Yesterday my colleague Jeremy Leaming wrote about resolutions for 2008 that defenders of church-state separation might want to adopt. Today I’d like to suggest some resolutions for the Religious Right. I doubt the movement’s leaders will agree to them, but it would be great if they did:
- Stop demonizing your opponents: Obviously we disagree over many issues. Let’s try to do so civilly. Americans United Executive Director Barry W. Lynn is not an anti-religious fanatic or an opponent of Christianity. (Indeed, Lynn is an ordained Christian minister.) Feel free to disagree with us in the public arena, but leave the name-calling behind.
- Quit mischaracterizing Americans United’s positions and views: In 2007, we saw several examples of Religious Right groups mischaracterizing or outright lying about AU’s stands on issues. An example is the oft-heard claim that AU opposes discussion of political issues in churches. Nope. We oppose attempts by tax-exempt houses of worship to intervene in political campaigns by endorsing or opposing candidates – activities that are barred by federal tax law.
- Cease your attempts to politicize churches: In keeping with the above, feel free to talk about issues in church – but stop trying to forge churches into political machines to elect or defeat certain candidates. It’s illegal and an offense to the true mission of the church.
- Reconcile yourself to the concept of religious diversity: We are a nation of many faiths. Some people practice no religion. This diversity is good for America. Learn to appreciate other religions and strive to build bridges of understanding. Also keep in kind that American Christianity comes in many varieties, so stop using “Christian” as synonymous with “politically conservative, theologically fundamentalist Christian.” In fact, quit referring to the United States as a “Christian nation.” Nowhere does the Constitution mandate that.
- Drop the whole “War on Christmas” thing: It’s tiresome, and you’ve raised enough money on it. Attacking people for failing to use certain terms or employing certain symbols to celebrate the holidays is silly. It also makes a mockery of a season that is supposed to be dedicated to peace and goodwill. Display your sacred symbols in houses of worship all you want; don’t expect the government to do that job for you.
- Read some history books: All history shows that the separation of church and state has been a great boon for religion as well as for human freedom. Countries without such separation tend to either end up with lackluster, state-supported established churches that few bother to attend or become nightmarish theocracies. Bone up on your history and admit our founders got it right.
- Quit looking at public schools as fields for evangelism: Public schools serve children of many faiths and none. Parents should be able to send their children to them confident that the kids won’t be subjected to unwanted proselytism. Compelling the schools to promote certain religions violates parental rights. Fundamentalist Christians would not tolerate it if their children were pressured to say the prayers of some other faith or take part in its rituals in a public school. Remember the Golden Rule and treat others as you want to be treated.
- Give up the martyr complex: You are free to practice your faith here. Your churches are sprouting up all over the country. Your ministries raise millions. Your message is spread through television, radio, the Internet and others forums. You are not persecuted. Saying that you are belittles the believers in those parts of the world who must worship in secret, always fearful of discovery by government agents. You face nothing like that here. Stop playing the victim.
That’s a start. As I said, I realize the chances are slim that the leaders of the Religious Right will adopt any of these suggestions. But, hey, it’s New Year’s Day. A fellow can dream, right?
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