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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 20, 1994                   TAG: 9407210023
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By RICK BOYER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ALMOST HEAVEN

AMERICA FACES grave problems today. Among them is a shadowy group of people known as the "religious right." They are using "subterranean tactics" to influence our political system. These types want everyone to agree with them. Where would our society be if this happened?

These dangerous people hope for a world where women can walk safely down the street. They oppose child molesters because their leader said, "suffer the little children to come unto me." They envision a place where all races are equal because "God is no respecter of persons." They want all children to grow up in two-parent families because "thou shalt not commit adultery." They actually want safe homes because "thou shalt not steal" and "thou shalt not kill." They want freedom from oppressive government, believing that "he who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker." They advocate a society freed from its reliance on drugs because "thou shalt have no other gods before Me."

They believe in a capitalist, free-market system because "the hand of the diligent shall rule," and because "the laborer is worthy of his hire." They believe in tolerance and charity because "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

They believe in an effective criminal-justice system, knowing that "because sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the hearts of the sons of men ... are given fully to do evil." They oppose abortion because "thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst weave me in my mother's womb," and "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." They do not believe in a world that just happened by accidents, because "God saw what He had made, and behold, it was very good." They believe in protecting God's creation, but they also believe that humans are to "multiply, and fill the land, and subdue it," and therefore suggest that the creation was given to us to enjoy.

And get this, they even promote personal responsibility for our actions, knowing that we will all have to "give an account of ourselves to God." How frightening! And just think, they actually suppose that just because they read and believe God's word, they might discern some of God's opinions on the issues that face our country!

What would men like Washington and Franklin say if they knew what has befallen their country? Well, let's see. Ben Franklin, while calling for the Constitutional Convention to be opened in prayer, stated: "I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convinced I am that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his knowledge, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?"

James Madison, the author of the same Constitution that supposedly makes it illegal to post the Ten Suggestions, or rather the Ten Commandments, in public schools, said that they had staked the future of this republic "upon the ability of mankind to govern himself according to the Ten Commandments of God." Thomas Jefferson, while in charge of public schools in the District of Columbia, instituted two books to be studied by all the students. One was the Bible, the other was Isaac Watts' hymnal.

John Adams said the Constitution was meant only to govern "a religious and a moral people," and would not work for any other. And George Washington, speaking of "religion and morality" as "indispensable supports" of "political prosperity," stated that "in vain would a man claim the tribute of patriotism who would labor to subvert those pillars."

Incredible, isn't it? America could learn a great deal from the wisdom of our founders.

Rick Boyer of Rustburg is chairman of the Campbell County Republican Party.

by CNB