From: Cgastbook@aol.com Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 14:17:43 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Atheist] re: AANEWS for November 5, 1997 Sender: owner-aanews@listserv.atheists.org Reply-To: cg@atheists.org from: AMERICAN ATHEISTS subject: AANEWS for November 5, 1997 A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S ~~ A A N E W S ~~ #349 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11/5/97 http://www.atheists.org ftp.atheists.org/pub/ http://www.AmericanAtheist.org In This Issue... * Robertson Visits Gilmore: CC Still A Contender * Buckner to Battle Biblical Buffoonery * Alabama To Fight School Prayer Ruling * TheistWatch: Watch The Skies! * Our Idea For A "Christmas" Gift! * Resources * About This List... COALITION ''SHAKING DOWN'' GOP CANDIDATES AFTER ELECTION? Pat Robertson Drops In To Chat With Va. Governor-Elect Gilmore... Within hours of the final count in yesterday's national elections, the Christian Coalition began grinding out press releases boasting of its alleged role in turning out the vote, and warning Republicans to not stray from the CC political agenda. Most notable was a media advisory issued this morning concerning the close gubernatorial race in New Jersey, where incumbent Christine Whitman -- denounced by religious right groups for her pro-choice stand and opposition to a "partial birth" abortion ban -- narrowly edged by challenger state Sen. Jim McGreevey. It wasn't until late last night, when nearly 90% of the votes had been tabulated, that Whitman pulled away with a narrow 1% lead to clinch another four-year term. Polls, focus groups and other surveys clearly showed that McGreevey rattled Whitman's hold on the governor's mansion by tapping into widespread voter frustration over New Jersey's auto insurance rates, the highest in the nation. But the Christian Coalition, which sees Whitman and her pro-choice stance as a threat to control of the Republican Party, poured out over one million voter guides across the state, and blasted the governor for her stand on abortion rights and the disingenuous "partial birth" abortion ban. This morning, rather than cheer Whitman's hair-thin victory, Coalition Director Randy Tate warned Republicans that the near loss in New Jersey was proof that candidates should "stand for something as conservatives or risk going down in smoke." The CC press release muses that voters "deserted Whitman, the Republican, for third party candidates, largely over the issue of her veto of a ban on partial birth abortion and it nearly cost her the election." Tate added, "Christi Whitman violated a fundamental of elective politics -- she neglected an important part of her base... Pro-family evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics are vitally concerned with the protection of innocent human life and they vote for candidates who share that concern." Tate also theorized that McGreevey "may have won had he taken a pro-life stance." The Coalition press advisory noted that the group had "distributed over one million voter guides in churches... (which) listed the candidates for governor, along with a variety of legislative races, and their position on a number of timely and relevant public policy issues, including raising state income taxes, state tax credit for full-time homemakers and position on banning partial birth abortion." Critics charge that the "voters guides" are worded to misrepresent and over-simplify a candidate's stand on issues, and that their near- partisan nature jeopardizes the Christian Coalition's tax exempt status by rendering the group as a political action committee. The CC remains under investigation by the Federal Election Commission for its activities in the 1996 elections. Even the right wing Washington Times, though, admitted that Whitman's problems stemmed from escalating property taxes and auto insurance rates. The paper observed in today's edition, though, that the governor's "support of abortion, affirmative action and homosexual rights has, according to many political observers, estranged her from the mainstream of the GOP..." But it was "incendiary issues," says the paper, such as a plan to reduce insurance rates by having drivers sign away their right to litigation and rising property taxes to offset the 30% state income tax cut which galvanized support for McGreevey. Another factor in New Jersey's tight race was Libertarian Party spoiler Murray Sabrin, who garnered 111,924 votes, about 5% of the statewide tally. While Sabrin's ads did hit taxpayer funding of abortion, Sabrin was most visible on the auto insurance and automobile emission testing issues. Even Sabrin handlers like Jackie Bradbury admitted to reporters that backing for the Libertarian candidate was split. Associated Press noted that , "Sabrin appealed to motorists in the final days of the campaign, pushing his opposition to the 55 mph speed limit and an enhanced vehicle emission program advocated by Whitman." And Sabrin also advocated a proposal whereby local communities could "decide what they want in their towns -- from public schools to legalized prostitution." It remains to be seen, given the Libertarian platform, how many Christian fundamentalists gravitated to Sabrin. Ironically, many churches and religious leaders in New Jersey crossed the line and in a gesture of partisan political activism, actually endorsed Gov. Whitman for re-election. In September, a prayer rally orchestrated by religious organizations was held on the steps of the state capitol in Trenton; the event included choir singing and prayers where "the governor's staff and supporters were asked to join hands, (with) invocations to God to protect Whitman and her family," according to one newspaper account. 66 church leaders went on the stump for Whitman. The political revival was organized by an ecumenical group known as SUPPER, Inc. (Spiritual, United, Prophetic, Political, Economic Revival) led by Shahid Watson. The SUPPER religious group receives $1.5 million per year from the GOP- controlled New Jersey legislature to operate "prison related" rehab programs. Watson also serves as CEO of AMERI-I-CAN Academy, and beneficiary of legislative largesse. In our AANEWS dispatch of September 17, 1997, we observed in our report of religious groups backing Whitman that, "This latest political endorsement underscores a growing pattern of abuse by religious groups which support partisan candidates for office, all the while possibly violating their special tax-exempt status..." CC -- Serious Political Force, and Virginia Ham The Coalition is making similar claims about the role of its religious agenda in the Virginia governor's race. That contest pitted Republican James S. Gilmore II against two-term Democrat lieutenant governor Donald S. Beyer. Gilmore scored an impressive victory, sweeping all regions of the state and gathering 56% of the vote. Polls and focus groups show that Gilmore energized his campaign by calling for an immediate cut in the state's hated car tax program; at 10 p.m. last night, Gilmore began his victory speech saying that, "We will move immediate in this administration to eliminate the personal property tax on cars and trucks..." Again, even the Washington Times got the point, and quoted a Gilmore supporter at last evening's election shindig saying, "Gilmore is the man. The car tax did it." In addition, the Times noted that "Gilmore also benefited greatly from the popularity of outgoing Republican Gov. George F. Allen and Virginia's thriving economy... Nine of 10 said they were pleased with Virginia's economy." It added that, "For more than six months, the race was dominated by Gilmore's pledge to abolish the car tax for most Virginians." And there was more. "Mr. Gilmore tapped voter rage by proposing to slash the lump-sum personal property tax, which costs Virginians hundreds of dollars each year," noted the Times. Robertson Drops By... He's Baaack! Before last night's Virginia victory rally, Gilmore received a private visit from Pat Robertson, according to today's edition of the Virginian Pilot newspaper. Robertson had contributed $55,000 of his personal money to Gilmore's campaign; and a report issued last month by People for the American Way traced a network of fund raising support for Gilmore from groups and individuals closely tied to Robertson, including Kay James (Dean, Regent University), Don Huffman (Virginia Director, Christian Coalition,) and even International Family Entertainment, Inc., the "flagship" of Robertson's broadcasting empire which is now being sold to Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Robertson and associates also made "soft money" contributions to the Virginia Republican party. All of this led to accusations that Mr. Gilmore was a pawn of religious right groups, a charge which Robertson described as a "campaign of blatant bigotry." The Coalition has moved quickly to use Breyer's defeat as an example of its teflon-like immunity to such accusations, however. Yesterday, press releases from the CC boasted that "Coalition activists distributed approximately 1.5 million voter guide handbills in Virginia... (and) mailed 138,500 voter guide postcards, placed 100,000 'Get Out the Vote' calls and produced radio public service announcements encouraging voters to register." In a similar, self- congratulatory media advisory sent out this morning titled "The Bigotry Backfires," the coalition claimed that a "graphic analysis of polling data" for the race showed "Jim Gilmore moving dramatically into the lead short after the Beyer campaign began running attack ads that drew criticism for their intolerant portrayal of people of faith." "The television ads," continues the release, "which ran throughout the state, portrayed a negative backdrop image of Coalition founder and Christian Broadcasting Network President Pat Robertson next to imagery of Jim Gilmore. The tactic, reminiscent of attacks on Roman Catholic candidates in 1960, was designed to appeal to religious stereotypes and marginalize Christian conservatives." Randy Tate claimed that the ads "invigorated" religious fundamentalist, "and this became "a significant factor in the race for governor." As with the New Jersey race, Tate then warns, "Smart candidates in the future will refrain from this type of campaign advertising and stick to the issues." A Warning To Republicans? Rain or shine, Robertson's savvy political operatives have managed to portray any victory as the responsibility of the Christian Coalition, and setbacks as "fire walls" against "political melt downs." Today's CC media blitz is a repeat of what took place hours after the 1996 Presidential campaign was decided; the Coalition had invested its resources in supporting Sen. Bob Dole, and turning back any attempts to moderate the GOP platform on issues such as abortion, school prayer and censorship. Hours after Dole's loss, the Coalition proclaimed that its distribution of over 40 million "voters guides" and other precinct efforts had prevented a Republican "melt down," and somehow allowed the GOP to hang on to its control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. But the function of this spin-doctoring is meant less for the media, and more as a signal to Republican elites that the Christian Coalition remains a partisan political force inside the GOP which must be reckoned with. Today's blast at Whitman -- despite her razor-thin victory -- also suggests that the CC will be targeting the New Jersey Governor should she become a contender for a presidential or vice presidential nomination in the 1999 Republican convention. The signal is that moderates, and anyone else disagreing with Pat Robertson's agenda, is not welcome in the "big tent" of Republican politics. And the Coalition's own statement further undermine claims that it is simply a Christian "educational group." At the CC's recent "Road To Victory" Conference, Pat Robertson compared himself to a political king maker on par with the old Tammany Hall machine, during a closed meeting of coalition leaders. And today's media releases are clearly just another tactic designed to bolster its influence within the Republican Party, and send a message to would-be candidates that doing business with Pat Robertson is a litmus test of being politically, and theologically, correct. ** Related Story... Voters in San Francisco voted by a wide margin yesterday to ratify the sale of the controversial Mt. Davidson Christian cross and 0.38 acres of surrounding land to the Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California. 68% of those casting ballots gave a thumbs-up to the proposal. The sale is still being challenged in court by American Atheists. In Oregon, the Roman Catholic Church failed in its effort to reverse that state's law which permits physician assisted suicide for the terminally ill. Voters upheld the law by an "overwhelming" margin, and we are still awaiting figures in that contest. ** BUCKNER TO DEBATE ''ANSWERS IN GENESIS'' AUTHOR Our friends at the Atlanta Freethought Society inform us that AFS's Ed Buckner will debate Dr. Gary E. Parker, a leading creationist author on Thursday, Nov. 20, 1997 at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The event begins at 7 p.m., and the center is on Constitution Blvd. in Lawrence, Gwineett County, located north and east of Atlanta. Ed, a freethought activist, will be partnered with Dr. Fred K. Parrish, a retired Professor of Biology from Georgia State University. The debate is sponsored by "WisdomSeekers International." Admission is free, but seating is limited. For further information, contact Mr. Buckner through edbuckner@minspring.com, or AFS at P.O. Box 813392, Smyrna, Ga. 30081-3392. ** DEFIANCE TO MEET ALABAMA PRAYER RULING? State-Church Separation, Non Believer Rights In Jeopardy... Resistance is building to last week's decision by a federal judge in Alabama striking down the state's controversial 1993 school prayer law. Law Thursday, Judge Ira DeMent ruled that the Establishment Clause prohibits vocal prayers and officially encouraged religious activity in public schools. DeMent's order barred prayers at sporting events, graduation ceremonies and other official activities; the judge also warned that violations will be subject to contempt proceedings. But AANEWS has already received reports of scattered resistance throughout the state, including an incident where students at one school broke out into "spontaneous prayer" at a football game. It's not just a handful of students and teachers, though, who might be resisting. In Montgomery, Governor Fob James has announced that he will still resist an order which requires removal of a Ten Commandments plaque from a county court room. And controversial Judge Roy Moore, the Etowah County jurist who has attracted national attention for displaying the Decalogue and opening court with a Baptist invocation, has issued a temporary order which he says prevents enforcement of DeMent's ruling in public schools in his northeastern Alabama county. Stirred on by official defiance of DeMent's order defending state- church separation, more than 400 students at Boaz High School congregated for group prayer; at Sardis High school, an estimated 60 students walked out of classes earlier this week. One student told reporters, "We don't want to have to pray under our breath." State Will Appeal Meanwhile, Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor announced on Monday that he will fight Judge DeMent's order, and criticized the ruling as "overly broad." Gov. James, speaking on his weekly radio program, added that DeMent, "has made a grievous error. It is so grievous that there is not enough time on this station to explain it." He added that the injunction "was one of the worst cases of judicial usurpation of the rights of the people I have ever seen." Some school administrators, however, have praised Judge DeMent. Donald Sweeney, attorney for the DeKalb County school board said that the ruling clarified the whole subject of prayer and religious ritual in public schools. It remains to be seen just how far student "prayer warriors," churches and politicians will go in the battle to keep prayer in government. Gov. James has already threatened to use troops to defend the posting of the Commandments in government buildings. One listener to the governor's talk show asked if he was willing to use similar resistance to preserve school prayer. James replied, "I'm not ready to answer that question until we see how this plays out..." ** (Thanks to Larry Mundinger and Barb Buttram for keeping us posted on the Alabama prayer wars! -- ed.) * Solve Your "Christmas" Gift Dilemma... GIVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO AMERICAN ATHEIST MAGAZINE Unless you saved that old fruit cake wheel from last year, you're probably wondering what to give friends -- and even yourself -- for the "Christmas" season. How about a subscription to American Atheist Magazine? It's just $20 for four quarterly issues, and when you purchase a gift subscription, we send the recipient an attractive Winter Solstice card announcing your present. Check this offer and order on line at our magazine web site: http://www.AmericanAtheist.org. ** THEISTWATCH SHORT SHOTS In Canada, the new head of the United Church says that the divinity of Jesus Christ or even the reality of heaven and hell are "irrelevant." "I don't believe Jesus was God, but I'm no theologians," Phipps told the Montreal Gazette late last month. He did adds, though, that "Your soul is lost unless you care about people starving in the streets.." And what about an afterlife? "I have no idea if there is a hell," he said. "I don't think Jesus was that concerned about hell. He was concerned about life here on Earth. Is heaven a place? I have no idea. We've got enough problems trying to live ethically and well here, to have any knowledge or understanding of what happens after we did." Sounds like the good reverend is starting off on the right track.. Bill, if you're reading this, maybe it's time to toss the collar and join us instead? (Thanks to George Dodds for this...ed.) ** She's at it again... We have suggested that as western society approaches the year 2000 and the threshold of not only a new century but a new millennium, we can expect epidemic-like outbreaks of religiosity and spiritual fervor. One measurement of this is the growing number of reports claiming that people are encountering alien or supernatural creatures of some kind -- from those unhealthy-looking, emaciated aliens pictured in programs like the "X-Files," to the more standard fare, apparitions of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Add this to our "cosmic cameo appearances" file, then. In New Bedford, Mass. the local Standard-Time newspaper recently ran a photo of a cloudy sunset over Paranaram Harbor snapped by staff shutterbug Mike Valeri. After the picture was printed in the October 18 edition, the paper began receiving calls from excited readers who thanked them for running the photo, adding that they saw angelic figures in the outlines of clouds. Nothing new here, of course; excited believers have "seen" Jesus or Mary in everything from, yes, puffy clouds to oil slicks, branches of plants, even in the rust stains on the side of grain silos. If she wants to appear and transmit valuable advice to the human race, why not just show up on the front lawn of the White House? N.H. American Atheist Arpad Toth, who sent us word of this latest Mary sighting, asked, "Is this responsible journalism? Is this news release an accurate reflection of the attitudes and world view of the large majority of the populace? Is this what we are up against? How can we even hope to achieve some respect, regarded as having some measure of positive influence, let alone tolerance in this society with this evidence of ignorance?" But it may not be that bad. One solution is to understand the social, cultural and psychological roots of such irrationalist behavior. And we can take a positive step in combatting this type of pseudoscience and superstition by supporting school programs that teach critical thinking skills. Mr. Toth closed his communique to us by quoting from the late Carl Sagan's magnificent book, "THE DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD: Science as a Candle in the Dark." Sagan, in turn was taking the title for his book from "A most courageous pamphlet entitled, "A Candle In The Dark," written as a polemic against the hysteria of the witch hunts as a "scam to delude the people" (Thomas Aldy, London, 1656. "The nations (will) perish for lack of knowledge. Avoidable human misery is more often caused not so much by stupidity as by ignorance, particularly our ignorance about ourselves. I worry that, especially as the Millennium edges nearer, pseudo-science and superstition will seem year by year more tempting, the siren song of unreason more sonorous and attractive. Where have we heard it before?" ** RESOURCES FROM AMERICAN ATHEISTS * For information about American Atheists, send mail to info@atheists.org. Please include your name and postal mailing address. * For a free catalogue of American Atheist Press books, videos and other products, send mail to catalogue@atheists.org. Kindly include your mailing address. * The American Atheist Magazine is now on the web! Check out select articles from the current and back issues. Visit us at http://www.AmericanAtheist.org. * If you are a member of American Atheists, why not sign up for our e-mail discussion group, aachat? We already have over 100 participants who discuss topics such as atheism, religion, First Amendment issues, and plenty of other issues. Contact Margie Wait, the Moderator through aachat@atheists.org. ** About This List... AANEWS is a free service from American Atheists, a nationwide movement founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair for the advancement of atheism, and the total, absolute separation of government and religion. For subscribe/unsubscribe information, send mail to aanews- request@listserv.atheists.org and put "info aanews" (minus the quotation marks, please) in the message body. You may forward, post or quote from this dispatch, provided that appropriate credit is given to aanews and American Atheists. Edited and written by C. Goeringer, The LISTMASTER (cg@atheists.org). Internet Representative for American Atheists is Margie Wait, irep@atheists.org.