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Cheers for this publication for breaking down stereotypes of the 'other'. To me, it also reflects the battle within major world religions between their humane and justice-orientated core traditions and their hijacking by conservatives and the power elite. This is especially salient for us in the U.S. A recent CNN program ('The Fight Over Faith') reported that as many as 40% of Americans identify as 'evangelical', while as much as 89% of the country identifies as 'christian'. Conservative evangelicals have been working hard to break down barriers between church and state and are using 'wedge' value-based issues (such as restricting gay rights) to influence political contests. Significantly, many of these evangelicals are also strict fundamentalists who assert that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ (everyone else is going to He|| and needs to be saved; battling this evil is part of their messianic calling). This is obviously very dangerous for a pluralistic society. It will be up to other people of faith in this country to overcome this dangerous fundamentalism and re-assert Christianity's authentic message of peace, brotherhood, understanding, and humility (and ecumenicalism). I would refer those interested to the following web sites: The Jesus Factor: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/view/ Understanding the Christian Right: http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v15n1/PE_v15n1_TOC.html [all materials on publiceye.org are excellent] Progressive Traditions in Christianity: http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm http://www.jesusnorepublican.org http://www.opednews.com/goodenVanHorn_091104_bush_christianity.htm |