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From: chrism@shark.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.politics
Subject: Politics, religion and book-burning
Message-ID: <644@shark.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 23-Mar-84 03:04:43 EST
Article-I.D.: shark.644
Posted: Fri Mar 23 03:04:43 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 25-Mar-84 10:15:38 EST
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(MM = Moral Majority)
>I don't think that people should condemn the MM's involvement in politics
>before they realize that the groups they oppose are doing the same thing
>(and using the same methods) with their ideas.  And I think the news media
>definitely biases itself against the MM.  If you think that all Christians
>who see an application of biblical principles for society are "Falwellites"
>think again.  Political involvement works both ways.  

Jesse Jackson is an example of a leftist who is strongly influenced by
biblical principles.  Some of his rallies look like old-time revivals.
Interestingly, the press seems to ignore this aspect of his character.
If Jackson were, in contrast, a far-right candidate (and possibly white??)
I'm sure he'd be pinned to the proverbial cross for his political-religious
mixing. However, since 'Liberal' religious institutions and people often have 
goals congruent with politically active secular types, there is a marked
tendency to 'forgive' their religious motivation.  This is called
expediency, although I agree its often more than a little hypocritical.
I'm reminded, as an example, of the Marxist guerrila leader and the leftist
Catholic priest fighting side by side in Central America.

>Speaking of book burning and censorship, Liberals have been praciticing it
>for years under the guise of "instilling proper values in our children" and
>"removing stereotypes and religious influences".  

We part company here.  The democratic secular state tries to promote a 
scientific education; in principle it leaves religions training to private homes
and places of worship.  The value of this approach may be judged by
its results - in the few hundred years of the ascendancy of secularism
(what you call Liberalism, I guess), man's life has improved immeasurably.
None of this was due to religious relevations; it came about
through science and its application.  An approach of this sort 'ignores'
religion - it doesn't actively suppress it.  It simply provides a set
of tools for critical thinking.  Granted, this critical thinking often
has the effect of letting people see through percieved inconsistencies
in some religions and so adopt a secular philosophy.  This is far cry
from book burning or censorship, however. 
 
>People should learn how to think rather than be told what to think.

I could not agree more.

Chris Minson