-Caveat Lector-
from: AMERICAN ATHEISTS
subject: AANEWS for June 26, 1999
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
#598 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6/26/99
http://www.atheists.org
ftp.atheists.org/pub/atheists/
http://www.americanatheist.org
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A Service of AMERICAN ATHEISTS
"Leading The Way For Atheist Civil Rights
And The Separation Of State and Church"
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In This Issue...
* Bush obfuscating abortion rights issue?
* Time to contact congress about RLPA
* TheistWatch: obey those "in authority"
* Resources
* About this list...
BUSH RUNNING A STEALTH CAMPAIGN AGAINST CIVIL LIBERTIES,
SEPARATION, ABORTION RIGHTS?
To his supporters, Texas Governor George W. Bush is a the best chance
the Republicans have of taking back 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after
eight long years of Bill Clinton. To critics, though, the namesake
son of former President George Bush is vague on many policy issues,
and is doing his utmost to conceal his true intentions about
hot-button topics, especially the rights of women to legal abortion
services.
Though he has declared himself a "compassionate conservative," Bush is
sending contradictory signs about his stand on the abortion question.
His record on that topic, as well as issues related to the separation
of church and state, is raising concerns with many groups.
For separationists, the prospect of George Bush in the White House
recalls his recent signing of the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration
Act (RFRA), legislation which requires government to employ a
cumbersome "compelling interest/least restrictive means" test when
dealing with faith-based groups and practices. Bush is also a
supporter of vouchers for private and religious schools, which critics
see as a major step in the public funding of churches and other
sectarian groups. The Texas Governor also supports initiatives like
the American Community Renewal Act and other measures that will make
it easier for faith-based social outreaches to receive public monies,
and meld their message of faith and salvation into efforts to help the
poor, prison inmates, drug and alcohol abusers or other groups.
Indeed, Texas has become a laboratory in giving religious ministries
unparalleled access to the criminal justice system; Chuck Colson's
Prison Ministry Fellowship already operates an entire unit at one
state prison and is aiming a potent religious message at inmates.
Colson's group is picking up the $2 million tab for the first phase of
the program, but hopes that at the end of the two-year trial period,
public monies will support the operation.
Restraining "Judicial Activism"
And there is the prospect that Bush, or any other winner in the year
2000 presidential run, will likely end up selecting as many as three
U.S. Supreme Court justices in the course of a four year term.
Though he has not been grilled on the issue, Bush is likely to follow
the conservative line against so-called "judicial activism," the
perception that the high court has been "creating law" by extending
rights in certain areas, overruling the fiat of individual states in
key legal suits, and applying federal laws, including the Bill of
Rights, against state actions. Many of the court's decisions since
the early 1960s, especially those which helped to end prayer and Bible
verse recitation in public schools (ABINGTON TOWNSHIP v. SCHEMPP,
MURRAY v. CURLETT, ENGEL v. VITALE) are often cited as examples of
the court's "activism."
The coloration of the bench, and the mathematics of appointments,
makes it likely that the next U.S. President could set a judicial
tone for the nation lasting decades. Chief Justice William Rehnquist,
at 74, is expected to retire around 2001, but may linger if asked to
remain on the bench by a Republican President. Whereas Rehnquist has
declared that separation of church and state is a legal "myth," the
establishment clause has found more of a friend in Justice John Paul
Stevens. At 79, he is the court's major proponent of First Amendment
separation, but health concerns could force him into retirement. Next
on the age ladder is Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, 69, an appointee
from the Reagan era. "Rumors of ill health are persistently knocked
down," notes a profile from USA TODAY. She is considered a moderate,
and a key swing vote. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was appointed by
President Clinton in 1993. She has no public plans to retire, but her
goal of being elevated to Chief Justice may change that if Bush or
another Republican wins in the year 2000.
Barring calamity, the other justices are likely to stay on through any
one or two term president. Antonin Scalia is 63, and the conservative
stalwart of the court. Justice Anthony Kennedy at 62 has rendered a
number of decisions which have upset the religious right. David
Souter, 50, was appointed in 1990 by then-President George Bush.
There is speculation that if son George W. wins the White House, he
could end up appointing Souter to the top position. Clarence Thomas
is only 51, and tells friends that he intends to serve until 2034.
And Justice Steven Breyer, age 60, can be expected to stay and
continue his judicial sparring with Scalia and the other court
conservatives.
In addition, the new president could end up appointing 150 or more
federal judges, a fact that will likely impact the coloration of the
Appellate and District courts throughout the nation.
Send Money Now -- But Don't Check My Record...
Even before hitting the campaign trail in preparation for the primary
season, Bush was "sucking up the oxygen" -- a phrase used to describe
raising huge sums of money and leaving little behind for his
nomination competition -- and all the while managing to avoid
articulating his stand on many issues. Last week, he raised a
whopping $2 million from Washington, D.C. beltway Republicans who
plopped down $1,000 a ticket to eat hot dogs and listen to Bush
declare, "I'm proud to be a compassionate conservative. On this
ground, I will take my stand."
But some critics say that Bush is trying to cover his tracks,
especially on the question of abortion rights. Confusion -- and
deliberate obfuscation -- of the governor's position may be why he is
running strong in the polls among women.
Bush has raised concern among some anti-choice groups and candidates
that he is "soft" on the issue, especially in light of his recent
statement that "America is not ready" for a government ban on
abortion. Gary Bauer of the Family Research Council, and a nomination
contender, charges that Bush's statements are evidence "of a complete
surrender by the governor on an issue that has been central to the
Republican Party for 25 years." Already, religious conservatives are
reexamining their support for Bush, and demanding to know who he might
select as a vice presidential running mate. One fear is that the GOP
second-slot might include a pro-choice moderate, such as New Jersey
Governor Christine Whitman. During a stump through Pennsylvania,
though, Bush schmoozed with Gov. Tom Ridge, who some see as an
abortion rights supporter. Ridge, though, recently spoke out in favor
of parental consent laws for minors seeking abortions, and like Bush
is an outspoken booster of voucher and other aid-to-religion schemes.
When questioned by reporters about using abortion as a litmus test in
selecting a potential running mate, Bush declared, "I rule nothing
out." He also became defensive when confronted with Bauer's charge
that he had "sold out" on the abortion question, declaring, "I think
it's a little presumptive for somebody who doesn't even have the
nomination yet to be laying out the list of potential vice
presidents."
But as Bush hits the campaign trail, pro-choice groups including the
National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) are
working to pin down the front runner on where exactly he stands. Ads
begin this week in Iowa and New Hampshire laying out the record of
Bush as well as candidate Elizabeth Dole. Kay Michelman of NARAL
charged, "Presidential candidates have taken just the first steps of
their campaigns, but already some are stepping away from their records
and positions on choice... They are trying to hide their extreme
views because they know those views are not shared by the majority of
the American people."
For Bush, the record is clearly anti-choice and antiabortion. NARAL
cites a number of statements the governor has made both in and out of
office. In 1994, for instance, he told the Dallas Morning News
(10/22/94) that he "will do everything in my power to restrict
abortions." Two years later, he joined Christian Coalition and other
groups in moving to block attempts to alter the Republican Platform to
include statements of tolerance on abortion, and diversity within the
party. Bush declared that it was "very important" for the GOP "to be
viewed as the pro-life party." As Governor of Texas, Bush went on to
proclaim January, 1998 as a "Month of Prayer to End Abortion," and
this year he is fighting to preserve a state ban on funding abortions
for low income women by suggesting that the Texas Constitution does
not protect the right to choose.
On the campaign stump and under the media spotlight, Bush continues to
promote his vague position as a "compassionate" politicians. When
asked by Associated Press on March 14, 1999 how he stood on the
abortion question, Bush replied, "That's a hypothetical question."
A Friend In Pat
Even before throwing his hat in the ring, Bush has counted on the
support of his close friend televangelist Pat Robertson. After the
gaffe that "Americans are not ready" for a total ban on abortion
rights, Robertson moved quickly to assure his religious conservative
allies that Bush was "profoundly pro-life." Bush has not always towed
the line of his "good friend" Pat Robertson -- he refused, for
instance, to grant clemency for born-again-death row killer Karla Faye
Tucker despite Robertson's plea that she be permitted to live because
she had "found Jesus." But Christian Coalition and Robertson were
squarely in the Bush camp during the Texas gubernatorial race.
Robertson has already declared Bush fit for consideration among a
field of GOP candidates including financier Steve Forbes, Elizabeth
Dole, former Vice President Dan Quayle and others.
Bush's brand of social conservatism, and willingness to appear less
strident on the abortion rights question -- a necessity for smuggling
a blatant religious right agenda into the White House -- also fits
with Robertson's strategy of incremental gains. This separates
Robertson and the Christian Coalition from the more disenchanted
elements of the GOP religious wing which have thrown their support
behind dark-horse candidates like Pat Buchanan or even Utah Sen.
Orrin Hatch. Bush has raised so much money, in fact, that Buchanan
has charged that the Texas Governor is a sellout candidate for
"establishment" Republicans, and threatens the party's intransigent
position on abortion and other culture war issues.
But Robertson may know better. When he invited Don Hodel two years
ago to serve as President of Christian Coalition, he told him, "My
dear friend, I want to hold out to you the possibility of selecting
the next president of the United States." Hodel is no longer on board
the Robertson political machine, and there has a been a major shakeup
at Christian Coalition. Robertson may still be able to make the
offer, though, and is seems to be betting his political future on a
governor from Texas.
**
KEEP THE PRESSURE ON! HELP AMERICAN ATHEISTS STOP THE
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PROTECTION ACT!
It's time to let Congress hear from you as it deliberates the
Religious Liberty Protection Act (RLPA). Based on the old Religious
Freedom Restoration Act, RLPA would require government to use a
discriminatory "compelling interest" test when dealing with
faith-based groups and practices. American Atheists takes the
position that RLPA is a clear violation of state-church separation,
and creates "special rights" for churches, mosques, temples and other
religious groups.
We're asking atheists and separationists to contact their elected
representatives now, and speak out on RLPA. You can visit our web
site at http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/rlpalob.htm for more
information about the act. In addition, you can "sign" a special
letter that American Atheists President Ellen Johnson will personally
deliver to the Senate Judiciary Committee, when it again takes up
deliberations on the Senate version of RLPA. Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/rlpa.html and check out the letter.
Together, we can stop the Religious Liberty Protection Act!
**
THEISTWATCH SHORT SHOTS...
Worth quoting: a newspaper ad for Evangelistic Tract Ministries which
quotes the Fifth Commandment, "Honour (sic) thy father and thy
mother." The advertisement declares, "The promise of long life to the
obedient. Honoring our parents verbally, with submissive behavior,
listening to their godly counsel, complying with their commandments,
caring for them in old age. This also applies to other in authority
over us such as civil authorities, employers, teachers, etc."
*
Worth reprinting: a letter from an aachat write to his local paper:
Editor, the News-Sentinel:
In reading the News-Sentinel, I constantly see articles, editorials
and letters to the editor that all bemoan the downfall of our culture
and society. They tend to provide a surefire remedy to correct this
perceived situation. A vast majority advocate some kind of petition
to a supernatural being. It doesn't work if private individuals or
groups do the praying. For some strange reason they assert the only
effective action of a religious nature must be performed by the
government. All of the ills of today are due to the U.S. Government
not promoting the particular religious views of the writers. Typical
of this mindset was Fred Green's letter (American society is losing
its way, June 22, 1999) that questioned the wisdom of the separation
of church and state. Thankfully, the Founding Fathers saw how Europe
and colonial America had suffered from the tyranny of those with
governmental power with a religious agenda. Witch hunts, oppression,
bigotry, violence and murder all occurred under the aegis of doing
"God's will."
I would suggest an excellent book to acquaint the reader with the
world of early America. Albion's Seed by David Fischer gives an
in-depth look at the beliefs and practices of our ancestors. After
the first generation of Puritans had raised their children, the elders
were complaining how the youth had turned away from God and become
involved in secular pursuits. Every generation since time began has
made this complaint. This is where the separation of church and state
proved to be a brilliant insight. By keeping the government out of
the private religious affairs of the people, the freedom of religion
has been guaranteed for all citizens. No one fears having the police
arrest them for attending the church of their choice. No one fears
making statements of faith or to offer testimony to others of their
beliefs.
What really concerns most of the conservative fundamentalists of today
is not their lack of religious freedom, but it is their inability to
force their beliefs by governmental force onto all citizens. They
talk about freedom but only want it for themselves. They would use
the government to violate the Constitution and make America into a
theocracy. Democracy angers them when others practice it who have a
different view. They freely admit this but yet call themselves
patriotic citizens, not seeing their hypocrisy. They obviously are
ignorant about U.S. history and yet keep making the spurious claim
that America was founded upon Christian principles ignoring that many
of the framers of the Constitution were Deists or outright
nonbelievers.
But facts and historical accuracy do not matter to these people. They
hide behind the flag while they desecrate it by working to overturn
the very foundations of freedom and justice in America. They do it in
the name of freedom and in the name of their God. This is exactly why
the Founding Fathers were so wise to include the separation of church
and state in the Constitution. Some things and people never change
and never learn from the lessons of history. To guarantee your own
freedoms, one must fight for that freedom for all people. To do
otherwise is to impose tyranny and destroy what so many have fought
and died for in all of our wars. Please read history and use some
critical thinking skills before trying to impose your views on others.
One last thought, if a secular government can remove God from the
schools or courts, just how powerful is this God and should your place
your faith is such an impotent deity?
Robert Carver
East Tennessee State University
Department of History
**
Worth a chuckle: television diva Roseanne, who has plunged headlong
into a study of the ancient book of Jewish mysticism, the Kabbalah.
She credits her study of the arcane text with healing a liver
condition, and told USA TODAY newspaper, "The power of the human mind
can overcome any condition or fragmentation that exists in the
physical world."
**
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e-mail discussion group, aachat. We have over 120 participants who
discuss topics such as Atheism, religion, First Amendment issues and
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