jho@ihuxn.UUCP (Yosi Hoshen) (11/02/84)
On Halloween evening I watched an Halloween program on the local Christian TV station. The emphasis was on the Satanic and demonic nature of the Halloween celebration. Although I oppose the views presented by producers of the program, I support their right to present their point of view. However, I object to the producer's attempts to silence and harass people who do not share their beliefs. Some of the suggestions to the program viewers for action and behavior towards other beliefs systems were quite disturbing. While the participants of the programs were discussing the evil nature of witchcraft and the occult, the moderator of the program suggested to the listeners that they should go to school libraries and check the shelves for books on the occult and witchcraft. He told the listeners that if they find such books they should request the school principal to remove them from the shelves. (Dungeons and Dragons are also dangerous and Satanic materials - so beware!). The moderator also boasted how he harassed some occultists who where involved in fortune telling, implying that the future is the domain of God. I am not a proponent of the occult or witchcraft. But I don't like the attempts to silence or harass people on the basis of their beliefs. It seems to me that an atmosphere of intolerance is developing in the US. Today, it is the witches and the gays. Who will it be tomorrow? -- Yosi Hoshen Bell Laboratories Naperville, Illinois (312)-979-7321 Mail: ihnp4!ihuxn!jho
yiri@ucf-cs.UUCP (Yirmiyahu BenDavid) (11/04/84)
A correction Yosi (which I think you might agree with?). Today it is the witches, gays, blacks (still) and (increasingly) the Jews. The list is still not exhaustive I'm sure.