(3)     Fri 16 Jun 95  0:03
By: Robin Murray-o'hair
To: All
Re: Xtian Coalition Southwest
St:
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THE CHRISTIAN COALITION SOUTHWEST-STYLE

     In New Mexico, the state chapter of the Christian Coalition and what
is called the "Christian conservatives" have put together a "Contract
with New Mexico's Families."

     During the last election, they distributed 60,000 voter guides
across the state. New Mexico is traditionally a Democratic state, but the
most fierce debate in the 1994 election was a fight against a bill that
would have extended anti-discrimination laws to Gays. Backed by
traditional religious groups, the bill never had a chance when faced
with vociferous opposition from the Christian conservatives. On general
issues, church members lobbied the legislature en masse, got media
attention, and set up workshops on how to get involved in politics at
ward and precinct levels -- where the Christians are making gains.

     A different kind of situation has developed with the old mainline
religious groups, such as the New Mexico Conference of Churches. They are
being seen as "more influential and rightly so" on issues of health care,
human rights, and abortion because they are more gentile in their
approach. They are now described as "reasonable, rational, religious
associations." Hardly anyone notices that their religious commitments are
less than humane too.

     (Article excerpted from the June 1995 issue of the American Atheist
Newsletter. For a sample copy of the Newsletter, email your postal
address to sample@atheist.org or to 1:382/1006.)

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