ittuusx Fall 1990 Vol. 10, No. 4 $4.00

Fulfilling Feminist Ideals: A New Agenda

Joan Kennedy Taylor Lois Frankel Elizabeth Johnson Victoria Branden Lois Porter Molleen Matsumura

Also: Freedom and Censorship Today Catholic Politicians Facing Excommunication? Fundamentalism and Secularization in the Middle East Why I Am Not a Presbyterian FALL 1990, VOL. 10, NO. 4 ISSN 0272-0701 Contents 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 39 ON THE BARRICADES 57 IN THE NAME OF GOD 4 EDITORIALS Humanism and Liberty, Paul Kurtz / Confidentiality and the Press, Vern L. Bullough / On Rational Suicide, Tim Madigan 8 INTERVIEW Freedom and Censorship Today David Friedman FULFILLING FEMINIST IDEALS: A NEW AGENDA 21 Feminism and Humanism Joan Kennedy Taylor 25 New Hope for Women Elizabeth Johnson 29 Fanny Wright: "Free Enquirer" Lois Porter 31 Feminist Spirituality as a Path to Humanism Lois Frankel 36 Spiritual Values and "The Goddess" Victoria Branden 38 Women in Humanism Molleen Matsumura ARTICLES 11 Obscenity as Destiny Frank Johnson 12 Christian Activism Intensifies as 2001 Approaches Skipp Porteous 13 What is "Political Extremism?" Laird Wilcox 17 Neutrality Between Religion and Irreligion Ronald A. Lindsay 43 Why 1 Am Not a Presbyterian Hilliard Bennett 48 The Fundamentalist Absolute and Secularization in the Middle East Mourad Wahba 41 VIEWPOINTS Catholic Politicians and the Threat of Excommunication, Tom Flynn Religion in Public Education, Robert M. Hermann 51 BOOKS Apocalypse Soon, Robert Gorham Davis I Iris Murdoch's Cognitive and Social Networks, Lyle Glazier / Atheism Defended, Timothy William Grogan I Books in Brief 58 READERS' FORUM Growing Toward Unbelief

Editor: Paul Kurtz Senior Editors: Vern Bullough, Gerald Larue Executive Editor: Tim Madigan Managing Editor: Mary Beth Gehrman Special Projects Editor: Brent Bailey Contributing Editors: Robert S. Alley, professor of humanities, University of Richmond; H. James Birx, professor of anthropology, Canisius College; Jo-Ann Boydston, director, Dewey Center; Paul Edwards, professor of philosophy, Brooklyn College; Albert Ellis, director, Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy; Roy P. Fairfield, social scientist, Union Graduate School; Joseph Fletcher, theologian, University of Virginia Medical School; Antony Flew, philosopher, Reading University, England; Levi Fragell, executive director Human-Etisk Forbund, Norway; Adolf Grünbaum, professor of philosophy, University of Pittsburgh; R. Joseph Hoffmann, professor of humanities, California State University at Sacramento; Marvin Kohl, philosopher, State University of New York College at Fredonia; Jean Kotkin, executive director, American Ethical Union; Ronald A. Lindsay, attorney, Washington, D.C.; Delos B. McKown, professor of philosophy, Auburn University; Howard Raciest, director, Ethical Culture Schools; Robert Rimmer, author; Svetozar Stojanovic, professor of philosophy, University of Belgrade; Thomas Szasz, psychiatrist, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse; V. M. Tarkunde, Supreme Court Judge, India; Richard Taylor, professor of philosophy, Union College; Rob Tielman, professor, University of Utrecht; Sherwin Wine, North American Committee for Humanism Associate Editors: Doris Doyle, Steven L. Mitchell, Lee Nisbet, Gordon Stein, Andrea Szalanski Editorial Associates: Robert Basil, Jim Christopher, Fred Condo Jr., Thomas Flynn, Thomas Franczyk, James Martin-Diaz, Philip Mass, Molleen Matsumura Executive Director, CODESH, Inc.: Jean Millholland Executive Director, African-Americans for Humanism: Norm Allen Jr. Chief Data Officer: Richard Seymour Typesetting: Paul E. Loynes Audio Technician: Vance Vigrass Staff: Kim Gallo, Steve Karr, Anthony Nigro, Alfreda Pidgeon, Ranjit Sandhu

FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published quarterly by the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH, Inc.), a nonprofit corporation, 3159 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215. Phone (716) 834-2921. Copyright ©1990 by CODESH, Inc. Second-class postage paid at Buffalo, New York, and at additional mailing offices. National distribution by International Periodicals Distributors, San Diego, California. Subscription rates: $22.50 for one year, $39.00 for two years, $54.00 for three years, $4.00 for current issue; $5.00 for back issues. Address subscription orders, changes of address, and advertising to: FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005. Manuscripts, letters, and editorial inquiries should be addressed to: The Editor, FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005. All manuscripts must be double-spaced and should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005.

earth loses its source of energy—unless of course humanity finds a way to destroy all life on the earth before the sun burns out. Letters to the Editor In light of the above I see no significance of or need for dead body rituals. I feel that I've had a good life and that when I die I will really be gone. No entity, earthly or divine, knows when. Oa death and dying the very existence of evolved life on this planet. Being human is nonetheless a Larry Kelbley The "Dying Without Religion" articles in the marvelous experience, even if it is but a Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Summer 1990 issue provide a valuable transitory supporting role in an eternal eupraxophic context for death, but I think chemical experiment. FREE INQUIRY'S Summer issue could not one can also benefit by examining the life/ have come at a more opportune time. death cycle from a straightforward evolu- John R. Doner Two months ago, as a Unitarian minister tionary point of view. As creations of nature, Palm Beach, Fla. friend and I sat in his study, talking about we must place our existence in a natural possible ways of helping a critically ill mutual context in order to seek the ultimate purpose Last winter my father, a die-hard secular friend, word of his death came, suddenly, and cause of our mortality. humorist, took his life. In my grief and shock if not unexpectedly. The essence of life in all its forms is simply I stood by as others arranged a memorial For a moment, the blow was crushing the capability of some very complex chem- service for him in a Lutheran church. Only and numbing. Then, the awful reality set in; ical processes to attract raw materials from a last-minute angry exchange with the well- my beloved friend of ten years was irretriev- the environment and then to create more meaning pastor spared us the indignity of ably gone. He and I had been Unitarian of the chemical compounds essential to those a religion-drenched service. humanists for most of our adult lives. I processes. This provides a physical way for Recently, an acquaintance of mine who turned to my minister friend and asked, information (embodied in molecules) to self- was also a secular humanist (and humorist) "What consolation is there for a Unitarian replicate, and what life is all about is just died under circumstances very similar to my at a time like this?" I knew it was a rhetorical the transmission of such information from father's. His farewell was secular and appro- question. What consolation, indeed? each creature to its offspring. We are not priate both to him and, at last, to my father. Yet, I fully agree with the various authors immortal, but in some sense, our genetic His memorial festival provided me with a writing on death and dying the nonreligious information has the potential to be immor- much-needed opportunity to say goodbye to way. It isn't harder or easier for humanists, tal, and the true driving force of evolution my father in ways that had been denied to but in the place of meaningless ritual and is quite literally an eternal competition me by his actual funeral. an illusory promise of an afterlife, we can between "libraries" of genetic information Thank you for your summer issue. I wish find purpose and solace. to create successful but temporary somatic my father and I had had a chance to read As the days passed, I realized that I homes on their journey through the aeons. it together before his death. I know I will needed something positive to replace the self- The chemical processes of life are read and reread it as mortality creeps up destructive grief and anger that had engulfed astounding, but why is it that these processes, on me and those I love. me after my friend's death. Because he had although able to create new somata, cannot always been such a positive, upbeat person, perpetuate any given soma indefinitely? Karl W. Schmiedeskamp I knew he would not have wanted me to Quite simply, any species that obtained Billings, Mont. mourn him as I was doing. "What's the immortality in this way would quickly point? What good will it do?" he had always saturate its ecological niche, and the resulting Your many fine articles on death led me to said, with his unfailing (and sometimes shortage of resources would promote heavy focus on my beliefs. exasperating) logic, whenever I lamented intraspecies strife and physical debilitation. I am a nonreligious person. I do not something over which I had no control. Even Reproduction would effectively cease, and believe in reincarnation or an afterlife as is when his five-year battle with cancer had no further evolution of that species could often promoted. Only in a couple of nearly drained his last ounce of strength, he occur, while competing (mortal) species nonreligious ways do I believe that I will did not complain or show bitterness. "What would continue to evolve. Eventually, the live on after my death. will be, will be," he told me just weeks before immortal species would be destroyed by its For a few decades those who know me he died. The lessons he taught me about own genetic obsolescence. It follows that may think of me occasionally. Then that will living and dying will invest my life with new somatic mortality is an inescapable necessary end. I also will live on in my descendants, meaning. From his strength I now derive condition for genetic immortality. because they carry some of my genes. I mine: In personal terms, I therefore view expect that my wife, children, grandchildren, Acceptance. No more futile thoughts of "immortality" as vested in my offspring, and and those who have married into the family what "might have been.""What's the point?" my contribution to this inexorable progres- will remember me in various ways as long I can hear him say. sion called life can be no more than to invest as they live. Then all memories of me will Gratitude. He was a caring, compassion- carefully in the physical and intellectual well- have disappeared. ate person, always concerned about anyone being of my genetic relatives and my society I still will live on in my tiny share of in need—a humanist par excellence. Racon- in a manner that will contribute to the the genes that my descendants carry. So in teur, humorist, bon vivant, he was all of continuance of my descendants. I can a way I expect a miniscule part of me to these. I feel lucky for having known him. comfortably accept my eventual personal be around for a couple of billion years until "Lucky" was another word he was fond of death as the inevitable price to be paid for the sun burns up all its hydrogen and the (Letters, continued on page 60.) Fall 1990 3 in practice. A graphic illustration of this occurred on April 25, when a joint strike- force consisting of the San Francisco Police Department and the FBI descended on the home of photographer Jock Sturges. Sturges is a well-known commercial artist and photographer whose work hangs in the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropol- itan Museum in New York, and the Bib- Humanism and Liberty liotheque Nationale in Paris, and has appeared in Harpers, Vogue, and other prominent publications. Police had no Paul Kurtz search warrant, but refused to leave until it arrived several hours later. They then The democratic revolution the influence of fascism, Marxism, and anti- proceeded to confiscate thousands of advances worldwide liberal, anti-humanist "post-structuralism" photographic negatives, some of Sturges's in Europe has been discredited and a new personal property, and his business records. e continue to be gratified by the appreciation for American liberalism is Incredibly, the alleged crime involved Wdemocratic reforms sweeping Eastern appearing, a renascent neo-conservatism has twenty-seven sheets of negatives that Sturges Europe, the Soviet Union, and other areas emerged in the United States to challenge was having developed at a commercial of the world. Of special interest are the new its values. processing company. The film consisted of calls for democracy in many African informal photos of friends—adults and countries. All too many former colonies had Assaults on liberty in the children—that Sturges had taken at a established authoritarian, one-party systems, United States "clothing optional" beach in France for following the Marxist-Leninist model. personal use. Sturges was the victim of the Without personal liberty or the right of here are those in the United States who federal prosecutor's application of the Child opposition, these countries have languished Tare uncomfortable with liberal huma- Protection Act, a result of Edwin Meese's economically and politically. Now there are nism and with any kind of moral freedom. Department of Justice. The law requires that significant demands for multi-party systems They seek to impose their own narrow a person or processing lab that discovers in countries as diverse as Kenya and Gabon. standards on everyone, which means the photographs of children showing "frontal Nelson Mandela's campaign for new demo- prohibition of any form of conduct they nudity" keep records of the photos' use and cratic political order in South Africa in deem "immoral." The March 1990 issue of releases from the models. According to the which blacks can share political power with Science magazine labeled this "the New Nation, assistant U.S. prosecuting attorney, the white minority is encouraging. Belief in Puritanism." In the guise of defending Rodolfo Orjales, when shown a copy of a democracy has been an essential part of the "traditional family values," civil liberties, photo by Sturges hanging in a gallery in humanist outlook and we are pleased to see once taken for granted, are threatened by Chicago, responded that it was this ideal on the march everywhere. the devout partisans of Virtue and Piety. "prosecutable." In a recent editorial in Le Monde, We are concerned by the shift to the right This war on pornography has been France's leading newspaper, André Fontaine on the part of the Supreme Court and the extended far beyond child pornography. The pointed to a new convergence among federal courts, and the prosecutorial zeal recent arrest and prosecution of the rap European intellectuals about the need for expressed by the Justice Department and the group 2 Live Crew for their recording "As humanism. In Budapest and Paris, Prague FBI. For example, the Supreme Court ruled Nasty As They Wanna Be" is an extreme and Madrid, there is talk about human in a six-to-three decision that it is permissible display of police power. The owner of a rights, individual autonomy, tolerance, and for the police to stop drivers at roadside record store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pluralism—the fundamental ideals of liber- checkpoints and examine them for intoxi- was arrested for selling the record. When alism and humanism. Paradoxically, while cation. It also ruled that a videotape of a we at FREE INQUIRY heard about this we suspected drunken driver being booked at immediately set out to buy the record. I the police station can be introduced at a trial, myself found it vulgar and offensive, full of FREE INQUIRY's even if the suspect did not at first receive the most base four-letter words. Moreover, Ninth Annual Conference a Miranda warning. it is highly abusive of women, especially We do not doubt that drunken drivers black women. Nonetheless, the record is not HUMANISM are a menance, but the efforts to ban them without some redeeming artistic value. In by such draconian means are symptomatic any case, the government has no right to AND of arbitrary police power, and this is all the censor such adult materials on the chance more disconcerting when we learn that in that they may fall into the hands of the many cases police are not only stopping and young. The real intention of the intensified LIBERTY searching for driver intoxication, but for prosecutorial campaign throughout the AND THE other "criminal offenses." country came to the fore when the rap group As we have noted in previous issues, the itself was arrested after a performance before NEW THREATS Supreme Court has ruled that child porno- an adult-only audience in Hollywood, TO FREEDOM graphy is illegal. Certainly, we are repelled Florida. Thus we find not simply objections —For details, see page 46— by child pornography, but we are disturbed to child pornography, for which there is by the way efforts to prohibit it work out significant public support, but to any kind

4 FREE INQUIRY of pornography that the new censors deem had petitioned the Missouri Supreme Court Catholic—hospitals could refuse to carry out objectionable. for the removal of her feeding tubes, and a living will or proxy ordered to end life- A further erosion of personal freedom were turned down. The Supreme Court, by support; though patients would have to be was the Supreme Court's recent rulings, five a five-to-four vote, concurred with this notified about this policy upon their to four and six to three, that upheld the state denial, saying that Nancy's intentions in this admission to the hospital. laws requiring teenage girls to first notify matter were not clear—even though her The barricades are being drawn for an one or both parents before they may obtain parents brought evidence of her earlier all-out battle between right-to-die advocates an abortion. This is all part of the unrem- verbal expression of intent. and those who are adamantly opposed to itting efforts to turn back Roe v. Wade— At the time, however, the Court indicated this on religious grounds. The deeper issue a battle that will no doubt continue in state that persons who make their wishes known concerns the relationship between liberty after state. in writing before a disaster strikes have the and social order, and whether or not and We believe that the government should right to refuse medical treatment. This to what extent the state may intervene in be prohibited from legislating personal implies constitutional guarantees for prep- private choices. In my view a free society morality, and should allow freedom of aration of a living will and designation of should respect moral autonomy on problems choice in this and other matters—but surrogate power of attorney in the event of that concern intensely personal choices—of conservatives who claim to believe in the free unconsciousness. Thirty-eight states and the the individual and the family, whether it society have no compunction about applying District of Columbia now recognize the concerns euthanasia, contraception, or their own view of "traditional family values" validity of living wills, and other states are abortion. Unfortunately, a post-Reagan on everyone. As humanists we believe in in the process of enacting enabling Court under the influence of religious cultivating the wholesome qualities of family legislation. pressures appears willing to allow the state life, but surely this does not mean that The New York State Legislature recently to intervene in the private realm where it individual liberty must be suppressed. passed a "right to die" bill, which, as we deems there is a "state interest" to do so. As a footnote, I would add that the go to press, is awaiting Governor Cuomo's Supreme Court deserves praise for its ruling signature. Catholic politicians in New York Capital punishment that flag-burning is a form of symbolic free State and elsewhere have been threatened speech and that a ban would violate the First with excommunication by the hierarchy if o close on an even more dismal note, Amendment—even though the Congress and they violate commandments of the Roman Twe were appalled that the Crime President Bush tried to enact an amendment Catholic church. The Vatican's newspaper, Omnibus Bill was passed by the Senate, with prohibiting it. L'osservatore Romano, in a front-page the support of the Democratic majority. This editorial, recently denounced all such bill includes the extension of capital punish- Separation of church and state euthanasia bills. It called them "simple acts ment to thirty-four crimes. The death penalty of tragic stupidity." The newspaper claimed now applies to murder, espionage, treason, ssaults on the principle of separation that "abortion and euthanasia express the hostage-taking, kidnapping, and more. The of church and state continue. The same idea: that human life belongs exclu- United States is virtually the only demo- Supreme Court recently upheld the federal sively to Man and that everyone is the cratic country that now allows the death Equal Access act passed in 1984, which exclusive owner of his life." It goes on to penalty, not only for murder but for required public high schools to permit insist that "only God has the right to other crimes as well. Can we next expect student religious clubs to meet on school terminate life." In a last-minute concession a bill to chop off the hands of thieves? Will property on the same basis as other extra- to possible Roman Catholic opposition in the ethic of the Old Testament and the curricular organizations. We surely agree the State of New York, legislators added the Ayatollah soon become the law of the with the cherished right to freely assemble, proviso that private—that is, Roman land? • but to hold "Bible study" groups in the public schools is in our view bound to erode the equally cherished First Amendment princi- ple of separation. Militant fundamentalists Confidentiality and the Press are already marshaling their forces, and schools are being inundated with organized Bible study groups. In such a situation it Vern L. Bullough will be difficult for many impressionable children to resist the entreaties of sects that ritish newspapers were given a one-year the right to confidentiality and privacy, there seek free license to promulgate their religion .13 noticeeffective July 1, 1990, to clean is also the First Amendment guaranteeing on government property. up their act or be subjected to control by freedom of speech and of the press. What a statutory tribunal. The reason for the does one do when two basic rights conflict? The right to die notice was supposedly the "increasing public This is a difficult question when it comes outrage" over the repeated invasions of to information about human sexuality. The A mong the most encouraging recent privacy by some of the daily and Sunday proposed British legislation would allow developments from the humanist stand- tabloids. Much of the concern was not over some exceptions for invasion of privacy: point is the Supreme Court's apparent reporter aggressiveness, although this was (1) to prevent or expose crime or anti-social recognition of the right to die. Nancy part of it, but over the exposure of the sexual conduct, (2) to protect public health or Cruzan, a thirty-two-year-old Missourian, foibles and activities of the rich and safety, and (3) under an undefined "legal had been in an irreversible unconscious powerful. authority," that is, whenever it is convenient vegetative state for seven years and was being In the United States, though the Ninth for law enforcement officers. The problem kept alive artificially. Her anguished parents Amendment is usually interpreted to include is in meeting any of these definitions. Fall 1990 5 For example, San Francisco's Michelan- president did not affect his job performance press. Hoover was able to exercise such gelo Signorile, a columnist for the gay but were degrading to his listeners. In cases power because of the connivance of the press publication Outweek, has started a campaign like these there seems to be a clear reason in keeping Kennedy's private life out of the that he calls "outing," bringing to public to invade the actors' right to confidentiality. papers, something that would have been attention the homosexuality of individuals Hypocrisy itself, however, probably is not difficult if an authoritative source like who do not wish to publicly identify enough reason to expose someone, since we Hoover could be quoted. Hoover likewise themselves as such. One of his first cases all have some behaviors we do not want to had power over presidents Dwight D. was that of businessman and publisher broadcast to the world. Malcolm Forbes Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson. When Malcolm Forbes, whose exuberant lifestyle might have been a hypocrite, but unlike Hoover set out to get Martin Luther King and derring-do made him a front-page Swaggart and Bakker, he did not preach and thus weaken the civil rights movement, celebrity. After Forbes's death, Signorile piety. Did exposing his bisexuality serve a he thought the key to success was exposing alleged that Forbes had been bisexual, and useful purpose? This is where it is difficult King's extracurricular sexual activity. One gave details and testimony from some of explanation for Richard M. Nixon's reluc- his alleged sexual partners. Signorile justifies To be less than honest in our tance to release many of his tapes was such actions by arguing that in the age of because of his frequent use of four-letter AIDS it is important to publicize "respec- reporting is to invite sensational- words in private conversations. He was table" homosexuals, to give young homo- izing and blackmail. This potential fearful that his carefully constructed image sexuals role-models, and to give the public power makes a strong argument of piety, which included well-publicized a better understanding of homosexuality. meetings with Billy Graham and others, It matters not that many such indi- against voluntary censorship. would be destroyed. How many political viduals are fearful of coming out in their deals have been made because the public to give easy answers. Forbes reveled in lifetime. "might not understand"? attention, and in effect manipulated the Though more and more homosexuals are It is this threat of exposure that raises identifying themselves as such, many are not. media. Generally the media went along with fear and trembling in the hearts of many. When Signorile released a very long list of this, but they also have a right to refuse to What is true for men is even more so for prominent individuals whom he said were be manipulated, exposing more of Forbe's women, since the public seems less forgiving gay or lesbian, very few newspapers picked private life than he may have wanted simply of their sexual irregularities. I must admit up the story, perhaps wanting to shield these bedcause he had made himself such a I was pleased when the pious hypocrisies of people from the stigma that obviously exists celebrity. Swaggart and Bakker were revealed, and felt in some circles against homosexuals. The The problem goes deeper and becomes much more upset when the president of nightclub pianist and television star Liberace more complicated the more one investigates American University was exposed. Still, it continually denied during his lifetime the the topic. When I was in my teens I served should not be my personal prejudices that rumors that he was homosexual; after he an apprenticeship as a police reporter for determine whether or not a person's privacy contracted AIDS he even denied he had the a major daily metropolitan newspaper. I should be invaded. We are all human and disease. Yet after he died, information about must admit I was shocked by many of the each of us has failings. By refusing to deal his lifestyle was everywhere; even the activities of well-known people that went with the reality of the total person, the media television movies of his life reported on his unreported. Most such activities were not do us all a disservice. By sensationalizing sex partners. reported because the paper I worked for private matters for whatever reason, they It is not just homosexuality that carries prided itself on being a family newspaper; tend to paint celebrities as unique for reasons a negative connotation. Gary Hart, a often there was not enough evidence to other than their celebrity, though often their Democratic candidate for president in 1988, prosecute; sometimes the person in question activities are common among the general fell rapidly in the public opinion polls after had powerful friends in the newspaper heir- population. It gives the media power to make the press played up his extramarital sexual archy. The result of such censorship, how- or break an individual, and it gives the activities. Recently the president of Amer- ever, is not necessarily benign. If a newspaper unscrupulous means to justify their ends. ican University was vilified for making wants to discredit someone, the files are What will resolve the problem? One obscene telephone calls. Jimmy Swaggart's always on hand. When damaging informa- answer is for the press to try to avoid giving observational sex with a prostitute and Jim tion is finally published it has greater shock false portrayals of key individuals, rather Bakker's liaison with a paid companion both value, since the individuals involved have than balancing their good and bad points. tarnished the image of the evangelical long been regarded as different from others Obviously there is a need to avoid libel, Christian movement. The list of "exposures" whose activities have not been publicized. particularly malicious libel, and blackmail. could go on to include British cabinet For example, when I told my parents about If more noncelebrities admitted that they ministers, a premier of Japan, and many less the police blotter activities of some of their were gay, or nudists, or alcoholics, or former prominent people. friends, they either simply refused to believe drug abusers, it would desensationalize such Several questions come to mind. Two are it or said there must have been some mistake. topics. Legitimate news events should not easy to answer. Did the alleged sexual It is this potential power of blackmail by be sensationalized, but neither should they conduct impair the person's job perfor- the press and others that makes a strong be ignored. Newspapers should dig deeper mance? Did it hurt someone else? In most argument against voluntary censorship. and be more cautious about accepting cases the act itself probably did not impair John F. Kennedy kept J. Edgar Hoover created images such as Malcolm Forbes the person's job performance; Bakker and on as chief of the FBI long after Hoover's created for himself. I think Forbes's bisexual Swaggart are possible exceptions to this management style had outlived its useful- activities, if they are documented, are because of the obvious contradiction ness; many contend this was because Hoover important to our understanding of American between their private and public lives. The had a long file on Kennedy's sexual pecca- male machismo, just as John F. Kennedy's obscene phone calls of the university dilloes, which he threatened to leak to the alleged ability with women gives us an 6 FREE INQUIRY understanding of the uses and abuses of ultimate weapon: he threatened to expose a bit too sanguine in his conclusion that power. To be less than honest in our the sexual activities of many of his fellow no one has ever thrown away life for reporting is to invite sensationalizing and congressmen who were "out to get" him. frivolous reasons. There are numerous cases blackmail. Such a threat could exist only when self- of jilted lovers and other exponents of the Barney Frank did the responsible thing censorship of the press about sex remains "goodbye, cruel world" method who belie in stating that he was homosexual when the the norm rather than the exception. this view. And today, the alarming number issue was raised; but as the intensity of the Obviously the press should avoid not only of teenage suicides sadly demonstrates how Congressional investigation into his lifestyle slander and libel but sensationalism as well. irrational an act suicide often is. Indeed, an increased after his activities with a male The objective should be responsible report- organization called the American Suicide prostitute were revealed, he turned to his ing on sexual matters. • Foundation, based in New York City, was founded in 1987 to research the causes of suicide, and seek adequate preventive programs. On Rational Suicide In order for an action to be deemed rational, it must involve effective delibera- tion and a realistic assessment of possibil- Tim Madigan ities. This is especially true for the action of self-annihilation: life is precious, and he recent controversy over Dr. Jack begins his book entitled Suicide with the should not be given up lightly. But there TKevorkian's so-called "suicide statement: "As the humanists freed men to are demonstrable cases of rational suicides, machine," coupled with the Supreme Court live, they brought them the right to die." such as the recent example of the noted decision in the Nancy Cruzan case, has It was the humanists, strong defenders of Freudian scholar Bruno Bettelheim, who brought to the forefront the debate over human freedom and autonomy, who ques- took his own life after determining that its whether or not there is a right to die. It is tioned the religious sanctions against self- quality had so seriously deteriorated that he estimated that 80 percent of Americans now murder; for suicide is the ultimate autonom- no longer wished to go on living. In this, die either in hospitals or in long-term care ous action. he was emulating Freud himself, who in his facilities, and many of us rightly fear that David Hume sought to answer the final hours told his doctor, Max Schur: "My we will spend our final days in a vegetative traditional objections in his essay "Of dear Schur, you remember our `contract' not state, hooked up to a life-support system. Suicide," written in 1755 (but, significantly, to leave me in the lurch when the time has In the words of Justice William Brennan, not published until after his death in 1776). come. Now it is nothing but torture and "The timing of death—once a matter of "If suicide be criminal," he wrote, "it must makes no sense." Schur, a longtime friend fate—is now a matter of human choice." be a transgression of our duty either to God, of Freud's, thereupon gave him a large dose FREE INQUIRY came out in favor of volun- our neighbor, or ourselves." On the first of morphine, which brought about a coma tary active euthanasia in its Winter 1988 point, he countered that if God had granted from which Freud did not awake. issue, and it has long supported the right us reasoning powers, and if through using Jack Kevorkian, like Max Schur, was to death with dignity. those powers a person concludes that death motivated by compassion when he helped The notion that one can freely choose is preferable to life, then that person is not Janet Adkins in her wish to die. But one to terminate one's own existence is abhorrent transgressing God's laws by following the can argue that, unlike Schur, he had no real to many religious-minded individuals, who dictates of reason. Hume went on to say understanding of his patient's wishes (indeed, believe that only God should determine when that there is no explicit scriptural admoni- he had only met her a very short time before life will end. Though many pre-Christian tion against suicide. "Thou shalt not kill is the suicide took place), and was not able belief systems, such as Stoicism and evidently meant to exclude only the killing to judge if her action was rational or Buddhism, have extolled the value of suicide, of others, over which one has no authority. irrational. Still, he did seek to do what she Christianity has firmly opposed it. Saint That this precept, like most of the scripture deemed best, and was quoted as saying "My Augustine spelled out the chief objections precepts, must be modified by reason and motto is 'a rational policy of planned to it: The Sixth Commandment says "Thou common sense, is plain from the practice death.' " If nothing else, his homemade shalt not kill," and that includes killing of magistrates, who punish criminals suicide machine touched a national nerve, oneself; it is our duty to bear our sufferings, capitally, notwithstanding the letter of this and has opened up the discussion on what just like Christ did; if one is innocent of law." is literally a life-and-death issue. wrongdoing, then it is wrong to kill the As for the second objection, killing Humanists are not in the business of innocent, and if one is guilty of wrongdoing, oneself does not transgress one's duty to promoting thanatoriums. But they are it is wrong to take justice into one's own one's neighbor if one is no longer able to devoted to personal autonomy, including the hands; finally, suicide offers no hope of promote the good of society. And finally, right to determine one's own death. Let us repentance—didn't Judas commit suicide suicide need not be a transgression of one's remember that while humanists advocate the after betraying Christ? We don't want to duty to oneself if age, sickness, or misfortune right to die, they do so only with the emulate him, do we? renders one's life a burden. Hume ends his condition that much reflection and under- Added to this list are a host of other essay with the statement "I believe that no standing of the situation (including the traditional objections: suicide is a crime man ever threw away life while it was worth consequences such an action will have upon against society; it is a violation of our duty keeping. For such is the natural horror of family and friends) has first taken place. As to God; it is an insult to human dignity; death, that small motives will never be able Friedrich Nietzsche once perceptively it is an unnatural act. Still, over the centuries to reconcile us to it." pointed out: "The thought of suicide is a there have been defenders of the right to Hume's essay is a powerful defense of strong consolation—one can get through suicide under certain conditions. S. E. Sprott the rationality of suicide. But he was perhaps many a bad night with it." • Fall 1990 7 Freedom and Censorship Today A FREE INQUIRY interview with David Friedman

FREE INQUIRY: We've noticed recently a greater intensification South Dakota, they could get a conviction. That's why of efforts by the government to censor or suppress what it Sturman was convicted in his hometown of Cleveland; because considers to be pornography. the government still has the opportunity to forum shop, so DAVID FRIEDMAN: There is no question that right now to speak. there is a tremendous thrust on the part of a combined task- FI: "Forum shop"? force of government agencies, both the FBI and the IRS, FRIEDMAN: They decide where they want to have the to go after certain kinds of pornographic industries in this trial—usually in what they consider a conservative community, country. They have tried all manner of entrapment, and have figuring they'll get a jury conviction. made many arrests. Today the government seems to have FI: So they can prosecute in any community in the country? targeted the half-dozen biggest firms and/ or individuals FRIEDMAN: Any community in the country. engaged in the manufacture, distribution, dissemination, even FI: Is this why Cincinnati's going after Larry Flint and retail sale of videotapes, magazines, newspapers—any type Mapplethorpe? of sex-oriented material. They've gone after these people with FRIEDMAN: Well, of course, Mapplethorpe is a local a two-pronged attack: they'll file forty or fifty counts of issue in Cincinnati. But if you're engaged in the interstate obscenity as well as a number of income-tax violations. This transport of adult materials, then theoretically you can be happened, for instance, to a man named Rubin Sturman in tried in any place between point A and point B. Cleveland, who had a vast empire of adult-oriented enterprises. FI: The director of the Cincinnati Art Museum claims that They've managed to convict him of all sorts of things. He this is part of a coordinated national effort, that the is currently out on a cash bail of more than one million dollars. conservative forces figured they could win in Cincinnati and FI: What did he distribute? then use the case as a precedent. FRIEDMAN: Videotapes, magazines, and books. He also FRIEDMAN: Of course, that debate centered on the fine owned countless peepshow parlors from coast to coast, adult arts, which is somewhat different from the distribution of bookstores, adult video stores... . adult-oriented material or, if you will, the porno industry. FI: And these had not been declared obscene by any of Right after Sturman, a man named Mohney was arrested the courts? in Michigan, where his base is located. There were twenty FRIEDMAN: Oh, no. There is a federal law on the books, or thirty so-called indictments on obscenity and another twenty though it's very hard to enforce, calling for the prohibition or thirty on income-tax violation. Mohney and Sturman were of interstate transportation of alleged obscene material. But the two biggest names in the business. They owned bookstores, interestingly in 1973 in Miller v. California, the Supreme Court video stores, distribution firms. said that each community could set its own standards with FI: Did they find Mohney in violation on the income- regard to "pornography." So now the government is in a crazy tax charges? position. If they had a trial in New York they would never FRIEDMAN: They found him in violation on both counts. get a conviction; if they had the same trial in Sioux Falls, A very close friend of mine was also indicted: Ferris Alexander, who operates solely in Minnesota. He is in distribution and retailing, and here again, the same pattern. It almost seems to go back to the day Herbert Hoover saw David Friedman's autobio- Al Capone in the lobby of the Stevens Hotel in Chicago, graphy, A Youth in Babylon: and said to J. Edgar Hoover, "Get him!" The ends justified Confessions of a Trash-Film the means. The double-pronged attacks of today are King, will be published this characteristic of this. The RICO bill—Racketeering Influenced fall by Prometheus Books. Corrupt Organizations—covers a multitude of sins. Friedman produced a great FI: And federal judges seem to be mainly conservative number of "sexploitation" appointees. films, many of them now FRIEDMAN: Well, most of these were jury cases. But considered classics. let's say the jury doesn't really give a damn about dirty books, dirty videos. Tell that same jury that someone hasn't paid

8 FREE INQUIRY income tax—that'll get to the average juror quicker than one or two adult theaters. It turned out that, like most of anything else. They generally cannot prove anything under these guys, he had a skeleton in his closet. He was taking strictly an obscenity charge. They were losing too many cases. money from the local gambling syndicate, and wound up FI: Have these individuals been convicted? committing suicide before he went to trial. FRIEDMAN: They've all been convicted, on twenty to FI: What has Thornburgh done since he's become attorney forty counts each. As I said, Sturman is out on bail. Mohney general? is on appeal, but he had to put up something like seven hundred FRIEDMAN: A strange thing has happened. The way I thousand dollars bail. I haven't talked to Alexander since read it, it hasn't been announced that We're-going-to-go-out- that decision was handed down. there-and-close-these-guys-down-we're-on-this-great-moral- FI: Do you think this is part of an effort to kill freedom crusade-Onward-Christian-Soldiers and so forth. It has been of speech and the First Amendment? done very quietly. They have picked their targets—three of FRIEDMAN: Absolutely. It is definitely an effort to the biggest people in the adult-oriented business. They have squelch the distribution, exhibition, and retailing of adult- come down with indictments that no one could defend from oriented material, and I don't care what the material is. It's the sheer number of them. They've done their homework. certainly an effort to sublimate freedom of speech. FI: So what has happened in terms of distribution? We've been through this before. I've been fighting these FRIEDMAN: To some degree it has chilled. Each of these cases since the 1950s. With the adult film industry the courts men has now put his business up for sale, but of course, first had to recognize that motion pictures are part of the there's no one in their league in the industry who can buy press and, of course, are protected under the First Amendment. them. FI: And that was finally achieved in the 1950s. Did you FI: They control nationwide distribution? have a role in that achievement? FRIEDMAN: Oh yes. They are the General Motors, FRIEDMAN: Yes, of course, with films like Because of Chrysler, and Ford of the adult industry. Eve, which depicted the birth of a baby. We went to court FI: We're not talking about child pornography are we? and proved that this was not obscene and was protected speech. FRIEDMAN: Oh no, no, no, no, no. When it comes to Four hundred different cases were in court over pictures like child pornography, I won't defend or sanction it in any form. this, in 1954, '55, '56, until around 1960. By then a new genre FI: So this is clearly adult material. But there has been of film was suddenly very popular, the nudist-colony film. a great campaign against child pornography. We proved in court that nudity, per se, was not obscenity. FRIEDMAN: Child pornography is not a viable commer- FI: So we've come a long way from that? cial enterprise. It is a cottage industry that is made and FRIEDMAN: We've come tremendously far. distributed among the pedarasts themselves. I've said this for FI: And now you think the pendulum is swinging back? years, since I was president of the Adult Film Association. FRIEDMAN: I think it's swinging. It started basically with Finally the government itself has agreed, and the Department Ed Meese. He started out as a prosecutor in Alameda County, of General Services has published a booklet to that effect, California, who made his name by prosecuting adult called "The Study of Child Pornography in the United States." bookstores and adult theaters. I happened to own one in Basically it is done by the child molesters themselves who Oakland, so I knew him very well. Then when Reagan made have this little clique. him attorney general, the first thing he did was form another FI: They've made a great campaign. They say that anything Commission on Obscenity and Pornography. The commission is child pornography. that President Johnson had appointed, of course, contained FRIEDMAN: Ah! "Child pornography!" They also have some very learned people. It was a very distinguished panel. said it is controlled by the Mafia. They have made every But the Meese Commission was an entirely different story. allegation in the world. It was headed by a prosecutor from Virginia County who It is ridiculous to try to pin this on the Mafia. First of said, "I'm goin' to run these duhty bookstohs out o' my all, there are hundreds of people in this business. It is not county," and a couple of other nut cases. one gigantic cartel. It's a relatively easy business to be in FI: And under Meese they began to intensify efforts. if you have the guts to do it. Anyone can be in the X-rated FRIEDMAN: Strangely enough, the intellectual commun- business. Real organized crime is into loan sharking, big-time ity in this country totally rejected Meese, and we in the business gambling, narcotics. X-rated material would be a drop in the said, "Well, that's the end of that." All Meese did was make bucket for them. Why be in something like this where the a bigger fool of himself than we thought possible. But he returns are so small by comparison? And you're always in attempted to suppress adult-oriented material and succeeded the spotlight. for a time in making some noise, at any rate. FI: How many porno theaters are left in the United States? FI: What about Thornburgh under Bush? FRIEDMAN: Most of them today, in fact all of them FRIEDMAN: Richard Thornburgh was the governor of that are left, are playing videotape. I don't think there are Pennsylvania. We had never had any problems in the State more than twenty in the whole United States. of Pennsylvania, so we weren't too worried. FI: And how many were there at its peak? FI: No censorship? FRIEDMAN: About seven hundred; that was about seven FRIEDMAN: No censorship. There was one character, years ago. a district attorney in Pittsburgh, who was going to close down FI: But they're not declining because of the crackdown?

Fall 1990 9 FRIEDMAN: They're declining because today it's too easy FRIEDMAN: The government has never worried about to make a videotape. The customer can film it in the privacy violence in films because American films are based on violence. of his or her home. When the Japanese invented the video- That's been the specialty of motion pictures almost from the tape, it revolutionized motion picture exhibition throughout beginning—the gangster film, the western. But God forbid the world. It hurt general-release films, but it was made to you have someone holding a breast or patting a behind. They order for the X-rated business, because for the first time films don't want to see people making beautiful love together, but could be taken home. Customers didn't have to worry about they don't mind you tearing someone's head off. being seen going into an adult theater. FI: We mentioned Charles Keating before. FI: So videos are big business now? FRIEDMAN: Ah yes! Keating came into power ten or FRIEDMAN: I think it's reached its peak. Despite what fifteeen years ago, as the associate of a very wealthy and we hear from the powers that be, we're not developing into mysterious man in Cincinnati named Carl Lindner, who a nation of perverts. financed Keating with a company called American Financial, FI: In some areas sale of X-rated videotapes has been which owns the Provident Bank in Cincinnati and the prohibited. How widespread is this? Cincinnati Inquirer. FRIEDMAN: There are towns that ban it. But in those Later Keating surfaced in Phoenix and started a company areas the few people who want them can order by mail. called Lincoln Savings and Loan, around the time restrictions FI: Are there any attempts to prevent mail-order sales? were being lifted. FRIEDMAN: When videotapes came along, suddenly the He became famous nationally when he was on the Johnson government became very interested again. Now this thing can Commission in 1968, which was started by Johnson and go worldwide without any restrictions whatsoever. And all inherited by Nixon, who rejected it because all but three of a sudden it became a great concern of the government. members of the commission concluded that pornography was The problem with this, of course, is that it is something that not dangerous. The three dissenters were a priest, a reverend, can be made and seen in the privacy of someone's home. and Keating. The other fifteen members said there were no One of the basic tenets of our Constitution is the right of harmful effects. This didn't satisfy Keating, who started a privacy; the easier it is for people to see these things in their nationwide group called Citizens for Decency through Law own homes, the harder it will be for the government to get (CDL). He proceeded to extract great contributions from a jury thatil convict. people all over the country. Three states, including FI: Does the same thing happen with books and magazines? Pennsylvania, actually stopped him from soliciting within their FRIEDMAN: I think to a large degree the printed word, borders because there is a law that you cannot take a deduction books particularly, are no longer of concern to government. if the association to which you are contributing engages in The picture books, however, are getting as much heat as the political activity. Keating said, "Oh, it was just a bookkeeping videotapes are getting. error. We're straightening out our lot." Very, very sharp man. FI: To what extent is censorship effective? But he continued. FRIEDMAN: The funny thing is, we're no longer seeing It was one of Keating's people, Raymond Gauer, who these big announced raids that they used to conduct. They're invented the snuff film theory. He was addressing a Holy being more assiduous, with direct, concerted attacks on people Name Society in San Diego one day, and he said something they consider to be the kingpins of the business in an effort like, "The people who make these movies are no longer satisfied to wipe it out. to simulate sex, but actually have the actors perform sexual FI: You said earlier that the only way to minimize acts." This is true. But he continued, "Therefore it must follow pornography is to allow it to be free, and that once it is that they will no longer be satisfied to simulate murder, but suppressed it will flourish again. will actually begin murdering people." This was pure FRIEDMAN: Of course. Because you're basically dealing conjecture. But what a reaction he got! So the next week with forbidden fruit. And if the fruit is no longer forbidden, he goes back and says, "I understand that now that they're no one cares. It has happened in Denmark, in the Netherlands, making films where they are actually murdering people. Send in Germany; after a while the interest faded. There really isn't me money! Send me money!" Okay. This builds, and soon much originality to pornography; it must perish after a while he's saying, "And it's called the `snuff film,' and the FBI has because there is nothing that new about it. Only a very few evidence that these things exist." The FBI office in Los Angeles addicts will continue to buy it. is flooded with calls. They had no evidence whatsoever. Finally, FI: So you are concerned that the intensified efforts at the Adult Film Association offered a reward of twenty-five censorship will be counterproductive? thousand dollars to anyone who could uncover a 'snuff' film. FRIEDMAN: I'm concerned not only about the suppres- Well that finally died out. Gauer vanished into the woodwork, sion of adult-oriented material; I think there's a direct but they collected a lot of money. As I said, Keating turned correlation with the abortion issue and other issues of privacy up in Phoenix as head of Lincoln Savings and Loan, which and the right of free choice. It is an overall thrust and I took the life savings of a lot of people. He came out, though, do not understand why government thinks this is so important, looking like Mr. Clean, because of this smoke screen he'd or where they think their votes are going to come from. set up: "I will rid our blessed nation of these dirty sex kings." FI: Why do you think the government is more worried In the meantime, he is really doing some damage. And that's about sex than violence in films? what goes in the United States today. •

10 FREE INQUIRY Keating's Subcommittee testimony con- tinues:

Obscenity as Destiny We [the CDL] get a lot of mail indicating people who have picked these nudist magazines up and find them filled with semen when boys masturbate on the pictures, and so forth. Nothing else could be expected. In these days, speaking of masturbation, when you run into that Frank Johnson problem, I just mention it casually and take for granted that most people think Detractors might suggest that Keating Charlharleses H. Keating Jr., the Arizona that it is a very bad thing and very behind the Lincoln Savings was not a polished thinker at this point and, dangerous. and Loan scandal, has known anxious times indeed, by the time the CDL went nation- before. wide in 1962, it had developed a corps of Around this time, Keating was beginning Born in 1923 of a prominent Cincinnati slick anti-porno promo men. to have financial intrigues of a very personal family, he attended the University of The organization headquartered for a nature. He had become involved with Carl Cincinnati, graduating with a law degree in while in Los Angeles, and became famous H. Lindner, a multimillionaire takeover 1948. Extremely tall and lean, he became for its eloquent right-wing angst. artist in Cincinnati. Keating was made an Olympic swimmer, and appeared destined Raymond P. Gauer, Executive Director executive vice-president of Lindner's Amer- for the safest of midwestern pursuits. of the CDL at that time, appeared on the ican Financial Corporation; Lindner became Somewhere along the line, he developed Manion Forum, a John Birch Society radio a member of the Board of Governors of the an interest—there are those who would call program out of Indiana. CDL speakers Citizens for Decency through Law; eventu- it a messianic infatuation—regarding the quickly became the darlings of Birchite get- ally, Keating's son, Charles H. III, became role of pornography in modern society. He togethers, notably the New England Rally executive vice-president of American Finan- formed a law firm—Keating, Muething and for God, Family and Country; they gave cial, while Lindner's son, Robert D., rose Klekamp—but his passion was with the rousing speeches in 1964, 1968, and 1969. to the Board of Governors of the CDL. prosecution, and his target was specialized. The National Spokesman for the CDL, It may be assumed that here, in the He put his money, and his golden-boy Robert K. Doman, was elected a congres- smokeless boardrooms of the wealthy and energy, into the obscenity question. sional representative in California. Things extremely decent, the art of junk bonds and In the mid-1950s, Keating became were looking sweet for the CDL, and there junk morality was transferred, or at least involved with the structuring of a number were mass mailings. had its seed. of censorship organizations, some glaringly Keating went deep into money and The Securities and Exchange Commis- Catholic, such as the Legion of Decency and obscenity in the late 1970s, and some would sion closed in, with charges of using the Parish Decency Committee, and some suggest he never quite surfaced. The CDL company funds for personal benefit, includ- that purported to be nonsectarian, like the was barging forward, fighting risque tele- ing loans to Keating's family and friends. National Organization for Decent Litera- vision, magazines, and books and taking in Keating fought back. With regard to ture. In 1957, with the eventual financial large amounts of money, often from elderly American Financial, he agreed to a consent backing of Reader's Digest magazine, people rightfully disturbed by the sexual order not to further violate securities laws. Keating launched the Citizens for Decent schizophrenia surrounding them. But pieces He did not admit or deny guilt. He hired Literature, which soon changed its name to were beginning to splinter. The Citizens a new fundraiser for the CDL, and this Citizens for Decency through Law (CDL). for Decency through Law, and Charles cooled matters for him in the hanging states. He was no longer an outlaw. By the early 1960s, Keating was offering Keating himself, ran into difficulty with the He was once again given the public quirky testimony to the House Subcommit- real law. platform in 1970 when he was appointed to tee on Postal Operations: In Pennsylvania, the Director of the Commission on Charitable Solicitations said the Nixon Commission on Obscenity and Pornography, which took as a whole a [Pornography] causes premarital inter- the CDL exceeded the limit (35 percent) that course, perversion, masturbation in boys, a so-called charitable group could legally tolerant attitude toward free speech. Keating wantonness in girls.... Attention is given spend on fund-raising (the CDL tipped the offered a dissenting view: "I submit that if to sensationalists such as Kinsey and scale at 90 percent). North Carolina refused pornography does not affect a person, that Eberhard ... who, finding fellow travelers person has a problem." in erstwhile respectable media, manage to to grant the CDL permission to carry on disseminate, directly and indirectly, their its mail solicitation campaign because 86.1 absurd and dirty bleatings and pagan percent of the funds the organization lderly people have recently been testi- ideas. It seems strange to me that we reported receiving in one year went into Efying before a different commission. credit—I should say that our mass media administrative and solicitation costs; the Their futures are suddenly uncertain, credit—the unestablished generalities of a New York State Attorney General charged because of Mr. Keating. Their hands tremble few so-called experts, but ignore the now and then. Their speech falters. Yet they overwhelming testimony of the true the CDL with committing nearly $1.5 million experts like J. Edgar Hoover. in expected receipts to a professional fund- are the clearest of poets, because they know raising concern. The State of Florida took the truth like a knife in the back. action to deny the group an application to Charles H. Keating Jr. seems to have successfully accomplished what he set out Frank Johnson is a writer living in Tenants raise funds after it submitted an application to do in the 1950s. He has single-handedly Harbor, Maine. that, according to a state enforcement • official, contained misleading information. redefined the meaning of obscenity.

Fall 1990 11 Christian Activism Intensifies as 2001 Approaches

Skipp Porteous

he year is 2001. Half the population has favorite national minister in a World Home American Christians, they are in the fourth Tbeen converted to faith in Jesus Christ, Bible League survey. His thirty-minute radio year of a ten-year plan to establish the and the Christian church rules the world. broadcast is aired three thousand times a "Biblical World View of Law, Government, Though this seems implausible, more week! Economics, Business, Education, Arts and than two hundred Christian missionary "Focus on the Family" is quietly but Communication, Medicine, Psychology and organizations are scheming to bring it effectively organizing state political blocs to Counseling, Science and Technology, Chris- about—as a birthday present for Jesus. The coalesce dozens of Christian special-interest tian Unity, and Social and Political Moral battle lines are being drawn for the conflict groups. The coalitions include anti-abortion Issues." of the century. groups; pro-censorship organizations; Members of the coalition made "a Militancy has become a prevalent theme prayer in school, school missionary, and covenant with God and with each other to in Christian conferences. A "Take It by "creation science" advocates; anti-gay rights live in obedience to the Bible until they die." Force" conference was held recently in activists; political activists; and born-again They aim to make the world conform to Phoenix by the "Forceful Men" organiza- candidates. biblical standards, "rather than continuing tion. The crowd of 16,500 was admonished To date, "Focus on the Family" has to allow the world to conform the church to "invade, conquer, and possess the land" organized in twenty states. Dobson intends to its standards." through Christian activism. to establish "well-functioning, highly mot- Other radical and powerful Christian In Tulsa, believers were told to "be bold, ivated activist groups across the land." He activist groups have pulled out all the stops full of authority—militant," at the "Militant has said, "Once coalitions are in place, our as they steam ahead. Campus Crusade for Church Conference." And, in Orlando, the state legislators will discover they can no Christ will conduct massive evangelistic "Mighty Warriors Conference" was pres- longer write off the concerns of conservative training seminars in which Christians ented at the Orlando Christian Center, near Christian families." worldwide will be linked together through Walt Disney World. "Focus on the Family" provided Jack satellites and earth stations. Almost a hundred cities across America Thompson, a born-again Miami attorney, The National Association of Christian now have Christian television stations. with the materials he's used in his campaign Educators has targeted 15,700 school boards Christian radio stations have increased to against Luther Campbell of the rap group for take-over. Already, they boast of several 1,485. According to the National Religious 2 Live Crew. Campbell is the first recording victories. Broadcasters, religious broadcasting is still artist in history to have his music ruled The Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal a $2 billion a year industry. obscene by a federal court. He and some denomination with thirteen million adher- Evangelical and fundamentalist churches members of his group were arrested in Miami ents, intends to "plant" five thousand new continue to grow at a rapid pace, while after a live performance of the group's Pentecostal churches in the United States liberal churches decline. Money continues album. by the year 2000. Additionally, the Reverend to pour into fundamentalist organizations. Televangelist Pat Robertson's new organ- Jerry Falwell is sending graduates of his Born-again Christian activism has not ization, the Christian Coalition, replaces the Liberty University—with an enrollment of realized its political potential because of the defunct Moral Majority and Freedom almost nine thousand—to establish five divisiveness among its factions. Determined Council. The Christian Coalition, too, is thousand new Falwellian churches. efforts are underway to bring the various setting up organizations in every state. According to Gallup, there are sixty groups and leaders together; significant steps Ralph Reed, the coalition's executive million born-again Christians in the United in this direction have already been set in director, said: States, who believe that we are in the "last motion. days" and that history as we know it will "Focus on the Family," a ministry The Christian community got it backwards end in our lifetime. founded by the Christian psychologist James in the 1980s. We tried to charge Washing- So-called Bible prophecy plays a major ton when we should have been focusing part in neo-Christian activism. Christian Dobson, has revenues of $60 million a year, on the states. The real battles of concern and employs seven hundred at its California to Christians are in neighborhoods, school leaders claim that America is the last hope headquarters. Dobson was listed as the boards, city councils, and state for the world; God will use America as a legislatures. missionary base to reach the world. They Skipp Porteous is the editor and publisher also proclaim that Jesus wants to come back of the Freedom Writer, a national newsletter Another group, the Coalition on Revival to a church that is strong, pure, militant— that defends the separation of church and (COR) has labored with little or no publicity. and in control. state, and of Walk Away, a support news- Its members, 112 national Christian leaders, The only hope for secularists is to letter for ex fundamentalists. are a virtual Who's Who of the religious vigorously defend the separation of church right. As the representatives of millions of and state against this onslaught. •

12 FREE INQUIRY What Is "Political Extremism's

Laird Wilcox

If it's a despot you would dethrone, see first that his throne of dogmatic thinking, prejudgment, and authoritarianism, has erected within you is destroyed. this to say about it: —Kahlil Gibran, 1923 To study the organization of belief systems, we find it necessary oger Scruton, in the Dictionary of Political Thought to concern ourselves with the structure rather than content defines "extremism" as: of beliefs. The relative openness or closedness of a mind cuts across specific content; that is, it is not uniquely restricted R to any particular ideology, or religion, or philosophy, or scientific viewpoint. A person may adhere to communism, 1. Taking a political idea to its limits, regardless of existentialism, Freudianism, or the "new conservatism" in a unfortunate repercussions, impracticalities, arguments, and relatively open or relatively closed manner. Thus, a basic feelings to the contrary, and with the intention not only requirement is that the concepts to be employed in the to confront, but to eliminate opposition. description of belief systems must not be tied to a particular 2. Intolerance toward all views other than one's own. belief system; they must be constructed to apply equally to 3. Adoption of means to political ends which show disregard all belief systems. for the life, liberty, and human rights of others. Rokeach goes on to say "authoritarianism and intolerance This definition basically reflects my own experience, that in belief and interpersonal relations are surely not a monopoly extremism is more an issue of style than of content. In the of Fascists, Anti-Semites, Ku Klux Klanners, or conserva- twenty-five years that I have been investigating political groups tives." I agree, and would add that the same behaviors merely of the left and right, I have found that most people can hold take different forms and utilize different vocabulary on the radical or unorthodox views and still entertain them in a more "left" side of the political spectrum. The essential characteristics or less reasonable, rational, and nondogmatic manner. On remain quite similar. The choice of adjectives used to describe the other hand, I have met people whose views were fairly the behavior in question often derives far more from the biases close to the political mainstream but were presented in a shrill, and interests of the observer than from the objective facts uncompromising, bullying, and distinctly authoritarian of the situation. Daniel Bell, the eminent sociologist and author manner. The latter demonstrated a starkly extremist mentality of The Radical Right, tends to support this view. He says, while the former demonstrated only ideological unorthodoxy, "The way you hold beliefs is more important than what you which is hardly to be feared in a relatively free society such hold. If somebody's been a rigid Communist, he becomes as ours. a rigid anti-Communist—the rigidity being constant." This view of extremism, which may seem novel to many In my opinion, most strident opponents of right-wing or people since in today's climate the term is usually used as left-wing "extremism" exhibit significant ideological bias, and an epithet, is held by many writers and authorities, especially many are actually representatives of the opposing extreme. those who approach the issue from a relatively even-handed The fact that an extremist hates and agitates against other and nonideological point of view. Milton Rokeach, whose extremists doesn't mitigate his or her own character in this book The Open and Closed Mind is a classic in the field regard. In fact, opposing extremists often form a vague bond or symbolic relationship with one another, each justifying the others' existence. Laird Wilcox is founder of In focusing on the style rather than the content of a belief the Wilcox Collection on system, I don't mean to imply that content is entirely irrelevant. Contemporary Political People who tend to adopt the extremist style most often Movements in the Spencer champion causes and adopt ideologies that are essentially Library at the University of "fringe" positions. But mere advocacy of "fringe" positions Kansas. He publishes a series gives our society the variety and vitality it needs to function of research guides on the as an open democracy, to discuss and debate all aspects of American Left, the Ameri- an issue, and to deal with problems that otherwise have been can Right, and the American ignored. The extremist style is another issue altogether, Occult. however, in that it hampers our understanding of important issues, it muddies the waters of discourse with invective,

Fall 1990 13 defamation, self-righteousness, fanaticism, and hatred, and it expressed in these terms, including a polemical style that is impairs our ability to make intelligent, well-informed choices. fairly easy to identify. Another point is that the extremist style is not only found 1. Character assassination. Extremists often attack the at the fringes of the political or religious spectrum, but character of an opponent rather than deal with the facts or sometimes in the "middle" as well. An individual who is issues raised. They will question motives, qualifications, past uncompromisingly and intolerantly "centrist" may be far more associations, alleged values, personality, looks, mental health, dogmatic and prejudiced than someone who adopts more and so on as a diversion from the issues under consideration. radical views but does so in a open and tolerant manner. Some of these matters are not entirely irrelevant, but they Consequently, a guarded middle-of-the-road position doesn't should not serve to avoid the real issues. Extremists object necessarily provide a solution to extremism, and in some cases strenuously when this is done to them, of course! can only serve as a mask to conceal it. In fact, it could be 2. Name calling and labeling. Extremists are quick to resort argued that those beliefs that are accorded legitimacy by to epithets (racist, subversive, pervert, hatemonger, nut, consensus, which is to say that everyone unthinkingly accepts crackpot, degenerate, un-American, anti-semite, red, commie, them, may even be more prone to appear on the extremist nazi, kook, fink, liar, bigot, and so on) to label and condemn agenda and more difficult to challenge or effectively debate. opponents in order to divert attention from their arguments When the word "extremist" is used as an epithet it usually and to discourage others from hearing them out. These epithets represents points of view with which we disagree, advocated don't have to be proved to be effective; the mere fact that by someone we dislike (but usually don't know) and whose they have been said is often enough. interests are contrary to our own. Political ideologues and 3. Irresponsible sweeping generalizations. Extremists tend special interests often attempt definitions of "extremism" that to make sweeping claims or judgments on little or no evidence, specifically condemn the views of their critics and opponents and they have a tendency to confuse similarity with sameness. while leaving their own equally strident and intolerant behavior That is, they assume that because two (or more) things, events, untouched. In the debate over abortion, for example, one or persons are alike in some respects, they must be alike in side or the other will condemn opponents as "extremists" while most respects. The sloppy use of analogy is a treacherous describing themselves as valiant defenders of human life or form of logic and has a high potential for false conclusions. champions of freedom. In fact, bona fide extremist elements 4. Inadequate proof for assertions. Extremists tend to be exist on both sides of this controversy, as do relatively calm, very fuzzy about what constitutes proof, and they also tend fairminded, honest, even-handed, and rational advocates. It to get caught up in logical fallacies, such as post hoc ergo is not the position they take, but how they take it that matters. propter hoc (assuming that a prior event explains a subsequent It has been said that "whoever defines the terms wins the occurrance simply because of their before-and-after relation- argument." The use of loaded terms and selective vocabulary ship). They tend to project wished-for conclusions and to that are biased toward certain forms of authoritarianism, exaggerate the significance of information that confirms their bigotry, and prejudice but not others, is another example of beliefs while derogating or ignoring information that the pervasive double standards one encounters in this area. contradicts them. They tend to be motivated by feelings more than facts, by what they want to exist rather than what actually The traits of "extremists" does exist. Extremists do a lot of wishful and fearful thinking. 5. Advocacy of double standards. Extremists generally tend Robert F. Kennedy wrote: to judge themselves or their interest group in terms of their intentions, which they tend to view generously, and others What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists by their acts, which they tend to view very critically. They is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. would like you to accept their assertions on faith, but they The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what demand proof for yours. They tend to engage in special they say about their opponents. pleading on behalf of themselves or their interests, usually because of some alleged special status, past circumstances, In analyzing the rhetoric and propaganda of several or present disadvantage. hundred militant "fringe" political and social groups across 6. Tendency to view their opponents and critics as the political spectrum, I have identified a number of specific essentially evil. To the extremist, opponents hold opposing traits or behaviors that tend to represent the extremist "style." positions because they are bad people, immoral, dishonest, Other writers have delineated various extremist traits and unscrupulous, mean-spirited, hateful, cruel, or whatever, not where their criteria have been objective I have included them. merely because they simply disagree, see the matter differently, I am especially indebted to professors John George and have competing interests, or are perhaps even mistaken. Gordon Hall for their suggestions. Please let me caution you 7. Manichaean worldview. Extremists have a tendency to with the admonition, that we are all fallible human beings see the world in terms of absolutes of good and evil, for and anyone, without bad intentions, may resort to some of them or against them, with no middle ground or intermediate these behaviors from time to time. With bona fide extremists, positions. All issues are ultimately moral issues of right and however, these lapses are not occasional. Rather, they are wrong, with the "right" position coinciding with their interests. a habitual and strongly established part of their repertoire, Their slogan is often "those who are not with me are against so much so that in some cases their entire belief system is me."

14 FREE INQUIRY 8. Advocacy of some degree of censorship or repression tive" enough to challenge these claims. of their opponents and/or critics. This may include a very 13. Doomsday thinking. Extremists often predict dire or active campaign to keep opponents from media access and catastrophic consequences from a situation or from failure a public hearing, as in the case of blacklisting, banning, or to follow a specific course, and they tend to exhibit a kind "quarantining" dissident spokespersons. They may actually of "crisis-mindedness." It can be a Communist takeover, a lobby for legislation against speaking, writing, teaching, or Nazi revival, nuclear war, earthquakes, floods, or the wrath instructing "subversive" or forbidden information or opinions. of God. Whatever it is, it's just around the corner unless we They may even attempt to keep offending books out of stores follow their program and listen to the special insight and or off of library shelves, discourage advertising with threats wisdom, to which only the truly enlightened have access. For of reprisals, and keep spokespersons for "offensive" views off extremists, any setback or defeat is the "beginning of the end!" the airwaves or certain columnists out of newspapers. In each 14. Belief that it's okay to do bad things in the service example the goal is some kind of information control. of a `good" cause. Extremists may deliberately lie, distort, Extremists would prefer that you listen only to them. They misquote, slander, defame, or libel their opponents and/ or feel threatened when someone talks back or challenges their critics, engage in censorship or repression, or undertake views. violence in "special cases." This is done with little or no remorse 9. Tend to identify themselves in terms of who their enemies as long as it's in the service of defeating the Communists are: whom they hate and who hates them. Accordingly, or Fascists or whomever. Defeating an "enemy" becomes an extremists may become emotionally bound to their opponents, all-encompassing goal to which other values are subordinate. who are often competing extremists themselves. Because they With extremists, the end justifies the means. tend to view their enemies as evil and powerful, they tend, 15. Emphasis on emotional responses and, correspond- perhaps subconsciously, to emulate them, adopting the same ingly, less importance attached to reasoning and logical tactics to a certain degree. For example, anti-Communist and analysis. Extremists have an unspoken reverence for anti-Nazi groups often behave surprisingly like their propaganda, which they may call "education" or opponents. Anti-Klan rallies often take on much of the "consciousness-raising." Symbolism plays an exaggerated role character of the stereotype of Klan rallies themselves, including in their thinking, and they tend to think imprecisely and the orgy of emotion, bullying, screaming epithets, and even metaphorically. Harold D. Lasswell, in his book Psychopa- acts of violence. To behave the opposite of someone is to thology and Politics, says, "The essential mark of the agitator actually surrender your will to them, and "opposites" are often is the high value he places on the emotional response of the more like mirror images that, although they have "left" and public." Effective extremists tend to be effective propagandists. "right" reversed, look and behave amazingly alike. 10. Tendency toward argument by intimidation. Extremists Free Inquiry tend to frame their arguments in such a way as to intimidate others into accepting their premises and conclusions. To a quarterly disagree with them is to "ally oneself with the devil," or to give aid and comfort to the enemy. They use a lot of moralizing devoted to the ideals of and pontificating, and tend to be very judgmental. This shrill, secularism and freedom harsh rhetorical style allows them to keep their opponents and critics on the defensive, cuts off troublesome lines of We invite you to subscribe argument, and allows them to define the perimeters of debate. ❑ 1 year $22.50 11. Use of slogans, buzzwords, and thought-stopping ❑ 2 years $39.00 cliches. For many extremists shortcuts in thinking and in ❑ 3 years $54.00 reasoning matters out seem to be necessary in order to avoid Secular Humanist Bulletin or evade awareness of troublesome facts and compelling Subscription includes the counter-arguments. Extremists generally behave in ways that ❑ New ❑ Check or money reinforce their prejudices and alter their own consciousness ❑ Renew order enclosed in a manner that bolsters their false confidence and sense ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard of self-righteousness. Acct. # Exp. Date 12. Assumption of moral or other superiority over others. Most obvious would be claims of general racial or ethnic Name superiority—a master race, for example. Less obvious are (print clearly) claims of ennoblement because of alleged victimhood, a special Street relationship with God, membership in a special "elite" or City State Zip "class," and a kind of aloof "highminded" snobbishness that 0utside U.S. add $6.00 for surface mail, $12.00 for airmail. accrues because of the weightiness of their preoccupations, (U.S. funds on U.S. bank). their altruism, and their willingness to sacrifice themselves Box 5 to Buffalo, New York 14215-0005 (and others) to their cause. After all, who can bear to deal FREE INQUIRY, Tele: 716-834-2921 with common people when one is trying to save the world! Call TOLL-FREE 1-800-458-1366 outside New York State. Extremists can show great indignation when one is "insensi-

Fall 1990 15 Propaganda differs from education in that the former teaches it. I recall seeing right-wing extremists celebrate the one what to think, and the latter teaches one how to think. assassination of Martin Luther King and leftists agonizing 16. Hypersensitivity and vigilance. Extremists perceive because George Wallace survived an assassination attempt. hostile innuendo in even casual comments; imagine rejection In each instance their hatred was not only directed against and antagonism concealed in honest disagreement and dissent; ideas, but also against individual human beings. see "latent" subversion, anti-semitism, perversion, racism, 21. Extremists often feel that the system is no good unless disloyalty, and so on in innocent gestures and ambiguous they win. For example, if they lose an election, then it was behaviors. Although few extremists are clinically paranoid, "rigged." If public opinion turns against them, it was because many of them adopt a paranoid style with its attendant hostility of "brainwashing." If their followers become disillusioned, it's and distrust. because of "sabotage." The test of the rightness or wrongness 17. Use of supernatural rationale for beliefs and actions. of the system is how it impacts upon them. Some extremists, particularly those involved in "cults" or Thus, extremists tend to have these things in common: extreme religious movements, such as fundamentalist 1. They represent some attempt to distort reality for Christians, militant Zionist extremists, and members of themselves and others. Extremism tends to be "feeling- mystical and metaphysical organizations, claim some kind of based" rather than "evidence-based," although the supernatural rationale for their beliefs and actions, and that selective use of evidence may obscure that fact. their movement or cause is ordained by God. In this case, 2. They try to discourage critical examination of their stark extremism may become reframed in a "religious" context, beliefs by a variety of means, usually by false logic, which can have a legitimizing effect for some people. It's rhetorical trickery, or some kind of censorship, surprising how many people are reluctant to challenge repression, or intimidation. religiously motivated extremism because it represents 3. Extremism usually represents some attempt to act out "religious belief' or because of the sacred-cow status of some private personal grudges or to rationalize the pursuit religions in our culture. of special interests in the name of public welfare, 18. Problems tolerating ambiguity and uncertainty. Indeed, morality, duty, or social consciousness. Extremists often the ideologies and belief systems to which extremists tend have motives they themselves do not recognize. to attach themselves often represent grasping for certainty Human beings are imperfect and fallible. Even an honest, in an uncertain world, or an attempt to achieve absolute rational, and well-intentioned person may resort to some of security in an environment that is naturally unpredictable or these traits from time to time. Everyone has strong feelings perhaps populated by people with interests opposed to their about some issues and anyone can become excited and "blow own. Extremists exhibit a kind of risk-aversiveness that up" once in awhile. Most of us still retain our basic common compels them to engage in controlling and manipulative sense, good will, and sense of humor. My purpose is not behavior, both on a personal level and in a political context, to establish some impossible standard that almost no one can to protect themselves from the unforeseen and unknown. The meet, but simply to suggest a better direction. The difference more laws or "rules" there are that regulate the behavior of between bona fide extremists and others is that this general others—particular their "enemies"—the more secure extrem- kind of behavior is the extremists' normal and usual way ists feel. of relating their values and feelings, and they usually feel no 19. Inclination toward "groupthink." Extremists, their guilt or sense that anything is wrong when they behave this organizations, and their subcultures are prone to a kind of way. The extremist subculture rewards and reinforces these inward-looking group cohesiveness that leads to what Irving behaviors, while the society of thoughtful and fair-minded Janis discussed in his excellent book Victims of Groupthink. people discourages it. "Groupthink" involves a tendency to conform to group norms and to preserve solidarity and concurrence at the expense One final note of distorting members' observations of facts, conflicting evidence, and disquieting observations that would call into he truth of a proposition cannot be inferred merely from question the shared assumptions and beliefs of the group. Tthe manner in which arguments in its behalf are presented, Right-wingers (or left-wingers), for example, talk only with from the fact that its adherents may censor or harass their one another, read material that reflects their own views, and opponents, or because they practice any other behavior or can be almost phobic about the "propaganda" of the "other combination of behaviors suggested in this article. Ultimately, side." The result is a deterioration of reality-testing, rationality, the truth of any proposition or claim must rest upon the and moral judgment. With groupthink, shared illusions of evidence for it. Moreover, the intensity of a conviction has righteousness, superior morality, persecution, and so on nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not it is true. To remain intact, and those who challenge them are viewed with dismiss a proposition out of hand merely because it is skepticism and hostility. advocated by obvious extremists is to dismiss it ad hominem, 20. Tendency to personalize hostility. Extremists often wish that is, because of who advocates it. In point of fact, extremists for the personal bad fortune of their "enemies," and celebrate are sometimes correct. They often deal with the "hot" issues, when it occurs. When a critic or an adversary dies or has the controversial issues many people choose to avoid. Before a serious illness, a bad accident, or personal legal problems, you write people off as extremists, take a look at their evidence. extremists often rejoice and chortle about how they "deserved" It might be that they're actually on to something important. •

16 FREE INQUIRY Neutrality Between Religion and Irreligion: Is It Required? Is It Possible?

Ronald A. Lindsay

he Supreme Court in recent years has found itself justices on the Court—Blackmun, Brennan, Marshall, and sharply divided over the proper interpretation to be Stevens—is that such neutrality is required. Perhaps the Tgiven to the First Amendment's injunction that "Con- clearest articulation of this view came in the Alabama "silent gress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. prayer" case, Wallace v. Jaffree. In it, Justice Stevens, writing ..." Almost every significant establishment clause case in for himself and three other justices, stated that although at the 1980s was decided by a margin of one or two votes. one time many thought that the First Amendment "merely The decision in County of Allegheny v. ACLU, otherwise proscribed the preference of one Christian sect for another known as the creche/menorah case, rendered at the end of [and did] not require equal respect for the conscience of the the Court's term in 1989, is no exception to this pattern. Indeed, infidel, the atheist, or the adherent of a non-Christian faith the Court actually split three different ways, as Justices Black- such as Islam or Judaism ... the Court has unambiguously mun and O'Connor found the way the menorah was displayed concluded that individual freedom of conscience protected was acceptable, but that the creche display was unconstitu- by the First Amendment embraces the right to select any tional. Justices Stevens, Brennan, and Marshall concluded religious faith or none at all." Stevens then quoted approvingly both displays were unconstitutional, and Justices Kennedy, from prior Court decisions that held that the First Amendment White, Scalia, and Rehnquist concluded, as usual, that prohibits the government from imposing "requirements which "anything goes." However, more important than the specific aid all religions as against nonbelievers." issues resolved by the case were the theoretical justifications However, there is a contrary view that commands the votes the justices offered for their conclusions. From these it is of four other justices—White, Rehnquist, Scalia, and Kennedy. apparent that the Court is evenly—and hotly—divided over As Justice Kennedy's dissent in the creche/menorah case a fundamental question of First Amendment interpretation. indicates, these four justices believe that there is a need for The passion in this controversy is evidenced by some of the "substantial revision" in establishment clause doctrine, and forceful language in the Court's opinions. In arguing that there they are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to carry out this is a need for "substantial revision" of current First Amendment revision. doctrine, Justice Kennedy accused Justice Blackmun of The way in which these justices would like to revise the decision— engaging in an "Orwellian" rewriting of history, which led law is again illustrated by the Wallace v. Jaffree to Justice Blackmun's retort that Kennedy's accusations "could this time by the bitter dissent of Justice Rehnquist. Utilizing be said to be as offensive as they are absurd." a pseudo-scholarly approach, Rehnquist argued for his view What is the nub of this dispute? What is the issue that by purportedly tracing the evolution of the language of the First Amendment, from the time it was introduced by James appears to be dividing the justices into irreconcilable camps? Madison in the House of Representatives until its final Obviously, the issue is not whether there should be freedom approval by both houses of Congress. According to Rehnquist, of religion, since all parties to the debate at least give lip an examination of the legislative history of the First service to this principle. No, the issue is whether the First Amendment reveals that the framers of the Constitution merely Amendment not only prohibits the government from favoring intended "to stop the federal government from asserting a one particular religion over others, but also prohibits the preference for one religious denomination or sect over others," government from favoring religion in general. In other words, and did not mean to require "government to be strictly neutral the issue is whether the First Amendment requires the state between religion and irreligion." to be neutral between religion and irreligion. Who's right? Before answering that question, we should The view that is currently accepted by at least four of the remind ourselves of what is at stake here. If the views of Ronald A. Lindsay is an attorney in Washington, D.C. and Rehnquist and his cohorts prevail, and they may lack only a contributing editor of FREE INQUIRY. He is also an ad- one more vote to pass from the dissenting to the majority junct professor of philosophy at Georgetown University. This view, there will be a radical restructuring of church-state article is based on a speech Mr. Lindsay gave late last year, relations. Prayer in the schools? Why not? There is probably prior to the resignation of Justice Brennan from the Supreme some nondenominational prayer that can be devised that could Court. be said to show no preference for one religion over another. Enactment and enforcement of blasphemy laws? A blasphemy

Fall 1990 17 law that prohibited disparagement of any religion would be designed to require the government to be neutral between "nonpreferential" and therefore could pass muster under the believers and nonbelievers. Rehnquist version of the establishment clause. Of course, such From this positive and negative evidence, Rehnquist a law might be in conflict with another clause of the First concludes that those who proposed and adopted the First Amendment, the one prohibiting any law "abridging the Amendment were "definitely not concerned about whether freedom of speech," but the Rehnquist Court could find that the government might aid all religions evenhandedly," and an appropriately worded blasphemy law fits under the "fighting that there is not "the slightest indication" that they thought words" exception to the free speech clause. After all, we know the government had to be "absolutely neutral as between that the religious are often very upset by criticism of their religion and irreligion." beliefs, or even by criticism of religion in general. But an objective analysis of the evidence Rehnquist presents Undoubtedly, though, the most important and predictable reveals that it is ambiguous at best. Moreover, some of the consequence of this potential revision of establishment clause evidence he ignores, including versions of the amendment that doctrine would be in the area of public funding of religious were rejected in the Senate that would have allowed for institutions, in particular sectarian schools. The Catholic nonpreferential aid to religion, effectively disprove his thesis. church has long lusted after public support of its school system, Let us first examine Madison's proposal to insert the word and in the past decade it has been joined in this quest by "national" before the word "religion" in the language of the Protestant fundamentalists. Whether this support were to take amendment. To find the most likely explanation for this the form of direct grants to the schools, vouchers to parents, proposal we need to remind ourselves that the First or some other scheme to plunder the treasury, you can be Amendment, as originally proposed, adopted, and ratified, sure that public money would be flowing in some form or limited only the federal government, not the states. In fact, another to these religious indoctrination centers. As long as it was only about fifty years ago that the Supreme Court funding is offered to all religious schools, there is no violation first held that the establishment clause limited what the states on Rehnquist's interpretation of the establishment clause. could do. Some states maintained established churches after Naturally, this means that the nonreligious will be compelled the passage of the First Amendment; indeed, Massachusetts to support institutions that are inimical to their own beliefs. maintained its established church until the 1830s. Thus, the Given the important consequences of Rehnquist's view of most likely explanation of Madison's proposed addition of the establishment clause, we need to determine whether he the word "national" is that Madison, to allay some concerns has made a convincing case for his interpretation. He has about the effect of the amendment on state establishments, not. merely wanted to emphasize that the clause bound only the The evidence that Rehnquist presents in favor of his federal government. interpretation, what has been labeled the "nonpreferential" In any event, Madison's proposal was rejected by his fellow interpretation, is both positive and negative in nature. The members. Even if we acknowledge, as we should, Madison's positive evidence derives principally from some remarks James important role in the debate on the First Amendment, it is Madison made during the debate on the amendment in the intellectually reckless to argue for a particular interpretation House of Representatives. One of the representatives had of the amendment on the basis of modifying language that expressed the fear that the language then under consideration was considered and rejected. Thus, Madison's proposal to might prohibit the courts from hearing lawsuits that sought add the word "national" and the remarks he made in support to compel contributions to churches. A number of states had of that proposal do not show that the establishment clause an established church at this time or required their citizens allows for nonpreferential aid to religion. to contribute to some church. The proposed language under More important, Rehnquist virtually ignores the evolution consideration by the House at the time was: "No religion of the language of the amendment in the Senate and in the shall be established by law, nor shall the equal rights of House-Senate Conference Committee. It is true that the conscience be infringed." debates in the Senate and the Conference Committee were Madison responded to the representative's remarks by not recorded, so we do not know what was said in support stating that insertion of the word "national" before the word of or against any particular proposal during those debates, "religion" in the proposal under consideration would take care but we do know the proposals that were rejected. of his concerns. Madison then added that he thought the The House of Representatives sent to the Senate a draft amendment was designed to prevent one or more sects from of the establishment clause similar to the version ultimately obtaining "a pre-eminence" in the country as a whole and ratified: "Congress shall make no law establishing religion, establishing "a religion to which they would compel others or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, nor shall the rights to conform." of conscience be infringed." From this exchange, Rehnquist infers that it is "indispu- The first motion in the Senate clearly presented the "no table" that Madison viewed the amendment only as a means preference" position. The motion was to strike out "religion, "to prohibit the establishment of a national religion, and or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," and to insert, "one perhaps to prevent discrimination among sects." religious sect or society in preference to others." The motion With respect to the negative evidence, Rehnquist points passed. The proposal on the floor then read: "Congress shall out that nowhere in the records of the debate did Madison make no law establishing one religious sect or society in or anyone else specifically state that the amendment was preference to others, nor shall the rights of conscience be

18 FREE INQUIRY infringed." in some states was actually a crime. As a result, it probably If this proposal had ultimately carried the day, then never occurred to most of the framers to consider what the Rehnquist would have some substantial support for his thesis. effect of the amendment would be on the nonreligious. The proposed amendment merely limited Congress from However, if we accept that one of the underlying purposes "establishing one religious sect or society in preference to of the First Amendment was to eliminate the religious strife others." that had marred the history of Europe and of colonial America This proposal did not prevail. In a flip-flop unfortunately during the previous centuries—and the evidence is overwhelm- all too characteristic of legislative proceedings, the Senate first ing that this was one of the framers' purposes, if not their broadened the scope of the amendment considerably and then principal intent—it seems clear that today this underlying narrowed it almost beyond recognition. First it accepted a purpose cannot be effectively served by maintaining proposal that spoke of religion in general terms: "Congress government neutrality only among Christian sects. In a nation shall make no law establishing religion, or prohibiting the with as diverse a religious composition as ours has today, free exercise thereof." including a substantial number of atheists and agnostics, However, a week later, for reasons unknown to us, the religious conflict can be avoided only by maintaining neutrality Senate changed its mind and produced an extremely limited among all religions and between the religious and nonreligious. version of the amendment: "Congress shall make no law We have to apply the framers' underlying purpose to establishing articles of faith or a mode of worship, or contemporary circumstances. prohibiting the free exercise of religion." In short, the fact that none of the framers expressly dis- Fortunately for the history of this country, the House of cussed the effect of the First Amendment on the government's Representatives rejected this version and the Senate and House obligation to be neutral between religious and nonreligious formed a committee to resolve their differences. The version does not mean that the First Amendment should not be of the establishment clause that came out of that committee interpreted to protect the nonreligious any more than the fact was the one ultimately ratified: "Congress shall make no law that the framers did not discuss the effect of the Fourth respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free Amendment on wiretapping means that the government can exercise thereof." listen in on your phone conversations without a warrant. The language actually adopted is one of the broadest To conclude the first part of our discussion then, versions of the establishment clause considered by either government neutrality between religion and irreligion is House. Significantly, it forbids any law respecting an required. establishment of "religion"; that is, it is religion generally that may not be established, not merely "a religion" or "a national owever, some opponents of church-state separation have religion." Hquestioned whether neutrality between religion and In interpreting the Constitution, as is true in interpreting irreligion is really possible. They argue that any attempt to any legal document, we should focus on the final language exclude religious symbols, observances, or beliefs from the of the document, although the evolution of that language can schools or other public institutions necessarily favors atheism be instructive. Here we have seen that the House and Senate or secular humanism. Perhaps the most memorable example considered language narrower than the final version and of this type of argument came from Judge Brevard Hand rejected that language. One of the specific proposals that was in the notorious Alabama textbook case, Smith v. Board of rejected was a draft amendment that limited itself to forbidding Commissioners. Judge Hand, you will recall, found that in Congress from giving preference to one religion over others. the textbooks chosen by the Mobile County school system In other words, Rehnquist's interpretation of the First there were so many omissions about the positive contributions Amendment was explicitly considered and rejected. Therefore, of religion to American life that these books "conveyed an the only reasonable conclusion is that the First Amendment historical picture biased against theistic religions." These are must do more than merely require the government to be neutral some of the omissions that Judge Hand noted: among the various religions. Rehnquist's negative evidence for his thesis—that no House The religious significance of much of the history of the member described the amendment as a way to ensure Puritans is ignored. The Great Awakenings are generally not mentioned.... The religious influence on the abolitionist, government neutrality between the religious and the women's suffrage, temperance, modern civil rights, and peace nonreligious—similarly lends him little support. It is movements is ignored or diminished to insignificance. The undoubtedly true that the framers gave little thought to this role of religion in the lives of immigrants and minorities, problem, instead focusing on the need to prevent conflict especially southern blacks, is rarely mentioned. among the various Christian sects. That is because the country was much more religiously homogeneous than it is today. Moreover, Judge Hand concluded that because the positive There were very few Jews, Moslems, or members of other aspects of theistic religions were not discussed in these minority religions. With respect to atheists and agnostics, not textbooks, the nontheistic religion of secular humanism had only were there very few in number but they were usually been established by the school system. This conclusion inhibited from professing their beliefs openly. Not only did undoubtedly came as a shock to many, since Alabama had most states require citizens to be theists before they could never been thought of as a hotbed of religious skepticism. hold public office or testify in court, but professed atheism It is true that Judge Hand also thought he found positive

Fall 1990 19 weakness of the positive evidence he cited reveals that what of us who are thirty-five or older (somewhat younger if one he really was upset about was his inability to have his version grew up in the South) will have no trouble remembering the of Christian morals and history taught in the Alabama public evidence of this privileged position. Organized prayers were schools. For example, Judge Hand, in an earlier opinion in a matter of routine in public schools; indeed, many school the same proceeding, stated that that use of mild profanity systems went beyond this and even passed out religious tracts in a school literature textbook showed that secular humanism or held revivals on school property and school time. Textbooks was being taught as an established religion. Judge Hand's extolled the virtues of religion. The symbols of religious comments must be seen to be believed: holidays, both Christmas and Easter, were displayed on public property at public expense. Government meetings were opened [T]hough it might seem innocuous to some to condemn the and closed with prayer. use of the word "Goddamn" as it is used in the writings that The courts have put an end to some, but certainly not are required reading, it can clearly be argued that as to all, of this collaboration between church and state. In doing Christianity it is blasphemy and is the establishment or an so, the courts have upset many who assumed this was the advancement of humanism, secularism, or agnosticism. If the state cannot teach or advance Christianity, how can it teach proper way of doing things, the American way of doing things, or advance the Antichrist? and who did not see anything coercive, let alone unconsti- tutional, about such practices. Not unnaturally, they have Judge Hand's reasoning, is, to put it charitably, bizarre, interpreted the courts' actions as an attack on religion, when although humanists can console themselves with the thought in reality they were simply an attempt to put an end to the that, in Judge Hand's view, every time someone voices an privileged position that religion enjoyed. expletive, humanism is being advanced. Of course, if that were What about these specific examples that the opponents true then Nixon's Watergate tapes would constitute one of of neutrality cite as evidence of government favoring irreligion? the key sources of humanist thought! If we remove nativity scenes and crosses from public property, In the final analysis, what Judge Hand was really saying isn't the state promoting atheism? Poppycock. If a city hung was that if one does not teach Christianity, one is necessarily up big posters of noted skeptics—Hume, Russell, Ingersoll— teaching atheism or humanism. Recall that Judge Hand began in its courthouse, with some appropriate slogan such as "Glory his assault on the textbooks only after he was forced by the Be To Free Thought" on a nearby banner, that would be appellate courts to remove organized prayer from the public an endorsement of atheism. But that has never happened schools. Indeed, before the Supreme Court reversed him on anywhere in this country. If we forbid schools from having the issue of school prayer, Judge Hand candidly stated his organized prayers in the classroom, isn't the state promoting intentions: atheism? Rubbish. If students were forced to listen to readings from skeptics at the beginning of the school day, that would If this Court is compelled to purge [prayer] from the be an endorsement of atheism. But that has never happened classroom, then this Court must also purge from the classroom anywhere in this country. those things that serve to teach that salvation is through one's As shown by these examples, it is possible to be neutral self rather than through a deity. between religion and irreligion, and for the most part that is how schools and other public institutions have been What was implicit in Judge Hand's opinions has been made conducting themselves for the past couple of decades. Any explicit by a number of others. One of the theses in John violations of the neutrality principle have all been on the side Neuhaus' recent book, The Naked Public Square, is that in of religion. removing symbols of organized religion from public places I have saved for last discussion of Judge Hand's concerns the courts have shown a hostility toward religion and are regarding the history textbooks, because there is actually a establishing atheism as an official state doctrine. A number kernel of truth in his criticism. There probably is not enough of law-review articles have been written about the Supreme discussion of religion in history textbooks. There should be Court's supposed hostility toward religion. For example, in more. The whole story should be told. an articled entitled "The Myth of Religious Neutrality by By all means, there should be discussion of how the Pilgrims Separation in Education," one commentator argued that "[i]t and Puritans fled persecution—and how they immediately is ... impossible for individuals to be neutral on religious began persecuting dissenters here. Let us have discussion of matters, in the broad sense of the term religion." The author the Great Awakenings—and also of the witchcraft trials. There went on to argue that the exclusion of traditional religions were some religious influences on the abolitionist and civil from the public-school system necessarily has led to a privileged rights movements, but we would be negligent if we did not position for secular humanism. discuss the strong backing that the pro-slavery and segregationist forces received from the clergy. The role of hat is going on here? Do these arguments have any religion in the lives of immigrants and minorities should be Wvalidity? discussed, along with the essential role of religion in the lives What is going on here is whining: whining by individuals of Ku Klux Klan members. Yes, let us have ample discussion and groups who have been deprived of the truly privileged of religion in our textbooks, but let us hear the whole story. position they once enjoyed. For most of this country's history, Maybe then we can say our schools are truly neutral on the theism, in particular Christianity, has enjoyed favor. Those question of religion. •

20 FREE INQUIRY Fulfilling Feminist Ideals: A New Agenda

The feminist movement was begun and has been nourished by leading humanist women from Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, and Simone de Beauvoir. Humanism has always focused on the premise that all individuals are equal in dignity and value—and that women are entitled to equal opportunity to enter any field of endeavor without distinction, domination, or discrimination. Thus humanism and feminism are inextricably interwoven. The battle lines were drawn by earlier generations. We are beyond that now, but we still need a new agenda for the clarification and defense of women's rights.—ED. Feminism and Humanism

Joan Kennedy Taylor

any people assume that humanism and feminism scholars (Erasmus and Sir Thomas More come immediately are, in the main, contemporary movements, but to mind) whose works emphasized human life on this earth, in fact both have a long tradition in the history sparked by the rediscovery of classics that had been ignored of Western thought. The first humanists were Renaissance during the Middle Ages. Feminism has its roots in the Enlightenment, when a woman first asked the question: If Joan Kennedy Taylor is the national coordinator of the man is endowed with unalienable rights, why isn't woman? Association of Libertarian Feminists. Her most recent book, The Athenian philosophy and political science that were Back to Our Roots, will be published by Prometheus Books to provide the foundation for both the Renaissance and the in 1991. Enlightenment were developed in a society that had little respect for the people without rights who made it function—

Fall 1990 21 namely, women and slaves. Thinkers turned a blind eye to Schreiner at the turn of the century recapitulated Wollstone- the aspirations of these "others," and this tradition (with some craft's belief that if women are to bring up children they must exceptions) continued to inform Western society until the be fully educated in order to do so. Her contemporaries, like nineteenth century, when humanists and feminists alike began M. Carey Thomas, the first dean of Bryn Mawr college in to find such a blind eye intolerable. 1885, gave ringing defenses of higher education for women. Humanism and feminism both hold that reason, rather But androgynous education remained an issue to be defended than tradition or the pronouncements of organized religion, periodically. As recently as 1949, Simone de Beauvoir is and should be the guide to human conduct and the addressed herself extensively to in The Second Sex. organization of society. Although most of the challenges to Both the humanist and feminist traditions have identified religious orthodoxy have been in the name of humanism, and deplored restrictions of the freedom of the individual feminists too have made their challenges. An example is that have arisen from traditional stereotypes about human Elizabeth Cady Stanton, best known as an agitator for woman nature, whether legally or socially enshrined. Both have insisted suffrage. According to her biographer, Mary Ann B. Oakley, that the individual be allowed to establish relationships, join she was occupied during the last two decades of her life with associations, speak, listen, and learn—all the benefits that the attacking the bias against women promoted by organized great classical liberal thinkers intended for a society whose religion. In January 1885, when presiding over the convention limited government is based on rights and the pursuit of of the National Woman Suffrage Association, she supported individual happiness. Both humanists and feminists have heard a resolution calling on the Christian ministry to affirm that the siren call of socialism. men and women had no rights over one another, saying, "You A rational person plans, thinks ahead, has goals and may go all over the world, and you will find that every form purposes, analyzes problems. A rational person realizes that of religion which has breathed upon this earth has degraded individual action alone cannot solve all problems; some require women." The resolution was tabled, because of this argument cooperative effort. Taking it further, a rational person by Stanton's friend and colleague, Susan B. Anthony: "I found recognizes the need for specialization and the division of labor. long ago that this matter of settling any question of human Since all this is true, it seemed reasonable (particularly before rights by people's interpretation of the Bible is never experience forced us to look for a more sophisticated analysis) satisfactory. I hope we shall not go back to that war. No to postulate that the government could enlist the best minds two can ever interpret alike, and discussion upon it is wasted." to come up with solutions to really large problems and then When Elizabeth Cady Stanton became the first president use its clout to implement those solutions. of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in A man whose work particularly exemplifies this community 1888, her opening address not only spoke of the vote, but vision is John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), both a humanist and asked for equality in the churches and liberal divorce laws. an early feminist (The Subjection of Women is a classic on She attacked the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the subject). In his autobiography, Mill stated that he had saying, "As women are taking an active part in pressing on never had any religious assumptions, but reason led him from the consideration of Congress many narrow sectarian an exclusively laissez-faire framework to the thoughts that measures, such as more rigid Sunday laws (the stopping of he and his constant companion, Harriet Taylor, shared in travel and distribution of mail on that day), and the 1845 as he was writing his Principles of Political Economy. introduction of the name of God into the Constitution; and as this action on the part of some women is used as an argument We were now much less democrats than I had been, because for the disfranchisement of all, I hope this convention will so long as education continues to be so wretchedly imperfect, declare that the Woman Suffrage Association is opposed to we dreaded the ignorance and especially the selfishness and brutality of the mass: but our ideal of ultimate improvement all union of church and state, and pledges itself as far as went far beyond Democracy, and would class us decidedly possible to maintain the secular nature of our government." under the general designation of Socialists. While we Stanton even undertook, in 1886, the compiling of The repudiated with the greatest energy that tyranny of society Woman's Bible, a work that commented on all the passages over the individual which most Socialist systems are supposed of the Bible referring to women or excluding them specifically. to involve, we yet looked forward to a time when society will no longer be divided into the idle and the industrious; In November 1895 (shortly after her eightieth birthday), when the rule that they who do not work shall not eat, will Volume One was published; Volume Two appeared in 1898. be applied not to paupers only, but impartially to all; when It was a widely attacked because, as Oakley says, "to Elizabeth the division of the produce of labour instead of depending, Cady Stanton, the Bible was no more and no less than the as in so great a degree it now does, on the accident of birth, history and legends of a people as they searched for God." will be made by concert, on an acknowledged principle of justice; and when it will no longer either be, or be thought Another joint concern of humanists and feminists has been to be, impossible for human beings to exert themselves the education of women. Sir Thomas More felt strongly that strenuously in procuring benefits which are not to be women should be educated as men were, and Mary exclusively their own, but to be shared with the society they Wollstonecraft's 1792 book, A Vindication of the Rights of belong to. The social problem of the future we considered Woman (considered by many to be the start of the woman's to be, how to unite the greatest individual liberty of action, with a common ownership in the raw material of the globe, movement, and certainly the most readily available early text), and an equal participation of all in the benefits of combined was intended as a plea to the new French Republic to institute labour. We had not the presumption to suppose that we could such equal education. The South African feminist Olive already foresee, by what precise form of institutions these

22 FREE INQUIRY objects could most effectually be attained, or how near or at best. It included cooperative communities, and sometimes how distant a period they would become practicable. referred to any plan based on reason for the improvement of society. The problem, as I see it, with the Mill socialist He went on to say that of course such a society would vision, which I take to be a fair expression of the social require a "change of character" in both workers and employers, democratic vision generally, is not only that it shares this but he didn't see why that couldn't happen. general nineteenth-century fuzziness about how it may Today, more than 150 years after Mill wrote Principles properly be implemented, but that it is specifically lacking of Political Economy, the expected change of character hasn't in two areas, both of which have been addressed by F. A. occurred, and a number of governments have found grave Hayek. One is the issue of what sort of equality are we and problems in trying to distribute earnings "by concert, on an should we be talking about, when we speak of "all men" having acknowledged principle of justice." Mill himself would be been "created equal." Equality doesn't mean that you start horrified at the extent to which "tyranny over the individual" offf exactly the same, in the sense that there is an absolute has been extended in the name of principles similar to his. distribution of advantages. Beautiful children have an Socialist societies move inexorably away from humanism. advantage over ugly ones, but no one has yet suggested that The impersonal bureaucracies that they spawn, even when they be mutilated, and as Americans discovered with busing, they are democratic, as in pre-Thatcher England, result in a one-time seemingly equitable distribution of a good (such indifference to the individual. During the establishment of as integrated education) will quickly become redistributed the early British Health Care system, it instituted such measures according to individual wishes and opportunities in a society as posting in a London hospital that no patient over 65 who with any freedom. In his 1960 book, The Constitution of went into cardiac arrest was to be resuscitated, and lining Liberty, Hayek wrote, up surgical patients to be anesthetized en masse. Feminists have not been unmindful of how such an ideal From the fact that people are very different it follows that, of the sacrifice of the individual to the group impacts on if we treat them equally, the result must be inequality in their women. Betty Friedan, the American whose 1963 book, The actual position, and that the only way to place them in an equal position would be to treat them differently. Equality Feminine Mystique, is credited with having sparked the before the law and material equality are therefore not only contemporary feminist movement, gradually discovered that different but are in conflict with each other; and we can achieve Communists, in power or out, were not in favor of rights either the one or the other, but not both at the same time. for women. At the World Popular Conference in Bucharest in 1974, she wrote, "I saw a curious alliance of the Vatican, A great deal of the modern history of democratic socialism the Communists, and the Third World Nations (Latin America has been the unsuccessful attempt to avoid the inevitability and Arabs especially) oppose woman's right to control her of this conflict, because equality before the law was the first own body and equality for women as ... `irrelevant.' " On banner of the classical liberal revolution, which democratic a speaking tour of Italy in the 1970s she wrote, "The revolution socialists do not repudiate. I am talking about is not revolution, Italian style. In Italy, The other problem with Mill's vision is the existence of revolution still means `communism,' and the Italian the interaction of unintended effects that Adam Smith called Communist Party, the biggest in Europe, is taking almost the invisible hand of the market and Hayek posited as a more the same reactionary line about divorce and abortion as the general phenomenon he called "spontaneous order." If much Catholic Right-wing parties." of what we label "tradition" is in fact such an unplanned She found that attempts in the United States to organize but functioning system, then when broad social changes take broad-based coalitions of women were generally taken over place it will readjust into other arrangements that we have by radicals, who wanted to maneuver women as a bloc. not foreseen. Birth rates rise and fall, young people seek or "[W]hat I didn't then understand," she wrote in It Changed reject formal education, families cling together or disintegrate My Life: Writings on the Women's Movement, "was the degree in patterns that only become apparent (if at all) some time to which our own political mobilization of women was after the fact. This is part of the dynamics of society when threatening to forces on the Left." When she went to interview spontaneous change occurs, such as changes in the social Simone de Beauvoir in France, she could no longer accept acceptibility of divorce or homosexuality or sex partners living Beauvoir's ideas: "I recognized the authoritarian overtones together outside of marriage, or of enthusiasms of religious of the supposedly Maoist party line I'd heard from sophomoric, belief or disbelief. Perhaps, like the cascading of waters that self-styled radical feminists in America." have been dammed up, it is even more of an upheaval when Finally, at the International Women's Year Conference in laws that have violated individual rights are repealed: no one Mexico City, she realized that the women's movement and predicted the number of abortions that would be performed feminism threaten Communists, who can't control them. "But after Roe v. Wade; certainly no one could have foretold the in Mexico," she wrote, "I suddenly had the insight that the social upheavals that followed the freeing of slaves when the women's movement itself was based on the values of American Thirteenth Amendment was finally passed. democracy—the belief in individual dignity and freedom, This fact of spontaneous systems occurring in response equality and self-fulfillment, and self-determination, as well both to other unplanned events and to government programs as the freedom to dissent and organize." is anathema to social planners. Planners have to assume that Socialism in the nineteenth century was a fuzzy concept a knowledge of past trends will predict future ones, and this

Fall 1990 23 is being shown to be dramatically untrue every day. If we take a mechanistic view of planning and predict that with large enough computer files and complete enough blueprints we can know enough to control the outcomes of a Humanist Heretic: socioeconomic system, we now understand that we are courting Priscilla Smith Robertson (1910-1989) failure. Reason, which led us to consider socialism, is showing us its fallacies. Even the socialists now know that central eautiful, intellectual, profound, witty, a consummate planning doesn't work. Beditor and writer: That was Priscilla Smith Robert- So how do we approach the valuable part of Mill's vision? son, who died of a stroke in Louisville, Kentucky, on How do we create a society in which men and women are November 26, 1989, at the age of 79. truly partners, and women are free to create their own destinies If accused of being a historian, humanist, heretic, she in the same way and to the same extent that men are? would gladly admit to all three. The only child of historian There's no substitute for doing it personally. The days of Preserved Smith (1880-1941), Priscilla was born in Paris the simple visions, when we thought that the right people but grew up in upstate New York. When her Revolutions in power could write utopia into the laws of the land, are of 1848 was published in 1952, Crane Brinton in The gone. In "Humanism and Altruism" (FI, Fall 1989), Tim New York Times found it "in the best tradition of what, Madigan reports that some readers have questioned the in a word perhaps significantly beginning to be wording of the fourteenth principle of the "Affirmations of overworked, we must call humanism." In her later An Humanism" on the back cover of the magazine, and asks Experience of Women (1982), about the "new woman" for reactions to the question, "Should humanists be altruistic?" on the eve of the twentieth century, she stressed the cross- The principle begins, "We believe in the common moral cultural relationships of female life in nineteenth century decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, respon- Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. sibility." But "altruism" is ambiguous here. It is often used In 1934, Priscilla Smith married Cary Robertson, who as a synonym for "generosity" or "benevolence"; it also has was to become the longtime Sunday editor of the Louisville an opposite philosophical meaning of putting the welfare of Courier-Journal. They had three children—Charlotte, others ahead of ones own, or sacrificing oneself for others. Cary Jr., and Henry—and two grandchildren. Cary died Are we invoking benevolence, saying that we care for other in 1975. human beings and confidently hope that we can create a better After a stint as a junior-high-school teacher, Priscilla world together? Or do we hold that, if necessary, we will became an assistant literary editor at her husband's sacrifice some individuals (ourselves) for the good of others, newspaper. She also wrote articles for Harper's and because it is the only moral thing to do? American Scholar. She was an active member of the The first statement is compatible with libertarianism and American Friends Service Committee, and chaired the the mainstreams of humanism and feminism. The second Kentucky Civil Liberties Union during a particularly statement has been used to justify an inferior legal status for active time for civil-rights cases. women, as well as all socialism enforced by the state, whether In 1956, Priscilla became editor of the Humanist, it be democratically installed or tyrannically enforced. published by the American Humanist Association (AHA). As a feminist and humanist, I would hold that we must She envisioned the magazine as a focal point for reporting always begin with what Mill calls "the internal culture of the the latest developments in contemporary humanistic individual." From that, all societal good will arise; without philosophy. Top scholars in many fields were drawn by it, nothing lasting can be accomplished. The sum total of her magnetism and scholarly professionalism. individual choices is what makes social change. The individual In 1959, complaining to the AHA's board of directors is the one who must question any destructive assumptions that she had been censored and that she did not have of society, and is the only one who can keep from internalizing their support on a matter of editorial rights, she assembled them to his or her detriment. Consciousness-raising, fictional the editors for a weekend confab at Vassar, where the role models, real-life role models who speak out, androgynous entire staff agreed with her and resigned en masse. education, as well as free discussion, separation of church How Priscilla enjoyed students! While a Radcliffe and state, and academic freedom—if it is the internal culture Fellow, 1966-1968, she taught at Harvard. She lectured of the individual that counts, then these activities must be in history at Indiana University in Bloomington and other kept alive. Because other changes are meaningless without colleges. And how she loved children! Just a month before them, particularly in an age gone mad with what is considered her death she mentioned how pleased she was that she to be democratic ideals, when people vote or are polled on had two grandchildren "who can be supposed to carry everything, from flag-burning to trade sanctions. on the genetic heritage." What she undoubtedly meant Individual change has already changed society, and will was that she hoped one day they, too, would be historians do more. Some years ago, Gloria Steinern was asked on a of sorts, humanists with a small "h," and intellectual television talk-show what feminists wanted. And, clearly heretics. envisioning an open society with room for everyone, she answered, "Oh, we want the whole bag. We want humanism." —Warren Allen Smith I don't have anything to add to that. •

24 FREE INQUIRY New Hope for Women (And Anyone Else Who's "Man Enough" to Handle It)

Elizabeth R. Johnson

any women who today embrace humanism were phenomena. As a result, they assigned mystical, magical, and born into a cultural environment dictated by rigid ultimately divine interpretations to them. Hostile and punitive Mand stern religious dogma. The traditions that supernatural beings were responsible for earthquakes, floods, evolved from such dogma were equally rigid and stern, and droughts, swarming insects, pestilence, and death. How else escaping these stultifying traditions has, for some of us, been could people explain these threats to their well-being? fraught with frustration, widespread opposition, and To believe that our ancestors were capable of more resistance. Something within us wouldn't let us give up, reasonable and more civilized explanations and behavior is however, and during our struggle against discriminating and to believe they could transcend their own time. Nevertheless oppressive taboos, we became painfully cognizant of a ancient people unwittingly created a condition of havoc for sociological oddity: People attempting to enhance their own the human race and embarked it on a course of self-destruction. lot may indeed undergo change, but they do not necessarily Ensuing generations have compounded and aggrandized these improve. Clearly, such women didn't proceed directly from early errors, contributing beyond measure to the confusion theism to humanism in one breathless leap. How pretentious of a topsy-turvy world in which fiction became "fact," it would be to think so. Likewise, it would be false to claim falsehood became "truth," and blind faith became more we knew exactly what we wanted and where we wanted to precious than either. go. Who can say we were never lured by supernatural propa- A majority of people today continue to revere—with ganda? More often than not, we played into history's hands. varying degrees of credence—these tales of supernatural We acknowledged opposites and chose between them. And beings, handed down to them by their preliterate and the dichotomy with which we were confronted was not always prescientific forebears. However, giving credence to myths, between good and evil but, more frequently, between assumed superstitions, and other fantastic pretenses is almost incompre- good and assumed evil. hensible in our age of expanding knowledge and scientific Human beings have, since civilization began, created myths, discovery. Ignorance not only impedes progress, but accounts for much of the widespread chaos, violence, and suffering folklore, and superstitions. From these pseudorealities our so prevalent in the world today. forebears manufactured a panoply of goddesses, gods, angels, We have been a bit thick-headed, we humans. Rather than and other invisible—but divine—accoutrements. These primi- learning from history not to repeat the same mistakes, we tive inventions were thought to protect those who believed have used it as a guide and have been thus inspired to promote in them from a hostile world. But these products of human the mistakes of our forebears, determined to prove that imagination, as real to the credulous masses as reality itself, although primitive ideologies never served our ancestors well, have been the source of great quandary for humankind, re- they would nonetheless be our salvation. Inherent in human quiring people to worship unmerciful, deceitful, and treacher- nature, however, is the need to change rather than stagnate; ous gods and, at the same time, to pray to them for mercy, to improve, grow, and enrich our lives through inquiry and love, and guidance. Through the ages, people have believed discovery rather than to live by ancient dictates. Each and cherished their myths, worshiped and feared their generation, in its own way, struggles toward maturity, strives ambivalent gods. to develop its own identity, and makes decisions by choosing Primitive peoples experienced natural phenomena, but between two alternatives: the acceptance or rejection of existing unlike modern peoples, they had little information at their mores dictated by dogma. disposal, and thus were unaware of the naturalness of such This polarized, double-standards caste system involves a number of distinguishing characteristics. One, which I refer Elizabeth R. Johnson is a writer who has just completed a to as the "Assumed Negative," typically involves the "have- feminist-humanist novel, Gospel Truth, and is currently at nots": the exploited, submissive, selfless female; the powerless work on a collection of short stories and a nonfiction book "little woman," minority, slave, or child; society's scapegoat. entitled Life in the Vicious Circle. The Assumed Negatives are, in any culture, victimized and discriminated against because of their "innate inferiority." They

Fall 1990 25 are the insignificant, dependent, and oppressed. In the eyes of the orthodox Assumed Positive. The values of the of patriarchal societies deluded by false dogma, the servile unorthodox Assumed Positive are indiscriminately anti- Assumed Negative is incompetent and of little social value. establishment. Here are the drug dealers and gang members, But at the same time, such a person is "by nature" depraved and, at the most extreme end of the spectrum, political and capable of the most dreadful sins against God and terrorists, heads of organized crime, totalitarian dictators, and humankind. (Eve's pilfering fruit from the Tree of Knowledge ruthless warmongers. is the most egregious example of such deviltry.) This person The Assumed Negative and Assumed Positive (both is such a threat to society that she must be controlled by orthodox and unorthodox, obedient and defiant) approaches those who are most aware of her evil ways, those who judge toward life's vital decisions still prevail. Many among us are her and condemn her to a meaningless and mindless state. still susceptible to one or the other of these modes of brain- The polar opposite of the Assumed Negative is typically washing. And so today, many women, confronted with free- the dominant, self-righteous, self-indulgent, "independent," dom of choice, still feel they must choose between the old orthodox, patriarchal male. Traditionally the "haves" of ways of fundamentalism and the "new" ways of "liberation." society, often they are driven by ambition, greed, conceit, Following the traditional course, woman is prey to man's and a chauvinistic craving for power. Many consider "superior knowledge" and dogma. She learns that he has rights; themselves more "deserving" and more privileged than others. she has duties. His needs are important; hers aren't. She Free enterprise, law making, law enforcement, and preaching complies with his distortions of truth, his outright lies, his the gospel are a few of the areas controlled by this group. unreasonable expectations, and his unjust laws. The message Actually, however, the opposite of an Assumed Negative for her is, "Shut up and do as you're told—and, for God's is not a positive but an Assumed Positive. Few things are sake, put a smile on your face!" And, incredible though it more negative, self-defeating, tragic, or dangerous than an may seem, she manages to do just that! She appears satisfied Assumed Positive. Nevertheless, in their distorted world, the with this annihilation of her spirit, content in her subservient Assumed Positives command enormous respect. Historically, role, and convinced that pain, suffering, and privation are these powerful "demigods" have created rules and mandated normal conditions for women and other inferior beings. She laws for others to obey. They themselves have been exempt doesn't doubt that sacred truth for one blessed moment. She from such dictates. However, situations change over time. accepts her God-imposed inferiority, and she counts her Today, even the most powerful titans are expected to obey blessings. Her husband is her life-support system as well as the laws they create. They don't always do that, of course, her means to respectability. She pities her rebellious, and sometimes their corrupt activities are exposed in glaring unorthodox, "liberated" sisters. They don't know what they're fashion to an astonished, sometimes titillated, and often missing, poor things. enraged public. So-called liberated women, on the other hand, despise At the extreme end of the traditional Assumed Positive fundamentalism and reject the dependent lifestyle. Often, spectrum, where serious criminal activities occur, are the though they believe they're liberated, they aren't. Many have bigots, religious despots, vicious warlords, and ruthless tyrants in fact committed themselves to new "masters." responsible for all kinds of violent atrocities. These women are no less impressionable and gullible than Members of society who desperately cling to the age-old, their obedient sisters. Because they still need a "crutch," many undemocratic, and divisive Assumed Positive-Assumed of them switch from one belief system to another. Not Negative pattern of human interaction typically resist progress. surprisingly, a vast number of these individuals become Positive change is antithetical to their invincible faith and enthralled with the paranormal. Past-life regression, indisputable dogma. They will insist to their last breath that channeling, psychic healing, and ESP excite them to the core. any changes threatening the religious-based belief system and While they passively contemplate the supernatural, the world social structure are evil and must be eliminated. No price is passing them by. To whatever extent these escapists engage is too great to overthrow such evil. The Assumed Positives in such egocentric practices, they cannot participate in or and Assumed Negatives cling to their antiquarian dogmas contribute to social improvements or the advancement of the with a tenacity that is nothing short of incredible in an age human condition. To whatever extent they are involved with of increasing scientific enlightenment. "past lives," they cannot be involved in this life. Every age has its youths who conform to parental traditions This type of "liberated" woman challenges man's and accept unquestioningly the old values, idols, doctrines, superiority, yet begins to suspect her own. "God was (is) a and conventions of theism. They fall in line with the dyed- woman!" she claims self-importantly. in-the-wool conservatives, holier-than-thou conformists, Rejecting man's traditional demands, this rebellious woman stuck-in-a-rut fundamentalists. makes demands of her own. She creates turbulence and joins Every age also has its share of youths who pursue the her voice to other frenzied voices. She brazenly appropriates path of reckless defiance. Antagonistic to tradition, these man's "rights" and his "privileges." She imitates man at a young rebels turn to the "opposite" of established belief systems dangerous and demeaning level and assumes an authority and strict moral codes. They adopt unorthodox idols and based upon the adoption of his methods, values, ideologies, belief systems (different forms of mind control), "new" and vulgarities. She is critical of her conservative sisters. This obsessions, and what is often considered an unfortunate moral woman has become callous and lacks compassion. At the laxity. The unorthodox Assumed Positive is a counter-irritant same time, this macho woman wonders why she isn't satisfied

26 FREE INQUIRY with her hard-earned success, why it doesn't measure up to freedom—the likes of Abigail Adams, Lucretia Mott, Harriet her expectations. Beecher Stowe, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, So! If following tradition offers no release from frustration, and Margaret Sanger, and all peoples who struggled to and the nontraditional opposite offers only false hope, how improve the human condition from time immemorial. She can women and other emergents undergo positive meta- will say, like Isaac Newton and others before him, "If I have morphosis? seen further ... it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." Must women, intoxicated by the new and heady experience This evolutionary woman enjoys an appreciation for life of emancipation, be satisfied to be equal, when equality means and a sense of its richness that has been denied women through they become slaves to their own promiscuity and victims of the ages. Although she would admit her life is not round- their own arrogant resolve? Must women be content simply the-clock bliss, she is happy to be alive. She knows what to exchange one form of limiting lunacy for another? trouble is; she's had her share. However, she has ignored It is no mere coincidence that women, young people, and seemingly insurmountable odds and has overcome incredible other oppressed peoples the world over are, as with one voice, obstacles. demanding their rights. Straining against and knocking down Even now, her life isn't a smooth ride. It isn't just one the barriers, they are demanding democracy and freedom. success after another. She makes mistakes and suffers And in many instances, they are rewarded with progress in disappointments. She may feel that life is like an old tire; that direction. Some are daring to exercise their new freedom just when you get it patched in one place, it blows out in in ways that contribute to their own enhancement as well another. But she sees these blowouts as challenges that as to progress of universal proportions. Others, however, are confront us all as we go about the business of living. content with the same old cliches. For them, there remain Disturbing, yes; sometimes heartbreaking. But this evolution- but two options—stagnation or false hope. ary woman doesn't sit at the side of the road, moaning about Social change, however, is continuous and inevitable. And the unfairness of life while waiting and praying for God to although the task of bringing about positive change may be patch the tire. Neither does she waste precious time wondering a difficult one, the situation is far from hopeless. Indeed, the what evil deed she committed in some former life to deserve prospects for positive change have never been better than they so much pain and suffering in this one. She gets up, takes are today. care of the repair as best she can, and goes on with her life— An impressive number of women, alert to humanistic again and again and again. principles, are experiencing personal growth while contributing Make no mistake about it, however. These women are in a vital way to improved social consciousness. They are not venturing into uncharted territories alone. As courageous aware that reasonable restraint, responsible attitudes, and wives, mothers, and daughters liberate themselves from ethical conduct are attendant to freedom. They are exposing traditional bondage, they find many bold men are also shaking the irrationality and primitivity of bigotry, racism, and sexism. off the undemocratic, restrictive shackles of the past and Their evolution is antidotal to destructive—often deadly— adopting a more humanistic attitude, philosophy, and lifestyle. assumptions. They are bravely working out their own destinies. In every Time is on their side, for today an abundance of available instance, these more mature and more responsible women information gives women a distinct advantage over women and men, while learning from the past but devoted to the of earlier times. Today's forward-moving woman, not lured present and the future, are displaying intellectual and social by promises of immortality, understands that she has only integrity combined with an impressive spirit of unity—the kind one life to live, and that it is right here and right now. She of unity never achieved by the diverse and hostile religions acknowledges her own potential and develops her own skills and ideologies. Bringing a new vitality, a new social conscious- and talents. Cherishing her intellectual and academic freedom, ness and conscience to human relationships, these individuals she is proving that women, like men, are indeed highly are doing their utmost to make this world a healthier and educable. And she is discovering a new kind of joy, the joy more civilized place. These women and men are the instigators born of her own successes. of meaningful change. They speak with the voice of reason, Today's woman is not encumbered by any spurious notions combating ignorance and stupidity with knowledge and of sexual inferiority, and she delights in her own achievements. compassion. Whether they are working at the home, Self-interest is not the motivating force as she approaches community, national, or international level, their positive influ- these larger objectives, wanting to do what is socially beneficial ence is unequivocal. rather than socially destructive, wanting to be kind and con- If they are not entirely free of supernatural beliefs, if they siderate rather than cruel and selfish. This modern woman have not totally abandoned their illusions, they are decidedly recognizes the need for replacing hate with compassion, heart- skeptical and increasingly secular. lessness with caring, and bigotry with unification. Cognizant Until recently, oppressed peoples lacked sufficient knowl- of human interrelatedness, she shares a passionate concern edge or freedom to inspect, question, doubt, or differentiate for the welfare of all the peoples of the earth, and she recognizes between good and evil. But the Assumed Negative and a common responsibility to serve the common good. Assumed Positive lifestyles—burgeoned with ambiguities, She is a woman of conscience. hopelessness, and conflicts—are relics of the past. This woman respects the legendary giants who preceded The Assumed Negatives and Assumed Positives are keepers her in the struggle for human rights, human growth, and of a flame that is doomed to extinction.

Fall 1990 27 Today, there is reason to be optimistic, for we are no longer it might seem reasonable and scientifically sound to thinking limited to these troublesome options. Those who have people that human beings are but an infinitesimal part of discovered the humanistic option and accepted the principles nature, in which all things are interrelated; that nothing exists of humanism are still relatively few in number. Although many beyond nature; and that the human species evolved and was people today have humanistic ideals, few refer to themselves not created. It might seem reasonable that ethical growth as "humanists." However we explain it—possibly they have (progress) and survival of the species is contingent on our never heard the word "humanism," or have never heard it thinking and behaving like rational beings, and that it is up used except negatively by religious propagandists—this lack to us, the human race, rather than an imaginary Supreme of exposure is disturbing, inasmuch as we all have the right Being, to save ourselves from self-destruction. and the need to be informed about matters that have vital Theists aspire to glory, abundance, and peace in the impact on our lives. hereafter for the righteous and the God-fearing within their Although the word "humanism" didn't appear until much own particular credal system, while humanists aspire to later, some of the ideals of humanism predate both Judaism goodness, abundance, and peace in the here and now for all and Christianity, and there is no reason in the world why peoples. Furthermore, those of a religious persuasion detest today everyone should not be aware of humanism and what what humanism stresses: the importance of human dignity, it represents. But a great fear of the ecclesiastics is that their as opposed to the perverse notion of original sin. Likewise, sacred dogmas will be imperiled when held up to scrutiny the religiously motivated condemn the humanists' commitment and contrasted with the principles of humanism. Powerful to reason and the scientific method rather than to blind faith and ambitious religious hierarchies deny the rights of and holy scripture, as a means of understanding ourselves individuals to inquire and to think for themselves. After all, (New Hope for Women, continued on page 55)

The Identity of the African Woman

rom the cradle to the grave, African is this done? Because he is rich enough of most of the continent, and about 70 Fwomen live in an environment to pay her bride price. In my opinion, percent of the labor force is supplied by shrouded in superstition. Some of these a girl should not marry until she is at African women, directly or indirectly. In superstitions provide justification for least eighteen years old; a man should wait order to recruit more farm hands, some societal norms, but many benefit no one. until he is about twenty-five. men marry as many women as possible. Everything is swallowed hook, line, and Early marriage deprives girls of edu- Women have to work hard to feed their sinker for fear of being struck down by cation. Most African fathers believe that families; and they dare not complain to an unknown superior force. Strict rules a woman's office is in the kitchen, and their husbands. They are obligated to govern every aspect of life, and are not that it is counterproductive to waste accept their position without question. questioned for fear of ostracism. resources on one whose destiny ends at In the political sphere, Ugandan For example, some tribes in Africa the front door. A high percentage of women can boast of twenty army officers, practice female circumcision to reduce dropouts are females. Due to financial and nine ministers, and thirty-eight parlia- promiscuity and promote fidelity. Of parental pressure, only 20 percent of mentarians. This is encouraging, yet the course, the lack of technical expertise female Africans find their way to higher home lives of these women remain among the "surgeons" can lead to infec- education. Those who do are subjected difficult, since there they are considered tions that can permanently affect the to male hoolinganism and even sexual third-class citizens, after their husbands reproductive system and even cause death. harassment. and children. The woman's position is The lucky girls who are able to survive Instead, money is pumped into edu- maintained by tribal superstitions and remain sexually insensitive and have little cating the boys. Even the African edu- taboos. or no libido. Contrary to the beliefs of cational structure is biased against I once overheard a traditional female some African men, female circumcision females. Admissions priority is given to say, "She is old enough to make you a can actually have an adverse effect on a men. As a result, information flow is poor. grandparent. Why not give her to some- marriage by making intimate relations When one marries, one is expected to one and get some money to look after unpleasant for at least one of the partners. reproduce. Yet lack of knowledge about the boys?" This practice is not only unnecessary but pre- and post-natal care leads to high Is that fair? That is what we face. Yet wicked as well. Yet the young girls of such infant mortality. About 70 percent of without education, how can one see reality tribes are looked down upon if they do African babies die before they reach the and wipe out dogma? We must embark not undergo circumcision rites. age of five. They are afflicted with diseases upon vast programs of education to Another bad practice based on super- such as diptheria, tetanus, measles, enlighten Africans about the way taboos stition is early marriage. Marriage pro- whooping cough, and polio; a high and superstitions hamper progress and vides financial and emotional security and percentage die from dehydration. Most development in society in general and in is considered a necessity in almost every African governments are doing their best the lives of African women in particular. African community. But it is not fair to to eradicate these problems though shove a girl of twelve into marriage with immunization and education. —Freda Amakye Ansah a partner the age of her grandfather. Why Agriculture is the economic backbone Rational Centre of Ghana

28 FREE INQUIRY Fanny Wright: "Free Enquirer"

Lois Porter

he clergy called her the "high priestess of Beelzebub." part owner and editor of the New Harmony Gazette, which General Lafayette called her "daughter." She met was renamed Free Enquirer when it moved to New York City Tpresidents Jefferson and Madison, in 1828 was the first in 1829. These publications gave Fanny platforms from which woman in American history to be the main speaker at a Fourth to express her strong opinions on equality, justice, and of July celebration, spoke to standing-room-only crowds from freedom. Boston to New Orleans, and was co-editor of a publication The Christian revival in the United States in the first half in New York City called Free Enquirer. She was Frances of the nineteenth century was the spark that inflamed Fanny. Wright, known to history as Fanny Wright, a woman of strong The atmosphere of the time meant that in order to be socially humanist beliefs who shocked and titillated, or inspired and acceptable, one had to belong to a church. However, Fanny transformed, both men and women in the early years of the felt that the churches encouraged discord rather than tolerance, nineteenth century. fought against serious reform, and did not speak out against Fanny was born in Scotland on February 6, 1795, and slavery. She considered Christian schools and charity worse lived in England from the age of three, but it was in America than useless and a denial of the power of human beings to that she found her cause and her fame. She made her first perfect themselves. In the August 14, 1830, issue of Free visit to this country in 1818 when she was 23; this trip made Enquirer she stated, Fanny a firm believer in the American Constitution and its declarations of freedom and equality for all. Her letters to I essayed to show that equal liberty, to be more than an family and friends during her three-year visit were published empty word, must exist in the mind, in the feelings, in the habits and in the condition of a people; that thus to be planted as a book and attracted the attention of the great friend of and nourished, the nation itself must assume the guardianship America, General Marie de Lafayette. The deep and abiding of the rising generation, and curtailing all other expenses friendship that developed between Fanny and the Marquis, ... apply all its energies to the raising up of a new race who was thirty-eight years Fanny's senior, was the cause of in habits of equal industry, in possession of equal advantages, more than one scandalous rumor.' However, they managed and in the cultivation of those feelings of companionship and fellow-citizenship, with which we should in truth be civilized to keep the scandal-mongers at bay and continue their beings, without which we are but savages. friendship until Lafayette's death in 1834. When Lafayette made his triumphant return to America Her first lectures against what was called the "Christian in 1824 Fanny and her sister Camilla were members of his Party in Politics" were delivered at the Cincinnati Court House party for all the gala fetes in his honor. In November of on three successive Sundays in July 1828. The talks were so that year, the general took the sisters to Monticello to visit well received that she repeated them in a theater on three with Thomas Jefferson, and three months later the young Sundays in August. The success of these speeches caused her women visited James and Dolley Madison at Montpelier. fame to spread throughout the country. During the next few Fanny and Madison were in agreement on the question of years, Fanny gave lectures from Boston to New Orleans. the separation of church and state; though it is not recorded, Declaiming against all domination of one human over they might well have discussed this important question during another—of priest over parishioners, male over female, master the visit. over slave—she ended her public addresses by calling for the In her travels around America Fanny spent some time at establishment of "halls of science" in each community, hoping the famous New Harmony community in Indiana. The leader such institutions of learning could bring Americans back to of the community, Robert Dale Owen, became a close friend the ideals of the founders of our country, and could teach and strong influence on Fanny. Using New Harmony as a children to be true citizens of a republic. "Turn your churches model, she established a plantation near Memphis where slaves into halls of science," she urged, "and devote your leisure could "earn" their freedom by working and learning. This day—the first day of the week—to the study of the anatomy experiment, though daring and imaginative, did not thrive. of your own bodies, and the analysis of your own minds."2 Much more successful was her collaboration with Owen as At another time, she said:

Lois Porter is a founding member and president of the In opinions there are but true and false, those founded upon Washington Area Secular Humanists in the District of fact, and those not founded upon fact.... My object has Columbia. been to find a test for all opinions; I have encouraged my fellow creatures to seek it in the nature of things as present

Fall 1990 29 to their senses, and in their own nature as discoverable by whole, America's response to Fanny Wright exposed the observation. Have they, upon examination, found all existing underside of its bright promise." A perfect expression of the phenomena in contradiction with existing superstitions?—and mores of the time was the statement of Charles Hammond are they transformed into infidels because they prefer fact to faith, the living truth of nature to the assertions of men of New York's Daily Gazette, in which he regretted that "so who earn their livelihood by the tale they are telling73 much native and so much acquired talent, so much calculated to make her an ornament to society as a wife and mother, Despite strong opposition from the press, hundreds of men should be thrown away." So in the end, there was no place as well as women rallied to her cause. Her public lectures for Fanny Wright in the early nineteenth-century America. were a huge success. Tall, strikingly handsome, and a thrilling The Enlightenment of the eighteenth century was only a speaker, she was often mobbed after her talks by enthusiastic memory in American society, or perhaps had never really crowds. A sort of network of supporters formed; they penetrated. The Emancipation Proclamation and woman suffrage were decades away. In addition to the public furor and acrimony Fanny "Are they transformed into infidels because attracted, her personal life was not only turbulent but tragic. they prefer fact to faith? ... My object has A major turning point occurred when, in October 1829, she been to find a test for all opinions." set out to move the former slaves from her community near Memphis to Haiti, where she promised they would be free. She asked a long-time acquaintance, William S. Philiquepal exchanged newspapers, corresponded, and in general pro- D'Arusmont, to accompany her and assist with this arduous moted her ideas. She was toasted at the Thomas Paine birthday task. More or less estranged from her sister Camilla at the celebrations in 1829. In fact, Philip Hone, one-time mayor time, Fanny was in a state of some anguish. In addition, of New York City, called her a female Tom Paine. Walt the journey, first from New York to New Orleans, where she Whitman heard her lecture, and, according to Horace Traubel was joined by her charges, and then by ship to Haiti, was in his book American Renaissance, thought her "the noblest harrowing and exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Roman of them all ... a woman of the noblest make-up However, upon their arrival Fanny was warmly received by whose orbit was a great deal larger than theirs [her critics] the rulers and people of Haiti, and was hailed as a great ... a most maligned, lied-about character—one of the best friend and advocate of the African people. She and Philiquepal in history though also one of the least understood." stayed longer than they had intended, resting and enjoying As co-editors of Free Enquirer, she and Owen stated that the languid life of the Caribbean. By the time they departed their aim was to "promote the cause of human improvement." in March 1830, Fanny was pregnant. To Fanny that meant true equality for women, and the end Fanny knew what the fate of an illegitimate child would of the domination of the church over the minds of human be. Therefore, despite her firm belief that, under the laws beings. According to Wright scholar W. R. Waterman, the and customs of the era, marriage was the enslavement of chief topic of discussion in Free Enquirer for the first two women, she married Philiquepal. The couple moved to Europe years was theology, but "time was found to advocate the and, although they returned to America in 1835 and Fanny abolition of capital punishment and of imprisonment for debt; lectured widely for a year or so, they made France their social pecuniary and political equality for women; equal civil permanent home. Inevitably, the marriage did not last. Fanny rights for all; and the right of every man to testify in court spent the last years of her life out of the public eye and, without enquiry being made as to his religious creed . . . for the most part, alone. She eventually returned to the United they also urged ... [a] national system of education free States and died in Cincinnati in 1852, an almost forgotten from sectarian teachings."4 woman. Fanny's views on education, her striving for immediate Fanny Wright advocated for equality of the races and sexes, equality for women and blacks, and her strong belief in the and freedom from the domination of the church and clergy evils of religion were so at odds with the time in which she over any phase of life, including education. In fact, she simply lived that inevitably wrath rained down upon her head from championed what she believed to be the true meaning of the all directions. To her detractors she replied, Constitution of the United States. However, these humanist values were out of step with the society and times in which I criticized neither Bible nor catechism . . . but ventured she lived. Even worse, she was a woman, and she dared to ... whether training up human beings wisely in youth, would speak her mind in public. not produce a better state of society, than scolding them once a week when they are full grown, and roasting them eternally Fanny Wright deserves to be remembered, and belongs when dead? ... These questions were plain and simple, and in any humanist hall of fame. the clergy . . . declared, that to have heard them was immorality, but to answer them would be atheism.5 Notes 1. See for instance Celia Morris Eckhardt, Fanny Wright: Rebel in According to Eckhardt, "Her indifference to the world's America (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984). opinion—her instinct for defiance—and her desire to be a 2. Free Enquirer, February 25, 1829. 3. Ibid., August 14, 1830. public teacher ... were in significant conflict.... She awakened 4. Ph.D. thesis, Columbia University, 1924. hope in thousands of men as well as women. But on the 5. Free Enquirer, August 14, 1830.

30 FREE INQUIRY Feminist Spirituality as a Path to Humanism

Lois Frankel

rom both feminist and humanist points of view purpose to be imposed from outside, by God. patriarchal Western religions (Judaism, Christianity, Clearly, these features are unacceptable from a secular Fand Islam) have many objectionable features. humanist point of view. In this article, I will describe how Notwithstanding a handful of praiseworthy features, most feminist spirituality, based in part on ancient goddess religion, feminists and humanists are well aware of the oppressive helps its adherents to replace these unacceptable values with activities of patriarchal religion. Its oppressiveness must not more humanistic ones, through its emphasis on the value of be excused as mere misapplication of otherwise acceptable human beings and other life-forms. I do not wish to identify theory, for the theory itself of a supreme, nonphysical, feminist spirituality with humanism, however, because of two judgmental, external deity is at the root of the problem. First, crucial differences: supernaturalism, in the form of the in keeping with its preference for creation by word over invocation of Goddesses, spirits, or "forces"; and the retention procreation, patriarchal religion regards sexuality (particularly of a form of the parent-child model governing human-deity female sexuality and the female body) as sinful, disgusting, relations. Humanism clearly rejects both of these elements. and in need of external control. Second, the concept of a Carol Christ, in her article, "Why Women Need the supreme, judging deity legitimizes a demand for blind Goddess," states that the importance of the Goddess lies in obedience to authority, and the consequent subordination of her affirmation of "female power, the female body, the female the individual human will. From these two points, it follows will, and women's bonds and heritage."' Each of these that as the human is subordinated to the divine, so the female affirmations enhances women's self-esteem and corrects a is subordinated to the male. Third, the concept of obedience serious defect in patriarchal religion. to superiors manifests itself in a hierarchical view of the universe, with God on top, then men, then women, followed Sexuality and the body by everything else. This model envisions the universe as existing for the sake of God and, secondarily, for that of human males, atriarchal religion devalues the human body in general with the needs of its other components made subject to the Pand the female body in particular, referring to women's will of those higher in the hierarchy. Power, especially power bodies as sources of filth and means of tempting men to sin. over subordinates, is a central concern. Fourth, patriarchal For example, the Talmud cautions men not to sleep alone religion sees human beings as perpetual children of God, and in the house, lest they be seized by Lilith (Shab. 15b). Another prevents those children from achieving full adulthood by its passage describes a woman as "a pitcher full of filth with requirement that they worship and obey the Father. Finally, its mouth full of blood" (Shab. 152a). The fourth-century Christian theologian Augustine is well known for his anti- patriarchal religion discourages individuals from determining sexuality and anti-women views, seeing sexual pleasure, even their own purpose or "meaning," requiring meaning and within marriage, as sinful, and detesting women for tempting men to such pleasure. Tertullian, a second-century Christian apologist, referred to women as "the devil's gateway."2 It comes as little surprise that the patriarchal traditions do not similarly refer to men's bodies as foul or as sources of temptation for women! Goddess religion celebrates the body, including its sexual Lois Frankel is a former and reproductive functions. Rituals typically celebrate assistant professor of philo- menstruation, birth, and the joy of sexuality, along with the sophy, now an independent changing of the seasons and other natural events. scholar and computer con- sultant. Her academic inter- Obedience vs. the human will ests are early modern phi- losophy, feminist philoso- oddess religion celebrates the responsibly employed phy, and feminist theology. Ghuman will, especially the female will, and female power. Patriarchal religions, on the other hand, show their fear of

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Gordon; The Creation/ Evolution Controversy, H. J. Birx; Moral Interview with Paul MacCready; A Personal Humanist Manifesto, V. Bu!- Education, R. Hall; Morality Without Religion, M. Kohl, J. Fletcher; lough; The Enduring Humanist Legacy of Greece, M. Perry; The Age of Freedom Is Frightening, R. Fairfield; The Road to Freedom, M. Mihajlov. Unreason, T. Vernon; Apocalypse Soon, D. Cohen; 0n the Sesquicentennial $5.00 Secular Humanist Bulletin Back Issues of the Secular Humanist Bulletin, published quarterly and free with a subscription to FREE INQUIRY, are also available. Each additional copy is $1.50, plus $.50 for postage and handling. Discounts are available on bulk orders. FREE INQUIRY • Box 5 • Buffalo, New York 14215-0005 • 716-834-2921 women's wills by blaming women for the first "sin": through the church, through men, to women, children, disobedience to the will of God. In the Eden myth, the first animals, plants, and the earth. Those near the top of the woman is convinced by a serpent (a Goddess symbol) to hierarchy are licensed to subdue, dominate, and manipulate disobey God; the first man needs no supernatural convincing; those below them. The message to human beings is: do not he simply eats what his wife puts before him. The formulators place confidence in your own will, desire, or conscience, but of this tale apparently believed men to be so vulnerable to rather do what you believe God wishes you to do, thereby women's wills that women must be severely restrained. So inviting rewards and avoiding punishments. Some patriarchal they demanded that women obey their husbands, and men theologians have argued that God should be worshiped for obey God (or the church). The extent of obedience required "his" sheer power, adding that whatever God chooses to do, is illustrated by two representative myths. The Hebrew Bible however offensive to human sensibilities, must be considered tells the story of Abraham, whom God asks to kill his son, good. After all, Father knows best. Isaac, as a test of loyalty and obedience. Abraham is ready Others, such as the seventeenth-century feminist philo- to comply when God announces his satisfaction with sopher Damaris Cudworth Masham, have claimed instead Abraham's obedience, and excuses him from completing the that the worship of God should be based on "his" goodness, sacrifice. The second example is the Christian myth of the as revealed by the goodness of "his" works.5 At least Masham's Annunciation, in which Mary is blessed for consenting (under God is expected to do something to deserve being worshiped. an implied, if not expicit, threat) to her own rape and Goddess religion goes further, and rejects the image of God impregnation: "Let it be done to me according to Thy will." as "he," the concept of divine power as power over the earth Patriarchal religion's general distrust of the human will and humanity, and the idea of worship as paying homage is typified by its stress on the "virtue of humility." For the to a superior. Instead, women and men call upon the Goddess arrogant (or for the benefit of those who must deal with them), as a friendly, nurturing source of self-empowerment. cultivating humility may well be worthwhile. But patriarchal Nevertheless, even in Goddess religion the power and the will religion counsels humility for the already oppressed, promising still are not unambiguously ours; they are borrowed from a heavenly reward for keeping one's place on earth. That or enhanced by the Goddess (who may be within). was exactly the attitude of American slaveholders, who inculcated Christianity in their slaves—officially in order to The divine parent provide them with "civilization" and the promise of a heavenly reward for their meekness on earth, but probably for the oth Goddess and God religions tend to employ a parental primary purpose of discouraging rebellion. Nietzsche Bmodel of divinity. Where Christians, Jews, and Moslems recognized this feature of Christianity by calling it a "slave pray to "God the Father," Goddess-people sing that "one thing religion," fit only for those who lack a will of their own. becomes another, in the Mother." The parental imagery Machiavelli cynically recognized the usefulness to a ruler of encourages people to think of themselves as children, whether a religion that required obedience by the ruled: of the nurturing mother or of the punishing father, rather than as adults. The psychologist Erik Erikson notes: In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort to divine authority, as otherwise All religions have in common the periodical childlike surrender his laws would not have been accepted by the people; for to a Provider or providers who dispense earthly fortune as there are many good laws, the importance of which is known well as spiritual health; some demonstration of man's to be the sagacious lawgiver, but the reasons for which are smallness by means of reduced posture and humble gesture, not sufficiently evident to enable him to persuade others to the admission in prayer and song of misdeeds, of misthoughts, submit to them; and therefore do wise men, for the purpose and of evil intentions; fervent appeal for inner unification of removing this difficulty, resort to divine auhority.3 by divine guidance; and finally, the insight that individual trust must become part of the ritual practice of man, and Goddess religion corrects the insistence on obedience to must become a sign of trustworthiness in the community.6 the authority of the divine father, by viewing the Goddess as a source of strength that women (and men) can tap, to Furthermore, although the Goddess-as-mother image work their own wills to the extent that they do not infringe encourages women to see their sexuality and fertility as divine upon the rights of others. The issue here is the location and rather than sinful; spiritual feminists must guard against administration of power: Is it to be possessed by a few, or appearing to accept the patriarchal attitude that women's value even by one supreme deity, or should it be available to all? lies primarily in sexual and reproductive aspects of our lives, Must it involve bending others to the wielder's will, or may and that the intellectual life is the province of males. In seeing it be used responsibly and respectfully? sexuality and fertility as a reflection of the divine within, spiritual feminists must not allow that reflection of divinity Hierarchy and power to be transformed into an obligation. To do so would undermine the important feminist and humanist tenet that atriarchal religion makes an issue of the supreme power parenthood is a matter of choice, not of obligation. I hasten Pof God,4 who, like Santa Claus, knows if you've been to add that feminist spirituality does guard those tenets closely. bad or good, and doles out rewards and punishments Its writers state explicitly that procreation must be a free act, accordingly. The command hierarchy proceeds from God, not coerced by limiting access to contraception and abortion.

34 FREE INQUIRY In keeping with its concern for the good of the earth, as must be wary of taking the primary or only source of human well as the good of prospective parents and offspring, feminist value to be our interconnection with other beings. While spirituality recognizes the need for limiting fertility. affirming the value of interconnection, we must recognize that Nevertheless, I believe there is an inherent risk in putting its value depends in part on the intrinsic value of the things too much emphasis on the symbol of the Mother. One way to be connected. to mitigate that difficulty might be to place more emphasis on the other two "aspects" of the Goddess: the Maiden, and Conclusions the Crone, who symbolizes the wisdom of old age. Finally, there is a difficulty with the very idea of considering e can see that the values of Goddess religion are largely ourselves the perennial children of some deity or deities. Whumanistic, and thus constitute a vast improvement According to the humanistic values of individuality and over the values of patriarchal theology. However, Goddess independence, it would be preferable to think of ourselves worship overlays those positive values with supernaturalism, as adults rather than as children—even adult children—of or at least supernatural symbolism. I submit that whether a deity. the Goddess is conceived as real (having independent existence, or constituting a genuine force within nature and human Meaning and purpose beings) or as a symbol of enhanced human qualities, her invocation, like that of the patriarchal God, at least potentially he next point to consider involves the source of the discourages humans from valuing themselves purely as human. T"meaning" and "purpose" of human life in general or Whether the deity, deities, or force(s) be helpful, punishing, of individual lives in particular. Patriarchal religion requires or both; whether we regard she/he/it/them as master, ruler, that, just as we must follow God's will, we must somehow adviser, guide, or parent; they remain somehow "above," discover and accept God's plan for our lives. What individuals, "beyond," or "greater than" ourselves. Patriarchal theology families, or communities might value is not important. We demands that we obey this "greater"; feminist spirituality must subordinate our desires to the purposes of the deity. invites us to unite with it and draw strength from it. In either We are "his" servants. Of course, patriarchal religion case, we are cautioned to deny it at our peril. The patriarchal sometimes claims that this is for our own good: We are God will punish us for the lack of faith; or we will be somehow supposedly following not God's mere whim, but what God, incomplete if we ignore the Goddess. A humanist perspective in "his" superior wisdom, knows is best for us. In the most holds, by contrast, that we are better off without faith or conservative branches of patriarchal religion, this imposition involvement with deities of any kind. of purpose is taken quite literally. A similar, if toned down, Practitioners of feminist spirituality have laudably turned position can be seen in more moderate writers. Paul Tillich, away from the offensive and oppressive attitudes of patriarchal for example, claims that humans require an "ultimate concern," religion. Because many people are raised with some religious which must not be of this world or of ourselves (lest it be training, it is understandable that in rejecting patriarchy, they "demonic"), which commands our attention, and which might not immediately be ready to reject religion or spirituality. demands to be placed before all other goals. The important Consequently, embracing the Goddess may be a valuable step factors in both the extreme and the moderate case are the on the way to humanism. But I urge spiritual feminists to externalization of human meaning and purpose, and distrust continue the journey. If we "need the Goddess" to break the of human faculties and decisions. shackles of the patriarchal God, then once we are free, we For God religion, value is external because God is external, can thank her for her assistance and forge our own path toward transcendent. Thus, it emphasizes humans' separation from freedom and independence. God and from other beings, and humans' position in God's hierarchy as inferior to God but superior to other living things. Notes God can demand our obedience, but we can demand that 1. Christ, "Why Women Need the Goddess," in Charlene Spretnak, ed., of those beneath us. Goddess religion begins to end the sense The Politics of Women's Spirituality (Garden City: Anchor, 1972), 74. of separation and bring value back to human beings and other 2. Denise Lardner Carmody, Women and World Religions, 1st Ed. living things by emphasizing that the Goddess is within us— (Nashville, Tennessee: Abington, 1979), 105-121. indeed, within everything—and that all life-forms are 3. Machiavelli, The Prince, translated by Luigi Ricci, revised by E.R.P. Vincent (Modern Library, New York, 1940), 18. interconnected. We can now see an interesting dichotomy: 4. Theological debates, especially in medieval times, about the nature God religion values separation and isolation, and devalues of God's power are extensive. To what extent an omnipotent God could relation. Goddess religion seems to make relation itself do the impossible was a subject for much speculation. 0ne recurring example was whether God could restore virginity (not just the physical indications primary. It is important for feminist spirituality not to make of virginity, but changing the past so that sexual initiation had never the patriarchal mistake of withdrawing value from what is occurred). Apparently, virginity, or its lack, was considered highly perceived as nonprimary (relation and the human will in the important. 5. Masham, A Discourse Concerning the Love of God. (Printed in case of patriarchy, individuality and independence in the case London for A. and J. Churchill at the Black-Swan in Paternoster-Row, of feminist spirituality). Valuing interconnection must neither 1696), pp. 62-63. See also Lois Frankel, "Damaris Cudworth Masham: precede nor preclude valuing oneself and one's individuality. A Seventeenth Century Feminist Philosopher," Hypatia, IV.1(Spring 1989), 88. In rejecting God religion's thesis that the primary or the only 6. Erikson, Identity: Youth and Crisis (New York: Norton, 1963), 250- source of human value is our being products of God, we 251.

Fall 1990 35 Spiritual Values and "the Goddess"

Victoria Branden

he Green Party concept is attractive: a political party dominant roles by the inescapable facts of biology. By the that makes the environment its major platform, instead time they were through with child-bearing and -rearing, they Tof an afterthought to be given lip-service during were exhausted or dead. Average life expectancy for most elections and largely ignored at other times. of the history of the human race was less than thirty years; Recently I went to a local Green conference, and came it wasn't until the nineteenth century, in the most favored away discouraged. Those who attended never came to grips Western countries, that it increased to forty. The liberation with the real issues of the environment, and most of the of women was effected by the birth control pill, without which discussions were monopolized by a woman holding forth on feminism is a lost cause. All its passionate rhetoric is "spiritual values." There was a great deal of talk about "the meaningless unless we can control our reproductive functions. Goddess," "ecofeminism," the virtues of matriarchal societies, The spiritual values so strongly advocated at the Greens and a lot of fuzzy mysticism, much of it derived from the conference were never defined, and I suspect that anything slipshod thinking of the New Age movement, which is about so vague and amorphous would be impossible to define. as new as Madame Blavatsky, or even the Delphic Oracle. However, I'm convinced that whatever they are, they are highly Matriarchal societies have existed, but they were idiosyncratic and personal. I'm fairly certain that the spiritual distinguished as such by matrilineal practices, not by superior values of the speaker, although they were never described morals or ethics. The benign matriarchal society, with its except in foggy generalities, were unlikely to be my values, reverence for nature, its kinship to all other life, is a romantic and I would resist furiously their being imposed upon me; dream; it is about as realistic as the Garden of Eden, the such impositions result in religious wars. Elysian Fields, or other myths produced by wishful thinking The conference also produced a good deal of praise for through the ages. I've heard Druid society cited as one such hugging trees and carrying acorns and pine cones about with saintly and enlightened community; in fact Druidism was a one (to assert kinship); I fail to see how this will benefit trees horribly cruel religion whose ceremonies involved the burning in any real way. I noticed that the proponent of this idea of live animals (and sometimes people) in wicker cages. The forgot her acorns and left them under a chair. corn gods of the Americas demanded sacrifice by fire of living Finally, aspiration toward and achievement of what Freud babies, and some of their ceremonies involved the flaying of called "the oceanic feeling" was recommended, and here an priestesses. (Their skins were made into aprons that the priests ignorance of the subject was only too plainly manifest. This wore so that, by sympathetic magic, they became women and "mystic experience" is a genuine one, and its biochemical causes gave birth to corn gods.) The Goddess has the same kind are understood. Early in the century, William James discussed of validity as Rousseau's Noble Savage. it in Varieties of Religious Experience, and Arthur Koestler What is the value of romanticizing and falsifying the role investigated it extensively. Biofeedback researchers at the of women in the dim past? With rare and sensational Menninger Foundation studied it, and showed that states of exceptions, women have always been prevented from taking altered consciousness are clearly distinguished by different brain-wave patterns; the "oceanic feeling" coincides with the slow "theta" waves that occur between sleeping and waking. They may occur spontaneously, or can be induced by such disciplines as meditation; they can also be induced by drugs. They sometimes involve visions or inspirations that lead to problem solving (as in the often-noted case of Kekulé's discovery of the molecular structure of benzene) and the Victoria Branden is a jour- experience of blissful states; they sometimes are horrific, as nalist and educator whose in the drug-taker's "bad trip." In both cases, the experience books include Mrs. Job, involves chemical changes in the body. In spontaneous cases Flitterin' Judas, and Under- the drugs are naturally occurring ones like endorphins. standing Ghosts. Religious/ oceanic/ cosmic experiences are frequently associated with diseases such as epilepsy, and with a variety

36 FREE INQUIRY of mental illnesses that produce visions and voices. These are mental problems. It is predicted that the world population attributed by their victims to supernatural forces, often with will reach 6.2 billion by the end of the decade. It took the deplorable results. human race from the beginning of its existence until the 1850s Walter T. Rea says that Ellen G. White, founder of Seventh- to reach its first billion; in the 150 years since that, we'll have Day Adventism, added 5.2 billion. Anyone who can't recognize that as a crisis must be feeble-minded. not only was a plagiarist of Herculean proportions, but To my considerable surprise, several Green Conference suffered from epilepsy as well, as a result of being hit on attendants still felt that war was a viable way of dealing with the head with a rock at the age of nine. While epilepsy per one's enemies, although nuclear war is the ultimate polluter: se is not a mental disorder, the auditory and visual it means annihilation. Preparation for war is almost as bad; hallucinations which sometimes accompany the "aura" preceding a seizure can often lead to a decline in reality testing not only are we bankrupting ourselves by wasting trillions and a blurring of the line between thought and reality.' of dollars on weapons (money that could be better spent improving the environment), but the manufacture of weapons Characteristics of such conditions include extreme has produced frightful results. Fernald, Ohio, where there is religiosity and logorrhea, an apparently uncontrollable a plant manufacturing uranium rods for nuclear warheads, outpouring of words. The visions and their accompanying is the leukemia capital of the world. In Hanford, Washington, sensations of exaltation frequently lead to prophecy and a where huge nuclear bomb-making installations are located, conviction that their victims have been in direct commun- the incidence of cancer is epidemic, totally disproportionate ication with a god. This frequently puts them in conflict with to the population. The Windscale/ Sellafield plant in Britain established religion, and they are inclined to launch sects and dumps its wastes into the Irish Sea, which is now the most schisms. Frank Zindler comments, radioactive body of water in the world. The internal combustion engine in all its ramifications, in combination with When one studies the biographies of the founders and leaders the petroleum industry, is probably the world's worst polluter. of the various religions, one cannot help but be struck by None of these got a mention at the conference. the psychotic—or at least extremely abnormal—behavior that They were too busy with spiritual values, ecofeminism, and has characterized so many of them. Luther, Wesley, and a kind of fuzzy-minded nature worship. Loyola had hallucinations ("visions"). St. Theresa almost A political party genuinely concerned with the environment certainly was a hysteric. The book The Psychotic Personality, by Leon J. Saul and Silas L. Warner, devotes considerable would get not only my vote but my whole-hearted support; space to the psychotic personalities of Mary Baker Eddy I'd work like a dog in its cause. Perhaps the Greens in Europe (founder of Christian Science), Joseph Smith (founder of are of this type. But a party that can waste a beautiful summer Mormonism), Mohammed, and the Rev. Jim Jones.... It day blathering pretentious twaddle about "spiritual values," seems significant that the founder of Christianity itself, St. without ever getting down to cases on our environmental crisis, Paul, also suffered from epilepsy.2 is never going to accomplish anything. To this list we might add the name of our contemporary, Notes Shirley MacLaine, another great gusher of words. The oceanic feeling, which is a form of trance, is not 1. Frank Zindler, quoted in "Religiosity as a Mental Disorder," necessarily bad; it has produced some of the world's best American Atheist, April 1988, p. 27f. 2. Ibid. poetry. It is the subject of Wordsworth's "Prelude" and "Ode to Intimations of Immortality," and of Shelley's "Hymn to Help Further the Cause Intellectual Beauty." I've experienced it myself and it can affect of Humanism. one very powerfully. Wordsworth described "spots of time Please remember FREE INQUIRY in your will. that with distinct pre-eminence retain a renovating virtue Won't you consider making a provision in your will for ... that nourishes and repairs our minds ... and lifts us FREE INQUIRY and the Council for Democratic and Secular up when fallen." Humanism? This will ensure vital support for the defense However, it can't be too strongly emphasized that these and development of humanism. Although humanists do not believe in immortality, they not a continuous are "spots of time," temporary and fleeting, know that the good work they do will survive them. By state. leaving a percentage of your estate to FREE INQUIRY (CODESH, The Green Party members appeared to believe that one INC.), you will be furthering the ideals of humanism. could live permanently in these altered states—a manifest We would be happy to work with you and your at- torney in the development of a will or estate plan that impossibility, and a highly undesirable one. People in such meets your wishes. mental states would be a public menace driving a car, and Besides a will, there are many other possibilities, such would be highly ineffective in any work situtation. It is a as living trusts and charitable gift annuities from which passive near-dream state, borderline between sleeping and you receive an annual income from the transfer of property now. Or you might make a contingent bequest, by which waking. FREE INQUIRY (CODESH, INC.) will receive a gift only if your This is just one example of the sloppy thinking and lack primary beneficiaries do not survive you. of information that characterized the conference. P.O. Box b • Central Park Station The Green Conference made only passing reference to Buffalo, New York 14215 • 716-834-2921 All inquiries will be held in the strictest confidence. overpopulation, which is at the root of most of our environ-

Fall 1990 37

Women in the Humanist Movement

Molleen Matsumura

any people have wondered why more women don't meetings, compile directories of high-quality secular day-care belong to humanist organizations. Certainly the facilities, or invite speakers who are experts on child Mwomen who are involved are strongly committed, development. and often take leading roles. But it is more often men who (3) It may be that secular humanism wears too masculine join secular humanist organizations and attend humanist a face. The two pillars of a humanistic ethics are reason and gatherings. How did we get into this situation in the first compassion. "Reason" refers to our reliance on rational place, and how can we change it? Here are some hypotheses: investigation, rather than divine or traditional authority, in (1) Considering that many surveys have found women to deciding what is best for individuals and for society. be more religious than men (at least in Western culture), we shouldn't be surprised. Perhaps it is not as important to present We need to make a greater effort to ensure arguments that could affect individual womens' decisions regarding religion as it is to alter the social pressures for that the voice of secular humanism is com- religiosity. Religion's greatest appeal is to people who feel posed of both male and female voices. powerless; the illusory power of prayer and magical manipulation, or efforts to manipulate one's own psychology, "Compassion" refers to our sense of fellow-feeling, of empathy are substitutes for the social power to change the circumstances for other humans, rather than a belief that we are equal in of one's life. To the extent that women still have less power the sight of a deity, as the basis for treating others with respect than men, we can expect them to be more attracted to religion. and even generosity. Yet many expressions of secular humanist If secular humanists make their presence felt among those ideals lean heavily—perhaps lopsidedly—on the pillar of who are working for institutions and policies that empower reason. For example, the Affirmations of Humanism, which women—for example, abortion rights—we may eventually regularly appears on the back cover of FREE INQUIRY, contains bring more women into the humanist movement. Such many more references to reason and science than to such coalitions ought to be helpful in the short run, too, since qualities as compassion and generosity. there surely are many women in these social movements who Respect for the core values of reason and compassion is would be interested in secular humanism once they heard associated with gender differences. Though we cannot say to about it. what extent nature and nurture are responsible, we can say (2) Because women still bear more responsibility for child that there are differences in the moral development and ideals rearing in general, and the moral education of children in of women and men. Research has shown that men more often particular, there is more pressure on them to maintain (and develop ethical viewpoints founded on concepts of the absolute transmit) entrenched values. Moreover, they will feel a stronger rights of individuals, while women more often develop need for organizations that assist them in this task—a need viewpoints founded on concepts of harmonious, mutually that religious communities are ready and eager to fulfill. supportive relationships. From this viewpoint, it would seem Women (and all young parents) who are secular humanists, likely that the Affirmations of Humanism were written by but have been too busy to become actively involved, might a man. And, going one step further, it means we may need be drawn to local organizations that address their concerns. to make a greater effort to assure that the voice of secular For example, local groups might provide child-care during humanism is composed of both female and male voices.

CI ODES H is meeting these concerns in concrete ways. This kd year, for the second time, the annual FREE INQUIRY conference will include a session on the moral education of children. Another session will be a discussion of humanism Molleen Matsumura is an and feminism. The first steps have been taken to create a editorial associate of FREE Moral Education Resource Center. But more needs to be done. INQUIRY, and head of the We'd like to know your opinion. This issue's Readers' Berkeley Secular Humanist Forum asks the questions, "Why are relatively few women Society. active in secular humanism?" and "What can we do about this?" We welcome your response. •

38 FREE INQUIRY "power" in Washington, D.C.; "porno- graphy" in Los Angeles; "bondage" in Annapolis, Maryland (because it was a On the Barricades center of the slave trade); and "religiosity" in Nashville.

Historic walk for women

The devil made him do it The religiously nonaffiliated have grown One of Boston's most popular tourist to 9 percent today from 2 percent in the attractions is its Freedom Trail, which passes To the shouts of Baptist preachers yelling early 1950s. As their numbers have by the historic houses and meeting places "amen," federal drug czar William Bennett increased, their cultural characteristics have of some of the nation's Founding Fathers— in June blamed Satan for the national changed: No longer a small group of atheists but no founding mothers. Now the city's epidemic of drug abuse. and social dissidents, nonaffiliates today are educators are rectifying this neglect of "It is a product of the Great Deceiver," predominately young, white, well-educated, women in U.S. history by establishing a Bennett told an assembly of about 2,500 and socially mobile. (The Wall Street Women's Heritage Trail. Southern Baptist pastors and other church Journal) The first twenty women whose homes or leaders. workplaces will be marked by plaques "We need to bring these people in need B. F. Skinner dies at age 86 included Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the the God who heals," said Bennett, a Roman words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," Catholic. FREE INQUIRY notes the death of B. F. and Dorothea Dix, the nineteenth-century Bennett said he has run into many people Skinner, the Harvard Professor of Psychol- social reformer. Even in Boston, these local in drug treatment centers who call crack ogy who is best remembered as an exponent heroines have been overlooked. When the cocaine "the devil." of behaviorism. Skinner was a signer of both trail's organizers asked schoolteachers to "This has come up too often to be the Humanist Manifesto II and the Secular identify some of the chosen twenty, many ignored," he said. (San Francisco Chronicle) Humanist Declaration. His controversial questionnaires were returned blank. views on freedom and determinism led some Will Episcopalians go the way of the to question his commitment to humanism, Eastern Europeans argue over role Dodo? but Skinner himself always asserted his of religion in schools humanist values. He had hoped to be able The big story in religion these days is the to speak at the upcoming FREE INQUIRY As Communist ideology disappears from continuing, long-time decline of the Protest- conference in Boston, and was a strong Hungarian life, a new controversy has ant majority, to 57 percent in 1987 from 67 supporter of CODESH. When the magazine broken out over the role of religion in public percent in 1952. At the present rate of was founded in 1980, he wrote, "The need education. decline, Protestants will be barely a numer- for a magazine like FREE INQUIRY was never After a meeting with Catholic bishops, ical majority of the American population by greater," and continued to offer words of Hungary's new Minister of Culture advised the year 2000. encouragement until shortly before his public schools to begin to provide voluntary Not all Protestant denominations are death. religious instruction for students of all ages. declining equally fast. Since the mid-1960s, Some see the resurgence of religion in the Methodists have declined to 9 percent from Spiritual warfare, coming to schools as the start of a trend that could 14 percent, Lutherans to 6 percent from 7 your town lead to a reconsideration of Hungary's liberal percent, and Episcopalians to 2 percent from abortion laws and other concerns shared by 3 percent. Mainline Protestant losses have A controversial movement that calls for conservative Catholics. been largely among the young, who have Christians to battle evil forces that are said In Poland, where Roman Catholicism is either turned to other faiths or simply to take control of geographical territories strongest in Eastern Europe, bishops re- dropped out of religious institutions entirely. is increasingly gaining a hearing in interna- cently called for a reintroduction of manda- Roman Catholicism has grown in almost tional charismatic circles. April's Charisma tory religious education in the schools. That the same proportion as Protestantism has & Christian Life magazine reports that the proposal was firmly rejected by a spokes- declined: to 28 percent of the nation's practice of "spiritual warfare . . . is now person for the Ministry of Education, who population from 25 percent over the past unfolding as a major aspect of church life called it potentially divisive. thirty years. Historically, Catholics have had ... with Christians responding like never In Czechoslovakia, the churches have a higher birth rate than Protestants, but the before." While the concept of fighting evil been given the right to teach religion in the gap has narrowed in recent decades. A more is nothing new in charismatic/ Pentecostal schools on demand and to start their own important factor accounting for Catholic circles, the linking of such phenomena to private institutions. In Prague, a former growth is the immigration of Hispanics, who geographical locations and cultures and convent school has been split, with one half make up 17 percent of all American subcultures is a more recent development, returned to the nuns and the other remaining Catholics. Because Hispanics have a higher and may be part of a larger trend toward an ordinary state school. birth rate than other Catholics, we can a more confrontational style among some In Romania, where the Eastern Orthodox expect their presence within American charismatic groups. church predominates, Archbishop Daniel Catholicism to become even larger. Charismatic leaders who practice the new Ciobotea of Jassy told the opposition news- The Jewish proportion has held steady spiritual warfare usually seek to pinpoint paper Romania Libera that religious edu- at 2 percent since the early 1970s, which may specific characteristics of the "spirits" of cation should return to schools at all levels indicate a stable pattern for the future. certain areas, such as "greed" in New York; to broaden horizons. (New York Times) •

Fall 1990 39 great American is not forgotten. Our goal is to keep alive the memory of Robert Ingersoll and the ideals for which he fought. CODESH Comments We hope that with your continuing support this goal will be achieved.

Secular Humanist Aid and CODESH, the Council for Democratic and The Center for Inquiry Relief Effort (SHARE) Secular Humanism, is a nonprofit educa- tional association founded in 1980 to The Center for Inquiry is an electronic media At the suggestion of CODESH member Don promote the secular humanist point of view production center jointly established by Storey, we have changed the name of the on issues significant to the preservation of CODESH and the Committee for the Scien- Secular Humanist Aid and Relief Program our freedoms. In addition to publishing tific Investigation of Claims of the Para- (SHARP) to the Secular Humanist Aid and FREE INQUIRY and conducting regular con- normal (CSICOP). Under its director, film- Relief Effort (SHARE). The new acronym ferences, CODESH sponsors the following maker Tom Flynn, the Center for Inquiry better reflects the nature of the fund, which special-interest organizations. has produced two fund-raising videos for the is to assist victims of so-called "acts of God," Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Committee. by offering financial aid to relief programs African-Americans for Humanism More recently, it completed an introductory of a strictly secular nature. Thus far money tape and a training video for the Secular raised has been used to help victims of the In June, African-Americans for Humanism Organizations for Sobriety (SOS). The Armenian and San Francisco earthquakes launched its most ambitious venture to date: Center for Inquiry's radio magazine, the and Hurricane Hugo, among others. Dona- a drive for the establishment of a Monument "Voice of Inquiry," has been air-tested in tions may be sent to SHARE at any time to the Unknown Slave. eight U.S. radio markets. Ten programs are at Box 5, Buffalo, New York 14215. The National Commission to Establish now completed, including one featuring a Monument to the Unknown Slave is a coverage of the 1990 IHEU Congress in Secular Organizations for broad-based coalition of individuals from Brussels, Belgium. Copies of the first seven Sobriety (SOS) many backgrounds. Its honorary members programs are now available for sale to FREE include veteran civil-rights activist James INQUIRY readers (see back cover). Founded in 1985, the Secular Organizations Farmer, noted historian John Hope Frank- You can help "Voice of Inquiry" to be for Sobriety provide an alternative to tradi- lin, Congressman John Lewis (D-Georgia), heard. Call or write radio stations in your tional, spiritually based "12-step" programs former congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, area, both commercial and noncommercial. like Alcoholics Anonymous. SOS now com- actress Ruby Dee, and the distinguished Tell the station manager or program director prises hundreds of local self-help groups, philosopher Cornel West. that you'd like to hear more of the rational, serving alcoholics and addicts who do not The commission's goals are to raise funds scientific point of view—then say you know wish to base their sobriety on their faith in for the project, to initiate a national contest where such a program can be found. "Voice a "higher power." for architects and artists to design the of Inquiry" looks at both humanistic and James Christopher, founder of SOS and memorial, and to work for the enactment skeptical topics—everything from contra- author of the books How to Stay Sober and of a congressional resolution authorizing the ception and critical thinking to spoon- Unhooked: Recovery Without Religion, was placement of the monument. bending and spontaneous combustion. We'll recently named the group's first full-time Anyone with ideas or suggestions regard- send a sample program and additional executive director. He had been leading SOS ing this project may write to Monument to information to any station on request. on a voluntary basis while working as a re- the Unknown Slave, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, covery counselor in North Hollywood, Cali- New York 14226-0664. Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial fornia. Christopher and the SOS National Committee Clearinghouse have moved to Buffalo, New Alliance of Secular Humanist York, consolidating SOS's counseling, ad- Societies We are pleased to announce that restoration vocacy, media outreach, and publishing work is now underway on the Robert G. functions. The Alliance of Secular Humanist Societies Ingersoll birthplace in Dresden, New York. is a network created for mutual support When the Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Become an Associate Member among local and/or regional societies of Committee was established, its purpose was of CODESH secular humanists, which offer educational threefold. Its first goal was to preserve the and social services to their members and seek birthplace of Ingersoll, which is being done. You can support the work of CODESH and to increase the understanding and influence The second goal of the committee is to its affiliates by becoming an Associate Mem- of secular humanism in their communities. furnish the house as a museum and library, ber. At $15 for individuals, $25 for families, Its aim is to promote secular humanistic with books and furnishings of Ingersoll's your annual CODESH Associate Member- values in a convivial, down-to-earth way. time. Besides monetary assistance for this ship includes the CODESH Chronicle ASHS will be sending representatives to its venture, we are in need of donations of books newsletter, a 10 percent discount on FREE second national organizational meeting, to and furniture from the mid- to late-1800s. INQUIRY audiotapes and videotapes, and a be held in conjunction with FREE INQUIRY'S The final objective of the committee is 10 percent discount on selected Prometheus annual conference in November. Recently to set up a fund to keep the museum running books. the autonomous groups have been engaged in the future. Now is the time for supporters Send your check or money order to in a host of activities. For a group in your of Ingersoll to make their presence known. CODESH, P.O. Box 5, Buffalo, New York area, see the listings on page 62 of this issue. With your help, we will see to it that this 14215. s

40 FREE INQUIRY constituents? Though this concern was wildly unrealistic (the church had won precious little obedience from Catholic Viewpoints public officials above the regional level), contemporary church pronouncements still championed a medieval view of church primacy over secular states. Here's how JFK laid that issue to rest. Speaking before the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, he Catholic Politicians and the essentially demoted Catholicism to one current among many in his moral life: "I believe in an America where the separation Threat of Excommunication: of church and state is absolute, where no Catholic prelate would tell the President, The Cafeteria is Closing should he be a Catholic, how to act."2 In so saying, he erected the arena in which most Tom Flynn liberal Catholic politicians have attempted to maneuver ever since. cross the nation, battle lines have risen attitude, it is surely at odds with centuries What Kennedy really said was that there Abetween the Roman Catholic church of doctrine. Church theologians speak of was no need to worry whether a "good and pro-choice Catholic politicians. John Catholic teaching as a "seamless garment," Catholic" could be trusted in the White Cardinal O'Connor of New York has meant to encompass every aspect of believ- House; he did not plan to be a good Catholic. threatened excommunication for any ers' lives beneath a single religious paradigm. He boldly promised to value the Constitu- Catholic public official who take a stand That may not sit well with many Americans, tion above his Catholicism if ever the two contrary to doctrine. Pro-choice Catholic but it follows logically from the church's came into conflict. This was heady stuff for politicians have been disinvited from church claim to embody the sole and unique a Catholic layman in 1960! How did he get speaking engagements, denied campaign revelation of God mediated through a away with it? First, liberal winds were advertising space in Catholic publications, hierarchy that traces a direct line of beginning to rise within the Vatican. Second, many of the curial conservatives who might and in several cases denied communion. succession through Peter to Jesus Christ. It have objected were also pragmatists eager "There ought not to be this dominance would be absurd for anyone who takes that to see a Catholic in the White House. by the church on political judgments," claim seriously not to subject every aspect Kennedy was elected, millions of Amer- complains New York Governor Mario of his or her life—not just religious, but personal and public as well—to the over- ican Catholics got the message that it was Cuomo. arching demands of doctrine. okay to treat their religion as "something "For the church to say that abortion is Humanists reject the extravagant truth you only do on Sunday," and most of the not acceptable for a Catholic is fine. To say claims of the Roman Catholic church. So hierarchy kept still. Then came Vatican II. directly or indirectly that on something that do many American Catholics. But do church is a church teaching that you must also vote officials have the right to define Catholicism oday, church leaders are closing the according to that—that's not acceptable in in rigid terms if they choose? They claim cafeteria. Much as American liberal a country based on the First Amendment," T that since it's their church, they can do what Catholics might miss it, it's absurd for them declares Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. they want. to bleat that the hierarchy "can't" or California Representative Nancy Pelosi Yet a generation of American Catholics "shouldn't" do such a thing. best captures the essence of the controversy has become accustomed to a more liberal— In the same statement that raised the when she observes that "it has to be clear some might say lax—tradition in which one specter of excommunication, O'Connor that we are elected officials, and we uphold may take from Catholicism what one likes truthfully observed that the church is not the law, and we support public positions and discard what's inconvenient. Today's so- a democracy. An avowedly authoritarian, separate and apart from our Catholic faith.", called "cafeteria Catholics" may honestly be hierarchical institution, it reserves the right Liberal American Catholic politicians unable to understand why to be a Catholic to order all aspects of its members' lives— share a relativistic, secularizing assumption cannot be as democratic an experience as, and presumably regrets its uncraftsmanlike about what it means to be Roman Catholic. say, to be a nineteenth-century New England failure to have done so in the immediate past. Most do not believe that they need to accord Congregationalist sleigh-riding home from If American Catholics have forgotten to the teachings of their church any greater a town meeting. Nor can they understand what life under authoritarianism means, moral weight than the promptings of private that openness in the church is a historical born-again Watergate figure Charles Colson conscience—or the demands of the public aberration that could not have been expected has not. In a recent column Colson observed: trust. Their Catholicism is a part of them, to last. "Every Catholic in the country has volun- but it does not wholly define them, especially Cuomo, Leahy, Pelosi, Lucy Killea, and tarily placed himself or herself under the when they function in the public sphere. others trade in a political currency that was teaching and discipline of the Catholic Whatever else one may say about this minted by John F. Kennedy. Running for church.... Membership in the church is president in 1960, Kennedy faced the voluntary; access to the sacraments is a A recovering Catholic, Tom Flynn is director unspoken question that had destroyed the privilege based on obedience to church of the Center for Inquiry and co-editor of candidacy of another Catholic, Al Smith, doctrine."3 the Secular Humanist Bulletin. decades before: Are Catholic office-holders Colson is right. That is how authoritarian obliged to obey the Vatican above their institutions are, whether Mario Cuomo

Fall 1990 41 approves or not. Thus, the question is not yet flock to a separate American Catholic orthodoxy, invigorated by issues like whether the church ought to remain as church, patterned on Rome but democratic abortion, succeeded in reviving the old relatively open as American liberals prefer; in governance. Or they may abandon bigotries that question the loyalty of Catholic clearly it will not. Nor is the question whether Catholicism in favor of one or another politicians. liberal, pro-choice Catholic politicians will Protestant sect. (Dare we hope that any will meekly obey church orders and abandon publicly renounce religion altogether?) Notes their commitments to liberty; clearly, most After such a schism, the greatest worry 1. Cuomo, Leahy, and Pelosi quotes were of them will not. The question is, Now that would be the fate of the orthodox remnant taken from Robin Toner, "Catholic Politicians church leaders have chosen to reimpose Confront Public and Private Conscience," New that stayed loyal to Rome. Presumably, York Times, June 25, 1990. orthodoxy and purge American Catholicism among that remnant would be conservative 2. John F. Kennedy, "Kennedy's Houston of the Kennedy "heresy," how long can Catholic politicians like Henry Hyde (R-III.) Speech," in Paul Blanshard, Classics of Free Catholic liberals, especially politicians, and Robert Doman (R-Calif.) who might Thought (Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, remain Roman Catholic? come to be perceived—rightly or wrongly— 1977), 98. 3. Charles Colson. "Liberals, Clothed as If the Vatican succeeds in razing Ken- as marching to orders from Rome. It would Moral Guardians, Try to Control Catholic nedy's arena, our Cuomos and Pelosis may be a tragic irony indeed if the Vatican's new Church," Buffalo News, July 5, 1990. •

with which to do their own thinking rather Religion in Public Education than led to opinions and conclusions— programs in Religious Studies must provide a balanced introduction to both perspectives Robert M. Hermann on their subject, and step back. If instruction in religion does not balance its presentation, Joseph Hoffman's fine article "Reli- aged" religion programs in public higher if it bends students to either side of the R • gion in the Public Schools?" in the education. disagreement, it violates pedagogical priv- Winter 1989/90 issue of FREE INQUIRY has I know something of these programs, for ilege and abrogates its legitimate access to moved me to push further on a door he I worked to build one in a state school. My public classrooms. I am largely persuaded nudged: the quality, the academic integrity, field was philosophy, and my personal world that this is happening in many Religious perhaps even the legitimacy of some, view had pretty much given up supernat- Studies programs today. possibly most, of what he called "misman- uralism and sophisticated metaphysics for There are two bread-and-butter courses a pragmatic naturalism. But it seemed in these programs. World Religions, a survey Robert M. Hermann is professor emeritus obvious that religion had more influence on of the history, theology, and ritual of the of philosophy and religious studies at the humanity than did my own first interest, and major faiths, is pretty much fixed by the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. that it cried out for study, in Julian Huxley's nature of its content. But the other, Intro- language, "as an objective problem." I was duction to Religion, opens a much wider mindful of an essay by my philosophic hero, door to adventure and unfettered interpre- John Dewey, in which he had agreed to the tation. There an instructor can show students MOVING? importance of studying religion, but had "the real, true heart of the matter." It follows warned about "the experts," about who that a hard look at some of the major texts Make sure should do the teaching. Surely by now, in Introduction to Religion will tell us a lot though, the universities were producing about what commonly goes on in this course. experts who could and would be objective From such knowledge we may safely draw FREE in the classroom. I expected them to hold inferences about the character of Religious religion up like a frog in the lab, without Studies programs generally. If the texts seem sentiments and affections. I supposed they fair and balanced the programs are probably INQUIRY would look at it from all its sides, the dark so also; but if the texts are skewed, the follows you! and the light, the altruistic and the evil, the programs probably contain similar distor- gentle and the savage. It was a fine idea in tion. It seems unlikely that the beginning Name theory. In practice though—well that's what course would run one way and the rest of this short piece is about. I may have been a program another. Subscriber naive. My reasons for the effort were I will not claim to have studied all the probably much like those of the originators New address introductory texts in use. A respected former of such programs elsewhere. We may have colleague in that specialty suggested what City all been naive. he considered a representative selection of The first major problem facing the those most widely used. These, together with State Zip academic study of religion stems from the two or three I picked myself, form the basis solid fact that thinking people are of two for my conclusion that the majority of texts 0ld address very disparate opinions as to the value of used in this course are not objective; that religion's effects, and as to the credibility they plant—intentionally—the view that City of its creeds. So if the phenomenon of some sort of religiosity is not only good for State Zip religion is to be studied honestly, objectively, humankind, but probably necessary to the with better understanding as its only aim— wholeness of existence. Most leave substan- Mall ta Free Inquiry, Box 5, Buffalo NY 14215 if students are to be provided the materials tial suggestion that the churched are better

42 FREE INQUIRY off than the unchurched. Simply put, most good. There are many paths to God. Respect One must conclude, I think, that not a proselytize for the religious life. One might them all." few Religious Studies programs are failing think the authors had never heard of faith's Quite a fine sermon! But it isn't delivered to present their subject fairly, objectively, darker side. in church. It's delivered in classrooms in scientifically; that many are subtly, perhaps I found a "worst favorite." It had been higher education, wherever this book is used. not even consciously, proselytizing for a kind used in a state school; maybe still is The other problem facing the study of of "spiritualized" religiosity; and that it is somewhere. Without naming, let me distill religion, as Dewey feared, is with the experts. high time for lance-leveling on such pro- the message I took from it—and I read Credentials notwithstanding, most have grams. Hoffmann's wise reservations about carefully: "Be aware of Divine Presence in strong sectarian backgrounds. Some are religious instruction in the public schools are the world. Be still and know God. Respect ordained. A few actually moonlight in local not without application to higher education. the supernatural, and the theologies and pulpits. Others, in varying degrees, are I doubt either of us would wish these rituals that serve it. Pity the miserable atheist apostate, their supernaturalistic world-views programs ended; the study and understand- who has failed to find deeper meaning in shattered, their nostalgic sentiments and ing of religious thought and practice is too life; who must spend his or her time on earth earlier loyalties intact. Surely I need not important. But the old "Shape Up or Ship in agony and despair, with but a tenuous elaborate on reasons for concern about Out" would make a fine front-office sign for and feeble moral grasp. Faith is glorious and objectivity. most of them. •

Why I am Not a Presbyterian

Hilliard Bennett

dvancing to a new life of humanism has been, for place, but at the time I didn't really think about it in that me, as traumatic as the butterfly's struggle to wrench light. My condition was not static; I had no choice but to Aitself free of its cocoon. move on to another stage. The cocoon of which I speak is a metaphor of my own I came to see that the individual on the brink of embracing making. It means I was wrapped up in the symbols of the humanism must have advanced through his or her own "faith"—the rituals, hymns, and especially the fellowship personal metamorphosis. FREE INQUIRY's Ethics in Conflict: activities of the church. The exclusiveness of being a member Biblical v. Secular conference in Richmond in 1986 was a of a church, of being counted with God's elite, felt right. doorway to a new era of freedom from traditional religion I believe my devotion was genetic. The human psyche needs for me—yet I could not have found it had I not attended gods. The Zulus of Natal, South Africa; the Aborigines of Sunday-school classes in my early teens, read and reread Australia; the Pharoahs of Egypt; the Greeks; the American several editions of the Bible, explored fascinating fundamen- Indians; the peoples of the Far East, Middle East, and every talist dogmas, sat through several Free Methodist Sunday other area on earth behold the images of Supreme Beings services wishing I could be uninhibited enough to bawl and who created and rule the world. Present-day spiritual leaders shriek like the members of those congregations, felt the serenity proclaim that the gods of our age are commensurate with of the silent meetings of the Quakers, and involved myself the progress of modern knowledge and intelligence. in humanitarian outreach to refugees in the name of the As I look back I see that I regarded my cocoon as a safe Presbyterian church. As I see it, the humanistic state of mind must blossom from the soil of the traditional church. You may disagree, saying that one who grows up in a secular environment may be, or become, a humanist quite naturally. Perhaps so. My conception is that humanists are those who know about the church because they grew up in it, who then broadened their Hilliard Bennett is a retired sense of responsibility in their relationship with others, and graphics director at Bur- formed new principles that work more indiscriminately for roughs Wellcome Company, the betterment of humankind on earth, not after death. and author of short stories, Humanists cannot just be indifferent. articles, and the book Dis- If I had been confronted with humanistic ideas during my covering Graphology. He thirties, forties, or fifties, while searching for a church to which lectures on Old Testament I could dedicate myself without reservations, I would not have history. been ready to break out of my cocoon. I shared the viewpoint of the church that humanism is always synonymous with

Fall 1990 43 atheism. I was a skeptic, but to be an atheist was unthinkable. comes with ever deeper study, which implied that I should And atheist should be avoided like a disease, and, if possible, do more studying. It is remarkable how the mind can close crushed lest our one nation under God be spiritually intellectual doors to create an illusion of truth based on undermined and morality thereby dissolved with the finality emotion. of a lump of sugar in a cup of tea. 2. Become a hypocrite. The hypocrites don't really believe According to the dictionary, an atheist is one who the Apostles Creed, nor that prayers are answered, but in

"... denies or disbelieves the existence of God or Gods." their opinion the church gives stability to the community. I struggled to clarify the meaning of this statement. First the It is the best place to meet other good people, therefore it is good to pretend to believe in Communion, the Benediction, A key role for the humanist is to demonstrate the rituals, and the communal prayers. Why create a fuss? Harmony prevails as long as the mouth is kept shut on that one can have good moral concepts and unsettling questions. So the church isn't perfect, but is there behavior, and a concern for humankind, anything better to replace it? Don't rock the boat. without connection to a church. 3. Cope, like those who would not be involved in the church if it weren't for the children. They are skeptical about God and admit it, but they do not see an alternative. They enroll word "God" needs to be defined. There is not a doubt in their children in Sunday school because it seems safer to my mind that there exists some sort of supreme management provide them with a rudimentary religious education than in nature. If there were no such management, the planets not to. With this foundation they will at least be better prepared would crash into one another, goats might breed monkeys to make up their own minds about religion later in life. instead of other goats, and the social structure of the beehive As I grew older it became more important to me that I would be so confused that there would be no honey. be able to state my beliefs unequivocally. I wrestled more Does this management of the universe control my life? and more with traditional religious rhetoric. One day a private I suspect that I am really not so free in spirit that I may plane fell on a house nearby. The pilot and passenger were act in any way I choose, that nature says, "You will not be killed, but the owners of the house had gone out earlier. I an engineer, even though that is your goal. I have given you was appalled to hear the owners thank God on television, certain genes that program you for musical talent, therefore with tears running down their cheeks, that they were out of choose to be a concert pianist and you will more likely be the house at the time of the crash. They could credit God successful." for sparing their lives, but did not question why he would We cannot know what sort of management it is that causes kill the occupants of the plane. a rose, when visited by a bumble bee that has just come from During the drought the television news showed intelligent- a petunia, to accept only the rose pollen and thereby grow looking people praying for rain. My first reaction is to respect another rose, not a mixed-up crossbreed. others for their convictions, but it disturbed me that they But I would not call this management of the universe "God," could be so silly as to overlook God's allowing the drought because the word "God" gets fouled up in semantics, as does in the first place. the word "atheist." I do not rule out that this management My final disillusionment with the church came when, may finger me for some sort of action, but I would not be probably foolishly, I allowed myself to be voted in as an conscious of it. This same management probably would not elder, thinking that I could work with other members through intervene to prevent me from being run over by a truck, but church channels to reach out to those in need more effectively maybe it would. I really cannot know, therefore I cannot than I could as a financially unendowed individual. Being say that I don't believe in a supreme manager of the universe, a new elder I was required to make a statement about my a God, if the word "God" means an unfathomable essence Christian experience. Certain influential elders found my tale that I cannot know. Likewise, if you tell me you are an atheist, incompatible with Presbyterianism and prevailed upon the you need to clarify what you mean when you use that word. other elders to join in booting me out. That did it. My cocoon Wrestling with these thoughts was a prelude to my was breaking, and with Presbyterian help. Previously I was wrenching free of my cocoon. Another person might decide quite comfortable in my Presbyterian cocoon, because I had not to take the risk. The road to humanism looks lonely, presumed that Presbyterians didn't take medieval dogmatism but to remain in the environment of traditional religion, the seriously anyway. cocoon, one must condition oneself. I see three choices: The realization that I had been so naive about Presbyterian 1. Join the "true believers" for whom religion is an orthodoxy was a blow. I had been, or at least thought I was, emotional experience, whose minds are turned off to free a Presbyterian since I was sixteen years old. To be the bad inquiry about questions that might be unsettling. I asked a apple in my local church basket left me crushed, but the other devout Christian to define God for me. He said God is the side of the apple was that I was free. Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. When I asked what I did not feel free at first, however. I was in a state of that meant, he said they are the Trinity and the Trinity is crisis. At this point I needed a book on secular humanism God. At Bible study groups I have asked questions about to replace the Holy Bible, and a secular humanist establishment passages that seemed to depict God's actions in an unsavory in which to find a haven for my battered spirit. light. The usual answer was that the infallibility of the Bible It appears to me that secular humanists know they are

44 FREE INQUIRY

secular humanists because most have come through similar we are Methodists, Lutherans, or whatever, likewise we do steps of metamorphosis. No affirmation is needed. To prepare not need to identify ourselves as belonging to any school of a book of secular humanistic concepts and anecdotes to guide thought unless the subject comes up. If we proclaim to be others down the "right road" and reaffirm the thoughts of an organization of secular humanists, the sentries of the church those already within the organization would be pedantic. would take a hostile view, start a war, and hamper any good So here I stood outside my ex-Presbyterian home, unsettled, work the humanist could do. even apprehensive, about secular humanism. There is some- There is a generation of young people today who are thing good to be said for the family-like church group, the disillusioned by the church. The political infighting among members of which stroke one another with the blessings of and within denominations has lost their respect. It would be a divine mentor. Even though they do not try to interpret great if the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism the meaning of what they do, to focus on a symbol and par- could conduct a program that would offer the young people ticipate in a communal ritual gives the feeling of taking positive an alternative to traditional religion, but humanists cannot action to uphold the goodness and morality of the world. say to young people, as would a clergyman, "Let's talk about To come to a reckoning that I stand alone without a celestial humanistic role models that would be morally good and help mentor, vulnerable to disease, general deterioration with age, you deal with drugs and sexual relationships." Humanists do injustice, insect stings, reckless drivers, and whatever else, is, better not to proselytize. About all they can do, it appears to say the least, unsettling. Although I never really relied on to me, is to keep ready ears to the outcries of the young. God to cure me of an illness, placing my faith in a doctor Social workers, psychologists, school counselors, doctors, and an appropriate prescription, I would still entertain the teachers, uncles and aunts, grandparents, parents, and friends thought that God worked through the doctor and the are the "ministers" of secular humanism. pharmaceutical researchers to save me. Now I had wiped away A person, young or old, about to break out of the centuries- my last illusion. No more theological rationalizations. old cocoon of traditional religion into the nebulous climate It hit me quite suddenly that to be a secular humanist of secular humanism wherein there is no celestial father figure, requires fortitude. I am talking about standing apart from needs the support of mature humanists who have completed the traditional religious establishment, developing new and their emergence into the life of free inquiry, and who do not productive relationships, using the power of reason as best replace God with another phenomenon of some sort, such I can and then moving ahead with courage, dealing patiently as political radicalism or outrageous civic activism, but have and tolerantly with adversaries, allowing others the space to made a foundation for themselves that, philosophically, stands • pursue their own lives, acting compassionately toward those so securely that their confidence is contagious. who might benefit by my support, taking whatever credit is due me graciously rather than thank a celestial figure. Good-looking sturdy holders To attend scholarly conferences does not make one a secular humanist, but I must say that the 1986 conference was a to protect your copies milestone in my life. To carry on a dialogue in a true spirit of FREE INQUIRY. of free inquiry with scholars in the auditorium and with new acquaintances across the dinner table and provoke no raised Holders are available in either red, yellow, eyebrows or blank stares was an exhilarating experience. blue, green, or black vinyl with gold orna- The role I see for the secular humanist is to be a mentation and convenient slots for labels on humanitarian and an instrument of justice wherever he or the front and the back. she may be. The humanist can reach out to humankind in beneficent ways less discriminatingly than can people of the $8.95 each, plus $1.85 for postage and handling church. Secular humanists can be the Good Samaritans of the world. A key role for the humanist is to stand by and help others Please send me holders in red work through their bewilderment about religion, and to yellow blue green black demonstrate that one can have good moral concepts and Total $ behavior, a compassionate attitude, and a concern for humankind without being connected to a church. ❑ Enclosed is my check or money order I have thought about how to communicate humanistic ideas Charge my VISA o MasterCard ❑ to other people, especially the young, and decided that the humanist can work more effectively on a one-to-one basis Card # Exp Date_ than as part of an organization. It would not do to teach Name secular humanism classroom-style; it is best to work out the problem at hand in a common-sense way, without a prayer Street for divine guidance. 1 don't mean to imply that the humanistic City State Zip style of action should be covert. No, "by their fruit you will know them" (Matt. 8:20). (This quote is taken out of context, FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005 but it sounds good, doesn't it?) As we don't go around saying

Fall 1990 45 You are cordially invited to attend FREE INQUIRY'S Ninth Annual Conference HIJMA%ISM AND LIBERTY A celebration of the bicentennial of the Bill of Rights Thursday, November 1 to Sunday, November 4, 1990 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, Massachusetts featuring: Alan Dershowitz • Stephen Jay Gould • Alfie Kohn • Ishmael Jaffree Gerald Larue • Jan Narveson • James Randi • E. O. Wilson

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 7:30 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.: Welcoming Reception

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 9:00 A.M. 12:00 NOON: Religion and Liberty Chair: Ron Lindsay, attorney, Washington, D.C. Speakers: Robert Alley, professor of humanities, University of Richmond. Ishmael Jaffree, attorney, Youngstown, Ohio. Florence Flast, chair, Public Education and Religious Liberty (PEARL). Edd Doerr, Americans for Religious Liberty.

12:00 NOON - 2:00 P.M.: Luncheon Speaker: Alan Dershowitz, attorney, columnist; professor, Harvard Law School.

2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.: Humanism and Atheism Chair: Tom Franczyk, co-editor, Secular Humanist Bulletin. Speakers: Michael Martin, professor of philosophy, Boston University. Gordon Stein, editor, The American Rationalist.

3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.: Humanist Laureates on Humanism and Science Chair: Paul Kurtz, professor of philosophy, SUNY Buffalo; editor FREE INQUIRY. Speakers: Stephen Jay Gould, author; professor of geology, Harvard University. E. O. Wilson, author; professor of science, Harvard University.

7:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.: Awards Banquet Honorees: Stephen Jay Gould, Gordon Stein, James "the Amazing" Randi, Ishmael Jaffree. Entertainer: Dan Barker, Freedom From Religion Foundation.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 9:00 A . - 12:00 NOON: Concurrent Sessions (A) The Roots of Religious Liberty Chair: Gerald Larue, professor emeritus, USC; chairman, CSER. Speakers: Ralph Ketchum, professor of political science, Syracuse University. R. Joseph Hoffmann, professor of humanities, California State University, Sacramento. Glenn Tinder, professor of political science, University of Massachusetts/Boston.

Saturday, November 3, continued 9:00 AM. - 11:00 A.M.: (B) Humanism and Feminism Chair: Mary Beth Gehrman, managing editor, FREE INQUIRY. Speakers: Molleen Matsumura, editorial associate, FREE INQUIRY. Barbara Eisenstadt, addiction and group dynamics specialist, Albany, N.Y. 11:00 AM. - 12:00 NOON: African-Americans for Humanism Chair: Norm Allen, director, African-Americans for Humanism. Speaker: Ishmael jaffree. 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.: Humanism, Libertarianism, and Altruism Chair: joe Barnhart, professor of philosophy, University of North Texas. Speakers: Jan Narveson, professor of philosophy, University of Waterloo. Alfie Kohn, consultant; author, The Brighter Side of Human Nature. Joan Kennedy Taylor, author. 6:30 P.M.: Comedy at the Duck Soup Comedy Club "Give Me Comedy or Give Me Death" with humor writer Don Stevens. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 9:00 AM. - 10:30 AM.: Concurrent Sessions (A) Love and Liberty / Sexual Freedom Chair: Tom Flynn, co-editor, Secular Humanist Bulletin. Speakers: Marvin Kohl, professor of philosophy, SUNY Fredonia, Robert Rimmer, author, The Harrad Experiment. (B) Living Without Religion Chair: Tim Madigan, executive editor, FREE INQUIRY. Speaker: Skipp Porteous, editor, The Freedom Writer. 10:30 AM. - 12:00 NOON: Concurrent Sessions (A) Raising Children Humanistically Chair: Molleen Matsumura. Speakers: Lisa Kuhmerker, editor, Moral Education Forum. Anthony Picchioni, professor of history, Northlake College I Marriage and Family Counselor. (B) Dying Without Religion Chair: Gerald Larue. 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.: Robert Ingersoll: A Successful Humanist Leader: Philip Mass, chairman, Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Committee. 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.: Open Forum ALS000 AM. - 5:00 P.M.: Special Event — SOS Second National Meeting Leader: Jim Christopher, founder, SOS (Secular Organizations for Sobriety).

YES, I (we) plan to attend FREE INQUIRY'S 1990 Conference. Endosed is: ❑ Registration for person(s) $99 each $ ❑ Friday luncheon for person(s) $25 each $ ❑ Friday banquet for person(s) $40 each $ ❑ Saturday comedy club for person(s) $8 each $ ❑ Sunday SOS Meeting only for person(s) $25 each $ Total $ For accommodations at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, call 1-800-228-9290. Mention FREE INQUIRY and receive a conference discount. ❑ Check enclosed ❑ MasterCard ❑ Visa tt Exp

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Return to: Jean Millholland, FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, N.Y. 14215-0005 • (716) 834-2921 main purpose is not to translate religion into the mental categories of modernity but to change these categories so that religion can The Fundamentalist Absolute and be grasped. It stems from the belief that the whole world, not just some religious Secularization in the Middle East segment, should reflect its sacred source. The underlying cause of the severe attack of fundamentalists on modernity is the emergence of a new trend in the west, that Mourad Wahba is, secular humanism. "A Secular Humanist Declaration," drafted by Paul Kurtz and he title of this paper necessitates, at the inerrancy of Scripture, held to be funda- endorsed by fifty-eight prominent scholars, Toutset, the clarification of three terms: mental to the Christian faith. one states: "Regrettably, we are today faced "absolute," "fundamentalist," and "secu- The word came into use in the United with a variety of anti-secularist trends: the larization." States by 1920, and was probably coined by reappearance of dogmatic authoritarian Kant was the first to introduce the the editor of the New York Watchman- religious fundamentalist and doctrinaire concept of the absolute into the field of Examiner, who in a 1920 editorial described Christianity, a rapidly growing and uncom- philosophy, at the beginning of his preface "fundamentalists" as those "who mean to do promising Moslem clericalism in the Middle to the first edition of the Critique of Pure battle royal for the fundamentals." The term East and Asia." Reason. He says that reason has this peculiar "the fundamentals" was familiar to Watch- This new trend is based on the following destiny, within a part of its knowledge, of man readers thanks to a series of free principles: being forced to face questions it cannot booklets that had been issued between 1909 1. Free inquiry; the right to differ not avoid. These questions are imposed on and 1915, which dealt with the fundamentals only in science and everyday life but also reason by its very nature, but it is unable of the faith, such as the reality of hell and in politics, economics, ethics, and religion. to give answers. These unanswerable ques- the second advent of Christ; a series of 2. Separation of church and state: the tions are about the concept of absolute, attacks on the biblical criticism that treated foundation of an open democratic society whether you call it God or State. And the the Bible chiefly as the record of a remark- where the clerical authorities are not history of philosophy, according to Kant, able religious development; and criticism of permitted to legislate their own parochial is nothing but the story of this inability. scientific theories—especially Darwinism, in views—whether moral, philosophical, or However, Kant differentiates between two view of the threat that it seemed to present political. cases: to seek to grapple the absolute and the doctrine of creation. 3. The ideal of freedom: to defend to grapple the absolute. A possibility for From our understanding of the meaning freedom of conscience and belief not only grappling the absolute has always existed of "the absolute" and "fundamentalism," we from ecclesiastical control, but also from and will always exist, but to conceive that can define the meaning of the "fundamen- government control. you have grasped the absolute, in an absolute talist absolute" as not being abstract and 4. Ethics based on critical intelligence, way, is an illusion. For insofar as one grasps isolated from the historical process, but as ethics independent of revealed religion, the absolute he or she limits it, and then being immanent, with the purpose of con- formulated by critical thinking and in it is no longer the all-comprehending reality. trolling the historical process by confining contradiction with absolute ethics. This Kantian notion of the absolute it to the past and future. In this sense, the 5. Moral education: no particular sect flourished in late-nineteenth-century Ger- fundamentalist absolute is a rupturous agent can claim its values as its exclusive property; many in a mystical form and emigrated to that is also definitive and interdictory, and accordingly, moral education should be England with the specific purpose of therefore considers war as sacred and designed to encourage the capacity of free counteracting the antireligious developments essential. choice. of science. This religious absolute was There remains "secularization": it is 6. Religious skepticism: of the supernat- Berkeleyian solipsism. But it was done to derived from the Latin word saeculum, ural, doubt about traditional views of God death in the early years of this century; which means "the world in time or in and divinity, and denial of literal interpre- people ceased to believe in the manufacture history." Hence the definition to be adopted tation of sacred texts; universe is controlled of the universe by the mind. is that secularization is the process by which by natural forces that can be understood by In recent times a new absolute has human existence is determined by the scientific research. emerged, that is, the fundamentalist abso- dimension of time and history. In this sense 7. Reason: concern over the current lute. Thus we have to clarify what is meant secularization as a movement emerged in attack by nonsecularists on reason and sci- by fundamentalism. It is described in the 1543, when a new mentality was born with ence, and commitment to rational methods Oxford Dictionary as a religious movement Copernicus's "De Revolutionibus orbium of inquiry and testing claims to truth. that became active among various Protestant coelestium." Its pivotal idea is that humanity 8. Science and technology: belief in the bodies in the United States after World is not the center of the universe. scientific method for understanding the War I, based on strict adherence to the literal Hence, fundamentalism differs from world; looking to the natural biological, conservatism. Conservatism accepts the social, and behavioral sciences for learning Mourad Wahba is professor of contem- modern reduction of the role of religion and humankind's place within the world, and porary philosophy at Ain Shams University, accepts the modern arena in which the looking to astronomy and physics for Cairo, and president of the Afro-Asian theological task is to be done, whereas learning the dimensions of the universe. Philosophy Association. fundamentalists are uncomfortable with the 9. Evolution: defending the theory of modern logos and are critical of it. Their evolution against the fundamentalists'

48 FREE INQUIRY attacks, which are a serious threat to The book he wrote in Arabic, What Did to the spirit and the teachings of Islam. academic freedom. the World Lose Due to the Decline of Islam? What are the qualifications of an Islamic 10. Education: the essential method of expounded Maududi's modern Jahiliyya ruler who can undertake these responsibil- building humane, free, and democratic doctrine. When the author visited the Middle ities of government? First, the leader must societies and of developing the capacity for East in 1951 he was given a triumphant wel- rule according to the divine law and not by critical thinking in both the individual and come from jaor thinkers. When he met his own will. Second, this divine law is con- the community. Sayyid Qutb in Cairo, they found their ideas ceived as being an interpretation of the just to be in close affinity, especially the concept faqih, and the people have to obey in accord- onsequently, one may conclude that of modern Jahiliyya (barbarism), which be- ance with the Koranic verse: "O believers there are two main trends in the second came the pivotal concept in Qutb's writings. obey God and obey the Messenger and those half of the twentieth century, that is, religious The negation of God's sovereignty and in authority among you." Up to this point fundamentalism and secular humanism. In Jahiliyya denotes that human beings are one can see that Khomeini's concept of the this paper I will tackle the religious funda- under the domination of other humans fundamentalist absolute is not theorized and mentalism in its Islamic form and expound rather than of God, and this means applying elaborated. The one who did it was Ali the ideas of the most influential militant laws laid down by humans, whereas Islam Shariatic. In his book The Sociology of thinkers: Maulana Maududi, Sayyid Qutb, observes the Law of God. Consequently, Islam he tries to interpret history in religious Ruhollah Khomeini, and Ali Shariati. Qutb has conceived the societies of today terms. He says that the story of Cain and Islamic fundamentalism can be seen in as barbaric—including the Communist, the Abel is the story of history, the beginning motion throughout the Moslem world from Jewish, the Christian, and even those who of the war that still has not concluded. The North Africa to Southeast Asia, and it affects claim to be Islamic societies insofar as some weapon of each is religion. It is for this a total of six hundred million Moslems. It of them explicitly adopt secularization and reason that the war of religion against professes to offer a political, economic, and others declare that they adopt religion but religion has been a constant in human social system that provides an alternative to exclude religion from the social system. history. On the one hand is the religion of both the capitalist and socialist systems, and From the concept of Jahiliyya Qutb con- Shirk, of assigning partners to God, a that could restore or recreate the conditions cludes that Islam liberates people from being religion that furnishes the justification of that existed in the days of the Prophet slaves to other human beings because it Shirk in society and class discrimination. On Mohammed. declares that God is the only giver of law. the other hand is the religion of Tawheed, Maulana Maududi (1903-1979) was born But this declaration is not mere speculation, of the oneness of God that furnishes the in South Central India. Many of his it necessitates being incarnated into reality justification for the unity of all classes and ancestors were leading members of sufi by force, or, strictly speaking, by the word. races and that is an anti-human system. But orders, although he did not seem to have In this way, the fundamentalist absolute this does not mean that Shariati is for sufi connections. His writings, mostly on is antagonistic to secularization, and this communism. He is against both capitalism Islamic subjects, attracted the attention of antagonism is bloody on the ground that and communism because Islam excels both. Iqubal, who invited him in 1937 to carry secularization is a negation of God's sover- Now the question is, What are the on his literary work on the premises of a eignty in all areas of human life. fundamentals of the Tawheed, that is, Islam? charitable foundation at Pathankot in the At last comes Khomeini, who incarnated They are three: preservation (Taqiye), Punjab. In 1941 he founded the Islamic the bloody fundamentalist absolute in Iran submission to the Imam, and ability to offer group Jamaat-i-Islami. Failing to come to in 1979 through the establishment of the one's life as a testimony. The most important terms with the new state, he was jailed by Islamic Republic. His perception of this is the third principle because it is this the Pakistani authorities from 1948 to 1956. Republic rotates round three issues: (1) the principle that pushes the Moslem into war Maududi's Jamaat was an open supporter need to subordinate political power to without hesitation. In this respect it is not of the late General Zia al-Haq's military Islamic goals; (2) the duty of the religious death that chooses martyrs, but the martyr dictatorship, and colluded in the hanging of scholars (the fuqaha) to bring about an who chooses death, consciously and accord- ex-Prime Minister Bhutto in 1979. Islamic state or "the governance of the ing to his or her own will. It is not a matter Maududi's mistake was that he consi- Faqih"; (3) a program of action for the of tragedy but of an ideal because testimony dered secularization as being essentially a establishment of the Islamic state. by blood is the supreme degree of perfection. way of dealing with human matters through These three issues rotate around the idea This means that the real Moslem is the the relative and not through the absolute, that the divine command has an absolute militant martyr. that is, a refusal to absolutize the relative. authority over all individuals and the To conclude, Islamic fundamentalism And religious fundamentalism in general is government, the "fuqaha" themselves are the confuses the absolute with the relative, the nothing but an attempt to absolutize the real rulers, and it is the duty of the faqih eternal truth with a temporal expression of relative. This error is also the result of to use the governmental institutions to the truth. Thus the theological truth of considering secularization as being exclu- execute the divine law to establish the just yesterday is defended as an unchangeable sively limited to Western civilization. This Islamic order. The law is actually the ruler. message against the theological truth of has created, in turn, an artificial dichotomy Thus, the Islamic Republic differs from today and tomorrow. Islamic fundamental- by splitting civilization into Western and the secular republic in that the people do ism fails to make contact with the present Islamic, whereas human civilization is one not assemble to pass laws or to make laws. situation, not because it speaks from beyond with diverse levels, the diversity being Such power in Islam is in the hands of the every situation but because it speaks from marked by civilization's process from Almighty. The Almighty is the sole legis- a situation of the past. It elevates something mythical thinking (mythos) to rationality lative power, through the Koran and the finite and transitory to infinite and eternal (logos) through the passage of secularization. Sunna. Consequently, the separation of validity. In this context, fundamentalism The major agent of transmitting Mau- religion from government and its relegation paves the way for what I call "absolute dudi's ideas was his disciple Hasa Ali Nadvi. to a system of worship is completely alien struggle." • Fall 1990 49 The Voice of Inquiry: A radio magazine Now there are seven installments of the Voice of Inquiry, the radio magazine co-sponsored by CODESH. Purchase your own Voice of Inquiry tapes-listen at your convenience. All programs are a half hour long. Dolby stereo cassette. - AUDIOTAPES - ❑ Program 103A. Steve Allen and Paul MacCready ❑ Program 104B. J. Henrik Clarke and Asa Hillard on Critical Thinking. Ishmael Jaffree, Norman Hill, on Was Ancient Egypt Black? 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Mail to: FREE INQUIRY • Box 5 • Buffalo, NY 14215-0005 Or call toll-free 1-800-458-1366. In New York State 716-834-2921. Catholics, Roman and Anglican. Undoubt- edly it figured in the libel against Anglic- anism that led Archbishop Laud to split the Books Reverend Mr. Leighton's nose. Predestination is essential to Tinder's thesis. He says a lot about individual desti- nies, and contrasts those of believers, who see their destinies projected into eternity, Apocalypse Soon with those of unbelievers, who assume that their destinies are literally dead-ends. The Robert Gorham Davis unbelievers may feel themselves well out of it, however, since those who suppose their The Political Meaning of Christianity: An God's grace and the example set by Jesus. destiny includes eternity are taking the Interpretation, by Glenn Tinder (Baton Belief is required in God but equally, belief chance of spending that eternity in hell. Rouge and London: Louisiana State Uni- in the incarnation, when God's only begotten The prospect does not make Tinder versity Press, 1989) son offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross happy, even though "there is a terrible dig- to redeem humanity from sin. This obviously nity," he writes, "implied in the idea of some- eading about the backgrounds of my poses a problem for Jews. Nonbiblical one's being eternally damned." For one thing RPilgrim ancestors in George F. Willi- religions Tinder does not discuss. it shows how seriously God takes individ- son's marvelous book, Saints and Strangers, To be good demands a love that extends uals, when "in terrifying glory" he decides I came across the case of Alexander to all human beings without regard to their the fates of every one of us before the world Leighton, a Scottish minister accused in the merits and with no expectation of a return begins. Following Berdaev and Barth, days of Charles I of publishing a libel against of any kind. Even to feel good about doing Tinder feels it is still permitted to hope that the Anglican church. At the instigation of good shows false pride, since we can never, there is an ultimate salvation for everyone. Archbishop Laud, Leighton was sentenced as fallen creatures, match Jesus. To those Otherwise we can "no longer say with John to be whipped and pilloried in the presence who contend that Christian love is as selfish that God is love." Before such awesome mys- of the Court, to have one ear sliced off, his as other kinds because it expects its reward teries, however, "reason must halt in trust." nose split, and his forehead branded. "At in heaven Tinder cites St. Paul, "who It is strange that Tinder, appealing to a some convenient later time," after he had indicates that he would sacrifice even his own relatively sophisticated audience through the begun his term of life imprisonment, he was salvation if that would procure the salvation Atlantic and the Louisiana State University to have his other ear cut off. of his fellow Jews." Press, should remain frozen in a particular For the Archbishop of Canterbury to play A humanist might wonder what kind of moment of Lutheranism without discussing a cat-and-mouse game with Leighton's re- God would make such a deal, letting Paul what has happened theologically and to maining ear, that of a fellow Christian equal- trade his soul for that of the unconverted biblical scholarship in our own century. ly devoted to God, seemed too much to take. Jews, and what kind of justice would be He pays tribute, for instance, to Dietrich It haunted me as I read Glenn Tinder's The served if Paul went to hell for his unselfish- Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who was Political Meaning of Christianity, a sober, ness. I looked up Romans 9 to learn the hanged for participating in the officers' plot thoughtful book about Christian love, with exact words. Paul is almost shockingly blunt: against Hitler. Of Bonhoeffer's courage and not a sliced ear or split nose in it. "For I could wish that I myself were accursed his importance as a theologian there is no Dissent Long sections of the book were published and cut off from Christ for the sake of my question, though David Hopper's A gives reason to suppose that in last December's Atlantic under the title brethren, my kinsmen by race." on Bonhoeffer an aristocrat, joined with other "Can We Be Good Without God?" The As I usually do, I read on, since the Bible Bonhoeffer, aristocrats in that plot from motives not answer, of course, was "No." Letters of is full of surprises, and found in that very greatly different from the motives of those comment thundered in from two hundred same chapter the word "hate" attributed to who were not religious. And the develop- readers, nearly all vehement, mostly unfa- a God whom Tinder defines as pure love. ment of Bonhoeffer's thought in his last vorable. Such a response is not difficult to God, Paul writes, loved Jacob and hated prison years would be, if closely examined, understand. Tinder made it as hard as Esau while the twin sons of Abraham were an embarrassment since it rejects exactly the possible for his readers morally; he made still in Sarah's womb, "neither having done kind of religion Tinder preaches. it as easy as possible for himself argumen- any good or evil, that the purpose of God Radical Catholic biblical scholarship, tatively by writing in a mode of rhetorical according to the election might stand, not liberated by Vatican II and now under assertion, rich in paradox and antithesis, but of works, but of him that calleth." In other constraint again, raises serious questions singularly lacking in evidence. His present words God arbitrarily chooses some for about the incarnation, so crucial to Tinder's book is in the same mode, and since it is salvation and some for damnation, and good theology, and about the resurrection and so much longer than the article, the lack of works have nothing to do with it. The God virgin birth. In his book The First Coming, evidence is even more striking. of perfect love can hate as well, and hate after an analysis fascinating to follow of the We the readers are all sinners. If we are without reason, simply because he chooses conflicting biblical accounts of Jesus' to be good at all, it can only be through to. Otherwise his will would not be free. This is harsh doctrine, which Americans appearances after his death, Thomas Shee- Robert Gorham Davis is professor emeritus know, or should know, through Jonathan han, professor of philosophy at Loyola of English and Comparative Literature at Edwards. It has driven some Christians University, arrives at the radical conclusion, Columbia University. literally mad. Disputes over it separated not unlike Bonhoeffer's, that "Jesus Calvinists from Lutherans and both from preached the end of religion and the

Fall 1990 51 beginning of what religion is supposed to making it work. world government. be about," preached that "God's presence This is not a program humanists can "Vehement moralizers" who anguish so means God's disappearance." embrace with enthusiasm. A return to over the prospects of nuclear war expect Tinder's traditional theology, his belief religion usually means a return to the Christians to come up with an answer. The in original sin, is useful to him when human- orthodoxy of the religious right as it acts answer goes deeper, Tinder says, than they ists challenge him on the link between politically in Israel or the Moslem world or realize. Christians worry about the fate of Christianity and goodness. How have Chris- among our own fundamentalists. But Tinder the individual after death, "which is more tians actually behaved in all those centuries says that humanists should listen to Chris- profoundly upsetting than the death of the since the death of Jesus? In their endless tians like himself, and I suppose we should. species." Christians have always held that wars, crusades, colonial conquests, and per- After all, the world is in terrible shape and "death will come upon the entire human secutions, were they really better than other many of the mass slaughters of this century enterprise, and history will end." people? Far from loving all others and treat- have been carried out by rejectors of religion. Jesus, who could be wrong as a man if ing them "as ends, not means" (one of Tin- All that most humanists can suggest is that not as a God, thought that the end would der's favorite phrases), Christians have with people be more reasonable. come while some of his listeners were still abandon killed not only infidels but one But if we listen to Tinder, we find that alive. It has been postponed for two thou- another, men, women, and children. They he does not have much to offer politically. sand years, but many American evangelists, are still doing so, in Lebanon, for instance. Even if Christians acted as they should, inspired by the atomic bomb, have returned Tinder agrees immediately. Christians nothing could be very different. Since we to preaching its imminence. Hal Lindsey's have often behaved abominably. Germany's are all sinners, institutions, being of this The Late Great Planet Earth claims to have Lutheran church supported Hitler. Bon- world, are limitlessly corruptible. "Govern- sold 15 million copies. For a time Ronald hoeffer stood out in opposition at a time ment is an ineffaceable sign of our fallen- Reagan was persuaded that Armageddon when "even humane and honorable Ger- ness," he writes, yet Paul drew the "logical was upon us, until perestroika intervened. mans, many of them Christians, were acqui- and crushing conclusion" that those who In contending that Christians are not escing in Nazi anti-semitism." Christianity resist authority "will incur judgment." complacent about the suffering that a final was slow to oppose slavery. "Major Chris- Like the theologians who guide him, catastrophe would entail, Tinder ignores the tian leaders and thinkers, like Paul, Augus- Tinder is ambiguous or paradoxical about Apocalypse, the Book of Revelation, in tine, and Luther, cared little about liberty most earthly activities. Nationalism is which the horrors of the end are described as we know it." Still he thinks that the Chris- dangerous yet we have to have it, but in great and lurid detail, and with distinct tian emphasis on the individual and the pur- national selfishness is to be condemned as relish. This is the book in which Christ on pose of human life was "bound in time to strongly as personal selfishness. Power is a white horse rules the nations with a rod germinate and produce the idea of liberty." dangerous, but we cannot accomplish of iron. Blood rises from the winepress of In giving Christianity credit for every- anything without it. Wars are bad, but we the wrath of God to the bridles of the horses. thing humane in our society, including the have to fight them. Democracy and liberty The seven plagues of Egypt are repeated, usual suggestion that good humanists are are qualifiedly good, but not when they heightened to the nth degree. The word themselves the indirect result of a religious produce a culture of "pornography, sexual "wrath" occurs thirteen times, attributed to morality, apologists like Tinder ignore the promiscuity, and casual abortions." Christ as well as to God. The word "love" possibility that it may be the other way At his best, Tinder on politics follows in occurs only twice, both times in conjunction around. For Tinder Christian truths arrived the path of Reinhold Niebuhr, who also with chastening. with Christ some two thousand years ago preached a doctine of limitless love com- Though God may be deeply concerned and have not changed significantly since. bined with hard-headed neo-orthodox real- with the destiny of each individual human, Hence, if behavior in some areas has become ism about fallen humanity. Niebuhr's he is quite willing, we gather from Tinder, more humane, it must be because of social brilliance persuaded many younger intellec- to see no more of them produced. The changes of nonreligious character, often car- tuals to take religion seriously as a possible Apocalypse denies nearly everything that ried out in opposition to established religion. force for good. Niebuhr, however, had a long Tinder says about God's love. It is strange If American clergymen do not split one career in practical politics, which took him that Tinder, accepting Revelation's doc- another's noses or cut off one another's from pacifism and Marxist sympathies trines, feels no need to come to terms heads, as happened to Archbishop Laud before the war to Cold War militancy after imaginatively with its text or to inquire how when the Puritan Revolution took power, it, a trajectory that many followed who were so violent a document took on this particular it could be because of political changes in not Christians. form in a period of intense eschatological which the much-maligned Enlightenment Tinder has not had a comparable career activity, Jewish and Christian. had a significant role. of self-testing in the hurly-burly of actual Tinder for whatever reason seems eager In any case, when Tinder talks of politics. His politics, largely an abstract to have dialogue with humanists. Presum- Christianity and politics he makes it clear result of his own theological musing, carry ably he wants to persuade them to accept that he is talking of Christianity as it ought him to devastating conclusions expressed on rational grounds a nonrational authority, to be, not as it is. Most American politicians with a strangely inhuman calm. the Bible, with the assumption, unproved, already identify themselves as Christians; at His postscript to the book explains why that this is the only way to solve America's the very least they pay tribute to Judeo- he is not much interested in international social problems, though not the world's. But Christian morality. And over 90 percent of politics or the peace process. Nationalism if Tinder is not prepared to discuss the the American people say they believe in God, is uncheckable, "and probably war—but not validity of that authority and what recent mostly the Christian God. So achieving the necessarily nuclear—is inevitable." Since the scholarship has revealed about it, it is hard results Tinder wants is a matter not of dangers of nuclear war spring from defective to see just what the dialogue could achieve converting the tiny minority of humanists morality, ours included, they cannot be or who would learn from it, especially if the but of radically reforming Christianity itself, removed by international agreement or "human enterprise" is about to end. • 52 FREE INQUIRY of an AIDS-like disease doesn't perceivably suffer, though observers report that he is suffering. He is housed by a wealthy artist Iris Murdoch's Cognitive and and doctored under a sanitized medical system that protects him from having to worry about who pays the bills. Two doctors Social Networks labeled homosexual live like a married couple in a community immunized from Lyle Glazier homophobia toward gays abiding by The Message to the Planet, by Iris Murdoch heritage, he puts on the mantle of a prophet Bowdlerized conventions. (New York: Viking, 1989). 563 pages. $22.95, doomed to atone for his intellect, breeding, Behind this lie the great networks of cloth. and wealth. He feels guilty for not having British upper-class society conferring advan- a direct link with the Holocaust, thereby tages and immunities on those under the e Message to the Planet is Iris Mur- sharing directly its victims' harrowing protective umbrella of money and power. 1 doch's twenty-fourth novel. In her experiences. He invokes the word "tricot- The umbrella is provided by institutions like message there is no "cosmic network" or age," symbolic of Jews weaving support for the ancient public universities, the new "universal language" that can be plugged in one another under the gaze of their persec- national universities, the royal family, the to bring humanity into harmony with some utors. In the context of Auschwitz the word blue-blood aristocracy, the corporations, the spiritualizing, redemptive electrical circuit of is stripped of the romantic overtones it bore government, the media, the arts and enter- pure cognition. in the French Revolution (when, as described tainment communities. Underneath this "All mankind is crying," she tells us, but by Dickens, Madame Defarge knitted caps network is the unmentionable creeping, the human spirit can hope for no supernat- for peasants incorporating coded names of crawling multitude of lower classes support- ural deliverance. artistocrats, so that the caps became, ing the standard of living of the rich. Murdoch's messiah, Marcus Vallar, is a symbolically, shrouds). Vallar's "metaphys- It may seem remarkable that in an age "very remarkable person," a failed guru, ical system" carries no revolutionary flavor of mass communication, Vallar's reputation whose disciple Alfred Ludens cannot extract but is abstract, theoretical, impractical, and for faith-healing draws relatively small and from him a message of salvation. In the end in the end incomprehensible. local crowds, and his funeral is attended by Vallar leaves a message that all his papers An inheritor of the Gothic tradition in only a handful of friends. Murdoch could be burned. Like Hemingway, he had lost the Age of Reason, Murdoch offers the illu- have chosen instead to lay a broad canvas his creative genius, but unlike Hemingway, sion of transcendental vistas then explains linking Vallar's life and death with the fates could still use his extraordinary power to them away. Herein lies her chief dramatic of multitudes in South African "homelands," will his death. An oven, door open, gas tension. She is skillful at guiding the reader, British and American ghettos, Afghan hissing, is a conceit to conceal the psycho- even though her ignis fatuus seems engi- villages, and Beirut suburbs. She chose not logical control exerted for his suicide. neered in order to be demystified. The result to spotlight the close-of-the-century tragedy The novel begins with Patrick Fenman, is somewhat shallow. Alfred Ludens is no of humankind destroying its birthright by an Anglo-Irish poet who suffers from a Ishmael, Vallar no Ahab. wasting the planet through industrial mysterious AIDS-like disease that turns out About half of this novel is devoted to pollution or investing in weapons of to have been caused by his illusion that such entanglements as provided main destruction that enslave the masses while Vallar cursed him. When Vallar lays hands networks in Murdoch's novels A Severed indulging the greed of a few. on Fenman and removes the delusion, the Head (1961) and The Nice and the Good Written with charm and skill and embel- The Message to the poet miraculously recovers. (1968). "Contingency" is a favorite specifi- lished with dry irony, Except for a few days when Vallar cation of the author's. Her fictions are wrung Planet draws on an appeal of a "Lifestyles exploits his reputation for raising Patrick dry of the sentimental overtones of romantic of the Rich and Famous" combined with my from the dead, he does not pose as a Jesus, love that poets like Edmund Spenser grafted the titillation of the True Confessions a Gandhi, or a Mandela. Rather, as onto marriage of convenience. grandfather's British housekeeper used to interpreted by Ludens, he is a pure philo- "Everything is accidental"; ". . . all pass on to me in the 1930s. Mrs. Beasley sopher/scientist in search of some transcen- marriage is a life sentence"; "Our lives rest cherished every tittle and tattle of scandal dental formula. The novel's time and place on contingency," she says. and gossip coming from England on the are present-day England. In Maggie Women are passed from man to man till radio. She would exclaim, "The Royal family love Thatcher's conservative, labor-bashing Murdoch chooses to halt the exchange. is my family!" And then, roguishly, "I In my sentimental, adolescent world, Vallar and his circle are not concerned Often there are not quite enough sexual my Prince!" with liquidating social inequities. They partners to go round. The network is infatuation, I shared her taste. probably would not blink at a poll tax, for tightened by the care she takes in limiting An American reader, even one whose may instance, that would ease the tariff on the the number of characters and listing those ancestors trace back to the Mayflower, rich and impose it on the poor. that will be employed. Her sexual networks be tempted to ask whether Murdoch is When Vallar broods over his Jewish lack the surprising random associations that partisan to her Tory characters. How can give an organic construction to the fiction she be, when they are so awful? The charit- Lyle Glazier is emeritus professor of English of Tolstoi or Dickens. able conclusion is that she could not have and American studies at SUNY Buffalo. He Murdoch tags characters in advance and achieved such clarity without objectivity. is the author of many books, including makes them walk her tightrope. Characters Like John P. Marquand gone to school to Henry James, Iris Murdoch is an Azubah Nye, a collection of poetry. who don't inherit money latch onto the stewardship of those who do. The poet dying astringent observer of the foibles of a

Fall 1990 53 Brahmin society. The Message to the Planet retical liberalism dictate continued support, In both novels Murdoch expresses no is an excursion around the debate between but more and more pettishly. political or religious bias but lets characters secularists and transcendentalists. In this The spokesman for the Tory brother- and incidents speak. She shies away from novel, as in earlier novel after novel, hood, Gerard Hernshaw, is an aseptic expressing outrage against homosexuality or Murdoch protagonists declare they do not homosexual. Retired from his job as a minor homophobia. There is no sign that she knows believe in God. It becomes a ritual to civil servant, he hopes to set up a household of or approves of or is bothered by the new proclaim agnosticism dispassionately, by persuading his heterosexual friend Jenkin puritanism of the Thatcher ministry, where matter-of-factly. However, these intellectu- Riderhood to come live with him and be (as in the Reagan presidency) there has been als do not, like secular humanists, express his lover, but the plan fails when Jenkin is an effort to close in on baths and pubs and any zeal for reform. accidentally shot as he intrudes into the space twilit loos where the rich used to patronize Murdoch's The Book and the Brother- of a duel by Russian roulette that had been the poor, sometimes elevating a plebeian to hood (1987) also grafts political and triggered by Crimond for indirect suicide, affluence. philosophical considerations onto her earlier now that he had finished his life's work. In her early tribute to existentialism, sexual novels of manners. This venture into Hernshaw uses his influence to obtain galley Sartre: Romantic Rationalist (1953) Mur- deeper waters revolves around the struggle proofs, is astonished at the power of doch sympathized with Sartre's vision of between Marxists and British Tory consti- "terrorist" pragmatism, and resolves to humankind as lost souls in an absurd tutionalists. David Crimond has since his spend the rest of his life propagandizing for universe. She adopted this vision in her Oxford days been drafting revolutionary the Establishment. He sets up a platonic picaresque novels of manners without propaganda. His admirers, who flirted with household with a hetero girlfriend who had adopting the existential meliorism of Camus radicalism as undergraduates, form a loved him since as a young Oxford graduate that would have brought her into harmony Crimondgesellschaft to fund his researches. he became the live-in lover of her older with secular humanists. As time stretches on and they become brother Sinclair, soon killed in a plane crash. Iris Murdoch occupies the eminence of entrenched in conservatism, a vestigial She is glad to celebrate both affections by an incisive novelist of manners, nothing loyalty to freedom of expression and theo- becoming Gerard's slave. more, nothing less. S

meaningful, the game is definitely up for theism. Atheism Defended After his critique of religious language Martin goes on to thoroughly demolish Timothy William Grogan various theistic proofs. This section reminds me of the old "overkill" doctrine of the A theism: A Philosophical Justification, by and the value of atheism actually opened Strategic Air Command, and the thermo- Michael Martin (Phila.:Temple University up my life to the true beauty of this-worldly nuclear criticisms marshaled by the author Press, 1990). 541 pages. $39.95, cloth. existence, and gave me opportunities to give certainly reduce traditional arguments for my own meaning to life. When one is caught the existence of God to the level of rhetorical theism: A Philosophical Justification up in the mythopoeic fantasy of fundamen- dust. I particularly liked Chapter 7, on the A has the impact of a runaway train. It talism, one finds meaning in the eternal argument from miracles, in which the author is certainly the best philosophical justifica- decrees of a cosmic fiend. After all, according makes clear the weakness of the appeal to tion of atheism that I have ever read. Theists to theologians, God foresaw (foreordained?) miracles as an inductive support for the who seriously try to cope with it will feel that Adam would sin, and consequently the existence of God. If one takes a look at a bit like General Paulus at Stalingrad, that damnation of 99 percent of the human race history, the appeal to the miraculous was is, surrounded on all sides. The book is was assured. Anyone who seriously reflects used in earlier centuries to an extent that designed for philosophers, but Michael on this macabre fairy tale and finds that it today the most credulous believer would Martin tries to make even his digressions "gives meaning to their lives" would find consider absurd.' It seems obvious in into probability theory and symbolic logic spiritual solace in a Stephen King horror retrospect that miracles in earlier periods of comprehensible to the nonprofessional. story. history can be parsimoniously accounted for Despite this caveat, even readers with little After dispensing with the preliminaries, without invoking supernatural entities. philosophical background will find them- Martin divides the book into two sections, In the second part of the book Martin selves richly repaid. I plan to reread my copy the first dealing with "negative atheism," the goes on to justify positive atheism: the of the book and mark it up extensively, and second with "positive atheism." He defines position that the term "God exists" is a false this is the highest compliment I could pay "negative atheism" as the claim that there (but meaningful) statement. In this section an author. are no good reasons for belief in God, or I particularly liked Chapter 12, dealing with Martin starts out by netting and quickly that the term "God exists" is not factually the incoherence of divine attributes. The desposing of several red herrings that are meaningful; Martin proceeds to make clear coherence of the theological attributes of used to critique atheism—atheists are that religious language is almost a game God—such as omniscience, freedom, and immoral, and so on. His section on atheism without rules—at least with no rules that omnipotence—do not hold together with one anyone can claim to understand. I found this another or with such posited moral attributes Timothy William Gorgan is vice president section of the book particularly enlightening as perfect goodness. Since these attributes of T. W. Grogan Company, a real-estate since it obviously constitutes the gravest cannot logically be posited to the same firm, and a graduate student in clinical threat to theistic beliefs; for how can one entity, and since the God of the theists must psychology at Cleveland University. believe if one does not have a clear idea what a priori have these attributes, God cannot to believe in? If religious language is not exist, Q.E.D. 54 FREE INQUIRY The rest of the book's second section deals of skeptics and freethinkers, this book will New Hope for Women with an extended discussion of the argument not eliminate the pestilence of fanaticism (Continued from page 28) from evil and the futile attempts of apologists from our midst; after all, fanatics rarely read and the universe. for the God-hypothesis to deal with it. The books off the "approved lists." In my experi- Humanism is the natural state of an problem of moral evil and natural evil are ence, fundamentalists, even from upper- evolving civilization—that part not contam- thoroughly discussed. Needless to say, either middle-class churches rarely read the Bible, inated by falsehood, ignorance, bigotry, and problem is enough to sink the theistic let alone books defending atheism. But for fraud. hypothesis into oblivion. My own forsak- that one rare individual, that one black swan, Humanism is what we aspire to as we ing of fundamentalism had much to do with Martin has provided a powerful arsenal of strive to disentangle facts from fallacy and reading apologetic works that supposedly argumentation that reduces the theistic truth from fantasy, to exceed the contro- "answered" the problem of evil; my think- position to a smoldering ruin. versial, and eliminate the confusion and ing was, "If this is the best we [fundamen- pollution to human reasoning. talist apologists] can do, it's time to start Note Humanists understand that it is our potential for becoming reasonable beings looking for a new Weltanschauung." And 1. See for instance W.E.H. Lecky, History of so I did. the Rise and Influence of Rationalism in Europe. that distinguishes us from other animals. Much to the dismay (but not the surprise) (New York: George Brazille, 1955). • Unless we develop and use our powers of reason, and unless we think more clearly, we lose that enviable distinction, and without it, we are nothing more than brutes. It is Books in Brief time, then, for all caring people to participate in the radical mythectomy that could constitute a cultural evolution of universal proportions. This most vital and most Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion, and Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young challenging task facing all of humanity, not Morality, by Steve Allen (Buffalo: Prome- Skeptics, by Dan Barker, with illustrations just women, requires working for our own theus Books, 1990). 428 pages. $21.95 cloth. by Brian Strassburg (Buffalo: Prometheus emancipation from mind control, from In the foreword, Martin Gardner compares Books, 1990). 180 pages. $11.95 paper. crippling circumscriptions and self-defeating this book favorably to Thomas Paine's The Maybe Yes, Maybe No is an indispensible dogma, both theistic and atheistic. It means Age of Reason, and the comparison is richly tool for skeptical and secular humanist getting to the core of humanity's problems deserved. The chapters, which are arranged parents. Written for children aged seven to by focusing on what really ails us. It means alphabetically, thoroughly explore many of eleven, it not only addresses such "mysteries" healing ourselves—realizing as we do so that the embarrassing passages and concepts of as ghosts, UFOs, and telepathy, but bravely while it is not within our human nature to the Bible that most believers manage to explores an area where few children's books be perfect, we can always be better. ignore. Allen courageously assures the fear to tread: religion. Author Dan Barker Let us who call ourselves humanists not reader that the problem is not that the Bible presents situations children can understand, forget that our own journey from theism has been misused, abused, or misinterpreted, and gently instructs them to turn to science toward freedom and democratic humanism but that its teachings are, in many cases, and their own critical reasoning abilities for was hindered by such bogus elements as inherently immoral. The author further explanations. He explains how the principles deism and pantheism, occultism and exis- notes that "The supposed defender of the of science can be used in everyday situations. tentialism, to name but a few. Sometimes faith, therefore, who responds to intelligent, Illustrations bring tough concepts to life in we took mincing steps forward, only to take analytical criticism of Scripture passages by a little book that can go a long way for giant steps backward. Also, it took us a calling them attacks on religion or on God, nonreligious parents. (Mary Beth Gehrman) while to distinguish between the ideals of is behaving no more ethically, or sensibly, humanism and the ideals of atheism. Let us than the self-styled patriot who responds to In Pursuit of Satan: The Police and the keep in mind, then, that atheism is anti- responsible critics of a society's faults by Occult, by Robert D. Hicks (Buffalo: Pro- theistic and therefore dependent on theism accusing them of treason." (Norm Allen) metheus Books, 1990). 350 pages. $23.95 for its existence. Atheism itself often as- cloth. This fascinating book will cause con- sumes the undemocratic characteristics of Ancient Myth and Modern Life, by Gerald troversy among law enforcement officers its powerful opponent and deadly rival, A. Larue (Long Beach: Centerline Press, investigating "satanic" or "cult" crimes, in- theism. 1988). 230 pages. $16.95, paper. This is an cluding child molestation cases. The author, Rather than suffering regret or guilt over expanded edition of Larue's Ancient Myth a law enforcement specialist with the the time spent on such distractions, we can and Modern Man. Larue draws parallels Virginia Department of Criminal Justice appreciate that these fallacies were part of between ancient myths and modern society. Services, was first alarmed by what he was our education and contributed to our He notes that the fundamentalists, faith- told by his colleagues at seminars on cult awareness of new possibilities. And we can healers and televangelists are using ancient crimes, later by the lack of skepticism on be thankful. myths to validate their claims, and that the part of those same colleagues. Upon Thankful that today we recognize the neither the claims nor the myths are being further examination Hicks found little evi- herculean steps of progress. Also, we critically examined on a large scale. This dence to support claims of cult crime; rather, understand that with progress comes book offers insights into the history, he encountered officials making faulty causal strength, and with strength, confidence. And psychology, sociology, and evolution of relationships and unsupported generaliza- having gained these requisites, we know at myths and religious practices throughout the tions. Must reading for anyone who is curi- last that there really is a New Hope for world, and provides interesting reading for ous about extraordinary claims seemingly Women—and anyone else who's "man scholars and laypersons alike. (NA) taken as fact by the media. (MBG) • enough" to handle it. • Fall 1990 55 PROMETHEUS BOOKS New I ides

MAN,

~SCIENCE, HUMANISM A New Synthesis With WI him IVAN FROLOV

The Harrod Experiment Steve Allen on the Bible, Man, Science, and Special 25th Anniversary Edition Religion, and Morality Humanism Robert H. Rimmer Foreword by Martin Gardner A New Synthesis With a new Afterword and America's dean of intelligent comedy does- Translated from the Russian Annotated Bibliography by the Author n't think the Bible is a laughing matter. This Ivan Frolov The "manifesto of the free-love generation" good look at the good book is a closely rea- In a book that introduces one of the most has a fresh, compelling message for today. soned examination of Scriptures, designed powerful figures in the Soviet Union to 324 pages • Paper $13.95 to encourage rational analysis of the most the Western World, the editor of Pravda influential document of Western civiliza- and newest member of the Politburo pro- The Supernatural, tion vides insights into the underpinnings of the Occult, and the Bible 428 pages • Cloth $21.95 a new philosophical trend. Gerald A. Larue • FOR CHILDREN 341 pages • ISBN -626-8 • Cloth $24.95 Noted Biblical scholar Gerald A. Larue Maybe Yes, Maybe No On the Gods demonstrates that a dependence on A Guide for Young Skeptics And Other Essays magical thinking is a thread that weaves Dan Barker Robert G. Ingersoll through the Bible and binds traditional Illustrated by Brian Strassburg faiths to the "new" religions of today. This collection of essays, long out of print, 298 pages • Cloth $21.95 Andrea is always asking questions because captures Robert G. Ingersoll at his elo- she thinks "you should prove the truth quent best, in the essays "The Gods," Setting the Captives Free of a strange story before you believe it." "Thomas Paine,"Individuality," "Heretics Victims of the Church Her adventures open the way for an excel- and Heresies," and "The Ghosts." lent introduction to critical thinking, ex- 175 pages • Cloth $17.95 Tell Their Stories plained in simple, engaging language. Austin Miles 80 pages (B&W Illustrations throughout) Robert G. Ingersoll Austin Miles provides an update on the Ages 7-12 • Paper $11.95 A Life characters who control the religious Frank Smith thinking of our time and shares letters Science in a Nanosecond The definitive biography of Robert G. In- he received after publication of the best- Illustrated Answers to 100 gersoll (1833-1899), the famed 19th cen- selling Don't Call Me Brother. These expres- Basic Science Questions tury orator and freethinker. Includes rare sive letters provide the springboard for James A. Haught photographs and extensive quotations Miles's hardhitting examination of de- Illustrated by Gary T. Hahn ceptive religious organizations. from Ingersoll's own correspondence. Why is the sky blue? What is the Milky Way? 417 pages • Cloth $29.95 231 pages • Cloth $18.95 What holds a plane up in the sky? These Interpreting Evolution and many other questions are addressed Science versus Religion in a breezy style that conveys basic scienti- Tad S. Clements Darwin and Teilhard de Chardin fic ideas in the fastest, easiest form possible. H. James Birx By examining cases in which scientific and 100 pages (MW Illustrations throughout) religious doctrines clash, Tad S. Clements Ages 10 & up • Paper $1295 This survey of evolutionary thought from conclusively demonstrates that on a fun- antiquity to the present focuses attention damental logical level, the context from At better bookstores or order directly from on the life, thought, and significance of which claims for the two activities are in- the materialism of Darwin and the PROMETHEUS BOOKS herently incompatible. spiritualism of Teilhard de Chardin . 59 John Glenn Drive • Amherst, NY 14228-2197 264 pages • Cloth $24.95 350 pages • Cloth $29.95 Toll tree (800) 421-0351 • In NY Stale (716) 691-0133 Add $250 p&h for first book 51.25 tar each addittord bock NY State residents add soles tare Marketing the Bible to yuppies In the Name of God The offices of FREE INQUIRY recently received a copy of a brochure from Foothills Community Church. The brochure, which appears to be legitimate, notes that "there Feeling for Moslems was acting on `psychic input" from biblical are some churches which are like hotels for figures, saying: "The real interesting part of overly insured saints. Foothills is more like In an odd mix of commercial boosterism this was that, when the second coming of a hospital for the uninsured who are and Islamic solidarity, Iran staged a huge Christ occurred, Jesus Christ was going to hunting. "It maintains that though Foothills trade fair in early June in Baalbek to show arrive in a spaceship." members aren't very religious or "righteous" support for Moslems fighting Christians in Beason and another soldier found a used and aren't big on ritual, they follow the Bible Lebanon's fifteen-year-old civil war. An Volkswagen van after they flew from West as their only guide. Furthermore, Iranian deputy minister of commerce, Germany to Tennessee, and apparently identified only as Zaferian, said the event picked up the others for a drive to Gulf We like ball players and baptists, golfers was designed to "indicate the special concern Breeze, where a number of UFO sightings and goof-offs, bankers and bankrupts, (The Denver Post) health nuts and couch potatoes, fat people that officials in Iran feel for the Moslems have been reported. and joggers and food junkies, frightened in Lebanon." Among the wares were and faithful, Brooks Brothers and sweats, children's books praising bloody Islamic Give peace a chance Wingtips and Reeboks, Benzs and Hyun- martyrdom, and racy underwear to be worn dais, Bible bangers and searchers. under women's all-concealing chadors. In early June, patrols in New Port Richey, Speaking of chadors, Iran intends to Florida, were stepped up amid reports of The brochure goes on to list upcoming begin to enforce more strictly the Islamic gunfire after a witchcraft ceremony. The sermons, which include "How Do You Spell dress code. Those who do not comply will witches, threatened by their neighbors, said Success, ""How to Set & Reach Your Goals," get one warning and then they will be there is no cause for worry. Mary Niles, high "How to Discipline Yourself for Success," flogged. But apparently, what you can't see priestess of Lothlorien Coven, said, "We are "Making a Name for Yourself, "and one that won't hurt you. (World & Nation) pagans, but we are peaceful pagans." we're sure has a lot to do with the Bible (Washington Report) but nonetheless think we'd rather not hear, Skin deep "How to Develop Staying Power."

Tammy Faye Bakker says she forgives "Cross" country crusade A cloudy controversy Jessica Hahn, whose tryst with Bakker's husband Jim led to his downfall and eventual A Los Angeles man, Robert Hancock, wants The Louisiana Times reports that a Bossier imprisonment. In the July Ladies Home to make people confront their Christianity; City truck driver named Gary Ragsdale is Journal, she said nude magazine photos to that end, he is walking around — stormin' mad because a Wal-Mart in show Hahn as a "skinny, very ordinary" literally—the United States, wheeling with Gastonia, N.C., is selling photos of Jesus woman. She added, "That soothed my him a large wooden cross. He says that God for $1.47 (28e for wallet-size) that look heart." is providing for him on his journey. suspiciously similar to one Ragsdale has "Sometimes people come up to me and been distributing for free. Perfect timing? give me stuff. God will just move in their The Wal-Mart photo was allegedly taken hearts. He said, don't take no thought about during Hurricane Hugo, and appears to Six U.S. soldiers who went AWOL from what you're going to eat or drink, " Hancock show a robed figure of Christ with his arms intelligence posts in West Germany won't said. outstretched. Ragsdale says his photo, which be court-martialed, but will be offered "America is a fallen bride to God, Him is virtually identical, was taken more than "nonjudicial punishment" by the Army being the husband. I've got a vision God ten years ago by a woman in a small airplane Intelligence and Security Command. will restore favor and healing will take place over the Gulf of Mexico. The plane's engine The six, who held top-secret security if Christians come out of the closet, "he said. had quit but restarted after the family of clearances, were reported missing on July Reactions to him vary from state to state. four inside the plane began to pray for their 9. On Friday the thirteenth, one of the young "It really depends on what God's doing in safety. The mother noticed an odd shape in men was stopped in Gulf Breeze, Florida, their hearts. I had people shoot at me in the clouds, which had turned an unusual for driving a van with nonworking taillights. southern Florida, and holler out of cars. orange color, and took a picture—when it A computer check found him listed as absent Georgia's real clannish, but the Carolinas was developed, it showed the Anointed One without leave. Army information and a [were] real sweet, both of them." himself. Ragsdale says he got a copy of the search of the van revealed the whereabouts When he gets back to Los Angeles, photo from his brother in Texas, who knew of the other five soldiers, who were staying Hancock said he hopes to go to Israel and the family, and has been distributing it free with Anna Foster, a civilian described by carry the cross there. "I'm waiting on God. of charge for more than seven years. He is authorities as a psychic. If it was me wanting to go over there, I upset by Wal-Mart's "commercialization of One of the group, Spc. Kenneth Beason, wouldn't go, but if it's God wanting me over Jesus." 26, of Jefferson City, Tennessee, said he and there, I'll go. If they shoot, the bullets won't Further clouding the issue is that no one the others were going to Florida on "a hit you. If they hit, you're coming home." in Gastonia is claiming the new photo. The missionary project" to prepare for the end, (Courier-News, Somerville Circle, New store where it was processed says it has no a friend said. The friend reported the group Jersey) record of the customer who brought it in. •

Fall 1990 57 now face each day with a feeling of thankfulness for the efforts of all the leaders Readers' Forum of the humanist movement. May my appre- ciation trigger even more spirited effort directed toward their noble deeds.

Harold Sparks Growing Toward Unbelief Myrtle Beach, S.C.

How did those of you who were previously religious grow toward I was born a doubting Thomas (Thomasina?) your present viewpoint? and am most grateful for that particular gene. As an only child thrust into a strict I was sent to a Catholic parochial school and contemplation. What eventually became fundamentalist family, I needed all of the for grades one and two, and forced to go apparent was that there appeared to be no curiosity I could muster. I can remember to cathechism for several years after. To me, organized group of "truth" purveyors that my first doubts forming at age eight as I God was the great protector. When I was enjoyed the complete respect of all its lay on the grass contemplating the recent taken to mass we had to speak Latin. I did followers for very long. Protestantism split death of my best friend and the contrasting not know what the words meant, but I had off from Catholicism, and then into factions beauty of the summer day. Why had a loving fun chanting them. that later split and splintered some more. God allowed Anne to be killed by a car, When I was about ten years old, the Though Catholic power is entrenched, there and how could a god without any shape or Second Vatican Council ruled that the mass is much rumbling in the ranks. form have made all of this wondrous world? could be said in the native language. Today we find violent confrontations And who made God? My questions were Suddenly God could understand English, continously in the news: Hindu sects are at squelched by both teachers and parents, and and I could understand the words that I was war with one another; Islamic groups and I can still recall the horrified expression of aping. I told my mother, "I'm not going to Jews, if not fighting among themselves, are a Sunday-school teacher when, at about age church anymore, it's stupid." I was duly fighting one another; Irish Catholics and ten, I asked where Cain found a wife if he punished, but I was never taken to church Protestants resort to the use of automatic and his family were the only people on earth. again. weapons to try to prove a point. Life is too She told me very sternly and loudly that nice Several years later, in the eighth grade, short to actively participate in the futility children did not ask such things, and that I took a class on religions of the world, in of hostility. we must all love and accept God through which we were presented with a brief outline Along with an awakening to the ineffec- faith. That public tongue-lashing lasted far of every major religion. Christianity was last. tiveness of all forms of organized religion into my adulthood, as did the early years By the end of the class we had learned that was my rejection of all supernatural expla- of invasive, relentless brainwashing. I still most religions had a head character who was nations of inexplicable phonemena, and also doubted, but stopped actively pursuing born of virgin mother, and that the god of the rejection of the notion of an anthropo- answers. each religion calls the others liars. That class morphic deity. But oddly enough, I find I A Wesleyan Methodist college brought effectively ended my belief in a personal receive increased strength and motivation to no enlightenment, and for fifty years I savior. bring about a more humane world and a thought that something was wrong with my For many years my belief in any type better quality of life for all through my mentality. How could I be right when every- of god slowly dimished. Then, at the age acquiescence to some spirited proddings one around me claimed to believe in a merci- of twenty-two, I read a newspaper article from some unknown source. I also like to ful, omnipotent god? It has only been during about a seven-year-old girl's entire family think that my personal welfare and the this decade, since my responsibilities have being killed in a Christmas Eve fire. I said welfare of every living organism are decreased, that I have begun to search vigor- to myself, "If I were God, I would not let improved by the impingement of some ously again, to study and to reason. I've dis- that happen. How can my morals be better mentally directed pulsating force not as yet covered reams of academic help, and many than those of God?" completely understood by science. Also, I courageous philosophers and freethinkers I am no longer burdered by the refuse believe that by the stilling of mental and have finally opened the doors of my prison. of religion. I have also noticed that as I physical activity there arises a recognition A few weeks ago, I sat around a supper became more educated, I had less need for and receptiveness of this spirited energy. As table with several members of our local a god. Classes on comparative religion an example, a healthy attitude and thought- skeptics' group, and we exchanged accounts should be mandatory, as should classes on ful disposition toward the phenomenon of of our religious backgrounds. Someone said rational thinking. Without them, this coun- sleep, meditation, and the relaxation to me, "You've come a long way, baby!" and try will continue to decline. response can produce a greater feeling of indeed I have. It has been a slow journey well-being and an improved quality of life. through a tunnel of darkness and ignorance, David Vorous Logic and reason may dictate a right and I want to thank the staff of FREE San Luis Obispo, Calif. course of action, but spirit (life-force INQUIRY for providing a shining light at the enhanced by a human effort) puts enthu- end of the tunnel. My transition from religion to nontheism siasm into the performance of a deed, and was extremely gradual and occurred over a tends to assure that the deed is done. Spirit Elizabeth F. Lafler period of many years—years filled with study is the greatest enemy of procrastination. I North Tonawanda, N.Y.

58 FREE INQUIRY I grew up part of an extremely small, tight- came from God. I can counter with my own What became clear was that religion was knit minority in my native Belgium—the flash of insight, which I know came from more a function of geography than of any Mormons. In general, people respected the inside of me. essential truths to which its adherents might seriousness of those who adhered to such If it just ended there, there would be no lay claim. uncommon, inconvenient faiths. Still, we point in communicating my experience to My mind, of course, was limited by my kept ourselves apart socially. Our abstention you. This event, and many others, demon- basic human nature. Our species, like all from drink, tobacco, and coffee made us feel strated the mental processes of creativity and others, is the unique product of its evolu- like martyrs for the good cause; we were invention—at least for me. Many—perhaps tionary history. Nothing in that history the chosen people. most—of my new ideas have come in such requires that we understand the universe, but And yet, even as a child, I could not fully a sudden "flash," although not with such everything says that we had better be loyal give myself to what what I gradually came éclat. These flashes come at odd times, even to our tribes. Religion sees to that. This to call absurdities. The testimonial nature in dreams. One of my best scientific insights impulse to religion seems so pervasive and of the religion repelled me, as did the obvious came while walking down the hallway to my fundamental that it must have had some very ignorance and naivete of other church mailbox. In another case, one night at 2 A.M. real advantage on a tribal scale. The scale members. I wrote down an idea that would revolu- has changed, but Moloch lives on. My father deeply believed, I think; but tionize the measurement of dielectric I think we need look no farther than our my mother, "converted" at the time of her constants. The next morning a little cogi- own triune brains to find this beast. Religion marriage, had been raised by a deeply tation revealed that it was erroneous, seems to satisfy two major needs: the need atheistic socialist father. Her approach to unfounded, fallacious. This demonstrates for ritualistic (reptilian) conformity and the most everything was based on reason and that these flashes of insight are not to taken need for emotional (mammalian) confor- on respect of the individual. She would revise at face value; they are not to be trusted. Each mity. As one of Gary Larson's cartoon and rationalize the myths we were taught must be subjected to all the powers of the buffaloes snidely remarks to another in a in Sunday school where, still very young, intellect to see if they are valid. stampeding herd, "As if we knew where we I soon acquired a reputation of having "the This rational examination of intuitive were going!" It is both the appeal and the spirit of pride" because I questioned the Bible hunches is not applied by the "true believers." downfall of religion that one never really I asked, "Why is God jealous? That's not They accept at face value, without rational has to ask. Humanists had better keep nice!" I still don't understand how anyone confirmation, without examining the evi- asking. It is not enough to know where can find moral guidance in the Bible! dence, any old insight that comes down the ignorance is. We need to know how and why Oh, I am still sensitive to the poetry, the pike. They believe insights that are patent it persists despite all evidence to the contrary. beauty, the metaphorical value of many nonsense. They believe "insights," both their The answers lie within. The opiate of the myths and rituals; but do I believe in their own and those of others, that have long since masses might be more truly an opiate than magic power? No, I cannot! Nor can I been proved false. They do this because they we thought. If there are religious "receptor possibly believe in a Hebraic or Christian believe that these intuitive inspirations come sites" in the brain, they should not be far god, or any god, who, to say the least, hasn't from outside themselves, that they come removed from those of bigotry, hatred, and been a very good example to mankind. from on high, rather than from within their discrimination. own brain. Jeanne Horbach Dwight Robinson Mill Valley, Calif. R. Thomas Myers St. Paul, Minn. Kent, Oh. In my struggle toward rationality, the last item to go was the belief in God. I was about My last trip to church (as a pawn) occurred We want to know your opin- nineteen at the time. I still vividly remember in Hawaii. I was in training for Peace Corps Editor's note: the night I finally tackled the issue head on. duty in Malaysia. All at once the Great ions regarding issues of interest to humanists. I walked up and down the streets of Meaningless of what I had been hearing Morgantown in the rain, wrestling with the came to bear, even before I stepped inside. What do you think of the word "euprax- ophy" to describe "good conduct and problem: Is there a god, or isn't there? Finally I listened for a time at the door, then wisdom in living"? Is humanism a it dawned on me that my real problem was walked—for good. Rome and all of Chris- eupraxophy? what I would substitute if I gave up the idea tendom was a Grand Fraud. Was I the only of a god; without it there would be a great one who noticed? How does a humanist who does not believe If any of my Peace Corps training mates in an afterlife deal with the death of a loved emptiness. one? Then the inspiration came, as if from were freethinkers, no one was talking about above, as if from a great flash of light. I it. It wasn't until I got to Malaysia that I Why aren't more women involved in the would substitute people for God! From that met a true kindred spirit—an East Indian humanist movement? time on I was a humanist—in the secular of Punjabi extraction. He was fond of sense, of course. Since that time, all of the quoting Bertrand Russell and discussing at We welcome your letters on these topics, and evidence has confirmed that no such thing great length the follies of faith. All of this encourage you to suggest topics for future as a personal god exists. subversive activity right in the heart of Readers' Forums. Please type and double- I have met many theists who have related Islamic fundamentalism! I couldn't get space all copy. Send to Readers' Forum, the "vision" that led them to their belief in enough. I plowed through the Buddhist and Mary Beth Gehrman, editor, P.O. Box 5, God. Of course, they believe that this vision Hindu texts and even the Koran for insights. Buffalo, New York 14215. •

Fall 1990 59 (Letters, continued from page 3.) As a participating pharmacist, I see what Skepticism and happiness using. No matter how bad the medical news deleterious effects legal prescription drugs was, especially toward the end, he was always can have when my colleagues and I fail to Marvin Kohl ("Skepticism and Happiness," able to find a reason to feel lucky. educate our patients or are lax in continuing Summer 1990) maintains that it is wrong Thankfulness, for the years we shared. our professional education. to believe on insufficient evidence, but An example to follow when my time comes. Our efforts would be better concentrated apparently he does not consider it wrong I know he will not be waiting for me on on education and a reassessment of our to reject a belief without the evidence that that beautiful shore. Although that would attitudes toward all drugs, both legal and it is wrong. Also, "happiness" may be be wonderful, it is only a fairy tale, and we illegal. Prohibition was ineffectual earlier in important for the individual, but for society as humanists must recognize it as such. this century. Why do we believe it will the only important factor is the impact on So, to me, coping means living in the remedy the current drug crisis? society. Therefore I think the conclusion here and now and putting the time I have We cannot stop the flow of drugs into should be that it does not matter what you left on earth to the best possible use. this country; our government's efforts have believe or do not believe, it does not matter been painfully ineffective. My gut still says what is true or false. The only thing that Eva Edmands no to legalization, but perhaps decriminal- matters is whether you or your group are Lawrence, Va. ization and strong education would exact a source of hatred, intolerance, and conflict, better results. We could hardly do worse. or whether you are a source of goodwill, Judeo-Christian contributions understanding, and peaceful cooperation. Cynthia Gemperle I agree with most of Don Bronkema's Pittsburgh, Pa. Fred B. Benjamin excellent article, "Why I Am Not a Meth- Silver Spring, Md. odist," but wish to dispute some of the FREE INQUIRY is right. There are real alleged contributions of the Judeo-Christian dangers in the current policy on drugs. Marvin Kohl makes the proposition that culture. The author inaccurately credits this However, society has the right to prohibit happiness may require a certain amount of culture with creating the idea of linear practices perceived as detrimental. The flip self-deception. This raises some interesting history, excluding the other ancient Middle side is that in today's society the people who questions. Is it possible that people know Eastern, Mediterranean, and Oriental cul- are hurt most by drugs have the fewest deep down that their too-positive self- tures, which had comparable linear writings. options. perceptions are illusory, and therefore take He further asserts that the Judeo- David Hoppe pleasure in seeing the same self-deception Christian culture "helped to preserve class- West Hempstead, N.Y. in others? Someone interviewing applicants ical learning" and "recognized, theoretically for a job may like to see confidence, whether at least, that women are more than breeders Sacrificial lambs or not it corresponds with actual abilities; and beasts of burden." is this because he or she knows and wants The Jewish culture certainly assisted in I can understand Martin Gardner's anger the applicant's confidence to be inaccurate, preserving classical learning, but unless you over the road sign in Hendersonville (Letters, or because confidence is rightly considered equate "preserving" with the use of a deep Summer 1990) because my vision is violated an ability? Or, are people able to convince freeze, Christianity did not. In fact, until by a proselytizing billboard when I drive to themselves, on every conscious and uncons- recent times, Christianity consistently work. In huge letters, the sign says, "DON'T cious level, that they possess strengths and opposed studies of the humanities and GIVE UP! PRAY! IT WORKS!" abilities greater than they actually do? If this sciences, except when the result was likely Below, in a smaller but still very readable is the case, and if such illusions are necessary to increase the power and influence of the type, is this comforting message: "THE for happiness, how does one go about church. FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER deceiving oneself? And how does one then As for women, they fared much better STAYS TOGETHER." limit such deception to those few areas where with the matriarchal religions that preceded Although I was merely disgusted at it is beneficial? And finally, where is the the patriarchies of Judaism and Christianity. having to read the sign every day, it makes distinction between this rational irrational- It would be difficult to invent a worse me seethe to read it knowing that two-and- ity, "If I think I can do it, that will help religion for women than Christianity, which a-half year old Robyn Twitchell died because me actually succeed," and the conventional for centuries considered them witches and his parents followed that same advice. mysticism, "If you first believe the crystal carriers of sin, unworthy of the care afforded Perhaps the billboard next to it should say: has powers, then its powers will make beasts of burden. "DON'T GIVE UP! BUT DON'T PRAY! themselves seen"? IT DIDNT WORK FOR ROBYN TWIT- George O. Erickson CHELL! THE FAMILY THAT GETS David C. Swanson New Brighton, Minn. MEDICAL TREATMENT TOGETHER Brooklyn, N.Y. STAYS ALIVE TOGETHER." More on the war I find it interesting that fundamentalists Burning down the House? go nuts over false reports of children being I have always been opposed to the legal- sacrificed on the altars of "satanists," but Despite the ferocious hullabaloo in its favor, ization of drugs because I believed it would have little to say when true reports surface the "Flag Amendment" failed the necessary be akin to condoning their use. After reading of children being sacrificed on the altars of two-thirds vote in the House of Represen- the articles by Thomas Szasz and Steven their parents' religious beliefs. tatives. We should be grateful for this, but Wisotsky in your Spring issue, I realized that wary of a revival since it did gain a worrisome society's acceptance of drug use is not impor- Vincent F. Safuto majority. A high demogogic potential still tant here; we are far beyond that. Lake Worth, Ea. exists for it as a vote-getter for reactionaries. 60 FREE INQUIRY The issue will no doubt be so employed right and petting at the drive-in; poverty existed, joined the "liberal" justices to strike down up until the next presidential election. as did unemployment, incest, child moles- the flag desecration laws. And it was the Many opponents expressed fear that the tation, riots on campus; in short, everything Burger court, not the Warren court, that First Amendment would be gutted. They are that exists now. Our present society is born decriminalized abortion. As for John so right! Just as important, this devilish of the seeds of our past society. Foard's comments, it is as if he had read proposal would also breach the wall of the conclusion of my piece and nothing else. church-state separation. The "Flag Amend- Gaila Noble His letter expresses the naivete that is so ment" scheme would transmute one of our Phoenix, Ariz. widespread concerning the judicial system, most respected symbols, the American Flag, which it was part of my purpose to correct. into an inviolable icon, on a par with the More on intervention Old Testament Ark of the Covenant or even Richard Taylor, Ph.D. the great Jehovah himself! William Searle ("On American Interven- Trumansburg, N.Y. President Bush and his cabal of vote- tion," Spring 1990) first attacks the U.S. hungry zealots should remember: "Thou intervention in Panama as a betrayal of U.S. Christians shalt have no other gods before me"—and "political ideals," and then proceeds to claim also remember that Roman citizens' rights that recent revolutions against Soviet- As a gullible youth, evaporated when Christians who would not installed Communist regimes owe nothing With no knowledge of truth, sacrifice to Emperor "gods" were thrown to to foreign arms. He's perversely mistaken I was new at life's game, the lions! on both counts. so a trusting convert I became. In short, the "Flag Amendment" will First, it was armed U.S. intervention How was Ito know, trash the Constitution. against General Noriega and his military What hot air Christians would blow. regime that enabled the constitutionally Jameson D. Selleck elected president of Panama to take office— They reject physics and geology, Ashland, Ore. the position of which he had been deprived Preferring, instead, creation mythology. by Noreiga's forces. Self-righteously they do act, A return to "traditional" values? Second, it is quite wrong to argue that In perverting scientific fact. military force is effective only when the guns "For everything there is a season." We hear a lot in the media about people are actually firing. Does William Searle— So, like Judas, they betray all reason. wanting to return to "traditional family does anyone—really believe that the Soviets Even archaeology's latest find, values." What does that mean? Return to would have stopped their advance at the Iron Puts the Bible in a bind. the "traditional family values" of Judaism, Curtain, and would now be in the process William Stiebing showed us why, of early Christianity, of the Puritans? Just of abandoning most of their World War II The Old Testament is a total lie. what "traditional family values" are we going conquests had there been no NATO? We to return to? Do we want polygamy, women would all do well to recall the words of U.S. Though I mention serpents in the garden, valued at the price of a cow, to sell our Admiral Mahan in his classic treatise in sea I do not ask anyone's pardon. daughters to the highest bidder, to own power. Speaking of the blockading ships of While pretending to heal the sick, slaves, to have the right to stone our the Royal Navy, he said: "It was those far- Lies are spread, smooth and thick. rebellious children to death? Do we want off, storm-beaten ships, upon which the Those phony faith healers, to return to the days when painkillers were Grand Army never looked, which alone What snaky, little squealers. refused to women having babies because it stood between it and the dominion of the James Randi's book exposed them all, was "God's will" for women to suffer in world." On their bellies they should crawl. childbirth? Do we want to see blacks having their own drinking fountains and restrooms, Antony Flew, Ph.D. Lovingly they ring the church bell, or riding in the back of the bus? Are these Reading, England While threatening hate with fires from hell. the kinds of values we want to return to? Bully us with Bible preaching, Let's face it folks, these are the "tradi- On the American Judiciary Demanding money with so much screeching. tional family values" that we've had in the Falsely smiling, sweet and nice, past. Or are we talking about the "traditional It is unfortunate that your two correspond- In my back they slipped a knife, family values" depicted by Ozzie and ents (Letters, Summer 1990) should have so They praise the Holy bread of life, Harriet? Now that sounds more like it. What completely missed the point of my piece on But the only bread they eat, some want are "traditional family values" the American Judiciary (Spring 1990). I Is sickly sophistry and deceit. that have never existed except in the minds nowhere suggested that the members of the of television producers. They want to U.S. Supreme Court are somehow more The prophets' pious predictions, "return" to a fantasy. While Ozzie and liberal in their thinking than the rest of us, Refuted by Gospel Fictions. Harriet were feeding us "family values" we or that it did not have a history of striking The claim that Jesus has risen, were knee deep in racial discrimination, down progressive legislation, as James Hall Merely a primitive superstition. fighting a bloody war, and seeing our wives points out. It is nevertheless true that No more Christian highs, off to work. Was the past more "moral" than virtually every advance in our personal The scales have fallen from my eyes. the present? If you call dropping an atomic liberties has been initiated by the conserva- An accurate analysis from logical realms, bomb on thousands of people "moral," then tive members of this secular priesthood. My Is the book, Gospel Fictions, by Randel I suppose so. If I remember correctly, girls article explained this strange paradox. It is Helms. were getting pregnant while still in school; worth noting that just recently two ultra- kids were smoking in restrooms, and necking conservative justices, Scalia and Kennedy, Omar Kling • Fall 1990 61 Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH, Inc.) Paul Kurtz, Chairman; Jean Millholland, Executive Director The Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt educational organization dedicated to fostering the growth of the traditions of democracy and secular humanism, and the principles of free inquiry in contemporary society. In addition to publishing FREE INQUIRY magazine and the Secular Humanist Bulletin, CODESH sponsors many organizations and activities, and is also open to Associate Membership. African-Americans for Humanism James Madison Memorial Committee Norm Allen Jr., Executive Director Robert Alley, Chairman Brings the ideals of humanism to the African-American com- Keeps alive James Madison's commitment to the First munity. Amendment and to liberty of thought and conscience. Center for Inquiry (Media Productions) Secular Organization for Sobriety (SOS) Tom Flynn, Executive Director James Christopher, Executive Director Produces radio and television programs presenting skeptical A secular alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous with more and secular humanist viewpoints on a variety of topics. than 200 local groups throughout North America. Publishes a newsletter available by subscription. Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Committee Philip Mass, Chairman Secular Humanist Aid and Relief Dedicated to restoring the Robert G. Ingersoll birthplace Effort (SHARE) in Dresden, New York, and to keeping his memory alive; Jean Millholland, Director publishes the Ingersoll Report newsletter. Assists victims of natural disasters through secular efforts. Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER) Gerald A. Larue, President Examines the claims of Eastern and Western religions and of well-established and newer sects and denominations in the light of scientific inquiry. The committee is interdisciplinary, including specialists in biblical scholarship, archaeology, linguistics, anthropology, the social sciences, and philosophy who represent differing secular and religious traditions. Alliance of Secular Humanist Societies (ASHS) The Alliance of Secular Humanist Societies is a network created for mutual support among local and/ or regional societies of secular humanists. If you are interested in starting a group in your area, please contact Tim Madigan, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215- 0005, (716) 834-2921, FAX (716) 834-0841. Albany. Dennis Bender, P.0. Box 2148, Scotia, NY 12302. New York. Warren Smith, 31 Jane St., Apt. 10-D, New York, Berkeley. Molleen Matsumura, Box 5313, Berkeley, CA 94705. NY 10014. Chicago. Jim Zaluba, P.O. Box 3696, Oak Park, IL 60303. Orlando. Andrée Spuhler, Box 724, Winter Park, FL Ft. Lauderdale. Irvin Leibowitz, 5009 Arthur St., Hollywood, 32790. FL 33021. Pittsburgh. Victor Bernard, 325 Park Ave., W. Mifflin, PA Greenville. Jacques Benbassat, Suite 168, Box 3000, Taylors, 15122. SC 29687. Reading. Bruce Nappi, P.O. Box 63, Reading, MA 01867. Kansas City. Woody Williams, P.O. Box 429, Peculiar, MO San Antonio. Beni Dean, P.O. Box 160881, San Antonio, TX 64078. 78216. Las Vegas. Loretta Cardaronella, 240 N. Jones Blvd., Ste. 106, San Francisco. Jim Dahlgren, P.O. Box 27492, San Francisco, Las Vegas, NV 89107. CA 94127-0492. 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Humanist Society, 119 Roebuck Drive, Scarborough, Ontario British Columbia. Glenn M. Hardie, Humanist Assoc. Greater MIK 2H7. Vancouver, P.O. Box 35561, Station E, British Columbia Ottawa. Richard Thain, Humanist Association of Ottawa, Box V6M 4G8. 341, 9 Heritage, Embrun, Ontario KOA IWO. Central Ontario. Goetz Koechlin, Huronia Humanists, R.R. Quebec. La Libre Pensée Québécoise, C.P. 92, Succ. St. Martin, #1, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 2Y8. Laval, Quebec H7V 3P4. Hamilton. Derek Watters, Hamilton-Burlington Hum. Society, Saskatchewan. Lorraine G. Salt, Humanists of Saskatoon, 1218 8 Sunrise Crescent, Dundas, Ontario L911 3R9. Avenue C North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7L 1K5. Manitoba. Barry M. Hammond, Humanists of Winnipeg, 116 Southwest Ontario. Peter R. Smith, Sarnia Humanists, 1688 Grove Street #4, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2W 3K8. Willowbrook Crescent, Sarnia, Ontario N7S 5P2. 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The academy's goals include furthering respect for human rights, freedom, and the dignity of the individual; tolerance of various viewpoints and willingness to compromise; commitment to social justice; a universalistic perspective that transcends national, ethnic, religious, sexual, and racial barriers; and belief in a free and open pluralistic and democratic society. Humanist Laureates: Steve Allen, author, humorist; Ruben Ardila, professor of psychology, Universidad de Colombia; Isaac Asimov, author; Kurt Baier, professor of philosophy, University of Pittsburgh; R. 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V. Quine, professor of philosophy, Harvard; Marcel Roche, permanent delegate to UNESCO from Venezuela; Max Rood, professor of law and former Minister of Justice in Holland; Richard Rorty, professor of philosophy, University of Virginia; Carl Sagan, astronomer, Cornell; Svetozar Stojanovic, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Belgrade; Thomas Szasz, professor of psychiatry, SUNY Medical School; V. M. Tarkunde, chairman, Indian Radical Humanist Association; Richard Taylor, professor of philosophy, Union College; Rob Tielman, copresident, International Humanist and Ethical Union; Alberto Hidalgo Tuñón, president of the Sociedad Asturiana de Filosofía, Oviedo, Spain; Mourad Wahba, professor of education, University of Ain Shams, Cairo; G. A. Wells, professor of German, Univ. of London; Edward O. Wilson, professor of sociobiology, Harvard. Deceased: George O. Abell, Sir Alfred J. 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Name Address City State Zip Return to: CODESH Memberships, Box 5, Buffalo, N.Y. 14215-0005 • (716) 834-2921 The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles and Values • We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. • We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in super- natural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation. • We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life. • We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities. • We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state. • We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding. • We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating dis- crimination and intolerance. • We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves. • We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity. • We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species. • We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest. • We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence. • We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to com- prehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity. • We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences. • We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and compassion. • We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences. • We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos. • We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to noVel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking. • We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others. • We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality. • We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings.

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