amra@ihuxj.UUCP (Steven L. Aldrich) (11/27/83)
Something has always bothered me about many Fundamentalists Evangelists
and other Right Wing Christians. Namely the fact that the majority of them
seem too eager to ARM TO THE TEETH against the COMMUNIST HORDES. I seem to
recall reading in the New Testament that Jesus himself (whom they love to
quote) said to one of his disciples as he was being arrested that "Those
who live by the sword shall die by the sword". With this in mind you'd
assume that those who follow in the ways of Jesus would be more inclined
to DISARM rather than spend BILLIONS of dollars every year for needless
instruments of destruction. Jesus was basicaly a pacifist,and sought to
solve problems through love brotherhood and understanding. I don't recall
him ever instructing anyone to take up arms against anyone. With this in
mind it would seem that these moral majority types (or a s I prefer, the
immoral minority) are expressing views that are in direct violation of
their stated beliefs in "THE CHRISTIAN ETHICS" and morality. I question
their true motives when they express and support such blatently right
wing rhetoric. If we aren't careful someday they will gain too much
political power,through their political action commities and the mass media,
and surcumvent the democratic process and priciples this nation was founded
on. The situation in Iran must never happen in our county. That is basicaly
a nation founded on Moral Majority principles,althought their brand of
religion differs from the Christian version. They are VERY right wing
and believe they have the right to set the MORAL STANDARDS for their people
also. With any luck,and much hard work, this threat to our basic freedoms
will be overcome. If not may God help us all. We'll need all the help we
can get.
From the ever curious mind of:
Steve Aldrich (ihuxj!amra)
p.s. I am more than willing to listen to opposing viewpoints. Which is
a good deal more than many Moral Majority types are. Long live free
thought and enquiry for all.spear@ihopb.UUCP (Steven Spearman) (11/28/83)
While it does seem that many of the more fundamentalist leaders also espouse military might, it should be noted that this is not true of Christianity in general. In addition to groups like the Mennonites and Quakers who have traditionally been on the forefront of the Peace movement, most main line churches (i.e. Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, etc.) are now supporting the Peace movement more strongly. I too am curious as to the association between Fundamentalist believes and militarism. I have always ascribed it to a generally very conservative, black-and-white view of the world. Comments? Steven Spearman ihnp4!ihopb!spear
djhawley@watmath.UUCP (David John Hawley) (11/30/83)
I don't think you can equate fundamentalism, Moral Majority, and
militarism.
From interviews of J.Falwell I have read,
the M.M. is a loose coalition of various religious groups of a variety
of creeds, and assorted non-religious groups, with some common moral
stances, which they wish to promote legislatively (and otherwise?).
J.Falwell being a leader of M.M. (I don't think all of it), takes part in
M.M as a citizen, not as a preacher/pastor. Lets hear it for democracy!
The religious right, being inexperienced at the political game,
has come into it with a bang, and can be quite heavy-handed. Surely
this is to be expected. Give democracy a chance! It seems a cynics
dream to see the media utilize scare tactics, suggest censorship, etc.,
because they fear the religious right will do the same. It reminds me
of a Psychology Today article which exposed our new "tolerance"
towards opposing groups (communists, etc). It showed we have just changed
our targets........
My own acquaintances, and myself (evangelicals),
struggle with the realities of peacemaking in a violent fallen world,
where the strong prey on the weak, and governments have the mandate
to use violence (see Romans 13) to preserve peace.
David Hawley