From: nadeau@bnr.ca (Rheal Nadeau)
Subject: Re: Sydney Sharpe and Don Braid's new book on the Reform Party
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd., Ottawa, Canada
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 92 04:30:38 GMT

In article <1992Apr7.202444.24957@mdivax1.uucp> robinson@mdd.comm.mot.com (Jim Robinson) writes:
>I suspect that there are hundreds of thousands of practising Christians in
>Canada who contribute, in big and small ways, to the PCs, the Liberals and
>the NDP. Indeed, the NDP has been known to have United Church of Canada
>(the NDP at prayer:-) ministers in its caucuses. 
>
>Placing a high value on human beings and the equality of human beings are
>motherhood issues. I think that most Christian religions say the same thing
>one way or another. Put it this way: do you know of any mainstream
>(Christian) religions which do not place a great deal of value on human
>beings or believe that people are *not* equal?
>
>As well, as far as I know, nearly all Christian religions believe that
>people will be held accountable by their god for their actions. The
>Catholic Church certainly believes this - hence the practice of
>Confession. In other words, there is nothing special about this as far as
>religions go. Did you really think all those jokes about St Peter and the
>Pearly gates came out of nowhere? :-)

Well, some Christians believe people will be held accountable to their
god.  Some Christians (Fundamentalists) seem to think it's their job
to do the accounting right away - you'd better play by THEIR reading
of god's rules, or else!

In which group of Christians do you think Manning fits?  I don't know,
and that worries me.

>Now I would be concerned if someone could quote Manning as saying something
>like: my religion makes if clear that abortion is murder, so I will take
>any and all steps to stop it should I be elected to a position of power.
>However, I have not heard such a thing, and the RP's position on abortion
>does not at all seem to be the product of religious dogma.

As someone else said, Manning seems to have too much political smarts
to make such a statement.  There is a perception that he's trying to
present himself as a moderate in some circles, and a right-winger
in others.  Standard political trick, of course, but it does make
it hard to tell what his real agenda is, and just what he's really
planning to do.

>> And if you believe that Preston
>>is really going to listen to all sectors of the party, no matter what
>>their religious or political beliefs, I think you'll be quite
>>disappointed.  He certainly has been more than willing to get rid of
>>dissidents who don't march in lockstep with him.
>
>I take it you are not talking about Quebec flag stompers and members of
>racist organizations here. Could you perhaps elaborate on this?

It is interesting to see the policy of the Reform Party evolving
(for example, from anti-GST to pro-GST).  Is this evolution coming
from the ranks, as some claim, or from above, by a manipulative
politician, as others believe?

(For the record, I do believe supporting the GST is the more
realistic position, especially for a party that also wants to
eliminate the deficit.  Note, though, that I've gotten quite
cynical about politicians who promise balanced budgets...)

The Rhealist (Rheal Nadeau)                 |  Bell-Northern Research
Internet:  nadeau@bnr.ca                    |  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 
BNR neither endorses nor censors my views   |  (613) 763-4266
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