THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9407220013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
The definition of the religious right is as follows: Any organization/person whose political agenda consists of making their religious beliefs into secular law. Two examples would be Pat Robertson and his Christian Coalition, and Jerry Falwell.
Would they really stop at prayers in our public schools? Would they stop after putting the Bible into our public schools? Of course not.
If we follow their teachings, how long will it be before they insist on a theocracy? Our Constitution would not support a theocracy.
Pat Robertson has said that only Christians and Jews are fit to serve in government. However, if we look at Article VI of our Constitution, it says, in part, ``but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.'' The Constitution is in direct conflict with the religious right's agenda.
Other problems with this theocracy arise. For example, would creating secular laws from the Ten Commandments be unconstitutional? Thou shall not kill may be acceptable, but not on religious grounds. It's a sin to worship false idols. Who would be charged with this violation of law? Other religions! In a Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell theocracy, other religions would have to be outlawed for violating the no-false-idols commandment. Again, there is a direct conflict with the First Amendment's right to freedom of religion. The Bible and the Constitution do not mix.
I see the religious right more as a political movement than a religious one. There is nothing holy about the way the religious right is running its campaigns. Just more of the same old insults, insinuation and political rhetoric in the guise of religion.
JOHN STEINSON JR.
Virginia Beach, July 6, 1994 by CNB