N.Y. Post, on 3/24/99, to this day, Kosovo "is a cultural and religious cradle of Serbia". Nothing much has changed over the centuries to reduce the animosity between the religiously divided. How can one compromise the one true Word of God, all three of them in this case, when one includes the Roman Catholic Croatians?

World War I was in large part precipitated by rival factions in the Balkans. In the Second World War, Croatia became sympathetic to the Nazi cause, being predominantly Catholic as were many persons in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, and cruelly persecuted the Orthodox Serbs. In an odd grouping, Muslim forces sometimes aligned themselves with the Roman Catholic Croatians.

After the war, during communist dictator Tito's rule, religious strife was not tolerated and autonomy was granted to the individual areas to further reduce tensions. With the end of communist rule, instead of freedom of religion being the desire of the people and their leaders, religious dominance has become the goal, not unlike the religious right's goal in the United States. In a sense, the religions have succeeded in achieving that goal, at the expense of human happiness and decency.

Further evidence of the religious nature of the conflict to this day can be seen in how the international community lines up on the issue. Among Serbia's greatest supporters are Russia, Cypru s and NATO member Greece, all with largely Orthodox Christian populations. Neweday reported the following: "NA7Y) member Greece, which sees Serbia as a traditional Orthodox Christian ally, has opposed the air strikes." The N.Y. Daily News on 4/8/99 reported "Greece and the Cypriot Greek community are sympathetic to the Serbs, sharing their Orthodox Christian heritage." Muslim dominated countries have mildly supported the Kosovars, Alabanians and before that, the Boanians. Even in the U.S., Orthodox Christians have a "sense of solidarity with ... fellow Orthodox Christians there" according to Rev. Garklavs of East Meadow. To this country's credit, the United States has not taken sides on the conflict from a religious point of view. However, it may be foolish to overlook how the participants see it.

The viewpoint of those who are in the middle of this conflict is simple: It's Orthodox Christianity versus Islam. Orthodox Christians justly fear the formation of a Muslim state where the severity of Islamic law could run from moderate, as in Egypt, to vicious and impossibly cruel as in Afghanistan. Non-Muslims in those countries may still be required to obey the Koran. Conversely, in most Christian dominated countries, there is an official religion and Islam is not well tolerated.

Is there a secular humanist method of framing the issues involving the United States' entry into the conflict? As humanists, we should have concern for all persons, regardless of ethnic background. Although war is indeed a failure on the part of the human race, the sad fact is that humans are fallible. Therefore, it would be indeed more ethical to prevent, even by violent means, an attempt of ethnic cleansing, if more misery were not caused by the intervention, than to allow it to continue by being restricted to non-violent methods only. To insist on a peaceful solution, no matter what, can not always save the victims of tyranny. There simply is no guarantee that an aggressive leader, such as a Milosevic, or country would respond to reason.

Further, a mere attempt to end the suffering is truly not enough - it must have a real chance for success for it to be justified, while at the same time not being hopelessly dangerous for those charged with the task. Retribution for revenge's sake alone will not help the refugees, nor will a suicide mission. To complicate matters even more, in a world without a suitable organized and legitimate forum to hear and try claims of atrocities or human rights violations within a sovereign nation, only brute force outside the rule of law remains. That by itself makes all solutions less than ideal and points out the need for an organized international tribune of law and human rights so that such actions have a legitimate and objective authority.

If military action could lead to short-term relief for the victimized Muslim Kosovars that would be helpful. However, long term prospects would remain poor as long as humans continue to draw borders along religious lines.

Thus we have framed the debate: we must, as a country, determine what actions might succeed in ending the ethnic cleansing, if those actions are impossibly dangerous for our soldiers, and whether it would make a difference in the longer run. Whether the current action will succeed in ending the current round of ethnic cleansing is unknown to the average U.S. citizen, but it is extremely doubtful whether this relief would be more than a mere blip on the screen, based on the centuries of religious animosity. [TOC]

MORNING AFTER PILL FOR WAR-RAPE VICTIMS Gerry Dantone
It has got to be difficult enough to have lost your home in the war in Kosovo.Just imagine having been raped by marauding Serbian soldiers and even worse, becoming pregnant! Does anyone disagree that UN provided medical supplies, including the "morning after pill," would ease the pain and torment of these poor women? The Vatican, apparently, is more concerned about these raped women ending their pregnancies than helping them improve their bleak circumstances!

Heaven forbid that someone, who has lost everything, ineluding whatever is left of their dignity, may actually choose not to have their rapist's offspring! Msgr. Elio Sgreccia, V.P. of the Pontifical Academy for Life, in the Italian newspaper Awenire, voiced his firm opposition and his concern that raped Kosovar women might decide to end their pregnancies. A UN spokesperson said "to drag this abortion debate into this is inhuman."

Does the Vatican actually expect homeless, raped Muslim women to care what the Roman Catholic Church proclaims? What is wanted here? Does the Vatican want the UN to abide by Roman Catholic dogma? No one will presumably be forced to end their pregnancy against their will, and any Catholic who wishes to obey they laws of their church may do so. Is it so difficult for them to understand that others have no such obligation? [TOC]

Letters to the Editor
Your March Newsletter quoted the bible: "...if a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination..." Lying with mankind???? Um does this refer to a global orgy? Hee, Hee. T.F. No, this refers to the well-known WWF wrestler, Mankind, whose real name is Mick Foley, originally from East Setauket, Long Island. This is an example of one of the few biblical prophecies that has come to pass. Let us pray for his wife. G.D.

Good stuff folks. Keep it comin'. The inspiration is much needed. P. You think YOU need inspiration? See the above for an example of true desperation. G.D.

Hello, F.P. here, founder of the Atheist Coalition of Los Alamitos. My mother is very interested in secular humanism and I wondered if you could add her to the LISH list. Thank you very much and your newsletter is great. F.P. Which LISH list do you mean? The list of $1000 donors or the newsletter mailing list? G.D.

Thanks for this newsletter. Your meetings are too far away for me to attend, but it is good to know there are still people around of like mind. What boggles my mind most these days is the grip that "religious" (read supernatural) beliefs still have on the minds of so many in the world.I scratch my head and say to myself, How can they believe it?" That buried within all of these beliefs may be a kernel of morality is so very much less important than the harm done by separating people into primitive tribes who must destroy one another to feel OK about their own beliefs.
           I've been trying to study many of the world's religions in order to come to some answers. Possibly the core has to inability to own death/extinction. The survival instinct is so strong - even the smallest ant seems to run for cover when he's about to be stepped on. And so, all of the ideas over the centuries to believe in an afterlife and to have a father (in the case of monotheism) who would look after us became necessary to alter the limited lifelines of people. Once a belief system was committed to and passed down the generations, it became imprinted in individuals to such an extent that they would persecute and even kill those who's evolution resulted in different beliefs.
           I sometimes awaken early Sunday mornings and listen to a program called "Religion on the Line" (WOR 6:00-9:00 AM.) The three clerics who run the program are supposed to promote ecumenical communication. They appear to mean well, but religion is never on the line. They generally cut off or appear to break out in a sweat whenever a nonbeliever calls. I sometimes think more harm is done by "moderates" than by those whose extremism is more visible.
          Anyhow, sorry for bending your ear. Keep sending me you newsletter. L.
The very idea that it is necessary to promote ecumenicism is proof that there is a problem between opposing religions. C.D.

Thanks for forwarding your newsletter. We're really looking forward to attending a meeting, and our target date is April 30.
          Some comments: 1. So Tinky Winky is gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that (see appropriate Seinfeld episode). 2. The prohibition against homosexuality in Leviticus is the lynchpin of the religious right's attack on gays, but very few people realize, or are willing to admit that Leviticus advocates murdering them. People also fail to realize, that according to Leviticus, every time they eat bacon or shrimp they are committing an abomination. 3. The religious and conservative right have adopted an Orwellian style of language in describing their agenda. For example: Black Hate = White Pride; Affirmative Action = Reverse Discrimination; Homophobia = Family Values; Anti-Women's Reproductive Rights = Pro-Life; Programs Designed to De-fund Public Education = School Choice; Attempts to Establish a State Church = Religious Freedom Amendment; Depriving Poor Women and Children of Food and Health Benefits = Workfare; Recognizing the Worth and Dignity of Every Human Being and the Great Variety of the Human Experience = Secular Humanism.
         Well, at least they got the last one right. Regards, J.
Hey, no one is perfectly imperfect! G. D.

Dipsy is a male pig. Yes, the other"male" Teletubbie uses very abrupt arm motions, has a dildo-shaped antenna (straight up and hard as a fossilized banana in pajamas), and has the deepest voice. He is often seen in the park and rides kicking the crap out of homosexuals as they come out of the bushes to go home to their wives and children. Po, the little red one is a commie. In addition to being red, she speaks Cantonese. Chinese commie induction stuff folks. In fact the saying she spouts was confused for suggestive English words, and the talking toy was modified on the American market. La La, the yellow female critter is in fact a suit worn by a staunchly anti-male Asian lesbian.
          You all thought it was scary to find out Daddy Brady was gay and had a thing for Greg while Greg was coin' Mom ... well, you were right! But not nearly as scary as innocent babies being corrupted by commie gay, macho lesbian influences. Come to think of it, Mr. Rogers starts off each show by taking off his sweater... what's next?! Wait, his mailman is "Mr. McFeely"!!! Sounds like a NAMBLA candidate to me! I think I better keep my young boy home with me, with no TV. Growing up in the dark with me, his racist, homophobia, right wing, closed-minded old man will be far better for him than contact with the real world.
          Just another note about Mr. McFeely... his famous line is "Speedy delivery." He is apparently a pusher as well as a pedophile. S.M.
It's a good thing I personally know this letter writer and know that the letter is deliberately satiric. Somewhere, someone actually believes all this stud; and he or she probably will be appearing on CNN next week offering their expert opinion. G.D.    [TOC]

THE GOOD OLD DAYS  John Lucania
A recent column in the New York Post by Ben and Jerry Wattenberg, dealt with the declining moral values in today's America as compared to the "good old days.. By Good old days," they are referring to the pre-pill, pre-sexual revolution 50's. The writers referenced such recent movies as Pleasantville and Blast From the Past. This is a favorite tactic of the religious and conservative right. They set up this revisionist history strawman in order to attack today's culture.

Being a "Boomer", I remember a somewhat different version of the 50's. Along with doowop, malt shops, and classic cars, there was also the Korean War, teen-age gang violence, and yes, even serious drug abuse. Young girls often "got into trouble" and sought illegal abortions, sometimes with fatal results. I know that it comes as a shock to some people, but young unmarried couples were having sex in the 50's. Blacks and other minorities would have hardly considered these the "good old times." Have we forgotten segregation, lynching, chain gangs, eta? Career opportunities for women were limited. Many were forced to stay in abusive marriages due to restrictive divorce laws. The 50's was also the Golden Age" for organized crime.

In reality, the 50's decade was a complex and dynamic time. There were revolutions in art, technology, music (jazz), and let's not forget Jack Kerouac and the Beats.

The simple and moral 50's are a myth spun by conservatives and sellers of nostalgia. The 50's were neither simple nor particularly moral. [TOC]

JOINING UP  Colleen Hanna
I was eight when the dominoes of logic tumbled in my head to the inescapable conclusion that the Catholic Church had sold me one hell of a bill of goods. Anybody with the least bit of logical consistency could see that a god that would banish my saintly and selfless third grade teacher, Sister Gabriel, from the altar yet accommodate the likes of my four brothers was neither wise nor just.

Once the credibility of the Catholic Church foundered in my eyes, it wasn't long before I had to admit that I couldn't bring myself to believe in any God, and not for lack of trying. But even as a child the evidence seemed to me overwhelming that if indeed there was such an entity it would necessarily be either pretty damn mean or pretty damn oblivious. In neither case did it seem like much cause for worship.

Most arguments for the existence of a God seem to hinge on the perceived need for religion as a guiding moral authority. The only catch there (I mean the only catch other than that wishing for something doesn't make it so) is that religion doesn't seem to have the effect people hope for. That's not too surprising to me since I'm convinced that most people don't really believe in a personal god, but that they will themselves to live superficially religious lives for socially practical reasons.

The problem with willing yourself to believe something you know is false is that if you're successful, you pretty much define mental illness. If you're not, then religion isn't much help to you as a comfort or as a guide. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, who should know, estimated that 95% of the terminally ill people she treated were not authentically religious and consequently suffered greatly before their deaths. Accepting religion on these terms offers the short run convenience of a one size fits all moral strategy for life. People need a reason to be good. Unfortunately, religion doesn't call upon people to think very much about the reasons for which they really should be good. If good behavior is a matter of bending one's will to an external motivator, rather than enlightened self-interest, then compliance becomes self-denial. As anyone who has ever been on a diet knows, sooner or later that's bound to fail.

Rejecting religion entails the hard work of figuring out the right thing to do based on the complicated, messy particulars that make up real life. It takes the free exchange of ideas to hone a philosophy, something not possible in a debate where mystically divined revelation is allowed to trump logic. That, more than any other, is the reason I'm excited about becoming part of a secular humanist group.

I want to take part in a conversation that begins where any exchange that involves the religious usually ends: How do we live a good life, here and now, and make the most of the precious but limited time that we have available?

I'm hoping LISH can give me back a little of what I lost when I realized that my belief in logic and reason excluded me from my childhood religious community and provide a way of connecting with like minded people interested in doing good things. And that I can genuinely and authentically embrace. [TOC]

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN AMERICA Gerry Dantone
One of the common myths that some religious extremists perpetuate is the existence of persecution of Christians in the United States. This may be a slight exaggeration In the state constitution of Massachusetts, there is a religious test for those who acquire public office: Article 1. Any person chosen governor, lieutenant governor, councillor, senator or representative, and accepting the trust, shall, before he proceed to execute the duties of his place or office, make and subscribe the following declaration, vat "I, A. B., do declare, that I believe the Christian religion, and have a Firm persuasion its truth; and that I am seised and possessed, in my own right, of the property required by the constitution as one qualification for the office or place to which I am elected. "

Of course this would seem to be unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution, but a state may still decide to enforce such a test requiring one to take this case to the courts to overturn the provision. Precisely this took place recently in South Carolina where a non-believer, Herb Silvennan was denied a license as a Notary Public under a similar provision in that state's constitution. He took the case to court and was opposed by both the state Attorney General and Governorl Mr. Silverman prevailed.

A number of states have equally odious religious tests, though no state seems to have a test requiring non-belief in public officials.. Therefore, it may be safe to say that in the case of state constitutions, only non-believers are persecuted, and certainly not Christians. [TOC]

"Hey' dummies " Gerry Dantone
          Psalms 53:1: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
          On April 4, 1999, the Sunday New York Daily News saw fit to print the following editorial, which is provided in its entirety as follows:
          Now LISH is not an atheist only group, and as most know, atheism is certainly not a requirement for one to accept that ethics and purpose are intrinsic in life and not dependent on the existence of the supernatural. However, as humanists we should be appalled at the insinuation that atheists or any other typically non-violent law-abiding class of people are dummies and that somehow New Jersey or any other place in the United States is not appropriate for them to reside in. New Jersey cannot possibly be described as a Jewish state or a Muslim state, does that mean they do not belong there as well? It's not an Italian or Irish state as well: need we go on to make the point? Actually, I'm sure the NY Daily News would never even think to publish such an offensive editorial targeting any other group besides atheists.
          Secular humanists, as well as atheists, are perhaps the last safe targets of acceptable political and social bigotry. Although the country is not yet free of racism, sexism, anti-Semitism and homophobia, these strains of prejudice are at least widely recognized, or given lip service, for being the evils that they are.
          One isolated example of bigotry should not convince a person that such bigotry is the norm, but of course this is not isolated. The most vicious public scapegoating of secular humanists often takes place on CON, Pat Robertson's broadcasting arm. It would be a terrible mistake to dismiss Mr. Robertson since he believes, as many Republican Presidential hopefuls also believe, that his support is vital to their being elected in 2000. Formerly on the network known as the Family Channel, now owned by Fox, the 700 Club, CBN's flagship show, offered the following excerpt as part of a "news" report on May 12, 1998, on Madalyn Murray-O'Hair, former leader of American Atheists: ". . . and ever since Madalyn and the Supreme Court teamed up to give God the boot, America has gotten the boot ... from its children.
          These are the sons and daughters of secular humanism the first "post-God" generation... These are the children who may one day be marching across our nation in gangs, armed to the teeth in order to survive until graduation. These are the children of a hopeless, angry generation who are rising up in rebellion against the world their parents have given them ... the world of Ms. O'Hair's vision ... a world without God."
          Somehow it seems that Ms. O''.Hair's victory in the courts eliminated the existence of God! The report then implies that secular humanism was responsible for the rash of school shootings by children over the recent past:  "Here are a few case studies of Madalyn's Kids. Perhaps you've heard about some of them on the evening news.
          Andrew Wurst, 14 -- Opened fire at his eighth-grad e dance at an Edinboro, Pennsylvania, banquet hall...
          Julise Salbato, 15 -- Facing assault charges after bludgeoning her pregnant teacher in the head with a hammer at her Yonkers, New York, high school...
          Mitchell Johnson, 13 and his cousin And rew Gold en, 11 -Fzred with rifles on classmates and teachers when they came out during a false fire alarm at the Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Arkansas...
          Michael Cameal, 14 -Opened fire on a stud ent prayer circle at Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky...
And then there's the notorious "prom mom" syndrome ... teenage girls like Melissa Drexler and Amy Grossberg discarding their newborn children as casually as if they were throwing away an old bottle of nail polish...

So where is the woman who helped make secular humanism the national religion?

Fred of fighting the good fight, Public Atheist #1 laid off her staff, cleaned out the coffers of her organization, and went into hiding. . . The loss of a figurehead can be a blow to any cause, but Madalyn's Kids have faithfully kept her message alive around the country ... in Pearl, Mississippi; in West Pad ucah, Kentucky; in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and most recently, in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.

Madalyn, these are your kids. You told us how to educate them back in the 1960s; come tell us what to do with them now."

Imagine making accusations such as the above without an iota of evidence to back up the claims! There is much evidence that many, if not all of the children mentioned, including testimony from family ministers, were raised as typical Christians, and no one has ever offered any reason to believe that any of the perpetrators was raised as humanists, atheists, or were in fact humanists or atheists! In fact it was interesting to often see family spokespersons depict these troubled children as "sinful Christians" implying it would be worse to be an atheist than a murdering Christian. "Call me a religious person who is a murderer, but don't call me an atheist" was the message often replayed.

The 700 Club's message seems to be that the mere existence of secular humanism makes others do immoral things. Their message somehow implies that not being able to violate the constitution of the United States causes children to take guns and kill people. Are they claiming that without trampling on the rights of religious minorities, they can't keep themselves from committing heinous crimes?

There is the potential in this country for a tremendous persecution of secular humanists and non-believers, and even of believers of faiths not acceptable to the likes of the politically powerful. The recent attempt to pass a so-called "Religious Freedom Amendment" is nothing more than a "Religious Dominance Amendment" that would rob this country of its religious freedom.

Many more examples of bigotry against humanists exist. Recently we noted in the newsletter a "prayer" by Rabbi Lapin to open a session of the U.S. House of Representatives that vilified non-believers. Future newsletters will document other attacks as well.

It is absolutely imperative that all tolerant Americans unite to preserve the very thing that has made America the greatest country in the history of the world - our freedom from coercion in the domain of the mind as protected by the First Amendment. If we do not stand up now, not only atheists, but indeed all reasoning and tolerant Americans, would truly deserve to be considered "dummies. "

Please lend YOUR voice in disgust at the recent editorial in the New York Daily News. You may email a letter to the editor at voicers@edit.nydailynews.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, NY Daily News, 450 W. 33rd Street, NYC, NY 10001. [TOC]

Happy Easter
          From the wires: CRANFORD, N.J. (AP} - American Atheists Inc., moving out of its Austin, Rex., home, has bought a building in "progressive" Cranford and plans to dedicate it today.
          Hey, dummies, it's the Garden State. not the Godless State. [TOC]

SILENCE IS STILL DEATH Sandy Rapp (Reprinted from the Long Island Pride Press March 1999)
I've just broken the silence. I've informed Dan's Paper of the Hamptons, NY, about the long-standing rumor in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered community that Jerry Falwell is a closeted Teletubbie. I've explained that the Tele Tale signs are unmistakable. One can easily Tele, first by Falwell's body shape, second by his habitual mannerism of putting his hands together and peering skyward, and third by the amount of time he actually spends before the cameras in the former two conditions.

Apparently I'm considered something of a consultant on such subjects, having written a song, "Ten Percent," explaining that a tenth of televangelists are gay, and an early book on the Religious Right. Although I'm always glad for an opportunity to remark on pretentious, posturing preachers, I was especially delighted that the mainstream Long Island, NY, media was interested in the subject of gay role models. I took the opportunity to loudly decry the motives of these smiling moralists whose intent it is to deny lesbian/gay youth all positive self images.

I saw the good Reverend himself dissembling recently on the very subject of Teletubbies. He reported that he "didn't really say Tinky Winky was gay" or something. The gay press had said it first. And he was only "warning" parents about the "danger." Also, it isn't really he who writes the columns that go out over his signature, so he didn't even know about it, although he'll "stand by it" anyway. He chuckled benignly,

But there's nothing benign about it. And when the Dan's Papers reporter asked me how I thought the gay media had handled the controversy I said "brilliantly."Because yes, it's ridiculous and yes, some towns are passing reso celebrating Tinky Winkyand yes, the figure is becoming aPride Parade mascot and yes, purple Teletubbie sales are way up. But Silence Is Still Death. And the fundamentalist politico intent is still murderous. The whole idea of demonizing gay role models is a heat-seeking missile aimed at the most vulnerable in our society. Through lack of positive role models, many gays still grow up in perfect isolation, a phenomenon which greatly contributes to the gay youth suicide rate's being triple or more the non-gay incidence. And Congressional "conservatives" regularly exacerbate silence-related death through their persistent bias against specific, i.e. effective, HIV education. Also, the fundamentalists' intent of demonizing gay role models could not be more inflammatory vis-a-vis anti-gay violence. The immediate goal of this demonizing is, of course, fund raising. The religionists care not that they inspire humor among the many. There are enough susceptible people to finance the next far-right political campaign with spoils of the Tubbie Wars. Then, when these fanatics are elected, they think nothing of disabling one whole branch of government. Have they not, in fact, comp1ete1y eviscerated the Executive Office which is our presence in the world, with their unending, unrestrained, unfettered. unsupervised and moralistic Inquisition? Is our country not treasonously damaged by these "conservatives"' having engineered a permanent forum for an ongoing parade of accusations and civil suits against the President of the United States?

Yet the gay press has been brilliant in its handling of the charged Teletubbie issue. Indeed we have juggled the good and the bad, the funny and the scary. We pursue the humor, with a certain amount of disbelief that this subject could even arise. But we take the occasion of this unexpected visibility to pry the religionist's intent out of the closet. We affirm that one extremely dangerous weapon in the fundamentalist arsenal is their demonization of gay role models. Meanwhile, I'm updating "Ten Percent" in view of the recent developments. (c) Sandy Rapp 1999

Sandy Rapp is a feminist singer and author of "God's Country'; a book about the Religious Right. Her Gay Issue CD, "We The People" is available at Amazon.com and through mail to: SandyRapp@aol.com    [TOC]