Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 28, 1993                   TAG: 9303290419
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHRISTIANS AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS

Christians, you may talk about politics, you may even succeed in convincing the majority, but never try to pass your viewpoints into law.

Well, why not, Mr. Thornton? While I do appreciate your allowing me to keep my right to freedom of speech, to talk about the issues, why - just because I happen to have a philosophical point of view that disagrees with yours - should I be prevented from participating in the very process that makes our republic great?

This is known as totalitarianism - a system of government where only one political viewpoint will be tolerated and only those with that viewpoint will be allowed to rule and have control. Don't deceive yourself into thinking you are for the people because of your concession that would allow Christians to convert those whom they may. As long as you would prevent those who think differently from you the right to change the way government operates (i.e., change the law), you are advocating totalitarianism. TIMOTHY M. BARRETT DUBLIN