2009
I said earlier that the Religious Right had declared war on America, and not only on America, but on the very fabric of American democracy. This just in from Americans United for Separation of Church and State (www.au.org):
November 20, 2009‘Manhattan Declaration’ Signals Conservative Church Groups’ Intention To Undercut Separation Of Church And State, Says AU’s Lynn
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today expressed grave concern about a renewed push by a coalition of conservative church groups to impose religious teachings on all Americans through government action.
At a press conference today, Religious Right leaders and Roman Catholic bishops unveiled a joint statement criticizing laws that allow reproductive choice and same-sex marriage. The “Manhattan Declaration” indicates that participating religious leaders will defy such laws if they conflict with church doctrines.
Americans United charges that the real agenda is not protecting the religious freedom of churches, but rather attempting to impose those doctrines on all Americans by government decree.
Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “This declaration is certain to be deeply divisive. These religious leaders want to see their doctrines imposed by force of law, and that goes against everything America stands for.
“The United States is an incredibly diverse nation,” he continued, “and it would be a disaster if government started favoring one religious perspective over others.”
Lynn said most Catholics and evangelical Christians do not want to see their houses of worship drawn into politics.
“I am optimistic that the people in the pews will not heed their leaders’ misguided call to action,” Lynn said. “Polls show that most church-goers do not want to see their faith politicized. But I am also well aware that religious leaders have vast lobbying power that cannot be ignored.”
Lynn noted the House version of health-care reform was revised at the behest of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to curtail women’s access to abortion.
I have read the declaration, and I am shaking my head. There is nothing new here. They vow to continue speaking and acting against any form of rights for GLBT people, against abortion, and against sex outside of marriage–surprise, surprise. I hadn't noticed that they'd been exactly silent on these subjects up till now.
And they'll fight to the death for the right of Christian pharmacists to decide whether or not a woman is entitled to receive the medications that her doctor has prescribed, and for the right of their tax-funded service organizations to deny services to people with whose values they disagree. Again, nothing new.
In my view, it looks and smells like a get-penny; the various churches and religious organizations crying "persecution" for the purpose of getting their adherents to cough up more donations.
One thing that I find particularly odious about this degraded tripe is that, on the last page, they invoke the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King and his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." Given the fact that, at the time, some the segregationists were using biblical arguments to justify American Apartheid, that seems a bit rich.
Makarios, the mention of Martin Luther King is, as you say, rich. The Biblical arguments used to maintain first slavery, then segregation, are a post in themselves.
You may well be right about the motivation. I receive a Catholic Newsletter (always know what the other side is thinking) and they constantly use or manufacture crises to garner income – the same tactic used by the protestants and the GOP (are they distinguishable any longer?).
the protestants and the GOP (are they distinguishable any longer?)
In more than a few cases, yes…
In case you haven't seen it yet, Tristero wrote a blistering comment on this "Christianist Manifesto" over at Digby's Hullabaloo.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/christianist-manifesto-partial-fisking.html
Joseph, thanks for commenting. I wish they would speak up. I have yet to see anything about any moderate Christian leaders speaking in defense of the Wall of Separation. Where is the outrage?
Makarios, thanks for putting me onto that. Very nicely written. Wish I'd done it myself.