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From: pmd@cbscc.UUCP (Paul Dubuc)
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.politics
Subject: The Falwellite Frenzy
Message-ID: <2056@cbscc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 21-Mar-84 12:27:43 EST
Article-I.D.: cbscc.2056
Posted: Wed Mar 21 12:27:43 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 22-Mar-84 04:12:04 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories , Columbus
Lines: 71



Amidst all the mud slinging between "Falwellites" and "Anti-falwellites"
(What should I call the latter?  Liberals?) I think each side is in need
of a better understanding of the other.  (Whether they want it is another
question.)  I think it's foolish and narrow minded to blame either side
for all the evil in the world or for wanting to take over the country
and run things their way.  Each side pits its followers agianst the other
in real "true believer" fashion.  Having a "devil" to blame the worlds ills
on is a convenient way of stirring up fanatical support for their cause.
I think each "side" is to blame for many problems and each has done some
good.  I for one am not afraid to support the MM where I think they are
right as well a oppose them where they are wrong.  Same goes for the other
groups.  

IN MY OPINION:

I think that the Moral Majority's use of power bloc politics is out of
character for a group supposedly based on Christian principles.  Above
that, they are sure God agrees with them on every point.  Fallwell's
proclaimation of AIDS as being God's judgement of homosexuals is totally
unfounded.  (With the same reasoning, I guess you could say that Liberals
are God's judgment against the MM ;-) ).  Also, his fund raising tactics
sicken me.  There's no excuse for it.  Though I disagree strongly with
many of the MM's beliefs and practices, I find no reason to condemn them
as an organization.  No more reason, that is, than I have to condemn People
for the American Way (Who's president is also a Baptist minister BTW) as
an organization.  To support one only because they are in opposition to
the other is foolishness.  People should learn how to think rather than
be told what to think.  That takes listening to both sides--effort which
few people are willing to take.

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.  Everyone in our
society has the right to influence it with whatever principles they think
are right.  And I think they should be able to do so on par with others.
To label one group as "dangerous" and target them for suppression is 
committing a wrong far worse than any wrong ideas the opposing group might
have.

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".  Cal Thomas, Falwell's
right-hand-man (who seems to have a bit more common sense than Jerry) has
written a book called "Book Burning".  If anyone really wants to have
an understanding of the conflict that the MM sees themselves in, I suggest
you read it.  I expected this book to be an emotional tirade against Liberalism
but Thomas has made a good attempt at being reasonable and fair.  So before
you call *them* "book burners" read "Book Burning".  You're arguing from
ignorance, otherwise.  One thing the book documents it the exclusion of 
Christian authored books from major bookstore chains and "best seller's
lists".  In response to this B. Dalton's has stocked up on many of the
best selling books.  I was impressed.  They expanded their inventory and
moved the "religious" section from the back to the middle of the store.
They even buy advertising regularly in "Christianity Today".  I'm sure
B. Dalton stands to make a lot of money by breaking into this lucrative
market.  But still... B. Dalton .....  My hat is off.

An example of Liberal intolerance would be the 'welcome' Fallwell received
when he spoke at Harvard last year.  Contrast that with the warm reception
that Ted Kennedy received at Liberty Baptist College a few months later.
It seems that cat calls and jeers at Jerry Falwell are justified because
"Falwell is wrong and Liberals are right".  But I'd bet if Kennedy had
been treated the same way at LBC we all would have read about it in the
news as an example of "bigoted fundamentalist fanaticism".

Paul Dubuc