Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site cbscc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!cbosgd!cbscc!pmd 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