Secular humanism, the underlying core values that we profess as Americans and as religious people, cannot be branded evil and our national discourse cannot be channeled exclusively into sundry and divisive sectarian categories.
Secularists and humanists have the same right to freedom and to life that religious people have. Their values and aspirations should not be labeled categorically bad and outlawed by religious people no matter how strenuously they disagree with them.
Secular humanism is a contemporary reflection of the essential and honorable common language of values that we all share.
Nevertheless, I can't be cynical or dismissive in dealing with the Christian Right; they are too virtuous, too sincere and too committed.
Sometimes a resolution of an issue with the Religious Right is just a matter of political muscle, but political muscle is only an expedient, as the Religious Right is adaptable and persistent.
We progressives must devise ways to include the positive attributes of the Christian Right into our discourse. The Religious Right's insistence on faithfulness, loyalty, concern for others and respect for individual rights are key values to us all.
It is not only the fundamentalist, Pentecostal, evangelical and conservative Christians who make up the Christian segment of the Religious Right who insist upon these values.
As one can see from the large number of labels needed to embrace them all the Religious Right is a significant portion of the population and an increasing proportion of the well organized, well-funded and responsive church-attending segment of this country.
We cannot co-opt or marginalize the religious right.
It is time to accept them and to start working with them to solve our common problems.
For religious progressives, I suggest the book GOD'S POLITICS, by Jim Wallis. If you are moved by the book contacting Sojourners at www.sojo.net may provide a useful resource in ordering one's thoughts and contacting like-minded people.
For non-Christians and straight up secularists, I ask forbearance and patience. I know from personal experience that many of the Christians who may seem antagonistic are concerned, loving people who genuinely fear for your immortal souls.
There must be some way for all of us, approaching each other from such divergent positions, but with such manifest good will, to reason together.
We Americans cannot afford any longer to continue to stand across an ideological chasm shouting at each other. We progressives of all persuasions must move out and engage our fellow human beings in constructive dialog and constructive work.
Robert Chapman
Brooktondale, New York
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