But the reason the culture wars rage on, without chance for solution, is not because the two camps are divided by policy, but because they are divided by certain world views. 7 Feder should admit this as he tries to persuade others to join his camp. They share his fundamental world view and believe that life should be guided by a few religious precepts, not by some fashionable, unanchored philosophy. This world view angers secularists, for they are used to focusing the glaring light of reason on all human institutions, public and private. To them, no idea is impregnable to reason.
Cultural conservatives keep a dark veil covering some of the basic institutions of life.
Secularists respond by saying that such institutions must be brought into the purview of the reform effort and be carefully probed to make sure that all is fair and equal. They say conservatives shield these issues from scrutiny only because they are ignorant, prejudiced and afraid to debate. Feder s book is an enjoyable one but it is not surprising that it will most likely be read by those who are already in agreement with him. Dr. Dworkin is the co-director and CFO of the Calvert Institute and the author of a recent book on the culture wars. End Notes 1.