From: mls@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (mike.siemon)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Is Pat Robertson for real??
Summary: editorial in Tues. NYTimes
Date: 1 Sep 92 18:08:49 GMT
Article-I.D.: cbnewsm.1992Sep1.180849.4167
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

In article <BtwEzq.y8@news.larc.nasa.gov>, carlson@ab24.larc.nasa.gov
(Ann Carlson) writes:

> I know that my position here isn't generally respected and that many
> aren't willing to believe in anything good for LGB people comming out
> of the church, but I think think that *is* good news in continuuing
> vocalness of the viscous-right crowd.  I've noticed a lot of the 
> normally silent, more moderate, christians who have woken up to the
> fact that they can not afford to be silent about the issues.

First a comment, and then I will enter an editorial from today's Times.

Many Christians have a strong belief in NOT linking religion with
politics.  In some cases this is doctrinal -- and such people often
take themselves almost totally out of the political process.  For
others, such as myself, the disastrous history of moral nightmares
following on such linkage (from the days of Constantine to the present)
is enough to make religious politics *highly* suspect.  But this puts
us in a double-bind -- if we *are* politically active, mention of our
religion is grounds for suspecting the same hypocrisy and partisan
attempt to "use" God for our purposes that we specifically condemn.
We can try to cope with this bind in various ways, but *please* do
not expect us to operate as a political opposition party to those
whose activity we condemn, when such operation *is* what we condemn.

What the Times reports is already near the borderline of the possible
(and the rightwingers already think of the National Council of Churches
as satanically captive of leftwing politics :-), they would say the
border was crossed, while *their* activities are "righteous" -- yech.
Anyway, here goes:

"President Bush's attempt to portray the Republicans as holier than
the Democrats has now drawn the rebuke it deserves from the National
Council of Churches.  In a letter to the White House, the Council
asserts that invoking God's name for political purposes is blasphemous.

"The Council's words are timely.  Mr. Bush would do well to heed them
-- and rein in his political confederates as well, including the
increasingly shrill Pat Robertson.

"At the Republican Convention in Houston, only surrogates like Mr.
Robertson and Pat Buchanan used God as a cudgel.  Then Mr. Bush 
crossed the line, publicly questioning the beliefs of his opponents
because, he said, the word "God" does not appear in the Democratic
platform. [thank God! I say -- Clinton's "covenant" language is
already very dangerous ground to be treading, though it was very
obviously aimed at precisely the religious line of the Repubs.]

"The Council's letter was signed by two dozen prominent members of
the clergy including Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning, the head of
the Episcopal Church, Mr. Bush's denomination.

"It reads in part: 'We believe it is blasphemy to invoke the infinite
and holy God to assert the moral superiority of one poeple over an-
other, or one political party over another.  As our Pledge of Alleg-
iance affirms, we are "one nation, under God" [I think this is cheap;
the Pledge a) shouldn't be used and b) should drop the stupid 50's
era addition of pious nonsense; nonetheless, given Bush on the PofA
there is some point to this rhetorical topos]  Not "over God" or in
any other way owning God.  Any partisan use of God's name tends to
breed intolerance and to divide. [hear, hear!]

"Meanwhile, Mr. Robertson grows ever more hyperbolic. Last week
[I'll delete the quote; we've all seen it] ...

"It's hard to take such nonsense seriously.  The G.O.P.'s effort
to harness God to its political purposes is another matter.  Foot-
ball coaches, political parties and even Presidents routinely seek,
or claim, support from on high.  But it clanks with sanctimony when
the Republicans insist on exclusive alignment with the Almighty."
-- 
Michael L. Siemon		The Son of Man has come eating and drinking;
				and you say "Behold, a glutton and a drunkard,
mls@usl.com			a friend of tax collectors and sinners."  And
standard disclaimer		yet, Wisdom is justified by all her children.
Newsgroups: soc.motss