INQUIRER Volume 3, Issue 3, March,
2000 A Thumbs Up Publication
Editor: Gerald Dantone Art Design: John R. Wilmarth Copyright
LISH 2000 (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.)
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Humanists that may be of interest to humanists! Topics encouraged include the The
Question of the Month: "What
well-known persons or celebrities are, in your opinion, possibly "closet"
secular humanists, freethinkers, and/or atheists or agnostics, and what makes you think
so?" Readers of the Long Island Secular Humanist Newsletter
are encouraged to send in their opinions Email InfidelsRe@aol.com
or mail to LISH, Box 119, Greenlawn, NY 11740. Thanks!
1) LI Representatives Vote for Federal Funds for Religion and Discrimination!
2) Church Conceals Priest AIDS Death
3) Suffolk County Legislature Gives Money to Private Religious Groups
4) Letters to the Editor
5) A Matter of Perspective
6) Americans United Cites Church
7) Guest Editorial
8) God Drops Strawberry
9) Churches Given Expanded Rights to be Bigoted
10) Giuliani & NYS Legislature Move to Promote Ten Commandments, Deism...
11) Jihad: Christian Right Turns on John McCain by Gerry D
12) Humanist Music Competition
13) Truth, Faith and Hypocrisy
14) Randall Terry, Founder of Operation Rescue, Going to Hell?LI Representatives Vote for Federal Funds for Religion and Discrimination! Gerry D
The following letter has been sent to Reps. Lazio, King and Forbes of Long Island. Thus far, only Rep. Lazio, through an aide, has responded:It has been reported that on November 10, 1999 that you voted "no" on an amendment to the "Fathers Count Act" that would have prevented taxpayer dollars from being directed to pervasively sectarian organizations that in turn can religiously discriminate against persons in hiring and in use of the funds. The amendment to the Act was "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds shall not be provided under this section to any faith-based institution that is pervasively sectarian." As you know, organizations such as Catholic Charities and other secular arms of religious groups are already eligible to receive taxpayer monies because they are not pervasively sectarian. They cannot and do not discriminate in hiring and use of government funds. The "Father Count Act" law changes that without the amendment.
Co-sponsor of the bill, Nancy Johnson, (R-Conn.) stated during debate that "I do want churches getting the money. That is the bottom line." As a response, Rep. Strickland, a former Methodist minister pointed out, "Do we really want to see a sign in front of a church getting federal funds that says, 'Jews need not apply'? Do we want to see a sign in front of a Protestant church saying 'Catholics will not be considered for this position'? I think not. I hope not. I pray not."
Since the bill does not indicate which churches would or would not receive the money, groups such as the Nation of Islam, World Church of the Creator, and Christian Identity would remain eligible for taxpayer funds if they had programs for low-income fathers. There is no reason why this cannot occur. To deny them funds because of their potentially discriminatory practices becomes impossible since these churches would be singled out unfairly among all others. As you know, all churches currently have the right to discriminate in hiring at present, as long as public funds are not involved. As an example, the Catholic Diocese of New York recently fired a female teacher for having married a divorced Protestant man. Since the school uses no taxpayer funds, this is a legal action, if case law continues undisturbed. If taxpayer funds however, were to have been involved, non-Catholic persons or non-traditional Catholics would have been the victims of religious discrimination at taxpayer expense. The "Fathers Count Act" with the amendment you voted against would have prevented this kind of discrimination with taxpayer funds.
The newsletter of the Long Island Secular Humanists, the Inquirer, which is distributed to all media outlets in the New York area, as well as LISH members, will report in a coming issue, that you voted to allow discrimination based on religious belief using taxpayer funds. It will also report that this law will permit tax monies to be given to religious hate groups without recourse if their programs otherwise meet the criteria. We are giving you an opportunity to correct, respond or explain your vote before we publish the story. Why did you vote to allow discrimination based on religious grounds for pervasively sectarian groups, and potentially sectarian hate groups, using federal taxpayer dollars?
Very truly yours, Gerry D, Editor, LISH Newsletter, the Inquirer
At this time, Reps. King and Forbes have had nothing to say. To the credit of Rep. Lazio's office, an aide did call my office and generally agreed with my viewpoint but could not speak as to why Rep. Lazio voted as he did and could not speak for him. The possibility of a follow-up call or visit was possible. The voters of Long Island need to know why this reckless charge to shower Federal dollars on religious groups without regard to the Constitution and ethics is continuing. The Inquirer will be asking questions. [TOC]
Church Conceals Priest AIDS Death Gerry D
A report by the Kansas City Star claims that Roman Catholic Priests are dying from AIDS at a rate four times the national average. According to the paper, death certificates and interviews with experts indicated several hundred priests have died from AIDS-related illnesses in recent years and many more are HIV positive at this time. The paper also conducted a survey of priests, with 801 responding out of 3000 contacted.Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton says, "I think this speaks to a failure on the part of the church. Gay priests and heterosexual priests didn't know how to handle their sexuality...How to be celibate and to be gay, and how to be celibate and heterosexual at the same time, that's what we were never really taught how to do."
A specific case cited of the concealment of priests with AIDS was that of Bishop Emerson Moore of the New York Archdiocese who died in a hospice in Minnesota. His death certificate stated he died of unknown natural causes and that he was a laborer. An AIDS activist got the certificate changed to reflect the AIDS-related nature of his death, but his occupation was never corrected to reflect his priesthood.
The fact that priests contract AIDS does not reflect on those priests as persons except for the fact that the organization they represent condemns homosexuality and extra-marital sex as sinful. The Church seems reticent to admit that priests "sin" even as they implore their flock not to sin.
Hypocrisy is inevitable when obedience to a moral law that is not related to human well being is the standard. If celibacy was not required of priests, homosexuality not considered sinful, condoms not forbidden and extra-marital sex not automatically deemed immoral, then priests and also the lay Catholic could live their lives in a more open and safe manner. Hell would not break loose! The Church must become more humanistic in its ethics so that it does not have to turn its back on those priests who have proven to be nothing more than human. It should not be necessary to hide the fact that a priest died from AIDS. The Church needs to get itself off the pedestal. [TOC]
Suffolk County Legislature Gives Money to Private Religious Groups Gerry D
The copied flyer received by the Inquirer from a concerned reader read "Taxpayer Dollars Put Back Into Our Community" with the subtitle "Legislator Steve Hackeling proudly announces his funding for community groups doing great work within the 18th Legislative District."Normally, one would think to commend the legislator for getting county funds for his district, but the list of recipients included the Boy Scouts of America, Father Judge Knights of Columbus, St. Anthony Parish Outreach and Trinity School CYO Basketball.
Not knowing for certain how the funds for the latter three groups are used, I wrote to Mr. Hackeling the following letter:
Dear Mr. Hackeling, I was intrigued when I received a copy of the enclosed notice from a friend of mine regarding taxpayer dollars going towards a number of local non-profits organizations.
In particular, the list included the Boy Scouts of America, the Father Judge Knights of Columbus, St. Anthony's Parish Outreach and Trinity School CYO Basketball. Although I am not really familiar with the latter three programs, I do know that the Boy Scouts of America do not allow gays or the non-religious to join as members, since an oath that is required precludes their membership. In fact, as you probably know, the Boy Scouts of America have been seeking in the courts to affirm their right to discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs and sexual orientation while at the same time receiving public monies.
Here is the problem: You ask, on the flyer, if any non-profit organization would like to seek funding. On the basis that the Boy Scouts of American are qualified to receive money even though they discriminate, I am concerned that the Ku Klux Klan, which also have religious requirements and do not allow gays as well, also might consider themselves eligible. Also, if a group that has nice programs for children but does not allow Christians or heterosexuals were to seek funding, would they also receive money? Would it help if I wrote to the State Attorney General regarding this possibility?
A self-addressed stamped envelope is enclosed so that you may more easily respond. Thanks very much. Very truly yours, Gerry Dantone.
Of course we have not heard from Mr. Hackeling who has since moved on from this elected office. We have contacted his replacement, Jon Cooper and await information on the funding of the Boy Scouts, which is obviously inappropriate and the activities of the other groups which are unknown to us.
Are we really concerned about the Ku Klux Klan or a fictitious anti-heterosexual, anti-Christian group getting money from Suffolk County? No, not in the immediate future. However, it is useful sometimes to show the absurdity of a policy by taking something to its' logical conclusion.
If the Scouts, who are anti-gay and anti-nonbeliever and fight to practice their discrimination, can receive taxpayer money, who would be disqualified? The answer, unfortunately, probably does not depend on logic, the constitution or fairness, but more likely a desire for privilege for those who've got the power to seize it. We hope the new legislator and the local government in general become more sensitive to their great responsibilities. [TOC]
Letters to the editor:
2/13/00 Are there two Beth Lamonts? The Beth Lamont I sat with at the E.O. Wilson dinner in Columbus last June was Corliss Lamont's widow, not his daughter. Carol, in Milwaukee via Internet
Response: Of course, you are right, and apologies are offered all around! G.D.
2/13/00 I enjoyed your article on Bob Jones University. It is a racist, anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic and anti-black institution. However, doesn't it also bother you that Bill Bradley would meet with Al Sharpton? After all Sharpton is also a man of the cloth, a racist, and an anti-Semite. The only difference is he happens to be African-American and on the left of the political spectrum. I don't think we should have double standards. Criticize the "religious left" just like the "religious right". Thank you. Tom D., San Antonio, TX via Internet
Response: I did object to Bradley meeting with Sharpton, not because he is a man of the cloth, but because he participated in a hoax that caused great pain and racial division in New York and because of his self-promotion. Democratic candidates, Gore and Bradley have disappointed at times regarding church-state separation, though neither has called for a complete breaking of the First Amendment. These days, sadly, that's better than average. G.D.
Re: LISH Question of the month: What person(s) has most influenced your political philosophy, if you have one?
2/12/00 Robert A Heinlein -- SciFi Writer; Louis L'amour -- Novelist -- Westerns & Historical; Mack Reynolds -- SciFi Writer; Kirkpatrick Sale -- Social/Political Scientist; Andre Norton -- Fantasy Writer; Marian Zimmer Bradley -- Fantasy Writer; Lysander Spooner --Businessman - Political Philosopher & Anarchist. Hedge via Internet
Response: Interesting list to say the least. G.D.2/12/00 SHORT ANSWER: Amory Lovins; see the just-released book NATURAL CAPITALISM, which he co-authored with Paul Hawken and someone else, probably Hunter Lovins. LONG ANSWER: My understanding of history has been influenced by Ayn Rand, William Godwin, Albert Jay Nock, Albert Memmi, and Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar. My understanding of economics and "Political economy" has been influenced by Friedrich A. Hayek, Frances Moore Lappe', Henry George, and lots of textbooks. My understanding of environmental problems has come from many places, but I recommend Garrett Hardin. For a hopeful vision of the future, I am indebted to Herman E. Daly (STEADY STATE ECONOMICS), Amory Lovins (SOFT ENERGY PATHS), and Lester Brown (founder of the Worldwatch Institute). John B.H. via Internet
Response: Great list, thanks. G.D.2/13/00 The person who most effected that is Leslie A. White. We should not depend upon great people, but answer to what needs to be done. Sometimes what we can do does not seem to be vary much. I am trying to get my kids so that they are self-sufficient. Jack via Internet
Response: Thanks for the comments. G.D.2/13/00 John Rawls. Julian via Internet
Response: Not surprising. G.D.2/13/00 Thomas Jefferson. Bill P. via Internet
Response: James Madison anyone? G.D.2/13/00 Ayn Rand. M.S. via Internet
Response: The extent of her influence is amazing! G.D.2/15/00 This is a beautiful question, which I never pondered before. Three people have influenced my political philosophy:
1. Albert Ellis, who brought us Rational Emotive Therapy has interesting ideas on the human ego, and how it leads to things like prejudice - all forms of wanting to give ourselves an over-all rating higher than others.
2. Paul Kurtz, who believes in transcending the divisive nationalism, and who sees the importance of attending to the environment thing.
3. Bill McKibben - a journalist who wrote a book entitled Hope, Human and Wild. This book details true stories of living lightly on the Earth, and exhorts us North Americans not to consume quite so heavily. Brian L, Bound Brook, NJ via Internet
Response: Although Kurtz is not known for his political views, they are very astute. He is, as are most secular humanist visionaries, way ahead of his time. G.D.
2/14/00 Adlai Stevenson, Barbara Jordan and JFK. 4H via Internet
Response: This answer has the advantage of naming actual politicians! G.D.2/15/00 The person who has most influenced my political philosophy is Ronald Reagan. Up to the time of his election there were others who espoused ideas that were similar to mine but they occasionally came with ideas that did not agree with mine. Not so with Ronald Reagan. Everything he said I disagreed with and still do to this day. W9 via Internet
Response: You've found perfection in total imperfection! G.D.2/19/00 Ronald Reagan -- the greatest liar ever to hold high office. It may take more than a generation to repair the damage he did to the constitution and political power abuses. I became an activist in the political area because of his blatant disregard for constitutional laws. Frank P., Houston, TX, via Internet
Response: I guess there is something to thank Reagan for after all - creating activists. G.D. [TOC]A Matter of Perspective Edwin W
When I was in high school, a long, long, long time ago, one of our finest young student writers wrote a brief story for our literary magazine titled: "A Matter of Perspective." It was a simple commentary on a graveside funeral, just an ordinary one with tears, and mourners, and weep and all the collateral occurrences at that type of event. His concluding line was: "Deep down in the bottom of the grave a maggot slithered to and fro, muttering impatiently to himself, 'Such formality'!"With the imminent advent of the year 2000 (by the calendar currently in vogue), anticipatory excitement is rife, everywhere. Y2K fears may, or may not, be validated, celebrations will be held worldwide, and, as always, the metaphysicists, supernaturalists and assorted nuts will come out of their shells blaring their gloomy predictions of apocalypse, Armageddon, hellfire, the Babe Ruth curse on the Red Sox, and (from your lips to God's ears) the second coming of Laurel and Hardy.
So, perhaps a deep breath and some considered reflection on what the ado is all about may be warranted. At the outset, it must be conceded that 2000 is not the beginning of the new millennium but rather the last year of the previous one. But, for the purpose of the analysis herein, this is truly irrelevant. My modest intention is to supply shortsighted mankind with, as the title of this article indicates, some perspective on life and its significance.
We, with our puny biblical lives of three score and ten (which modern medical knowledge has increased) regard a millennium, a thousand years, with the rightful and respectful awe. Let's consider, however , what that period of time really means. Th Earth is approximately four and a half billion years old. Therefore, this planet has already experienced four and a half million millennia. If we were to condense a millennium into a single day and celebrate it, it would take us three years of frenetic activity to greet one million millennia and thirteen and a half years of daily celebrating to hail all the millennia that our Earth has witnessed thus far! The 8,000 years of recorded history would encompass -- eight days! And, prospectively, we could greet daily millennia for another thirteen and a half years hence, before the sun consumes us when its fuel is gone and it blows up into a red giant star.
To express it another way, if the total recorded history were to be represented by the narrow width of a thin dime, placed on the ground, the age of the Earth, in comparison, would be the height of the Empire State building standing next to it.
And, for a final touch of perspective, consider how often people have moaned: "I've never won anything in my life." Realize that in every act of coitus 50,000,000 to 250,000,000 sperm frantically race to penetrate an egg cell. Only one succeeds -- and that one is you! That means that, during that particular act, 249,999,999 of your brothers and sisters will die, never to see Nature's green Earth. Every one of the six billion people on Earth today, as in eons past, have each won a 250,000,000 to one life or death lottery!!
The conclusion? It is a simple realization that life is a precious miracle -- but a natural one, not one created by man-made deities. Nabokov said: "Human existence consists of a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness." Extract as much happiness from your precious miracle as you possibly can!! Happy New Millennium!! [TOC]
Americans United Cites Church Gerry D
Here is another reason to void the tax exemption enjoyed by churches: They can't help themselves!Rev. Floyd Flake admitted he shouldn't, then did endorse Candidate Al Gore from the pulpit of his New York City church as Gore and a team of reporters was in attendance! Now it does seem unfair to restrain a minister from speaking his mind, but the church receives thousands of dollars annually in tax exemptions in return. Americans United has alerted the IRS regarding the violation and it remains to be seen if action will be taken.
Is it fair for churches to receive the exemptions in the first place? Absolutely not, but if they're going to get them, they had better follow the rest of the law. [TOC]
Guest Editorial on Church & State Hassan Yosufi Eshkevari, Iranian Muslim cleric as reported in Newsday
"Government is not a religious matter. In any religion, Christianity, Judaism or Islam, governance is not something that has been dictated by God or prophets... Democracy is the greatest discovery of mankind, and it is not exclusive to western thinking. If Mohammed had not been accepted by the people of Medina, he couldn't have become their leader." [TOC]God Drops Strawberry Gerry D
Once again Darryl Strawberry has relapsed in his fight against drugs and it may cost him his baseball career, or much of what's left of it. Instead of going into the issues of the way society and the law treats drug use, it is useful to hear what Strawberry wrote in his recent book. Bill Reel of Newsday, excerpted the following in his column: "I know what it's like to be humiliated because of addictions. I can witness the power of God. It's like a mighty hand, reaching down to grab hold of you. All you have to do is take that hand - and then let go of everything else. 'Let go and let God.'"Apparently "letting God" is not all that one has to do. The problem is not one of the soul, since it may not exist, but a medical problem that affects the brain and the way it works. Although it is too late for Mr. Strawberry's baseball career, it is hoped that drug abuse is viewed in the future less as a "sin" to be "punished" or repented of, but more as a human problem to be solved by human means. [TOC]
Churches Given Expanded Rights to be Bigoted Gerry D
As reported Thursday, February 3, 2000, in the Herald-Leader, the state House legislature of Kentucky passed a bill that would allow Churches to refuse to rent their facilities to gays and lesbians, atheists and others who violate their religious beliefs, while not being able to bar blacks or other racial groups. The paper reported the following:House Bill 70 was amended five times and debated for nearly an hour before it passed 82-17. The sponsor, Rep. Tom Kerr, D-Taylor Mill, hailed it as "an attempt to restore a measure of religious freedom to our religious institutions.'' The bill would exempt religious organizations from civil-rights laws that require public accommodations to be open to all. Instead, churches could keep their rented campgrounds, meeting halls and other facilities off-limits to groups inconsistent with the churches' "religious tenets." Kerr sponsored the bill after a Baptist church association in Northern Kentucky was forced to rent its campground to (Camp Quest, a youth program sponsored by the Council for Secular Humanism.) The camp accommodated humanist children who as part of their science studies held the theory of evolution over the Biblical story of creation.
Church officials testified last month before the House Judiciary Committee that they wanted to bar the children from their campground, but they felt such a move could prompt a lawsuit under (existing) civil-rights laws.
Two Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Eleanor Jordan of Louisville and Rep. Kathy Stein of Lexington, criticized the bill for advocating intolerance of others. Jordan said she detests the Ku Klux Klan, but she supported its right to march in Jefferson County a few years ago.
"It's very dangerous to tinker with civil rights legislation, particularly when the attempt is to keep someone out,'' Jordan said. "It's very dangerous to talk about excluding people."
The bill proceeds to the Senate. Kerr said he labored over several amendments in order to narrow its focus. At the Judiciary Committee, critics said the original bill could allow a church to bar any group such as blacks, Jews, the disabled that its members did not like.
In the final version, churches could not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color or national origin. But gays and lesbians, atheists, Satanists, Wiccans and others whose presence offends religious groups could be barred, Kerr said.
Kerr challenged Jordan, who is black, saying she should appreciate his bill, because it would allow her church to prevent the Ku Klux Klan from renting its meeting hall. "The church I worship in would welcome the Ku Klux Klan,'' Jordan shot back, "because I believe we would convert them.'' (End of article.)
Please note that the bill passed 82-17! In other words, the overwhelming majority of presumably religious elected officials saw fit to discriminate against non-believers for no other reasons than their non-belief. What other conclusion can be drawn from this stunning act of bigotry than that religion, as practiced in Kentucky at the least, breeds intolerance? At the same time we applaud those few Christian and other religious legislators such as Eleanor Jordan for resisting the pull of their heritage and thinking independently and humanistically.
Is America truly a land of justice and freedom? In Kentucky at least, the answer may be not if you're a person whose "beliefs" offend the religious majority. Atheists, pagans and gays are first. Can Catholics, Jews and other non-Protestant fundamentalists be far behind? [TOC]
Giuliani & NYS Legislature Move to Promote Ten Commandments, Deism and Religious Police State Gerry D
In an apparent effort to win votes from religious conservatives, Mayor Rudy Giuliani has stated his support for efforts to have the Ten Commandments posted in public facilities, and in particular, Public Schools. Mayor Giuliani, a Catholic, has not clarified whether he supports the posting of the Protestant Ten Commandments, which contain an admonition against graven images that many Protestants believe are violated by the Catholic Church, or the Catholic version, which omits this injunction. This difference has created friction between the religious denominations over the years and is a source of anti-Catholic sentiment for many.
In a statement LISH president Gerry Dantone released to the press, it was stated that "The Commandments do little for school children in the way of positive ethics. The first Commandment demands that only one God be worshiped and no other, and the intent was indeed a call for intolerance against competing concepts of God. I cannot imagine anything more un-American than to teach children that only one God can be worshiped. We should be teaching the opposite - that all persons are entitled to believe what they please and that it is how we treat each other that is important. If politicians were truly interested in teaching ethics to school children, as opposed to religion, they would consider the Standard Ten Commandments that LISH has formulated which is constitutionally acceptable and ethically sound right now."
A call for the outlawing of any denigration of any class of persons is from a proposal from Sen. Maltese, S2167. Remarkably, the statute is instead intended for use against pop culture targets, such as the movies "Life of Brian" and "Dogma." If strictly enforced this proposed law should criminalize all public preaching of scripture such as the Ten Commandments, various Psalms, many portions of the Koran, and numerous other scripture that criticize non-believers or believers of other religions as well. However, it is obvious that, if instituted, there would be no intent to fairly enforce this law. The intent is to allow religious criticism of non-believers and disbelief while admittedly prohibiting criticism of religion. In other words, this is a call for a Religious Police State.
Another statute under consideration is S5589, also supported by Sen. Maltese and possibly supported by Gov. Pataki. It calls for the specific teaching of the tenets of the Declaration of Independence involving mention of "the Creator." As is well known, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration, was a Deist, not a Christian, and his references to the Creator vary deeply in meaning from Christian theology. In fact, his Deism was a campaign issue in Jefferson's first unsuccessful run for President, where his opponents equated his Deism to a kind of atheism. In fact, it is often assumed that Jefferson's style of Deism is a forerunner to modern atheism, and that Deists and Unitarians, such as Thomas Paine, Ethan Allen, James Madison, George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Ben Franklin and other founding fathers are pioneers for modern American secular humanism. In practice, the deep distinctions between what the Declaration of Independence truly signifies and what is promoted by a Christian dominated legislature would probably be deliberately obscured. Isn't it inappropriate to teach Deism in schools and even more inappropriate to masquerade Deism as some form of Judeo-Christian philosophy to unsuspecting school children?
The press rarely challenges the assumptions made by those who promote government sponsored religious proselytizing, and almost never question the value of the ethics of the Ten Commandments and the fairness of other the proposed statutes. Not only are these proposals unconstitutional, they are not good for us. [TOC]
Jihad! Religious Right Turns on McCain Gerry D
Is John McCain an atheist, or worse, a secular humanist? You might suspect precisely that from the treatment he has been receiving at the hands of Pat Robertson and others in the Religious Right!Yes, this war-hero turned politician has been the target of a nasty campaign by the supporters of George W. Bush as they battle for the Republican nomination, despite a long record of support for Religious Right causes. No John McCain did not go to religiously racist and bigoted Bob Jones University, as Bush did; McCain did meet with the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay group, as Bush refused to do; McCain opposes the influence of Big Tobacco on his party; and McCain does believe abortion should be permitted in cases where the mother's life is in danger. The RR has called his campaign manager, Warren Rudman, a religious bigot, a libelous and untrue charge. Even worse, McCain supports a reform of campaign financing that threatens the clout of the rich and connected. For these "transgressions," the Religious Right has found him guilty!
McCain's campaign has fought back by pitting Catholics against Bush's more radical Protestant supporters. Is this fair? Fair it is, but is it good for the country? Actually if the country learns the danger of the Religious Right's point of view, it is good. If it does not, it just stirs up old religious hatreds for no positive purpose, except for garnering votes based on resentments.
In no way has McCain become pervasively liberal or progressive. He calls himself a "Reagan" conservative while referring to Bush as a "Robertson" conservative. What also can be said in his behalf however, is that he does not close the door on ideas or people he does not agree with in advance. What greater "sin", as far as a Pat Robertson might consider, could he commit?
McCain, in his Senate career, has supported some extremist proposals such as posting of the biblical Ten Commandments, vouchers and Federal monies to Religious institutions and other dangerous attacks on church-state separation. Still, it is refreshing to hear a Republican candidate refer to Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell as "agents of intolerance." One must wonder what is now going through his mind as he ponders the attack on him by the Religious Right. After all his support for religion, even to the point of destroying the First Amendment, what is the thanks he gets from those whose bidding he was doing? Will he learn that promotion of religion is divisive? Will he learn that no religious purity is pure enough? How can anyone pretend that religion is a unifying force when two Protestant candidates are at odds over religion and intolerance!
Though it is unlikely McCain can win the nomination and the general election after that, perhaps he has been taught the most important lesson of his political life: Religion and government do not mix. [TOC]
Humanist Music Competition
The New Jersey Humanist Network (NJHN) is sponsoring a Music Competition to encourage the creation of new secular humanist works. Information can [could] be found at http://www.freespeech.org/njhn/music.htm For more info, feel free to contact New Jersey Humanist Network, PO Box 51, Washington, NJ 07882 or email: hbrown@nac.net or call H. Brown: 908-689-2813. [TOC]Truth, Faith and Hypocrisy Gerry D
Once upon a time there was a college named Hillsdale that sought to become the very model of Christian ethics and morality. Run by its president, George Roche III, it rejected any Federal assistance so that it might be free to promote its conservative religious agenda. Indeed, it became the leading conservative college in the country to many.To make a long story short, the president's son married a fellow graduate of the college, Lissa, and she went on to edit a school publication while he taught at the school.
Time passes and eventually Roche III, divorces his wife, remarries and becomes ill. In the hospital, Lissa, with her husband present, accuses the elder Roche of having had an affair with her for twenty years, and dumping her for his new wife! She then goes home and kills herself!! George Roche III is suspended and then resigns without prejudice from the college.
The Book of Virtues author, William Bennett is tapped to join a committee formed to bring back Hillsdale's high standards but resigns when he smells a cover-up.
So how does one explain the above in light of their claim and purpose as a moral and faithful institution? For those without faith, it's simple: faith does not lead to virtue. For those who apologize for faith, the explanation is that the sinners in question never really had true faith - and of course, as this episode demonstrates, have no method of knowing whether they have it or not. [TOC]
Will he stone himself? Randall Terry, Founder of "Operation Rescue," Going to Hell? Gerry D
Could it be true? Randall Terry is going to hell after all?According to published reports, Mr. Terry, founder of the fundamentalist anti-abortion group "Operation Rescue," has been censured by his church for leaving his family. Rev. Daniel Little of the Landmark Church has said that the church has admonished Terry for a "pattern of repeated sinful relationships... with both single and married women...."
Randall Terry's religious beliefs are nearly identical with that of Christian Reconstructionism, which holds that adulterers should be stoned to death. Terry is known for the following quote: "Let a wave of intolerance wash over you. I want to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good... Our goal is a Christian nation... We don't want equal time. We don't want Pluralism. We want theocracy. Theocracy means god rules. I've got a hot flash. God rules."*
*(The News Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 8/15/93.)
Be Sure to Watch "Humanist Perspective" on Cablevision Public Access (channel 80 on the Woodbury system), every Wednesday @ 5:30 PM! [TOC]