Re: The Religious Right

In a message dated 4/23/2006 11:31:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,
janmatch@earthlink.net writes:
Having said that, though, in writing the First Amendment and the
non-establishment clause, they did not have in view this current idea of separation--that
the state is thoroughly secular and not informed at all by religious values,
especially Christian.

This view that is popular now was completely foreign, not just to the
Founders, but to the first 150 years of American political thought. It's absolutely
clear that the Fathers did not try to excise every vestige of Christian
religion, Christian thought, and Christian values from all facets of public life.

In fact, they were friendly to religion in general, and to Christianity in
particular, and encouraged its education and expression. .."
This is correct.

The reason Christians seem to be losing in the political arena despite being
a majority is that they have forgotten their civic responsibilities.
Jews have not forgotten their religious and civic duties vis a vis the state:

"Religious discipline generates tremendous political leverage when orthodox
communities like New Square in New York transact with political entities such
as Bill and Hilary Clinton. One thousand four hundred residents of the New
Square community voted for Hilary Clinton. Twelve did not. Only a religiously
committed population can deliver that kind of phenomenal bloc vote, but they do,
and when they do, the synagogue is the state."
Reported in the Portsmouth Herald, New Hampshire, Wednesday August 29, 2001
by Stephen Frothingham of Associated Press

From Race and Religion: A Catholic View in Sam Francis's Race and the
American Prospect, Occidental Press, 2006

rich faussette
 
Received on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 08:03:28 EDT