an international secular humanist magazine

Winter 1991/92 Vol. 12, No. 1

Crisis in the Southern Baptist Convention Joe Barnhart How We Got the Bible Belt James Hill Unbuckling the Bible Belt T l~S Wayne Allen Brinkley

The Hospice Way of Dying Gerald Larue, Derek Humphry, Dame Cicely Saunders, Jean Davies Church and State in Poland and Hungary

Also: The Supreme Court on `Secular Purpose,' Ron Lindsay Sexual Harassment, Bonnie and Vern Bullough The Failure of the Pro-Choice Strategy, Tom Flynn The War Against Crime Is a Waste, Martin Yant WINTER 1991/92, VOL. 12, NO. 1 ISSN 0272-0701

Contents an international secular humanist magazine 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

4 EDITORIALS Editor: Paul Kurtz Senior Editors: Vern Bullough, Gerald Larue The Supreme Court on `Secular Purpose,' Ronald A. Executive Editor: Tim Madigan Lindsay / Sexual Harassment, Bonnie Bullough and Vern L. Managing Editor: Andrea Szalanski Bullough / `Pro-Choice': Wrong Turn for Abortion Rights? Tom Contributing Editors: Robert S. Alley, H. James Birx, Jo Ann Boydston, Flynn / A Pattern for Theocracy, Skipp Porteous / Can Theists Paul Edwards, Albert Ellis, Roy P. Fairfield, Antony Be Good Citizens? Tim Madigan / Notes from the Editor, Paul Flew, Levi Fragell, Adolf Grünbaum, R. Joseph Hoffmann, Marvin Kohl, Konstantin Kolenda, Jean Kurtz / A Modest Proposal, Paul Kurtz, Tom Flynn, and Tim Kotkin, Ronald A. Lindsay, Delos B. McKown, Madigan / War Against Crime Is a Crime—and a Waste, Martin John Novak, Howard Radest, Robert Rimmer, Svetozar Stojanovic, Thomas Szasz, V. M. Yant Tarkunde, Richard Taylor, Rob Tielman, Sherwin Wine 14 ON THE BARRICADES Associate Editors: Doris Doyle, Thomas Flynn, Steven L. Mitchell, Lee ARTICLES Nisbet, Gordon Stein

THE HOSPICE WAY OF DYING Editorial Associates: 18 Introduction Gerald A. Larue Robert Basil, Jim Christopher, Thomas Franczyk, James Martin-Diu, Molleen Matsumura 19 The Evolution of the Hospices Dame Cicely Saunders 23 Hospice Volunteers: A Priceless Commodity Julie K Ballo Executive Director, CODESH, Inc.: Jean Millholland 24 Reflections of a Hospice Volunteer Charlene Fleischman Director of Public Relations: Steve Karr 25 Criticisms of Hospice Holly Fleischman Executive Director of African-Americans for 26 Hospice Founder Saunders on Voluntary Humanism: Norm Allen Jr. Euthanasia Dame Cicely Saunders Chief Data Officer: Richard Seymour Typesetting: Paul E. Loynes Hemlock Founder Humphry on Hospice Derek Humphry Audio Technician: Vance Vigrass 27 The World Federation of Right-to-Die Societies Jean Davies Staff: Brent Bailey, Anthony Nigro, Georgeia Locurcio, BAPTISTS AT A CROSSROADS Ranjit Sandhu 29 Crisis in the Southern Baptist Convention Joe Barnhart 31 How We Got the Bible Belt James Hill FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published quarterly by the Council for Democratic and Secular 37 Unbuckling the Southern Baptist Bible- Humanism (CODES H, Inc.), a nonprofit corpora- Belt tion, Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664. Phone (716) Wayne Allen Brinkley 636-7571. Copyright 0D1992 by CODESH, Inc. Second-class postage paid at Buffalo, New York, and FREE INQUIRY INTERVIEW at additional mailing offices. National distribution by International Periodicals Distributors, Solana 41 Church and State in Poland and Hungary Beach, California.

45 NEUTRUM's Statement of Purpose and Principles FREE INQUIRY is available from University Micro- 46 Reopening the American Mind Michael Chiariello films and is indexed in Philosophers Index. Subscription rates: $25.00 for one year, $43.00 for 50 BOOKS two years, $59.00 for three years, $5.00 for single issues. Address subscription orders and changes of A New Critique of Christianity, Joe Barnhart / Explaining the address to: FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Buffalo, NY World, H. James Birx / A Southern View of an American Hero, 14226-0664. Lyle Glazier / Books in Brief Manuscripts, letters, and editorial inquiries should be addressed to: The Editor, FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664. All manuscripts must be 56 POINT / COUNTERPOINT double-spaced and should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Opinions In Defense of Skepticism Brian Zamulinski expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Humanism and the Justification of Belief Marvin Kohl editors or publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664. 61 IN THE NAME OF GOD

the pathologist knows everything and does everything—but it's too late. Letters to the Editor Ira Pilgrim Laytonville, Calif.

Belief in Santa Claus Medicide who might seek suicide? I fear a great tragedy will occur if persons depressed Re Judith A. Boss's "Is Santa Claus There is something terribly incongruous about their condition seek advice and Corrupting Our Children's Morals?" (FI, between Dr. Jack Kevorkian's advocacy get it from a doctor eager to try out his Fall 1991): I had a feeling I shall never and his practice (Interview, FI, Fall latest "mercitron." Such a tragedy may forget when I became skeptical about 1991). I do not believe that a retired already have occurred at the hands of Santa Claus. At the age of six or so, pathologist has the expertise or the Dr. Kevorkian. In our eagerness to put I began to wonder how someone could clinical experience to be considered forward the ethical principle of self- deliver toys to hundreds of millions in expert in medical ethics, particularly in determination, we should not leap to a single night in a small sleigh pulled so sensitive an area as euthanasia. embrace this rash physician. by flying reindeer. It seemed like Santa Moreover, despite his claim that he looked and sounded a little different wants to help people die in dignity, actual Fred Condo from department store to department practice, involving skulking around and Covina, Calif. store, too. offing people in minivans and camp- I had a feeling of power when my grounds, yields tragically undignified I am sixty-seven years of age and doubts resulted in my parents admitting ends to desperate persons. have just had a bout with cancer, which that the old fellow was imaginary. They Dr. Kevorkian's methods do nothing may or may not have been cured. I reinforced that giddy intoxication, in to address the complex ethical problems have given lots of thought to how I want fact, by praising my ability to figure out surrounding suicide and euthanasia. die. the truth for myself. Rather, his behavior has the effect of I don't need a physician to end my So I'm going to let my two daughters avoiding the ethical issues, not the least life, or one in attendance at my death. believe in Santa Claus for as long as they of which is that euthanasia is an Nor do I want or need some elaborate want. I'll be doing it out of my own irrevocable act, which, if decided upon "mercitron" to do a job that can be easily selfish desire to relive vicariously that rashly or performed in error, can never done with an overdose of barbituates, awesome discovery of what Huxley be set right. No, rather than confronting opiates, or even a large plastic bag. I called "the most sacred act of a man's the issues, he obfuscates them with do not want to die in the physically and life . . . to say and to feel, `I believe neologisms—mercitron, medicide, emotionally sterile atmosphere of a such and such to be true.' " obitiatry. hospital. I would prefer that no one Since the interview was published, he derive either pleasure or profit from my Tim Gorski has assisted two more women in their death. Arlington, Tex. suicides, despite a court order prohib- Since most pleasantly lethal drugs are iting it. He seems to be a loose cannon, available only by prescription, I would In our society, discovery of the truth recklessly going forward with his plans need a physician's assistance in getting about Santa Claus is one of the seminal with respect neither for the authority of them, as well as advice about dosage. events of childhood. When a child the courts nor for the slow process of If Janet Adkins wished to end her discovers that there is no Santa Claus, public free inquiry. One of the women life, it's nobody else's business. Kevor- he also discovers that his parents have who died this time was afflicted with kian's evaluation is irrelevant and been lying to him, that they have been multiple sclerosis, which is not a terminal bespeaks a hubris to which no one has using one of his or her own most deeply condition. Even the Hemlock Society's any right. Alzheimer's disease is as cherished illusions to control behavior, Derek Humphry, whose book on suicide unpredictable as cancer and a physician and that the size of the parents' income, has recently achieved some notoriety, can't forsee the outcome of an individual not the benevolence of Old Saint Nick, advocates suicide only for the terminally case, even though there are predictable determines Christmas presents. Given ill, defined as those who will probably statistical outcomes. the nature of our society, perhaps this die within six months. Giving the medical profession more sort of "rude awakening" is an appro- While the principle of personal self- power seems to me to be ill-advised. It priate childhood rite of passage. determination includes the right to die is already replete with incompetence. I at a time of one's own choosing, such wonder if Kevorkian is trying to live William Letendre a decision should not be entered into down the adage that the internist knows Brooklyn, Mass. mistakenly. How can a proponent of everything and does nothing; the surgeon euthanasia ethically counsel a patient knows nothing and does everything; and (Letters, continued on p. 58) Winter 1991 / 92 3 activities is not a violation of the Editorials Establishment Clause absent some form of government coercion. If the Supreme Court were to adopt such a test, it would The Supreme Court on bring about a revolution in Establish- ment Clause jurisprudence. Besides `Secular Purpose' allowing nativity scenes, crosses, or other religious symbols on public property, it could result in the reintroduction of prayer in the public schools. After all, if those who object to prayer or other Ronald A. Lindsay religious exercises are excused from participation in such ceremonies, then n November 6, 1991, the Supreme actions of state and local governments, arguably they suffer no coercion. OCourt heard arguments in a case as well as to actions of the federal Thus, Lee v. Weisman has justifiably that many legal observers believe may government, it has rejected the argument been viewed as potentially one of the be used as a vehicle for effecting a radical that the Establishment Clause forbids most significant Establishment Clause change in interpreting the Constitution's only coercive government action. cases in decades. prohibition of government support of Instead, the Court has concluded that Potentially is the key word, however. religion. government action violates the Estab- Many of those in attendance at the The case, Lee v. Weisman, arose from lishment Clause if it does not have a November 6 argument left with the a graduation ceremony at a public mid- secular purpose, or if its principal effect impression that the Supreme Court may dle school in Providence, Rhode Island. is to advance (or inhibit) religion, or if not be able to arrive at a consensus on The parents of Deborah Weisman it excessively entangles government with either retaining or jettisoning the Lemon objected to the use of religious invoca- religion. This three-part test has been test. One reason was that Justice David tions and benedictions at the ceremony. called the "Lemon test," after the 1971 Souter, through his questioning of the Both the federal and district courts and case of Lemon v. Kurtzman, which attorneys for the parties, seemed disin- the federal court of appeals found that expressly adopted these standards as the clined to depart from the Lemon test. prayers at public school graduation means for determining the presence of Another reason was that Justice ceremonies violated the First Amend- an Establishment Clause violation. In the Kennedy, although clearly dissatisfied ment to the United States Constitution, early 1980s the Supreme Court refined with the Lemon test, hinted that he in particular the clause stating that the Lemon test somewhat by stating that thought prayers at graduation ceremo- nies constituted an Establishment Clause "Congress shall make no law respecting there is a violation if government action can be reasonably understood as endors- violation because they were at least an establishment of religion." Although ing a particular religion or religion in indirectly coercive. A majority of the the use of prayers at graduation cere- general. justices could conclude that prayers at monies has become controversial in However, beginning in the late 1980s, public school graduations constitute an recent years, this case did not take on several Supreme Court justices, includ- Establishment Clause violation without special significance until the Supreme ing Reagan appointees Antonin Scalia being able to agree on the reasons. It Court agreed to review the judgment of and Anthony Kennedy, questioned the was impossible to guess how Justice the court of appeals. Once the Supreme validity of the Lemon test, suggesting Thomas might vote since he remained Court announced it would hear the case, that there was an obligation to accom- completely silent throughout the the Bush administration joined forces modate "traditional" government- argument. with Providence school officials and sponsored religious activities, such as Whatever the outcome of this partic- asked the Supreme Court to reconsider nativity scenes on public property. With ular case, it will serve to emphasize how the "test" it has used for determining the recent appointments of David Souter fragile our civil liberties are. Decisions whether a particular action or practice and Clarence Thomas, many conserva- that could profoundly affect the extent violates the Establishment Clause. tives have been looking for an oppor- to which church and state must remain Ever since the Supreme Court first tunity to have the Court reconsider, and separate may be rendered on the basis decided more than four decades ago that perhaps overturn, the Lemon test. of a simple 5-4 majority of Supreme the Establishment Clause applies to Sensing that Lee v. Weisman pre- Court justices. The lesson for secular sented that opportunity, the Bush humanists is that they cannot afford to Ronald A. Lindsay is an attorney in administration, through the office of the ignore the political process—unless they Washington, D.C., anda FREE INQUIRY Solicitor General, argued that the are content to live in a country in which contributing editor. Supreme Court should conclude that religion receives all manner of "non- government sponsorship of religious coercive" government support. •

4 FREE INQUIRY Sexual Harassment

Bonnie Bullough and Vern L. Bullough

y now you have probably read all physical conduct of a sexual nature." assistants, and almost immediately he Byou care to about sexual harass- This definition could also be read to would move behind the scrub nurse, ment. Still, there are some important include men as subject of harassment, reach under her sterile gown, and fondle long-range issues that were raised by the although it traditionally had been a far her breasts. Since she was still involved Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings more serious problem for women. in completing the surgery and had to and must be addressed. In our minds, Admittedly sexual harassment of men maintain a sterile station in order to not the hearings demonstrated that relation- by women traditionally has been rare, compromise the patient, she could do ships between men and women in our because when it comes down to it, sexual little about it. She kicked him, stamped society are changing, and the feminist harassment is a power play and few on his foot, and even cried, but he perspective is influencing our value women have been in a position to engage continued on a more or less regular basis. systems. Though the all-male Senate in this kind of activity. As women move At first some of the staff snickered, judiciary committee had problems into more powerful positions the poten- but, increasingly, all became embar- coming to grips with these changes, one tial for female harassment of males rassed, but powerless to do anything. of the effects of Anita Hill's public agony exists. Many men who now report The supervisor refused to transfer the will be to make the problem of sexual harassment have been harassed by male nurse or to assign her to another surgeon, harassment in the workplace more superiors, usually because their homo- and ultimately the only solution was to difficult to ignore. sexuality was threatening. quit the job and find añother. The nurse This is not to imply that sexual It is important to emphasize that felt quite guilty, thinking she had done harassment is anything new. It has sexual harassment is not new. It has long something to cause the surgeon to search always been around, but only recently been a part of the workplace, and, in her out, and she did not tell her husband has it been defined as unacceptable fact, has been exploited by some busi- until some twenty years later. Even now conduct. The term sexual harassment nesses to attract customers. Waitresses, it is easier to deal with the incident in was first used at a "speak out" held in for example, have often been required the third person. the spring of 1975 in Ithaca, New York, by their employers to wear costumes that Clearly, this kind of harassment sponsored by Cornell University's seemingly invited the kind of conduct would probably now be easier to deal Human Affairs Program and by a now described as harassment. Before with, since it was so obvious and was fledgling grass-roots organization, they were unionized, some airlines witnessed by so many, although it would Working Women United (later Working required stewardesses to wear costumes still be difficult for most of the observers Women's Institute). Following the that were not conducive to the tasks of to indict such a powerful person. Most conference the Working Women's Insti- caring for their passengers and which cases of harassment, however, do not tute defined "sexual harassment" as invited what is now defined as harass- occur so publicly. Rather they occur ment. An even more obvious case, of more secretively, taking place in private any sexual attention on the job which course, was the costume of the Playboy executive offices, or other places where makes a woman uncomfortable, bunnies. there are few willing witnesses. affects her ability to do her work, or At least women involved in such How can we tell in such cases which interferes with her employment oppor- situations knew what they were getting side is telling the truth? Obviously some tunities. It includes degrading atti- into. But even in other jobs, sexual harassment happens in ignorance, since tudes, looks, touches, jokes, innu- endos, gestures, and direct proposi- harassment, particularly of younger what constitutes harassment to one tions. It can come from supervisors, women, was a fact of life. Many men person might not to another. As college co-workers, clients, and customers. in the not too distant past were accus- administrators we both had numerous tomed to treating women in the work- cases of harassment brought to us, and Women everywhere identified with the place in ways that were clearly degrading. often, when the accused was confronted, problem. With some modifications, the One of the writers of this article found he (it was always a man in our experi- definition adopted by the Cornell group herself early in her career in just such ence) was shocked that the woman was used by the Equal Employment a situation, in a surgical operating room objected to his conduct since it was not Opportunity Commission. The agency in a major medical center in this country. unusual. Warned that such conduct stated that sexual harassment included One of the chief surgeons was accus- could now be regarded as harassment, "unwelcome sexual advances, requests tomed to leaving the final sewing on most men modified their behavior. A for sexual favors, and other verbal or major surgery to one of his many few, however, took the path that Winter 1991/92 5 Clarence Thomas did, denying that the reported incidents had ever taken place. Interestingly, Clarence Thomas as chairperson of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on October `Pro-Choice': 25, 1988, issued guidelines governing the process of investigating sexual harass- Wrong Turn for Abortion Rights? ment in the workplace, in which he (or whoever wrote them) tried to deal with such cases. The guidelines stated that a "bare assertion" of sexual harassment Tom Flynn "cannot stand without some factual support," but added on p. 12: he battle for abortion rights may consensus might have settled on a already be lost. The Supreme Court standard substantially more permissive If the investigation exhausts all seems poised to reverse or limit Roe v. than the viability based, twenty-four possibilities for obtaining corrobora- Wade. Several states are attempting to week criterion established by Roe vs. tive evidence, but finds none, the enact anti-abortion laws. Down the Wade—perhaps even abortion on Commission may make a cause find- demand throughout pregnancy. Impos- ing based solely on a reasoned decision road, a constitutional amendment ban- to credit the charging party's testi- ning abortion is far from inconceivable. sibly optimistic? Consider what a drastic mony. All this occurs as average Americans shift in core values was required to win seem less attached to the liberal ideals toleration of homosexuality over the In short, if the witness's testimony seems of tolerance and individual liberty that same time frame. The distance between reliable and there is little reason to think formerly protected abortion rights. "Abortion is murder" and "Abortion is that she made it up, then the witness Does legal abortion have a future in acceptable, period" is scarcely larger. is to be believed. Since there was at least America? Pro-choice advocates have Unfortunately, Roe v. Wade inter- one other witness willing to testify that good reason to ask. They might also ask rupted the process in 1973. Abortion Thomas had engaged in harassment whether it was a good idea to shift the became the law of the land before most against Anita Hill and other witnesses agenda of their movement from abor- Americans had been convinced that it who indicated that Hill had earlier tion—which is, after all, the issue—to was morally licit. reported Thomas's harassment to them, "choice." When anti-abortion forces regrouped it is clear that Hill's charges met some in the 1980s, debate resumed where it of the burden of proof that Thomas Opportunity Lost had left off. But times had changed; the required. In our own experience as personhood argument on which the administrators in dealing with sexual Between 1965 and 1980 the "New "New Morality" case turned—still the harassment, we followed guidelines Morality" movement wrought breath- most logically consistent moral defense similar to those issued by Thomas. After taking changes in American attitudes of abortion—had become a tougher sell. the first few cases, charges of sexual toward premarital sex, alternative family Then, inspiration struck. harassment began to drop off. We and living patterns, overt cohabitation, Perhaps it wouldn't be necessary to concluded that people do learn to adjust gay lifestyles, relations to political convince millions of people that abortion to changing standards, and what once authority, and other issues. New Mor- was licit. Perhaps abortion could be had been done perhaps in playful jest ality advocates, many of whom were reduced to a secondary issue and or innocence was really a power play humanists, also fought to change Amer- subordinated to some value that already by males against females. The employees ican attitudes toward abortion. In less enjoyed wide acceptance. This was the we dealt with learned that certain things than a decade, large numbers of Amer- genesis of "pro-choice," which quickly were no longer acceptable, even in icans stopped regarding abortion as displaced the movement's earlier, explic- private. murder and began to think it might be itly pro-abortion platform. It was a If nothing else, the Thomas hearings morally neutral. Countering the anti- packaging breakthrough. Why struggle should teach us all what our own staffs abortion argument that human rights with deep moral conflicts if a quick have come to realize, namely that times inhered at conception, pro-abortionists appeal to pluralism will co-opt millions are changing, and that, though males and made the moral case that human rights into supporting abortion rights despite females remain different from each other arose only upon the acquisition of their continued feeling that abortion is in some ways, in the employment "personhood." If a fetus was not a wrong? situation we are all equal and should be person, clearly abortion was morally treated as such. We can flirt with each neutral and should not be restricted by Weaknesses of Pro-Choice other as equals. It is part of the fun of law or custom. By 1973, sixteen states living. It is when power becomes a factor had liberalized their abortion laws—only The switch to pro-choice involved at least and job security and careers are threa- one sign that attitudes were changing. three strategic errors. First, in order to tened that it becomes harassment. Had this debate run its course, build a wide coalition, pro-choice

6 FREE INQUIRY activists willingly conceded that abortion The Challenge to Humanism should be the woman's—a state of affairs is morally indefensible. "Nobody is for that can be better protected if abortion abortion," at least one speaker will If there is still time, we need to build rights advocates resume their participa- intone at any pro-choice rally. The a constituency for abortion, not just for tion in the moral, as well as the political, implication is that decent people will choice. That means facing squarely the dialogue. always disdain it. That is precisely the inevitable ethical questions that will Secular humanists need to dispute the attitude we should be fighting to change. arise, and striving to persuade people on pro-choice litany that "Nobody is for Second, by retreating from a moral moral grounds not only to tolerate abortion." We must be for abortion. We argument to a political one based only abortion but to accept it as a humane, need once again to challenge traditional on pluralism, pro-choice surrendered the empowering, and morally licit option. moral codes that limit volitional manip- arena of moral discourse altogether. Pro- Some people who claim to support ulation of the beginnings and endings lifers cry that abortion is wrong; we cry abortion rights would limit abortion to of human life on a priori grounds. Efforts that it must be allowed. Why is no one cases of rape, incest, or where the life to deprive women of choice must be crying that abortion is right? of the mother is at stake. But surely a resisted not just because choice is good, Third, and most worrisome, by much stronger positive case in favor of but because the choice they are striving switching to choice, pro-choice strate- abortion can be made in a variety of to make is inherently licit. gists made abortion rights secondary to contexts, even short of the abortion-on- If abortion rights are to be preserved, otherwise unrelated convictions about demand standard that a strict person- we who advocate them must find some- individual liberty and separation of hood criteria might imply: If the fetus thing more fundamental to talk about church and state. Pro-choice does not is severely handicapped, in cases where than choice. • promote these ideals; it simply exploits the mother is very young or already has them where (and if) they are already held. a large number of children, or if other *Examples: Where the family is unable to support But liberal ideals like tolerance, circumstances indicate that the child will another child, where the child's arrival would individualism, pluralism, and secularism be unwanted.* Whether the abortion is severely constrain career growth or other are under attack. The so-called corn- significant life choices, where the parent(s) is too warranted will depend on the unique emotionally immature to raise the child munitarian movement has leveled a situation. But in any case, the final choice effectively. vigorous critique of individualism and moral pluralism. Thinkers like Amitai Etzioni and Robert N. Bellah empha- size the individual's need to reintegrate with the social polity and commit anew to traditional values. Christopher A Pattern for Theocracy Lasch and others call for a "Bill of Responsibilities" to counter alleged abuses of the Bill of Rights. Richard Skipp Porteous John Neuhaus, who writes that "Atheists committee north of Sacramento." Its cannot be good citizens," advocates It is the goal of a number of us to the reimposition of religion on public try to Christianize the state of Cali- adherents also control half of Sacra- life. Irving Kristol charges that secu- fornia. We think its going to be pretty mento County's and Riverside County's larism has failed. Whatever else may be easy, actually. It's just organization, central committees. They completely said about it, the much-discussed and the facts are that we have enough control San Diego, Fresno, Santa Cruz, Christians to totally, politically, by and Monterey counties, and most of the political correctness movement does vote overpower other groups of seem to value the rights of (some- minorities—if we would just do it. We Gold Country and San Joaquin Valley times abstract) groups over rights of have the majority vote. We are the County central committees. "Further- (usually concrete and present) individ- largest minority. more, she said, "the religious right uals, a historic departure from the coalition elected seven out of ten tradition of putting individual rights —Jay Grimstead California Republican Party officers it first. endorsed. These critiques reflect the times, and cording to Barbara Chiodo, past "Now that the religious right leaders the times lean toward moral puritanism. A president of the California Repub- control the California Republican Perhaps not since the 1950s have average lican Assembly (CRA), the radical Party," Chiodo summarized, "they plan Americans felt less inclined to let other religious right "has managed to take over by-law changes that would de-charter people "get away with" behaviors and every county central [Republican] any Republican volunteer organization practices they disapprove of. This should that does not openly support the `pro- worry defenders of pro-choice, which Skipp Porteous's new book is Jesus life' agenda." They also plan to defeat depends on pluralism to persuade Doesn't Live Here Anymore (Pro- the agenda of moderate Republican Pete multitudes to defend something they metheus Books). Wilson, governor of California. disapprove of! At the Anaheim, California, GOP

Winter 1991/ 92 7 convention in September, the radical a state-wide field coordinator for ultra- mission, and they're going to disenfran- right passed a resolution opposing conservative Representative William chise thousands and thousands of abortion, and insisted that Governor Dannemeyer, and is working in Danne- Republicans." Wilson veto a gay rights measure that meyer's campaign to unseat incumbent The National Association of Chris- had passed the state legislature. The Senator John Seymour. Additionally, tian Educators/ Citizens for Excellence bill was designed to bar discrimination Baldwin plans to field as many as two in Education (NACE/ CEE) helped in employment. While the gay com- hundred candidates in 1992. religious right candidates win about munity fully expected the governor to Baldwin says that church-based voter thirty school board seats in San Diego sign it, he acceded to the demands of registration drives have increased, and County in last year's election. Nation- the religious right and vetoed the this is because "people started thinking— wide, with local groups utilizing Robert measure. maybe politics is dirty because Christians Simonds's book, How to Elect Chris- Chiodo, a Roman Catholic, says that aren't involved. A lot of pastors," he tians to Public Office, 450 born-again three times at a Republican convention says, "at the end of sermons say, `If you're candidates won seats on school boards in Fresno in 1988 she was approached not registered, go out in the foyer and last year. In 1992, they plan to field 1,200 and asked if she was born-again? "Never register to vote.' A couple of years ago to 1,300 school board candidates nation- in politics was I ever asked what religion that wouldn't have happened.... The wide. They expect to win 1,000 seats. I was. It was sort of like if you're not Bible commands us to be the salt and Bob Simonds believes, "Evangelicals a born-again, you're anti-Christ," she the light of the world. If you're not are now America's only hope." He says says. She first noticed the born-againers registered to vote, how can you be a good that in Orange County alone there are starting to take over the California citizen?" 776 evangelical churches, with "over Republican Party during televangelist Regarding the religious right's polit- 300,000 conservative Christian votes for Pat Robertson's 1988 presidential ical involvement, Baldwin says, "You're our agenda." That agenda, Simonds campaign. seeing the tip of the iceberg. It will says, is "the Christian agenda." "Everyone kept saying," Chiodo says, continue to grow." Simonds recently told the Sacra- " `Don't be silly—it's not going any- In an effort to counter the religious mento Bee, "When you put Christians where.' Then I watched them come in right's takeover of San Diego County, on school boards and they say 'Oh, and take over the CRA [California Republican Majorie Van Nuis has you're trying to impose religion on Republican Assembly] and the state created the Mainstream Voter Project to schools,' my next question is, 'Are you Republican Party. I think it's a very identify the position and background of against the majority having control?' If dangerous movement. The people who candidates. She says the radicals ran "a they say yes, then they should move to are saying `Don't worry, it's a fringe stealth campaign. They made no public another country—because that's our group,' don't realize [that]." appearances, they didn't issue any state- system." What is happening in California ments. They didn't attend candidate That's not our system. The United should be of great concern to the rest forums, and they won—they won over- States Constitution's Bill of Rights was of us. As I've reported on numerous whelmingly. adopted to protect minorities against the occasions through various media, the "They seek to take over school boards tyranny of the majority. radical religious right is using California like they took over the central commit- Millions of Americans need to wake to set the stage for the rest of the country. tees," Van Nuis said. "They can wreak up. Voter apathy is almost solely re- Religious right leaders in San Diego havoc in our schools, on hospital boards, sponsible for religious right victories at gloated in November 1990, when sixty and on planning groups. They're on a the polls. • out of ninety of their "pro-life" candi- dates won a wide range of seats. According to Christian activist/ political consultant Steve Baldwin, "There was a massive Christian phone bank effort. When the smoke cleared, sixty of them Can Theists Be Good Citizens? won, with hardly any campaigning aside from organizing the Christian vote. "The abortion issue has galvanized a Tim Madigan lot of us in terms of a lot of Christians getting up off the couch and getting ebster's dictionary defines a citi- that they cannot. While granting that involved," said Baldwin. "Pornography Wzen as "a member of a country, atheists are on the whole just as likely seems to be out of control. Child native or naturalized, having rights and to pay their taxes, vote in elections, molestation is out of control. A lot of owing allegiance." In a recent provoc- defend their country, and help their Christians feel that we're losing control ative article in the journal First Things, neighbors as the average theist, Neuhaus of a country that was based on a Judeo- theologian Richard John Neuhaus raises says that they cannot be good citizens, Christian heritage, and they're moving the question "Can atheists be good because they are unable to give a into the Republican Party." Baldwin is citizens?" and comes to the conclusion compelling moral account of the regime 8 FREE INQUIRY of which they are part. blamed the Stoics and Epicureans for Consider our late friend Sidney Hook. Neuhaus, the founder and editor of promoting a materialistic view of the Can anyone deny that he was a very universe, which denied the existence of good citizen indeed? During the long First Things, has had an interesting contest with totalitarianism he was a theological journey. A former Lutheran an afterlife and so encouraged people to much better citizen than many believ- priest, he wrote a book in 1987 entitled put all their efforts into making the ers, including numerous church lead- The Catholic Moment, in which he empire their true home. In Augustine's ers, who urged that the moral argued that it was time for all good view, this was wrongheaded. Human imperative was to split the difference between the evil empire and human Christians to overcome their doctrinal beings' true homes are not here on earth, fitness for freedom.' differences and unite under the auspices in the City of Man, but rather in the of the Roman Catholic church, in order world to come, the City of God. But Neuhaus goes on to say that Hook to combat their common enemy: secu- Therefore, believing Christians are only was not really an atheist! Rather, Hook larism. This thesis seems not to have resident aliens on Earth—their citizen- was a "philosophical agnostic," unwilling persuaded great masses of Protestants ship belongs solely to heaven. Only the to believe in God without sufficient to declare their allegiance to the pope, pagans and nonbelievers are citizens on evidence. "Some of us are rather con- but it did convince Neuhaus himself to Earth, for the only laws they obey are fident that Sidney now has all the jump ship. He converted to Catholicism, the laws of the state, not the absolute evidence that he wanted, and we dare and was recently ordained as a Catholic laws of God. hope that the learning experience is not priest. The debate over what constitutes too painful for him."2 How kind of Neuhaus's distinction that atheists citizenship is an interesting one, but it Neuhaus to hope that the Lord has not can of course be citizens, but not good is important to understand the conse- consigned Hook to the fires of hell for citizens, is one that can easily be turned quences of such a debate. In the United his disbelief. Hook was a strong pro- against him. First of all, how many States, various groups have fought long ponent of the proper use of words, and theists in the United States today could and hard to be granted the same rights while he was dismayed at those he called give what he calls "a compelling moral as those whom the Founding Fathers "village atheists" for their extreme account" of what it means to be an originally granted citizenship to: anticlericalism, he nonetheless made no American? Neuhaus refers to Locke and property-owning white males. Until bones about his disbelief in the super- Rousseau, two philosophers whose fairly recently, several state constitutions natural, and he constantly stressed that writings greatly influenced the Founding specifically denied atheists the right to the basis of democratic virtue is not Fathers, and mentions how both felt hold public office, one of the essential dependent on religious underpinnings. If that, since atheists did not acknowledge elements of full citizenship. And even living without religion, as Hook as- any accountability to a Supreme Author- today, it is almost impossible to point suredly did, is not an example of athe- ity, they could not be trusted and, there- out public officials who are avowed ism, then I don't know what is. fore, were unworthy of citizenship. But nonbelievers. The ideals of secularism are under Neuhaus fails to mention that these men In many ways, nonbelievers in the renewed attack in the United States were even more opposed to granting United States are de facto second-class today. Let those who wish to dwell in citizenship to Roman Catholics, whom citizens. Neuhaus, it seems, would like the City of God set their aims accord- they felt owed their ultimate allegiance to see this become de jure. There is a ingly. We secular humanists are content to the foreign realm of the pope. to find our rightful home in the here One could take this argument even growing movement in the United States today to have this country officially and now. But we must be vigilant to further, and ask whether believing make sure that we aren't denied our full Christians of any stripe can be good declared a Christian nation. Neuhaus is playing a dangerous game by raising the citizenship by those who believe other- citizens of a country, especially one wise. upholding the separation of church and question of whether or not atheists can state. Using strictly theological premises, be good citizens. There are many Notes one can arrive at the conclusion that they religious bigots in this country who are cannot. Saint Augustine, a theologian unable to make his distinction between 1. Richard Neuhaus, "Can Atheists Be Good revered by both Catholics and Protest- being a citizen in general and being a Citizens?" First Things, Aug./Sept. 1991, p. 17. 2. Ibid. • ants, wrote his book The City of God good citizen, and these folks would be between 413-426 C.E., at least partly to more than willing to bring back religious combat the claim that the Roman tests, much like the followers of David WE'VE MOVED Empire had fallen to barbarian forces Duke, who would love to bring back FREE INQUIRY has moved its editorial due to the fact that Christianity had been literacy tests and other Jim Crow laws. offices to 3965 Rensch Road, Buffalo, decreed the official religion of the Empire Nostalgia can sometimes be a menacing NY 14228. Our new mailing address is P.O. Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226- in 381 C.E. Augustine declared that Rome thing. 0664. Telephone: 716-636-7571. had to fall—its citizens had become too Ironically, Neuhaus was a close friend Remember to tell us when you worldly, too concerned with the good of Sidney Hook, one of the founders of move. Send your new and old address, life in the here and now, too comfortable FREE INQUIRY and a staunch secular and your subscriber number, at least six weeks before. 1192 with earthly pleasures. He especially humanist. Neuhaus writes:

Winter 1991 / 92 9 physician. A humanist values life as the ultimate good. One ought to try to live as fully as possible, as long as there is at least Notes from the Editor some quality of life. Where life becomes unbearable, one can take the final exit. For one who does not wish to hasten death, the hospice movement offers a meaningful alternative. (See the articles Paul Kurtz in the following pages that present this option.) Doctor-Assisted Suicide process. This practice is already wide- In the last analysis, each case can only spread, where doctors may give increas- be resolved on its own contextual terms. hould doctors help patients to die? ing dosages of morphine. Dr. Kevorkian Whether and to what degree a patient Proposition 119, which would have has invented his suicide machines to should be aided in suicide can only be permitted this, was defeated by voters permit instantaneous and painless death. decided by a process of reflective in the state of Washington by a margin Many believe that the decision to judgment within a situation. It is very of 54 to 46 percent. Petitions for similar prolong medical care or to choose to die important that prudence be used, that propositions are now being circulated in should be a private matter to be we do not leap into the suicide option; California and Oregon. If they gain determined by a patient in consultation and if we do so it should only be as enough signatures, they will be placed with his or her physicians. Only thirty- a last resort. on the ballot in 1992. one states presently prohibit doctor- Much has been made about the Humanists have been in the forefront assisted suicide. Those who wish to practice of active euthanasia in The of the campaign for the right to die. legalize it argue that it is the best way Netherlands. The Dutch government has Indeed, the Winter 1988/89 issue of to safeguard patients against possible recently presented draft legislation that FREE INQUIRY argued the case for active abuse. will allow doctors to end the life of a euthanasia, and leaders of the humanist A key issue is whether euthanasia terminally ill patient, but only under the movement have headed up euthanasia should apply only to dying patients. strictest conditions. Technically, eutha- societies. In no small measure, Dr. Jack Proposition 119 would have limited this nasia would remain a criminal offense, Kevorkian (see the interview with him to a six-month terminal stage. Dr. exposing doctors to a maximum twelve- in FREE INQUIRY, Fall 1991) has con- Kevorkian has taken the debate one step year jail term if a court determines that tributed enormously to bringing this further, for it is not clear that any of they had not complied with the condi- issue to public attention. his three patients were terminal. Janet tions. The proposal strikes a balance There is considerable confusion in the Adkins was suffering Alzheimer's dis- between the state's desire to protect public mind about what euthanasia ease; Sherry Miller had had advanced human life and the individual's right to entails. In our view it should only apply multiple sclerosis, and Marjorie Wantz self-determination. The Dutch proposal to voluntary choice, and to competent a painful pelvic disorder. Dr. Kevorkian would require doctors to inform coro- adults. The decision to terminate one's has argued that doctor-assisted suicide ners when they perform euthanasia, and life must be a reflective one, preferably should be available for nonterminal to provide a detailed list of the circum- expressed before the fact in the form of patients who are suffering intractable stances. The two most important con- a living will. Where the patient becomes pain and wish to end their lives. Many siderations are that the patient should comatose, a designated proxy can act ethicists have serious reservations about be terminally ill and be suffering un- on the behalf of that person. going this far. Others say the choice to bearable pain. A distinction should be made between live or die should be the patients', even passive and active euthanasia. Passive if their cases are not terminal or if they Humanism Versus Orthodox euthanasia states simply that extraordi- are not suffering great pain. Religion in Poland nary or heroic measures will not be taken In my own view, it is wiser to err to keep a patient alive against his or her on the side of caution: Active euthanasia I have just returned from Poland, where wishes. The borderline between passive surely can be justified on ethical grounds, I met with a number of intellectual and and active euthanasia cannot always be but only when the illness is terminal, political leaders who are interested in clearly drawn. Passive euthanasia means there is unbearable pain, the patient is establishing a humanist organization that the patient will be removed from not suffering from depression, and two there. This would serve as a bulwark a respirator and will not be resuscitated or more doctors certify that these against resurgent authoritarian Cathol- if his or her heart stops. It also means conditions are present. I have reserva- icism. Poland is a test case of how that feeding tubes will be removed if the tions about taking the slippery slope. The Eastern Europe will develop. It is an patient rejects them. Active euthanasia question depends on personal choice, but important indication of whether or not explicitly permits the doctor, if requested this does not mean that every demand people will begin to enjoy the fruits of by the patient, to hasten the dying for suicide should be accepted by a liberty, achieve some modicum of 10 FREE INQUIRY prosperity, and develop viable demo- this drive. unable to maintain their far-flung cratic societies, now that Marxist total- The use of natural law in the cur- military and naval outposts. Is the itarianism has been defeated. Poland is rent context should not be confused United States next in line, and will its an especially sensitive barometer of the with the doctrine of natural rights, possession of "super-power" status be influence of the Vatican and of the introduced by John Locke and other short-lived? Eastern Orthodox church in the new libertarians who wished to defend life, The rapid decline of the Soviet Union Europe, and whether the old tribal liberty, and the pursuit of happiness was not simply due to its repressive and rivalries of the past will re-emerge to and defend the American Revolution. inefficient centralized economic and suppress liberty. Clarence Thomas's description of nat- political system, but because of its While in Warsaw, I had a chance to ural law bears close resemblance to St. bloated military-industrial complex, talk with the leaders of the Social Liberal Thomas Aquinas's theory, which is which siphoned off wealth from its faction of the Democratic Union, fundamental to Roman Catholic theol- citizens. The high cost of the military Solidarity, and NEUTRUM, a new ogy. Natural law theorists use it not rearmament of the United States during organization established to defend the only to oppose abortion but also the Reagan years not only contributed separation of church and state. "artificial" birth control, which they to the economic collapse of the Soviet When I explained to the people I had charge impedes the "natural function" Union, which was unable to compete met the ideals of the international of sexual intercourse (i.e., procreation). with the West's technological superiority, humanist movement—which involves a How do they justify the use of false but it also has led to huge American commitment to secularism, freethought, teeth, or glasses, also artificial devices? deficits and a balance of payment the free society, civil liberties, freedom They reply: These devices do not im- problem abroad. of conscience, and the right of self- pede but enhance natural functions. Japan and Germany continue their determination—they enthusiastically Following this tortuous logic, how economic growth, not saddled with high agreed and said that they hoped that they justify drinking wine, which impedes military expenditures, while the United could establish a humanist organiza- our cognitive functions? How defend States, reduced to economic impotence, tion in Poland. They were concerned, celibacy, which is a frustration of the continues to pour inordinate resources as were leaders that I had met earlier natural human desire for sexual grati- into its defense establishment. The U.S. from Hungary and Czechoslovakia, fication and procreation? Here natural deficit is virtually equivalent to its annual with the resurgence of nationalistic law theorists appeal to divine revelation. military budgets accumulated over past religiosity. (See the interview in this issue In the last analysis, natural law becomes decades. on church and state in Hungary and subordinate to divine law—as inter- Now that the Cold War is over, it Poland.) preted by a particular theological tra- is folly to continue to waste our re- Fortunately, the recent Polish elec- dition. sources, which could be turned to tions do not as yet indicate a groundswell Many of those who wish to use the rebuilding our infrastructure: bridges, for the Vatican's moral-ideological Supreme Court to remake the country highways, transit systems, the inner agenda—anti-abortion, anti-birth con- insist that America is not a secular cities, research, and education. We are trol, and religious control of the schools. republic but a Christian or Judeo- told by the Bush administration that we The multiplicity of parties in Poland Christian nation. The state, they main- need to guard against future Iraqi-like makes it difficult for any one to gain tain, should not be neutral, but should threats. But this American posturing is mastery. But if secularism and human- encourage religious belief. They thus unrealistic. We were unable to support ism are to prevail, they will need to reinterpret the First Amendment by our mercenary forces in the Gulf without develop a strong presence in Eastern focusing on "free exercise" and de- financial aid from the Gulf States, Japan, Europe as an alternative to traditional emphasizing the establishment clause. and Germany. religiosity. With a strong conservative majority now Who will emerge to provide the bold in place on the Court, we face a mas- leadership needed for a new agenda for Clarence Thomas and sive threat to Jefferson and Madison's America: (1) universal nuclear disarma- Natural Law wall of separation between church and ment; (2) limiting arms sales world-wide; state. (3) the development of a U.N. multi- Now that Clarence Thomas has been nation NATO-like world police force to elevated to the Supreme Court, one Rebuilding America deal with regional conflicts; and (4) the aspect of his confirmation hearings redirection of our efforts by reinvesting deserves special mention in these pages— We in the West are gratified be- in America? his appeal to "natural law" theory. This cause the Soviet Union has been forced Mr. Bush's "New World Order" establishes a dangerous precedent, for it to retreat from Cuba, Eastern Europe, requires the cooperative efforts of many injects theology into constitutional Afghanistan, and other parts of countries to maintain world peace. It can questions. The new conservative reli- its vast empire. This repeats the similar no longer rely on an unrealistic super- gious agenda is seeking to make religion experiences of Britain, France, and other power psychology, which may very pre-eminent in the public square. Tho- colonial powers as they emerged well bankrupt America as it did the mas's confirmation will only strengthen exhausted from the Second World War, Soviets. •

Winter 1991/ 92 11 a religion; it is simply a eupraxophy. The secular humanist movement needs teachers, organizers, and leaders, men and women deeply versed in the A Modest Proposal: philosophy and practice of humanism. The key question is, What will such people do? Secular Eupraxophers, Leaders, They will teach, espouse, and advo- cate the secular point of view. or Practitioners? They will organize, plan, and convene programs, seminars, lectures. They will also on occasion perform ceremonies, i.e., have organized funeral Paul Kurtz, Tim Madigan, and Tom Flynn or memorial services, celebrate wed- dings, and other important events. ince we introduced the term euprax- a moral commitment, but this does not They will offer advice and counsel for Sophy, there has been considerable imply that it is a religion. That is why, people in psychological crises concerned discussion among our readers as to we think, we need a new word that about the meaning of life. whether it is appropriate. The reason suggests a naturalistic cosmic outlook What will such secular humanist Paul Kurtz coined the term was to get (philosophical and scientific) and an leaders be called? They are surely not through the confusion as whether ethical life-stance. "ministers" or "clergy," since they humanism, especially secular humanism, Humanists in the United Kingdom provide no intercessory role between is a religion. This issue is vital for the have had some success with life stance. God and humans, and have no religious future of the humanist movement, for Perhaps it's the charming pronunciation functions. The term humanist counsel- right-wing fundamentalists have said (stance rhymes with haunts) or the ors, we believe, is an unfortunate that secular humanism is a religion, and difference between connotations for misnomer, for counselors should be as such they have sought to ban it from British and American listeners. But required to obtain some professional public life; and paradoxically, religious somehow in the United States, life stance accreditation, training in psychology, humanists, especially in America, have fails to capture what we want to express. and a graduate degree. similarly affirmed that humanism (and German speakers use weltanschauung, The best term, in our judgment, is some even for secular humanism) is a which expresses precisely the mixture of that they should be called secular "religion." Religious humanists interpret world view, cosmic outlook, and moral eupraxophers; that is, they have some religion broadly to apply to any system framework for which we are searching. knowledge of scientific humanism and of beliefs and practices that inspires Unfortunately, weltanschauung has no some understanding of ethical principles commitment to ideal ends. They consider precise English equivalent, the reason and good conduct. And they should humanism thus "a faith system" anal- translators of German works in phi- exemplify the humanist life-stance. ogous to theistic faith systems. Under losophy and ethics often leave it un- Other terms might be secular leaders or this definition many nontheistic belief changed. We can scarcely imagine secular practitioners. Readers might systems—Marxism, feminism, libertar- American secular humanists getting have further suggestions. We await your ianism, even fascism—might likewise together to open a weltanschauung comments. • qualify as "religious" in character. We center. have repeatedly criticized this definition For these reasons, we turned to of religion as unnecessarily muddled. neologism, and coined eupraxophy. The Society of Humanist Not all belief systems are equal in their Greek roots eu (good), praxis (practice, Philosophers "faith commitment." To lump them all conduct), and Sophia (wisdom), were together is to ignore the need for combined and eupraxophy was intro- The second meeting of the Society evidence. Supernatural claims transcend duced to provide for both a naturalistic of Humanist Philosophers will be this world and require a greater leap of outlook and an ethical way of life. held on February 13-15, 1992, at faith than naturalistic or humanistic Secular humanism does not involve Brock University, St. Catharines, systems. Religion thus used is so broad belief in gods or goddesses, or a super- Ontario, Canada. The topic is "Paul that it includes everything and leaves out natural realm, nor does it seek to derive Kurtz and Promethean Love," and virtually nothing. Religion as commonly its ethical principles from theological speakers include Jan Narveson, understood postulates a supernatural foundations. It does relate ethical princi- H. James Birx, Marvin Kohl, and realm and divine source for the universe, ples to human conduct and experience, Vern and Bonnie Bullough. For and it requires some devotion or prayer and it draws, as far as possible, on our details, contact Tim Madigan, Box to it. Secular humanists clearly reject this empirical knowledge of nature. Of key 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664 or call view. Undoubtedly secular humanism importance for secular humanism is the 716/636-7571. has a cosmic outlook and it can inspire fact that it is not, we repeat, it is not,

12 FREE INQUIRY War Against Crime Is a Crime worth of every individual. The system and a Waste is a complete failure. The financial waste incurred by communities, cities, states, and the government is unbelievable." Chief among the waste is the $13 Martin Yant billion a year—an increase of 218 percent in the last decade—that the United States s America's crime rate—particularly Research of wartime data from fifty now spends on its prisons. And to just A its homicide rate—continues to nations by an expert on violence at the keep up with the annual 13 percent rate soar, the threat to civil liberties and University of California at Santa Cruz of growth of prisoners, the National humanist principles is growing with it. example indicates that war can cause a Institute of Justice estimates Americans Convinced that substance abuse is the doubling in homicides on the home front will have to spend another $100 million major cause of crime and violence, the during and immediately after a conflict. per week in construction costs alone. Bush administration and local police The reason for the upsurge, sociologist And all Americans get in return is have launched a "war on drugs" that has Dane Archer says, is that war weakens more crime—especially violent crime. In led to a rash of unreasonable searches the societal taboo against violence. fact, a March 1991 Senate Judiciary supposedly proscribed by the Fourth A supposedly successful war like that Committee report in March concluded Amendment and the highest incarcera- in the Persian Gulf also communicates that the United States is "the most violent tion rate in the world. a subtle message that violence can and self-destructive nation on earth." The Pittsburgh Press, for example, eliminate a problem, even though, in the The report noted with dismay that recently documented more than four long run, it actually exacerbates one. Americans kill, rape, and rob one hundred recent cases of innocent peo- An even bigger cause of violent crime another at a greater rate than any nation ple—including farmers, factory workers, is the criminal justice system designed that keeps such statistics. retirees, and small-business owners— to stop it. Ironically, the more the system And building more prisons obviously cracks down on crime, the more crime who, under the provisions of a 1984 is not going to change that. Only easing seems to spin out of control. The United amendment to federal racketeering laws, the poverty and despair that causes crime States has set new prison-population can do that. were forced to forfeit money or property. figures every year since 1980, to the As Tony Boza, Their "crime," it later turned out, was the former police embarrassing point that it now has the commissioner of Minneapolis and that they merely fit the government's highest incarceration rate in the world- author of The Police Mystique, put it profile for drug couriers. Even for those 426 per 100,000 population. That puts last spring: found guilty, the penalties imposed seem it well ahead of the repressive Soviet completely out of line. In one case, a Union's rate of 288 per 100,000 and The problems of crime, violence, family was punished with the loss of its Great Britain's rate of 97 per 100,000, drugs, guns, and the coming urban farm, its home and livelihood, because which is by far the highest in Western riots are rooted in two words—racism and poverty. The behavior of excluded six marijuana plants were found growing Europe. in a field. blacks is made inevitable by the The United States is also far tougher oppression of an overclass that uses This almost-totalitarian policy than most nations in the length of its police as an instrument of control. ignores the fact that drugs are hardly prison sentences. In the federal prison That the broke, black, homeless, and the only cause of America's rising rate system, for example, half of the inmates excluded underclass is spilling over and out of control of a police estab- of violent crime. Among the much- are serving sentences of more than seven overlooked other causes are the Persian lishment that has sent enormous years and a fourth over fifteen years. In numbers to prison isn't really the cops' Gulf War, a grossly ineffective criminal the Soviet Union, by contrast, only 10 fault. justice system, and deplorable social percent of the sentences are for more conditions. than 10 years. Most are less than five Instead of searching for someone to years, and only about a third of that blame, we'd be much wiser figuring out Martin Yant is the author of Presumed period is spent in prison. how to stop crime. The solutions seem Guilty: When Innocent People Are Such sordid statistics recently to clearly lie in the direction of social Wrongly Convicted and Desert Mirage: prompted Donald Lay, chief judge of reform, not spending more and more The True Story of the Gulf War. He the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court, to state, billions of dollars to put more and more was an editorial writer for the Columbus "The criminal justice system is a disgrace Americans in jail and throwing away the Dispatch. to a civilized nation that prides itself on key—along with our principles of liberty decency and the belief in the intrinsic and justice for all. •

Winter 1991/92 13 12-Step program, which calls for a person to put his or her reliance upon On the Barricades a "Higher Power." Catholicism in Latin America

The pope's recent visit to Brazil was not Church of Farmington Hills, Michigan. as successful as he hoped. Once known In the ordination ceremonies she was as the world's most Catholic country, installed "to the ministry of religion and Brazil is becoming increasingly a bastion humanistic leadership" of that church. for Protestantism. A recent poll showed The "Charge to the Congregation" was that only 72 percent of Brazilians delivered by Rabbi Sherwin Wine (who describe themselves as Roman Catholics, jocularly informed Paul's children that down from 89 percent in the 1980 census. they must henceforth address her as Six percent describe themselves as "Reverend Mother'). As part of the cere- Pentacostals, and 4 percent as traditional mony, the congregation stood and Protestants. It is also estimated that declared "We have chosen you ... to about 10 percent of the population are be the minister and humanist leader of adherents to traditional Afro-Brazilian our church. We offer you a congregation cults. One of these, the Universal Church eager to seek the truth and to live our of the Kingdom of God, held a rally on lives in the spirit of sisterhood and the day of the pope's arrival in Rio de brotherhood." Janeiro, filling a 200,000 seat stadium. Addicted to God Soviet Jews Bring Secular Tradition Joseph Fletcher (1905-1991) The addiction-recovery movement has become a banner industry in recent Newly arriving Soviet Jews in Israel tend In Memoriam: Joseph Fletcher years. Now a new book has been to be ignorant of Jewish traditions, published that addresses one of the least- according to a recent report in the FREE INQUIRY mourns the death of one discussed addictions: When God Be- Christian Science Monitor. "Except for of America's great secular humanists, comes a Drug. Written by Episcopalian a few phrases of Yiddish, the average Joseph Fletcher (1905-1991). Dr. priest Leo Booth, the book's aim is to Soviet Jew knows nothing of Jewish life, Fletcher was originally ordained an free people from the emotional chains nothing of Judaism, nothing of the Episcopalian priest, but he left that that enslave them to religion. "With the philosophy or history," says Ze'ev calling in order to promote the philos- work being done on co-dependency and Frieman, himself originally a Soviet Jew ophy of secular humanism. One of the adult-child issues such as guilt and who has been living in Israel for some first moral thinkers to deal with the field shame, people are starting to look at the time. A recent poll by the Institute for of medical ethics, he was a leading role religion has played in creating some Secular-Humanistic Judaism found that exponent of the right-to-die movement. serious problems," says Booth, a forty- only 3 percent of the new Soviet He was the author of over 350 articles six-year-old recovering alcoholic. "I saw immigrants describe themselves as and 11 books, the most noted of which that many religious messages actually religious. Indeed, many of the new- was his Situation Ethics, in which he kept people sick." comers are not even Zionists, but have argued that all general laws of morality Booth defines religious addiction as come to Israel because of immigrant must give way to whatever actions seem using God, a church or a belief system restrictions elsewhere. most loving in a given situation. Bold, to escape from reality in order to bolster Estimates hold that Soviet Jews by insightful, and humane, Fletcher was one one's sense of self-worth or well-being. 1995 will make up one-fifth of the total of the original contributing editors of Nothing new to freethinkers, but Booth population, so their impact on the FREE INQUIRY. He will be sorely missed. takes pains to make it clear he is not country could well be enormous. How- an atheist. Still, he takes a remarkably ever, not all long-time residents are New Head of American tolerant view about religion. "No one worried about radical changes. "It's true Humanist Association knows exactly what the truth is," he has they know nothing of Judaism, they are Ordained as Minister been quoted as saying. "It is important not Zionists, they come here only for people to realize there is no one because they could go nowhere else," Suzanne Paul, chairperson of the Board answer." Battling religious addiction is says Nitza Ben Zvi, a senior official in of Directors of the American Humanist no easy matter—especially considering the Ministry of Labour. "But their Association, was recently ordained as that most addiction-recovery programs children will go to school, and they will minister of the Universalist Unitarian are based on the Alcoholics Anonymous soon be no different from our children."

14 FREE INQUIRY Nuns Help to Fight Infertility other research groups have been unable fifty dollars a month, Coveney per- to account for such a claim. Only two- sonally matched the salary, and added Time magazine has reported a bizarre tenths of 1 percent of 30,000 plus re- free room and board. Because of this story about Italian nuns who in a special spondents interviewed by Gallup in 1990 and other public-spirited deeds, his way are helping in the development of stated that their religious preference was neighbors put up with his iconoclastic a drug that combats infertility. The drug, Muslim. In fact, more people claimed views on religion—but they were Pergonal, contains a combination of to be American Hindu (three-tenths of appalled by his blasphemous grave hormones that are found in significant 1 percent). Apparently, while there are marker, for which he paid the ungodly quantities in the urine of postmeno- increasing numbers of Muslims in the sum of $3,000. pausal women. In order to be able to United States, the number has not been Made of red granite, and towering get a steady supply of suitable urine, the growing in geometrical proportions. sixteen feet high, the monument is etched company manufacturing the drug, with Coveney's personal views, such as Serono, has made arrangements with "All Christian denominations preach nunneries throughout Italy. It's nice to Vandals Attack Freethought damnation to the others." Coveney know that vows of celibacy are not Monument himself did not come to occupy his necessarily an impediment to helping the monolith until 1897, when he died at the cause of procreation. "The more religion, the more lying. age of ninety-one, so he was able to see ... The more priests, the more poverty." many attacks on the structure from local These and other flamboyant slogans folks who attempted to chisel out its China Undergoing adorn an imposing monument erected sacrilegious inscriptions. But the most Religious Revival in the Michigan Oak Ridge Cemetery recent attack on the monument, which by freethinker Joseph Coveney in 1874. toppled the spire, was done by vandals In the wake of recent political upheavals, Coveney, an Irishman who came to the who also destroyed other nearby grave- China is currently undergoing a growth United States in 1826, was a self-made sites. In the words of Detroit Free Press of interest in the supernatural. According man who didn't mind spreading either columnist Neal Rubin, "that's progress. to the Associated Press, Taoist cults, his wealth or his opinions. In 1872, when ... To have the Freethinker's Monument Buddhism, ghost worship, black magic, his local school board refused to pay the damaged at random seems almost an act and Christianity are all making a county's only school teacher more than of acceptance." comeback, after decades of being squelched by the ruling Communist Party. But perhaps the strangest develop- NOT AGREE ON EACH INDI V/Dv.AL, OF WNATEVEQ ment is a thriving Mao cult. Posters of WE MAY NATIoNAUTY, DESERVING the late Chairman Mao Tse-tung, the EVERYTWING, BI/T AT LEAST IN THE EYES OF 714E ALMIGHTY. former ruler of China, are re-appearing WE CAN AGREE THAT.. after a ten-year unofficial ban. "He's a A god now, a good spirit," said Yu Dong, pNF a Cantonese truck driver who credits a

recent escape from a traffic accident to • the Mao pendant that dangles from his rear-view window. China is still officially OKAy an atheist state, but its constitution allows for freedom of belief, and restric- tions on forms of worship appear to be no longer as prevalent as they once were.

Where Are the Muslims in the United States? r EXCEPT FOR There have been many reports in recent INFIDELS. / Q ~ years about the growing Muslim pop- C"r) ,• ulation in the United States. Some estimates have claimed that there are n now more Muslims than Jews in this ANo WHOSE country, and speculation has been rife ALMsGNry, ANYWAY?- over how this will effect the various Tom Toles church/state laws in many communities. However, the Gallup organization and Toles 01991. Reprinted with the permission of The Buffalo News and Universal Press Syndicate. Winter 1991/ 92 15 CENTER FOR INQUIRY OFFICE BUILDING II Proposed design for the 25,000-square-foot Phase it building that will fully realize the potential of the site immediately adjacent to one of America's largest university campuses.

Help Build a New Home for Secular Humanism Your donation will help construct a new 25,000-square-foot office for the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism, providing a research library, meeting rooms, and other vitally needed facilities near the new North Campus of the State University of New York at Buffalo. A total of $1.5 million is needed. Donors of $100,000 or more will have a building wing named in their honor. Those who give $25,000 or more will be remembered with a seminar room. The names of donors of $5,000 or more will be displayed on a metal plaque inside the building; donors of $1,000 or more will be listed in a commemorative album, also to be displayed. Any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to CODESH and mail to: CODESH/ Center for Inquiry Capital Fund Drive, Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664; or call 800-458-1366 to charge.

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16 FREE INQUIRY Institute for Inquiry Seminars The Institute for Inquiry will be offering several one-day workshops, plus its annual Summer Session. "What Is Secular Humanism?" with Paul Kurtz, Editor of FREE INQUIRY, and Tim Madigan, Executive Editor Saturday, March 21, 1992 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Sunday, March 22, 1992 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Gramercy Park Hotel OR Ramada Inn—Century City New York, New York Philadelphia, Pennsylvania "Church/State Separation Today" with attorney Ronald Lindsay and Professor Robert Alley Saturday, April 11, 1992 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. — Sheraton Crystal City Hotel, Crystal City, Virginia

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City State Zip Make checks payable and return to: Institute for Inquiry, P.O. Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664 FAX charges to 716-636-1733, or call 1-800-458-1366. Summer Session 1992 Saturday, June 13-Wednesday, June 17, 1992 State University of New York at Buffalo Saturday, June 13 Tuesday, June 16 7:00-10:00 P.M.: Reception Repeat of Monday's schedule. Sunday, June 14 9:00 A.M.—NOON: "Bioethics and Secular Humanism" Wednesday, June 17 NOON-1:00 P.M.: Lunch 9:00 A.M.— 2:00 P.M.: Trip to Niagara Falls (optional) 1:00-4:00 P.M.: "Critical Thinking" P.M.: 4:30-7:30 P.M.: "Pseudoscience and Medical Fraud" 3:00 P.M.-4:30 "Bioethics" 7:30-10:00 P.M.: Dinner and Open Forum 4:30-6:00 P.M.: "Critical Thinking" Monday, June 15 6:00-7:30 P.M.: "Controversial Health Claims" Repeat of Sunday's schedule. 7:30-10:00 P.M.: Dinner and Open Forum The summer session is jointly supported by the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism and the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Please register me for: ❑ "Bioethics & Secular Humanism" ❑ "Critical Thinking" ❑ Pseudoscience & Medical Fraud" Enclosed is registration for person(s) for (1 course $125) (2 Courses $225) (3 courses $300) each $ Luncheons: _ Sunday —Monday _Tuesday for person(s) $11.95 each $ Dinners: _Sunday —Monday —Tuesday —for person(s) $15.95 each $ Niagara Falls Trip Wednesday for person(s) $30.00 each $ ci Check or Money Order enclosed (U.S. funds on U.S. bank, payable to Institute for Inquiry) Total $ Charge my ❑ MasterCard 0 Visa # Exp. Sig.

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n the Winter 1989 issue, FREE INQUIRY published several patient is a part of normal, daily living. articles in support of active, voluntary, medically assisted As Julie Ballo indicates, volunteers form the core of the euthanasia. The Fall 1991 issue featured an interview with program. They visit the home of the dying person, providing Dr. Jack Kevorkian on "medicide"—physician aid-in-dying. care and counseling. Each week these dedicated persons We would now like to explore an alternative in confronting provided a full day of respite care, freeing family members terminal illness—the hospice way of dying. or other caregivers to do whatever they wish, assured that The opening article, written by Dame Cicely Saunders, the terminally ill person is fully and responsibly cared for. founder of St. Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, England, In a hospice environment, healthy persons of all ages move first appeared in The History of the Management of Pain through the life of the terminally ill patient. Children can from Earliest Principles to Present Practice, edited by Dr. bring friends, flowers, drawings, or games. Pets are admissible. R. D. Mann and published by The Parthenon Publishing Wherever possible normal routines are maintained. Pain Group in 1988. Both Dr. Mann and Dame Saunders have medication, always at hand, is not administered according graciously given permission for the reprinting of this important to some predetermined schedule, but is taken by the patient statement about the beginnings of the hospice movement. whenever he or she feels the need. Hospice enables the patient Julie K. Ballo, Director of Volunteer Services at the Kaiser to be involved in and to sense some control over the dying Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, is responsible for process. selecting and training volunteers for the Kaiser hospice The hospice outreach does not automatically cease with program. She writes of the important role volunteers play the patient's death. The family is included in patient care, in its program. Charlene Fleischman, who is a volunteer in and hospice volunteers and other personnel give help and the hospice program in the Highland Park Hospital, Highland comfort in the post-death grieving process. Indeed, because Park, Illinois, explains her motivation for and understanding of the degree of personal involvement, some transference and of the volunteer work. Her daughter, Holly, who is graduating bonding often take place, so that the hospice staff must also cope with the death. with a Master's degree in Gerontology at the University of There can be no questioning that the hospice concept Southern California, responds to criticisms of hospice. With embraces the highest and noblest humanistic ethic and provides the permission of both Dame Saunders and Derek Humphry, a dignified and acceptable way to die. the founder and head of the Hemlock Society, which supports "lawful, voluntary aid-in-dying" for the terminally ill, we share —Gerald A. Larue, FREE INQUIRY Senior Editor a letter that includes information about self-deliverance that Dame Saunders wrote to the Hemlock Quarterly (No. 6, January 1982). Derek Humphry has provided us with a responding statement concerning the attitude of the National Hemlock Society to the hospice concept. The final article by Mrs. Jean Davies, who is chairperson of the Exit Society in England and president of the World Federation of Right- to-Die Societies, provides up-to-date information about the development of this important liaison organization. (It should be noted that Derek Humphry preceded Mrs. Davies as president of the World Federation. I had the privilege of serving on the first board when it was organized in 1980.) The hospice concept is designed to provide an alternative to standard hospital care for the terminally ill who have less than six months to live. It seeks to create, insofar as possible, a peaceful, dignified, pain-free environment in which the

18 FREE INQUIRY The Evolution of the Hospices

Dame Cicely Saunders

istory inevitably includes something of the bias and knew he needed not only pain control but also personal experience of the person who is interpreting it, and concern. But there were other roots and many inputs along Hthis account is given as my view of the roots and the way that I will try to describe briefly. principles of the modern hospice movement. Figure 1 is a family tree, designed by Robert Twycross, St. Christopher's Hospice, unlike nearly all the other our second research fellow at Christopher's. My only comment modern hospices, grew into the local community rather than is that there should be at least a dotted line from the Marie out of it. It developed from talks with patients, many of whom Curie Homes, from whom we certainly derived some ideas. had pain from terminal malignancy, as their needs and The original hospices go back further still to Fabiola, a achievements stimulated the ideas that gradually came Roman matron who opened her home for those in need in together. Eventually St. Christopher's was somewhat surprised the early fourth century after seeing earlier Syrian hospices, to find that it had started a movement that has developed setting out to fulfill the Christian "works of mercy": feeding with a great variety of interpretations. The very first patient the hungry and thirsty, visiting the sick and prisoners, clothing back in 1948 asked for "what is in your mind and in your the naked, and welcoming strangers. At that time the word heart," and I have always thought that meant all the skills hospis meant both host and guest, and hospitium both the that could be brought together with friendship for each place where hospitality was given and also the relationships individual person in pain. As he was dying with cancer of that arose. That emphasis is still central to hospice care today. the rectum, with pain and vomiting and other symptoms, he From then on the church attempted to carry the burden of

MEDIEVAL HOSPICE

1 MODERN (CATHOLIC) HOSPICE

1 1900 ST JOSEPH'S HOSPICE

1950 +

MARIE CURIE HOMES 1967 ST CHRISTOPHER'S HOSPICE

INDEPENDENT HOSPICES • HOME CARE SUE RYDER HOMES 1975 + CONTINUING CARE UNIT SYMPTOM CONTROL TEAM Figure 1. The development of hospice care.'

Winter 1991/ 92 19

the poor and the sick and continued with this throughout the whole of the Middle Ages. In England this came to an

abrupt end with the dissolution of the monasteries. None of Palliative these hospices set out specifically to care for the dying, but rehabilitation they welcomed people to stay as long as they needed help, Active Terminal which must have included many who had care until they died. cure —) support After the dissolution the state of those in need was sad indeed, and many must have died at home in great poverty. The first institution I found using the word hospice especially for care of the dying was in France. It had been Appropriate treatment founded by Mme. Jeanne Gamier who, after first visiting Changing patterns people dying of cancer in the back streets of Lyons, opened what she called both a hospice and a Calvaire in 1842. I Figure 2. Appropriate treatment—changing patterns. have a rather idealized picture of this, but from a later photograph it looked to suffer from the overcrowding that their dedicated care. Together we began to develop the I sometimes found when I started visiting some of the homes appropriate way of caring, showing that there could be a from 1948 onward. place for scientific medicine and nursing. We could illustrate In England the first use of the word hospice was by the an alternative approach to the contrast between active Irish Sisters of Charity at St. Joseph's in Hackney in 1905. treatment for an illness (as if to cure it were still possible) Their founder, Mother Mary Aikenhead, had already opened or some form of legalized euthanasia. Figure 2 illustrates how their first such hospice for the dying in Dublin in 1879, but terminal care is part of a continuity of treatment, not a sudden there was, apparently, no connection at all between her and soft option. Care and treatment should be given throughout, Mme. Gamier. Other homes were opened around the turn as we aim to enhance the patient's quality of life. As I looked of the century, including St. Columba's in 1885, the Hostel at patients and could see, for example, the difference between of God in 1892, and St. Luke's Home for the Dying Poor a patient on admission full of anxious tension of pain and in 1893. The last was the only one founded by a doctor, Dr. the same person on his oral opioid, comfortably lying back Howard Barrett. Of all the homes (and there were others and able to complete his football pools, it gradually became in the United Kingdom and in the United States), it certainly apparent that here we had in fact reached a level of opioid seems that Dr. Barrett's was the most similar in principle dosage between the pain relief threshold and the sedation to today's hospice, the most lively and full of a very particular threshold. and personal interest in the individual patient. Dr. Barrett Figure 3 shows that whether one starts with a smaller dose does not write of "the poor" or "the dying," but of each and increases it slowly or with a higher dose and decreases individual person and his or her desolate family left at home it, the dose can be kept within the therapeutic band at the with no welfare state support. He left a wonderful series of patient's own optimum dose. We found that the fears of drug Annual Reports but he only rarely mentioned the treatment dependence, of increasing tolerance or respiratory depression of pain.

went to St. Luke's, by then with the title "Hospital," as a volunteer nurse in the evenings for seven years from 1948 onward and, having become a doctor in order to look at the pain of terminal malignancy, arrived at St. Joseph's in 1958. For the first time they had a full-time doctor who 1 Sedation threshold wanted to do some research or at least to monitor clinical NARCOTIC practice. The first difference was the introduction of the regular DOSAGE giving of oral opioids—this I had first seen at St. Luke's. Pain relief threshold They could trace this back to around 1935, soon after the Brompton Cocktail itself was produced. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 When I arrived at St. Joseph's I found that they were TIME IN DAYS giving their drugs "as required" and that they were using injections rather than oral medication. Here, as elsewhere at that time, one saw people "earning their morphine," and it was wonderfully rewarding to introduce the simple and really Figure 3. Alternative methods of dosage adjustment. Pain obvious system of giving drugs to prevent pain happening— relief in the absence of sedation may be achieved with rather than to wait and give them once it had occurred. Here sequential increments in narcotic dose at intervals of 2 days (---). In a few cases the severity of the pain will require too there was the potential for developing ideas about the an initially high dose, followed by sequential decrements until control of other symptoms, and also for looking at the other the pain reappears (■■■). A slight increase in dose provides components of pain. But first of all I must salute the Sisters analgesia without sedation ( ).2 of St. Joseph's and the compassionate matter-of-factness of

20 FREE INQUIRY and even drowsiness were greatly exaggerated. We have since done a series of studies looking at this in detail, but with simple monitoring one was able to show that there was no Table 2. Research in a hospice setting. escalation of dose, that one does not find the patient constantly 1. Case reports 5. Clinical series asking for the next dose, that respiratory depression is not 2. Review literature 6. Practice reports a clinical problem, and that in most cases any drowsiness 3. Statistics 7. Pharmacokinetics wears off in about forty-eight hours. 4. Symptoms 8. Controlled studies However, it was more than the use of drugs. I remember one patient who said, when asked to describe her pain: "Well, doctor, it began in my back but now it seems that all of work on loss and bereavement to refer to and some writing me is wrong," and she then described her other symptoms. on the theology of death. These came together in the design She went on, "I felt as if nobody understood me, all the world of the first modern hospice, bringing research and teaching seemed against me. I could have cried for the pills and into a unit with beds integrated into the community, with injections but I knew that I must not. My husband and son family care, a bereavement follow-up, and a pioneer home were wonderful but they were having to stay off work and care team. St. Christopher's is unique in having also a lose their money." She was suffering a "total pain," and that is what we have been looking at over the years. It is, in a residential wing for the elderly, with its priority for staff and way, somewhat artificial thus to divide a whole experience their dependents and as a halfway house for a few patients. but it may give an internal checklist on meeting a new patient. Table 2 suggests possible hospice research projects. We We saw, too, how important it could be to communicate have done a number of clinical series, including some backed something of the truth so that patients could take control by partial autopsies.3 We have also tackled both studies in of their own situation, and know that they were still in charge pharmacokinetics and double-blind controlled studies. These of themselves. included a comparison of oral morphine and diamorphine, We began looking more closely at the family. They should when it was found that given regularly with a phenothiazine not be together only for a celebration, or for just one or there was no clinically observable difference. In 1977 we two visiting hours, and our concern should be with the whole changed to using morphine as our standard opioid, and it group. This progressed to plans for home care. It was difficult now provides 80 percent of all the opioid doses given. It is to discharge people home when liaison was so poor and important in any field to monitor clinical practice but especially readmission complicated but I remember ringing up the family so in an area that people are apt to think of as "a soft option." doctor of one patient (and that was not always easy). "We One important study that we did, together with a did very well," he said. "Did you push the diamorphine up pathologist and a surgeon from the Royal Marsden Hospital, much?" I asked. "No, but we pushed the whisky up a fair looked at patients with, or without, salvage surgery for bit," he said. advanced head and neck cancer. There was no difference in It seemed essential to found a new hospice where we could the symptoms arising or in their control during the terminal demonstrate all this and create an atmosphere in which those phase, nor in length of survival. This is an important finding who were free of symptoms could search for meaning in their for those who are considering such surgery, particularly among own way. Table 1 sums up the developments of the 1950s, elderly patients.4 when I was reading medicine, and the 1960s when I was at From 1974 onward came the development of new ways St. Joseph's, gaining the hospice experience that was essential. of giving hospice care. St. Christopher's had opened in 1967 Nearly all the psychotropic drugs were introduced during the and began home care two years later. I had been visiting 1950s, together with new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory groups in the United States from 1963 onward and one of agents and the synthetic steroids. There were now many new them launched the first hospice home care team with no back- tools adjuvants to the analgesics. There had been surveys and up beds in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1974. A doctor who reports showing the need for better care, developments in had worked at St. Christopher's and Joseph's Hospice became palliative radiotherapy and oncology, the new pain clinics, their medical director and after a . short time they enabled and some work in home care which I had seen in both the up to 70 percent of their patients to die in their own homes. United Kingdom and the U.S.A. There was the Tavistock Although ten years later they established their back-up beds, the American hospice pattern has been largely in home care, although not always with as much medical input as that Connecticut team. A professor of surgery came from Montreal Table 1. Developments in the 1950s and 1960s. for a sabbatical in the hospice and later opened a Palliative Care Unit in a teaching hospital ("Hospice" in French Canada 1. Hospice experience 5. Pain clinics 2. Clinical pharmacology 6. Home care implies an alms house for the elderly.) He developed this special unit in 1975 as an integral part of the hospital, with its visiting 3. Surveys and reports 7. Tavistock work on 4. Palliative radiotherapy and loss teams consulting both in the hospital and in the home. The oncology 8. Theology and death first of the United Kingdom Continuing Care units which were built by the National Society for Cancer Relief was opened in England at almost the same time, and there are

Winter 1991/92 21 now a number of such units, fully part of the National Health Scheme. The final pattern, a consulting hospital team with no beds of its own, began its work in 1975 in a New York hospital. This second group had also been visiting with us. Multi-disciplinary teams have since developed in the United Kingdom where St. Thomas's set the pattern in 1978, and there are now over twenty in this country. In many ways I think this is the most exciting way forward, helping to move support and symptom control to an earlier stage of disease. It emphasizes that hospice treatment is not merely a last resort but can be practiced in the general and teaching hospital. The discussion of problems over meals with contemporaries is, in fact, an important part of hospice development. Since 1967 there have been an increasing number of independent hospices and there are now over 2,300 beds in this country. Most have their own home care teams or work with some of over 600 "Macmillan" specialist nurses in the community. We can report increasing interest in the Figure 4. Tapestry de l'Apocalypse Paris, 1380. (Repro- duced from postcard.) National Health Service as well. Improvement here is still patchy, but special beds will always be few and our aim must be overall concern and education. in order to give a person freedom to move toward his own As we consider any hospice input to the problem of AIDS, aims. Often this will be the resolution of family problems. let us not forget that some 140,000 people will die of cancer People move fast in crisis, and, although the average length in the United Kingdom in any one year and more than half of stay in a hospice is only about three weeks, some can of them will have pain as a problem. It is only when such live a lifetime, or resolve longstanding problems, in that time. care is spread through the National Health Service in general, This makes all the difference for those who go on living in both hospitals and the community, as well as in hospices, afterward, but there should be a bereavement service available that these people will have the help they need. We have some for an identified minority. We have trained bereavement evidence that pain control has improved in the hospitals near counselors who are called in for about a quarter of the the hospice over a ten-year period but there is still a long approximately seven hundred families we meet in a year. way to go in our own field. We have knowledge to share Each hospice should consider suitable research, and every but a heavy commitment to our own patients. unit or team will face a demand for its teaching, which may well include that of the general public. Approachable n summing up the elements of hospice care that have grown management is essential for good staff support which also out of our historical roots and the great surge of I calls for some kind of a community, rather more closely knit development of the last twenty years in Table 3, I would than an ordinary professional group of people enthusiastic still put symptom control first and emphasize that this calls about their job. We are all constantly challenged to a search for a team approach, whether it be by the clinical team, the for meaning with which to face both the questions that come nursing team, the interprofessional team, or the home care from patients and family and the often draining demands team. We aim at maximizing the potential that still remains of this work. for each patient and the family in the place of their own Figure 4 shows the many-headed dragon of terminal pain. choice. This will be at home for as long as possible, but in This postcard was given to me by a patient saying, "That some cases it will break down. Our concern then will still is what my illness feels like to me." It has to be tackled in be with the patient and family together and what they can detail and calls for constant review and follow-up, as we stay do with the time left to them. We aim to control symptoms alongside. Figure 5 shows a second dragon, drawn by another patient during her last ten days to represent her illness. She has drawn herself as the child and, although that dragon is eating up the flowers, the child is no longer afraid. Fear and Table 3. Hospice care. apprehension are understandable there is indeed a mystery 1. Symptom control 4. Place of choice 2. Teams 5. Patient and family ahead—but we can tackle fear of pain, fear of other symptoms, Clinical 6. Bereavement service and, above all, fear of isolation. Although there will still be Nursing 7. Management people who remain desolate or angry and with whom one Interprofessional 8. Community has to wait alongside with no answers to give, the majority Home care 9. Search for find their way into peace. 3. Maximizing potential meaning Finally, we cannot ignore the fact that there is a spiritual dimension to this work. The longing for significance and meaning goes beyond our own capacity to fulfil but we can

22 FREE INQUIRY try to create an atmosphere in which others find a freedom to make their uniquely personal journey. Staff support here may best be found in the achievements made by many families, some of whom return years later. Hospice is still about relationships between persons and about their own reach to what they see as true. A free flying bird is a symbol used by many of the modern hospices. We make our own interpretations of this but with a common aim of helping all who come to have the freedom in which to make their own discoveries.

Notes

I. R. G. Twycross, "Hospice Care: Redressing the Balance in Medicine," Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 73(1980): pp. 475-481. 2. B. M. Mount, Lecture given at the Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Vancouver, January 27, 1978. 3. M. B. Baines, D. J. Oliver, and R. L. Carter, "Medical Management of Intestinal 0bstruction in Patients with Advanced Malignant Disease," Lancet (1985): pp. 990-993. Figure 5. Drawing by Miss H. of her illness ten days before 4. M. R. Pittam, "Does Unsuccessful Salvage Surgery Modify the her death. Terminal Course of Patients with Squamous Carcinomas of head and Neck?" Clinical Oncology 8(1982): pp. 195-200. •

Hospice Volunteers: A Priceless Commodity Julie K. Ballo rr he Hospice Program at Kaiser communication skills, grief and bereave- several hours each week with them until Permanente offers different services ment counseling, sensitivity to cultural the patient dies. Although the focus is to terminally ill patients and their diversity, and awareness of family primarily on the patient's physical needs, families through a multidisciplinary dynamics. It emphasizes active partici- including pain and symptom control, team, which is composed of the hospice pation in group exercises, and reading social and emotional needs are not physician, a nurse, a social worker, a and homework are assigned. neglected. Patients are encouraged to use chaplain, a home health aide, and a One exercise called "Unfinished their physical abilities. Help is given in volunteer. Business" asks participants to write grooming, in dealing with finances, and Volunteers form an integral part of down the names of the five most in coping with feelings of loneliness, each aspect of patient and family care important people in their lives. Each isolation, and fear of abandonment. plans. They are recruited from the com- name is written on a separate index card. Bereavement support is provided after munity and from Kaiser employees by Each participant then turns to the person the death. Some specific volunteer tasks advertisements in newspapers and on the sitting next to him or her and holds the include: radio, through fliers distributed in the cards so that the names are hidden. The • Relieving family caregivers to community, and through public talks. partner then draws one card randomly. allow them to rest and relax. Each volunteer is carefully screened The participant is informed that the • Running errands, grocery shop- through an application process, which person whose name is on the card has ping, picking up prescriptions, and consists of a three-page application, an just been diagnosed with a terminal so on. interview with the Director of Volunteer illness. They are then asked to share their • Preparing light meals for the Services, and successful completion of feelings and reactions to this make- patient, assisting the caregiver with a twenty-one-hour training program. believe news. menu planning for the rest of the Training covers all areas of Hospice care Each volunteer is assigned to a single family, and assisting the patient and provides education in developing patient and his or her family, spending with feeding.

Winter 1991/ 92 23 • Reading to the patient, writing etc. touch," a type of care that is less cen- letters or cards, and making tele- Volunteers do not provide medical tered around high-tech equipment and phone calls. care; rather, they offer caring, assistance, more around high-quality care given • Sharing a hobby or interest. and social and emotional support. Often, by people. The caring hospice spirit is • Being a link to the outside world bonding between families and volunteers manifested beautifully in volunteers, for the patient and family by is strong, sometimes more so than with who give of themselves, in so many sharing news of current events. the professional staff. Volunteers are not ways, to ease the suffering of dying • Helping with relaxation and pain there to diagnose, but only to support. patients and their families. For all control by listening to music In an era of high technology, volunteers that volunteers do, they truly are together, playing relaxation tapes, remind us of the importance of "high priceless. •

Reflections of a Hospice Volunteer Charlene Fleischman

ine years ago, I became a hospice upon her to allow me to begin the emotions and behaviors. I have cried Nvolunteer because of my beloved training sessions. tears of joy, and also tears of sadness. father's struggle with colon cancer. My Our hospice program is based upon There have been occasions when it was dear mother could not face up to the a team effort composed of skilled difficult to remain nonjudgmental. reality of our family's impending loss, professionals and trained volunteers. All However, it has been an exceptional and the illness devastated us. I felt it was of these people contributed their knowl- experience to be involved as a privileged destiny that led me to an article in a edge to provide an intensive training listener and confidant, and to know that local newspaper concerning hospice. program that covered everything from my presence has made a positive con- Subsequently, I applied to become a the art of being a good listener to our tribution. volunteer with a hospital-based hospice own views of death. I became truly Our hospice team has regular support program. The Nurse/ Director of the convinced of the necessity and impor- group meetings which provide invalua- program impressed me as an experienced tance of the program. ble assistance in coping with the situa- and dynamic person. She discouraged As a hospice volunteer, I have been tions that arise with patients and me from undertaking an extensive received by many families in a unique families. It is crucial for team members training program during an emotional and intimate relationship. I have to have an inner support system to crisis in my own life. I finally prevailed observed and experienced a variety of nourish their own emotions. Hospice can indeed make life easier in many perceptible ways for families. The "Voice of Inquiry" 1/92 However, the psychological and emo- Now there are seven installments of the "Voice of Inquiry," the radio magazine co-sponsored by tional support is one gift that is appre- CODESH. Purchase your own "Voice of Inquiry" tapes—listen at your convenience. All programs are a half-hour long. ciated the most. Through the years, I ❑ Program 103A. Critical Thinking, Humanism and ❑ Was Ancient Egypt Black?, have witnessed team members exhibit a Program 104B. African-Americans, Satanism, and Spontaneous Teaching About Religion, and Global Humanism. special form of generosity, kindness, Human Combustion. ❑ Program 105A. Reason and Morality, Astrology, selflessness, and love. D Program 103B. Sex in the 90s, Secular Humanism, The New Age. SOS, and The Full Moon and Human Behavior. ❑ Program 105B. Contraception. Magic and Decep- People frequently ask team members, • Program 103C. Euthanasia, Near Death Exper- tion, and The New Catastrophism. "How can you do that death work?" I iences, The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelli- gence, and Why Be Skeptical? One Program: $6.95 do not have a standard answer, but I ❑ Any three: $18.00 try to explain that hospice doesn't help Program 104A. Interviews at the 1990 conference of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation All seven: $41.00 people to die—it helps to maintain a of Claims of the Paranormal. Total $ quality of life. Please send me the Voice of Inquiry segments checked above. Enclosed find a check or money I feel all of us involved in Hospice order (no charges, please) payable to Inquiry Media Productions. receive an inner gift by having these Name families accept the services we offer to Address Daytime telephone # them. Personally, I expect hospice to

City State Zip Code become an integral part of our health care system in the future, and I remain Mail to: Inquiry Media Productions • Box 32 • Central Park Station, Buffalo, NY 14215-0032 dedicated to its success. • 24 FREE INQUIRY Criticisms of Hospice

Holly Fleischman

efore considering some of the by not interfering, hospice hastens death noses, the patient should suddenly Bcriticisms leveled against hospice, it and, quoting supporters' own language, recover from the illness, and should the is important to look at its nature and "helps the patient to die" (Koff 1980). patient have become addicted, drug intent. Hospice has developed a unique It is further claimed that hospices rehabilitation programs are available. way of caring for dying patients, either practice a form of negligence, by which Hospice has been criticized as catering in free-standing facilities, in hospitals, or is meant "an act or omission ... (that) primarily to an "elite" class, particularly in the home. Some programs have paid causes injury" (Blum 1985), and are cancer patients from the white, middle, staffs, others utilize volunteers. Staffs "liable for nontreatment" because they and upper classes, who have supportive may vary in size and make-up and fail to fulfill legal obligations to sustain families (Lynn 1985). It is true that such include doctors, nurses, social workers, life. The fact that hospice patients are a group comprises the largest category clergy, psychiatrists, various therapists not hooked up to life-sustaining of recipients of hospice care, but there such as occupational or physical, and, machines does not injure the patient nor is no intentional exclusion of other most of all, volunteers. Staffs function hasten death, but permits death to occur persons. More public education about as teams, but all work in conjunction naturally. Insofar as legal obligations are hospice is required and medical person- with families and friends of patients. concerned, hospice considers the wishes nel need to be better informed so that Unless the patient is in a coma, he or of the patient to be paramount. Fur- the alternative becomes better known. she is involved in all aspects of treatment. thermore, in the mind of hospice It is possible that in treating the The core hospice concept involves supporters, the person hooked up to a patient and family as a unit, unique dying with dignity. At the center of machine has little quality of life and is individual psychological and emotional concern is the patient—a term that not being treated with dignity. differences and needs may be over- includes family and friends. No attempt Some have envisioned dangers in the looked. Although the family as a whole is made to cure the disease (the patient hospice program in that it may be "so must cope with the impending death, is dying); efforts are focused on palliative emotionally or financially attractive that each individual requires treatment with care. Pain control remains in the hands patients are induced to forego aggressive respect to personal modes of coping with of the patient insofar as possible and and curative treatment options" (Lynn grief and loss. Awareness of individual treatment is focused on the total patient 1985). In other words, patients might differences is important and many not just pain. When the patient remains turn down treatment that could provide hospice workers try to cater to unique at home, hospice volunteers provide substantial improvement in their condi- coping needs. respite care to free the family from the tion leading to the prolongation of a Despite any real or imagined flaws, seven-day-per week, twenty-four-hour- meaningful life. In response, it is pointed hospice remains a reasonable and ethical a-day care responsibilities. out that patients and doctors select the choice for the care of the terminally ill There have been those who have hospice option only after consideration and their families, providing, as it does, criticized the hospice program, such as of all other alternative treatment pro- a death marked by dignity, human its intent to "affirm life" (Munley 1983). grams. The patient makes the final caring, and self control. The failure of hospice to use life-support decision. equipment is considered to be a denial The liberal use of pain control of that affirmation. In response, it is medications could, according to some, References pointed out that for hospice, affirming lead to drug addiction. "Hospice workers Blum, John D. 1985. "Legal Issues Facing life is interpreted as providing the dying have not found narcotic dependence or Hospice Programs," in Lenore Finn Paradis with every opportunity to live as full a tolerance to be a problem" (Lack 1980). (ed.), Hospice Handbook: A Guide for life as possible and to enjoy as much In any case, because the patient is Managers and Planners. Rockville, Md., Aspen Systems Corporation. freedom and control as they are able terminal, the issue seems to be irrelevant. Koff, Theodore H. 1980. Hospice, a Caring (Koff 1980). Patient comfort and alertness are pri- Community. Cambridge, Mass.: Winthrop Hospice supporters claim that hospice mary concerns in hospice (Koff 1980). Publishers. Munley, Anne. 1983. The Hospice Alternative: "neither hastens nor postpones death" In the unlikely case that, despite the care A New Context for Death. New York: Basic (Munley 1983). Some critics suggest that exercised by doctors in making diag- Books. •

Winter 1991/ 92 25 However, one probably does not make very helpful remarks on individual cases when it is a whole group of people, Hospice Founder Saunders and a large group at that, who need to be reassured that relief is becoming On Voluntary Euthanasia increasingly possible. We are delighted in being able to carry out a ten-year evaluation of, among Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement, penned other things, pain control and family the following comments to Derek Humphry after reviewing his 1982 book distress in the homes and hospitals Let Me Die Before I Wake. around here as well as in our own beds to find improvement right across the board. I do not have the exact figures t is now quite a long time since you you say always but to ill-advised state- yet as our social psychiatrist, who sent me your book and I must admit ments by coroners and others. organized this evaluative research, has that I have not really yet read every word For example, in the case of Mrs. not yet completed his first draft but he of it. However, I really have had a good Churchill (Chapter 2) where I think it has told me that we can certainly feel look. extremely unlikely that her doctor said that the teaching has been pretty I know you will not expect me to agree she was inevitably going to become effective. with everything you say, and I still think paralyzed and be in pain. It is only a Finally, I think that we would meet that this is a negative approach to tiny percentage of patients with carci- in thinking how important any time of something that should be tackled in a noma of breast and bony secondaries life can be and then part company again more positive way. I feel very strongly who, in fact, do become so paralyzed when I say that one of the strongest that doctors should not set out to and we have shown over and over again arguments against self-deliverance is the prolong life for the sake of so doing and that although this may be difficult pain often amazing use patients and their I believe that their commitment to relieve to control in a minority it is not nearly families make of the time after such a suffering is increasingly seen to balance so difficult to give relief. decision might have been made. Our this and that the debate has been We looked back through the two work with whole families is showing this extended, not just because of the work years of our patients with carcinoma of again and again. of "Exit" and others, but because it has breast and found that something like 5 I know we have in many ways an ideal been shown that there is an alternative, percent only had developed paralysis. situation and this cannot always be so more appropriate form of treatment that Incidentally, I also happen to know that but I still think we ought to aim for the is medically respected and respectable. Mrs. Churchill was able to go to the positive and free people from the feeling I still feel strongly that however theatre only a week or so before her that there is nothing good to be got out carefully you try to orchestrate your death and that there were other reasons of the slower ending of a life. publicity there is a great danger of adding why she might have chosen this way out to people's fears. This is not due to what as well. —Dame Cicely Saunders

Hemlock Founder Humphry on Hospice Derek Humphry

here has always been a friendly on the West Coast. From what I can and report that a patient of theirs is Talliance between many hospices in observe this is because hospice groups inquiring about euthanasia. We are America and The National Hemlock there are more likely to be set up and asked to send our literature directly to Society. A considerable number of run by people with a humanitarian this person. On the other hand, Hemlock Hemlock members work as volunteers motivation, while on the East Coast the members sometimes call headquarters in hospice: One leading California hospices are more likely—but not and ask for the name of their nearest Hemlock member was for some years exclusively—to be founded by religious hospice. We stock informational mate- chairperson of her local hospice. people. rials on hospice for these occasions. The liaison has always been strongest Sometimes hospice staff call Hemlock In 1983 I spoke to a world conference

26 FREE INQUIRY on hospice in Montreal, Canada, (appar- 10 percent of terminal pain is still euthanasia movement care most about, ently the first pro-euthanasia person uncontrollable. But, more important, it things that hospice—for all its noble invited to do so) and found—during the was the symptoms of their illness and efforts—cannot supply. They are too question period—that hospice people the side-effects of many drugs that intimate. • believed that only fear of pain drives propelled people to accelerate their end. people to ask for euthanasia. They Both hospice and Hemlock provide Derek Humphry is the founder and reiterated Dame Cecily Saunders's view valuable services to different types of executive director of the Hemlock that pain management was now so people with varying problems. It is Society, which "supports the option of sophisticated that euthanasia was un- quality of life, personal dignity, self- lawful, voluntary aid-in-dying for the necessary and irrelevant. I explained that control, and choice that we in the terminally ill."

The World Federation of Right-to-Die Societies Jean Davies

he first society whose purpose was Universal Declaration of Human Rights hospital patients whose hearts stop. Only Tto make voluntary euthanasia so that it would include the right of those with "Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)" legally available to the dying was set up incurable sufferers to voluntary, active orders on their clinical notes, and whose in England in 1935. The group of doctors euthanasia. The signatories included papers the emergency team stopped to who began it thought it reasonable for physicians, scientists, generals and read, were spared. someone dying slowly and in distress to admirals, lawyers, writers, and artists. In Britain today it is now common ask for the necessary drugs to bring the This was unavailing, as were the various practice, I am told, to display boldly the process to a tranquil end. It seemed to attempts to pass Bills in Parliament in fact that an elderly and incurably ill them wrong that a doctor responding Britain and in the legislatures of several patient is to be resuscitated and the rest to such a considered request should be American states. are allowed to die only once. Last year liable to a criminal charge of murder. During these post-war years medical there were two federal laws in the United Their creation, the Voluntary Euthanasia advances were many and striking, some States requiring all institutions receiving Society, has campaigned ever since, of them, for example the development public money and having the care of though with a long period of inactivity of better means of pain control, making terminally ill patients to find out and during and after World War II, to effect dying a less distressing process, but some record whether they have completed a such a change in the law. A similar having the opposite effect. Techniques "Living Will" and, in particular, whether society was set up in New York in 1938, such as artificial hydration and nutrition they wish to be resuscitated. with a humanist as its first president. are life-saving when applied to a very The "Living Will" was the brain-child During World War II the Nazis ill person who is going to recover. Used of Chicago attorney Luis Kutner, who misused the word euthanasia—which on a permanently comatose patient, or suggested it in 1967. By signing such a comes from the Greek words meaning on one who is nearing the end of life document it was hoped to protect oneself a "good death"—to describe their because of a condition that is at present from unwanted medical treatment program of state murder of those whose incurable, they only prolong the agony toward the end of life, a process usually lives they defined as useless. Many of the patient and the concerned family called "passive euthanasia." The Amer- people have accepted this piracy of the and friends. Unfortunately the existence ican Society has made the provision of word as a fait accompli. The spokes- of the means to do these things was living wills and the securing of legislation people of the Catholic church, for allowed to imply that they had to be to make them effective its principal example, always use the word in this used, especially in the United States. activities since that time, changing its sense, as do many Jewish commentators. Another example is the development of name in 1975 to the Society for the In England the widely read newspaper heart-resuscitation, originally researched Right-to-Die. columnist Bernard Levin is the best for the sake of healthy young men Although the British Society imme- example of the latter group; he appears working with high voltages of electricity diately copied the idea of a Living Will incapable of noticing the word voluntary whose hearts had been stopped by a it has always regarded it as a stepping in this context. massive accidental electric shock. For stone toward positive medical help to die, In 1952 the American Society peti- years this procedure, which is quite should that prove desirable in the tioned the United Nations to amend the violent, has been routinely applied to all patient's judgment. It has also stuck to

Winter 1991/ 92 27 the name Voluntary Euthanasia Society, are fairly shared. It publishes a newsletter family, what they are at present often though with the alternative and subsid- twice a year, in English. Language driven by compassion to do furtively. iary title "Exit." There were many problems make communication more Under the Washington state initiative societies set up in the late 1970s and early difficult, of course, as in all international procedure 150,000 signatures were 1980s, those in the Australian States and bodies. The number of member societies needed to present a bill in January this in New Zealand having followed the increases steadily, being around thirty at year to make Medical Aid-in-Dying British pattern. Nearly all these latter present. The American member societies available to its citizens. *The campaign societies were started by humanist periodically hold regional meetings, and organizers handed it in with 223,000 groups. the Europeans are in process of orga- signatures. The only American society to main- nizing a similar regional structure. For the first time at an international tain the aim of "the option of active medical conference (in Orlando, Florida, voluntary euthanasia for the terminally here has the right of the dying in February 1991) the majority of the ill" is Hemlock, founded in 1980. This Windividual to ask for and receive doctors present recognized that, as the society has chapters all over the United medical help to a quiet death made most philosophers have long held, there is no States and is using the initiative process progress? Undoubtedly The Netherlands moral distinction between refraining in its campaign to make this option is the world leader in developing this from life-prolonging treatment and legally available. Of the many European ultimate respect for individual auton- giving death-hastening treatment, when societies only the one in The Netherlands omy. Over the past twenty years a body death is the only remaining good that uses the word euthanasia in its title— of case law has been built up, and the can happen to the patient. For the first the others have variants on The Society courts and the medical profession have time the probability that active voluntary for the Right to Die with Dignity—but together drawn up guidelines for the euthanasia will soon be legalized in some they all have active voluntary euthanasia careful practice of active voluntary of the states of the United States was as their aim. The societies in Canada and euthanasia. Provided the doctor ob- accepted. The views that I was expressing Colombia on the other hand limit serves these guidelines he/she will not as president of the World Federation of themselves to the achievement of the be prosecuted. One of the most heart- Right-to-Die Societies were seriously refusal of futile treatment. The Colombia ening pieces of news from the vice attended to and discussed. society, by the way, is the only one (so chairman of the Dutch Mental Health At last the 75 percent (or thereabouts) far) in Central or South America. The Council at a recent medical conference of the population who want the choice Catholic church has a far more dom- was that severely demented people of medical help to die should their inating role there than in any European (suffering from Alzheimer's disease) have circumstances warrant it are making country, apart perhaps from Ireland, but had their Living Will request acted upon. their wishes known. The time will come, Pope Pius XII, in 1957, distinguished For many people this is the most dreaded probably quite soon, when we look back between "ordinary" and "extraordinary" of the incurable afflictions human beings on the practice of deliberately denying medical treatment, stating that the latter may suffer, and for a patient to know the dying the right to a peaceful death need not be used when recovery is no that he or she shall not be allowed to on their own terms with incomprehen- longer possible. The society there has deteriorate into utter degradation is a sion. It will seem as cruel and bizarre always had eminent priests as well as reassurance to be prized above all others. a stage of human history as the time doctors and lawyers on its board, and But there are signs that the United when the accepted authorities had the has great effect in protecting its members States may soon catch up in allowing same attitude to birth control. • from overzealous treatment. doctors to do openly, at the patient's wish *Voters defeated it in the November 1991 The first international conference on and with the full cooperation of the elections.—EDs. the subject was suggested and hosted by the newly formed Japanese society in Foster Humanist Growth for Years to Come. 1976. It was agreed to meet again in San Francisco in 1978, then again in Oxford Provide for FREE INQUIRY in your will. in 1980, where the World Federation of Please remember FREE INQUIRY (CODESH, Inc.) when planning your estate. Your Right-to-Die Societies was inaugurated. bequest will help to maintain the vitality of humanism in a society often hostile Its principal purpose is to promote toward it. cooperation and liaison among orga- We would be happy to work with you and your attorney in the development of a will or estate plan that meets your wishes. A variety of arrangements are nizations advancing the individual's right possible, including gifts of a fixed amount or a percentage of your estate; living to self-determination in dying. It takes trusts or gift annuities, which provide you with lifetime income; or a contingent no position on questions of policy, bequest that provides for FREE INQUIRY only if your primary beneficiaries do not leaving the means by which they judge survive you. they will best achieve the common goal For more information, contact Paul Kurtz, Editor of FREE INQUIRY. All inquiries to the individual member societies. will be held in the strictest confidence. Since its foundation it has met every P.O. Box 664, Buffalo, New York 14226-0664 two years, trying to vary the location widely so that the expenses of traveling Telephone: 716-636-7571 1/92

28 FREE INQUIRY Crisis in the Southern Baptist Convention

The Southern Baptist Convention is one of the most influential bodies in the United States. In the following pages, Joe Barnhart, James Hill, and Wayne Allen Brinkley examine the nearly 150-year-old tradition, now at a critical juncture as it faces a takeover by fundamentalists.

Joe Barnhart

he Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest Inerrancy Protestant denomination in the hemisphere, has over T37,000 churches and almost 15 million members. Until The SBC began in 1845 in a dispute among Baptists over recently, the principle of church-state separation was firmly the question of slavery. In the 1950s and 1960s Southern established in Southern Baptist life. Today, an influential Baptists worked through the heated issue of racism, and the group of fundamentalists within the Convention has succeeded moderates succeeded in guiding the Convention toward in persuading a large portion of SBC believers to move far desegregation. Today, many SBC fundamentalists, who earlier to the right politically and theologically. In the early June showed little interest in advancing the civil rights of African 1991 Pastor's Conference in Atlanta, 15,000 SBC flag-waving Americans, have taken up the cause of zygotes and fetuses, preachers listened to Oliver North speak of God and country. giving them the status they had once denied to African He did not rise to confess that he had lied to Congress or Americans. If Betty A. DeBerge in her book Ungodly Women: sold military hardware illegally, but to portray himself as an Gender and the First Wave of American Fundamentalismt innocent victim of the forces of Sodom and Gomorrah. The is correct, fundamentalism's recent concern over the fetus is Muslim world is comfortable with the fusion of religion and a smoke screen to disguise its hostility toward modern women. fevered nationalism. The new breed among Southern Baptist SBC fundamentalists clearly wish to keep women in their seems more Muslim than traditional Southern Baptist in this place by denying them ordination as ministers and deacons. one respect. The reason often given to justify this practice is that the inerrant A month before the pastor's conference in the same city Bible commands the "weaker sex" to submit to the stronger of Atlanta, at least 6,000 moderates assembled to raise the because the male is the female's head, just as Christ is the burning question as to whether the time had come for a formal head of the church. By insisting on the historicity of Adam split between fundamentalists and moderates. Since 1979, and Eve, the fundamentalists are able to make use of the tension has been building as the fundamentalists steadily New Testament texts that blame Eve for the human replaced the moderates on the boards of trustees of Southern Cor. 11:7-11, woman is the glory Baptist institutions. Today, professors at the six SBC predicament. According to 1 seminaries are compelled to teach under a chilling shadow of man, just as man is the glory of God. Man was not made of intimidation; for the fundamentalists are demanding, not of woman, but woman of man. Furthermore, man was that they be well and fairly represented on the faculties, but not created for woman but she for him. Another favorite that all the faculty members submit to the fundamentalist passage of the SBC fundamentalists is 1 Timothy 2:11-15 epistemology of the inerrancy of the Bible, including the (KJV): historicity of Adam and Eve in a literal Garden of Eden. Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over Joe Barnhart is a professor in the Department of Philosophy the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, and Religion Studies at the University of North Texas. He then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being is the author of eight books and several articles. He serves deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall on the National Advisory Board of CODESH. be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Winter 1991/92 29 The issue of the Bible's putative inerrancy is important in this context because it raises disturbing questions. Do SBC fundamentalists embrace inerrancy because they find it a useful "The Muslim world is comfortable with the tool for keeping women in an inferior position? Or do they fusion of religion and fevered nationalism. first embrace the theory of the Bible as inerrant and then The new breed among Southern Baptist seems find themselves driven by this theory to the conclusion that women are commanded to be submissive to men? more Muslim than traditional Southern Bap- I believe the former is the correct interpretation. In the tist in this one respect." antebellum South, slave-owning Baptists quoted the Bible to justify slavery, just as today fundamentalist Baptists quote the Bible to justify their anti-female attitudes and practices. inquiry. Fundamentalism is in many ways an attempt to turn Late last year I sat in the pastor's study of the Broadway back the tide of education in science and literary/ biblical Baptist Church of Forth Worth and had an enlightening criticism. Paige Patterson, leading administrator of the conversation with Dr. Cecil Sherman, the church's senior fundamentalist Bible College of Dallas, boasted that his school minister and a moderate Southern Baptist. He told me the was more open than Baylor University because at his school following: During a meeting with two fundamentalist pastors, the books of the liberals were read and studied. David Sherman looked straight into the eyes of a noted minister Montoya, a graduate of Criswell College, insists that Patter- from Memphis and said, "What do you do with those New son's boast is groundless. In fact, Montoya charges, at Criswell Testament passages that seem to support slavery?" the rule was indoctrination in a confined, ultraconservative The Memphis fundamentalist, according to Sherman, party line that rarely encouraged students to explore even replied, "You know, slavery is a much-maligned institution. other conservative options. Montoya quotes one former If we had slavery today, we wouldn't have all this welfare instructor at the college as saying that the Criswell admin- mess." istrators did not want students who could think for themselves. Fundamentalism cannot encourage education because it Authority tends to look upon "error" as either sin or the consequence of sin. To open the campus, therefore, to a variety of views In the battle of the Baptists, the Moderate Party and the for students to study is, for fundamentalism, to introduce Inerrancy Party both insist that the real issue dividing them students to sin and wickedness. is that of authority. The Inerrancy Party leaders contend that, In late 1990 I interviewed both the president of Baylor if their opponents would accept the doctrine of the Bible's University and head of the trustees Winfred Moore and talked inerrancy in its original autographs, the fierce conflict over with the school's instructors and students. There is little doubt authority would quickly end. that Baylor University, the largest Baptist center of higher The moderates, however, charge that the fundamentalists education in the world, stands as a thriving place of learning among them have in effect declared not only the Bible but and education. The Inerrancy Party of Texas Baptists, how- certain pastors as inerrant and infallible. In June 1988 at the ever, want to gain control of the university for the purpose annual SBC meeting in San Antonio, the Inerrancy Party of purging it of those faculty members who fail to follow passed by a narrow majority a resolution that elevates "pastoral the party line. The trustees and President Herbert Reynolds, authority in the local church" above the historic Baptist understanding the intentions of the fundamentalists, took stern principle of the priesthood of believers. Moderates reacted action to render the university independent of the current by charging that the fundamentalists had moved away from battle among Texas Baptists.2 Most of the moderates their Baptist roots in favor of a kind of medieval popery. applauded the move as necessary for protecting the university They charged further that once the free mind hops on the from the militant anti-intellectualism of the Inerrancy Party train of inerrancy, it is carried not only to an inerrant body leaders. of texts but to an ecclesiastical hierarcy that assumes the role The largest seminary of any religion in the world is the of the infallible interpreter of the inerrant texts. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Fort Many SBC moderates believe that the June 1984 annual Worth, less than a hundred miles from Baylor University in meeting in Kansas City served to prepare the way for an Waco. The seminary's trustees, top-heavy with appointees of exclusively male hierarchy, for at Kansas City a strongly the Inerrancy Party, have given signals that they are ready worded resolution opposed the ordaining of women as deacons to move the seminary to the right theologically and politically and pastors and spoke of women as first in the Edenic fall. as soon as the current president resigns. To counter this threat, the Baylor University regents recently announced their Education vs. Indoctrination intention to form a new school, the George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Many of the Texas moderates saw this The SBC Inerrancy Party leaders have made perpetual war action as inevitable. The new seminary would serve two on the Southern Baptist centers of higher education. Their functions: (1) to provide a learning and training center for major complaint is that "theological liberalism" runs rampant students who do not wish to attend an exclusive indoctrination in the seminaries and colleges. The real enemy of fundamen- camp and (2) to offer faculty members a haven of academic talism, however, is literacy in an open environment of free freedom, where they could teach and write without fear of

30 FREE INQUIRY being fired for failing to accept the interpretations advanced Baptists like Falwell gathered for an annual convention. Warm by the rising hierarchy of fundamentalist pastors. controversy centered around the question of what position the independent fundamentalist churches, some of which are The Great Divorce the largest in North America, would take regarding the Southern Baptist Convention now that some moderates were In 1985 45,000 "messengers" attended the annual SBC meeting. considering cutting ties with the SBC. There is one option It was the big showdown between moderates and fundamen- that cannot be ignored: If the Inerrancy Party among Southern talists. The latter succeeded in electing fundamentalist Charles Baptists continues to dominate at the national level, then the Stanley as president of the Convention. independent fundamentalist Baptists might unite with the SBC Six years later, the messengers at the 1991 SBC annual in order to gain its considerable property. At the same time, meeting in Atlanta were half the number of those present the Inerrancy Party would welcome the independents, and in Dallas. The Moderates stayed away in the thousands. the money they could bring in would help keep the gigantic Furthermore, instead of submitting rival candidates, the SBC institutions solvent and perhaps even prosperous. moderates have begun to think of a more radical alternative If the moderates eventually go their own way, having in for themselves. How the divorce between moderates and effect either been cut out of their own denomination or fundamentalists within the Southern Baptist Convention will departed voluntarily, those who favor the traditional Baptist- come about is anyone's guess. Money will be required to keep Madison-Jefferson principle of church-state separation can the huge SBC institutions alive, but the Inerrancy Party does take heart. The moderates will restore that principle and join not have the amount required. Without the moderates, the others who think that it is a part of the fabric of the American fundamentalists may have to sell some of the billions in SBC experiment in human freedom. assets. Jerry Falwell is not a Southern Baptist, and the SBC Notes moderates would be quite happy if he and Tim LaHaye would volunteer to become permanent missionaries to Iraq or Iran. 1. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990. 2. At the recent 106th annual Baptist General Convention of Texas, In 1990, on the campus of Tennessee Temple University in moderates won a vote approving a plan to reduce the convention's control Chattanooga, a convention of independent fundamentalist of Baylor. •

How We Got the Bible Belt James Hill

he South was not always as religious as it is today. was abolished in the North. The three religious groups that During the Colonial period, strongly religious groups would someday dominate the South—Baptists, Methodists, Ttended to go to Northern colonies like Massachusetts and Presbyterians—all condemned slavery in the 1780s using or Pennsylvania. Even as late as the 1820s the overwhelming the rhetoric of the Revolution. majority of Southerners still had no religious affiliation. But In 1784 the Methodists announced that they would by the 1 850s Southerners could claim with justification that excommunicate anyone who did not free his slaves within their region was strikingly more religious than the North. two years. In 1787 the Presbyterians resolved to pray for the One major factor that helped keep the South from getting final abolition of slavery. In 1789 the Baptists declared that religion in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries slavery was a violent deprivation of the rights of nature and was opposition to slavery by Protestant churches. The inconsistent with a republican government. American Revolution had been justified by an ideology of This wave of activity was a by-product of the American natural rights and human equality such as may be found in Revolution and employed the language of the Revolution the Declaration of Independence, and it was in this period rather than Christian theology. It didn't last. The Methodists that slavery—which had been legal in all thirteen colonies— were forced to rescind their threat of excommunication within six months of its promulgation; over time they grew more James Hill writes political and social commentary from his silent on the issue, declaring in 1816 that "little can be done home in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Chicago Divinity to abolish the practice so contrary to the principles of moral School, and Stetson University, a Baptist college. justice." The Presbyterian General Assembly in 1818 characterized emancipationists as socially disruptive. The

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Edwards. $5.00 M. Novak, J. Blau. $5.00 Spring 1985, Vol. 5, no. 2 - Update on the Shroud of Turin, J. Nickell; Spring 1982, Vol. 2, no. 2 - A Call for the Critical Examination of the The Vatican's View of Sex, R. Francoeur; An Interview with E. 0. Wilson, Bible and Religion; Interview with Isaac Asimov on Science and the Bible; J. Saver; Parapsychology: The "Spiritual" Science, J. Alcock; Science, The Continuing Monkey War, L. Sprague de Camp; The Erosion of Evolu- Religion and the Paranormal, J. Beloff,• The Legacy of Voltaire (Part 1), tion, A. Flew; The Religion of Secular Humanism: A Judicial Myth, L. P. Edwards; The 0rigins of Christianity, R. J. Hoffmann. $5.00 Pfeffer; Humanism as an American Heritage, N. Gier; The Nativity Legends, Winter 1984/85, Vol. 5, no. 1 - Are American Educational Reforms R. Helms; Norman Podhoretz's Neo-Puritanism, L. Nisbet. $5.00 Doomed? D. 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(Back Issues, Continued) Fall 1981, Vol. 1, no. 4 - The Thunder of Doom, E. Morgan; Secular P. Buchanan, P. Kurtz; New England Puritans and the Moral Majority, Humanists-Threat or Menace? A. Buchwald; Financing of the Repres- G. Marshall; The Pope on Sex, V. Bullough; 0n the Way to Mecca, sive Right, E. Roeder; Communism and American Intellectuals, S. Hook; T. Szasz; The Blasphemy Laws, G. Stein; The Meaning of Life, M. Kohl; A Symposium on the Future of Religion, D. Bell, J. Fletcher, W. S. Does God Exist? K. Nielsen; Prophets of the Procrustean Collective, Bainbridge, P. Kurtz; Resurrection Fictions, R. Helms. $5.00 A. Flew; The Madrid Conference, S. Fenichell; Natural Aristocracy, Summer 1981, Vol. 1, no. 3 - Sex Education, P. Scales, T. Szasz; Moral L Nisbet. $5.00 Education, H. Radest; Teenage Pregnancy, V. Bullough; The New Book- Winter 1980/81, Vol. 1, no. 1 - Secular Humanist Declaration; Democratic Burners, W. Ryan; The Moral Majority, G. Larue; Liberalism, E. Ericson; Humanism, S. Hook; Humanism: Secular or Religious? P. Beattie; Scientific Creationism, D. McKown; New Evidence on the Shroud of Turin, Free Thought, G. Stein; The Fundamentalist Right, W. Ryan; The Moral J. Nickell; Agnosticism, H. J. Blackham; Science and Religion, Majority, S. Gordon; The Creation/ Evolution Controversy, H. J. Birx; Moral G. Tomashevich; Secular Humanism in Israel, I. Hasson. $5.00 Education, R. Hall; Morality Without Religion, M. Kohl, J. Fletcher; Spring 1981, Vol. 1, no. 2 - The Secular Humanist Declaration: Pro and Freedom Is Frightening, R. Fairfield; The Road to Freedom, M. Mihajlov. Con, J. Roche, S. Hook, P. Schlafly, G. Allen, R. Drummond, L Nisbet, $5.00

0 • l • k 1 I • "Humanism and Changing Values" Americana Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri, November 1991

❑ Session 1: "Humanism and the Family" ❑ Session 7: "Raising Irreverent Children/Relationships A. Picchioni, J. Brundage, M. A. Barnhart, G. Kirkpatrick, and Philosophical Differences" E. Maloff $9.95 T. Franczyk, D. Barker, A. L. Gaylor, A. Szalanski, T. Flynn $9.95 ❑ Session 2: Luncheon - J. Kevorkian $6.95 El Session 8: "Freethought on the Frontier" V. Muhrer, G. deGruson, F. Whitehead, W. Hoops ❑ Session 3: "The Family in Transition" $9.95 B. Bullough, V. Bullough, G. Smith, C. Faulkner, R. Taylor $9.95 o Session 10: 'The Family: Changing and Lasting Values" ❑ J. Barnhart, V. and B. Bullough, G. and E. Larue, C. Faulkner, Session 4: Banquet - W. R. Young, G. Ohrlin (folksinger) $9.95 E.Maloff, R. Alley, M. A. and J. Barnhart $9.95 ❑ Session 5: "The Work of the Committee for the El Session 11: "Education and Indoctrination" Scientific Examination of Religion" T. Madigan, J. Novak, M. Rockier $9.95 R. Alley and J. Barnhart $9.95 Session 12: "African Americans for Humanism" ❑ Session 6: "Therapy for the Family in Transition" N. Allen, C. Faulkner, S. and R. Rucker, V. Muhrer, A. Picchioni, V. S. Jones, J. Marr, E. A. Larue, R. Siggelkow $9.95 F.Whitehead, A. Kisubi, M. Paynter, T. Sauda $11.95 ❑ Complete audiotape set: $95.00 (20% discount) includes shipping and handling. Other FREE INQUIRY conference tapes available: Audiotapes from the Society of Humanist ❑ "Humanism and Liberty," Marriott Copley Place, Boston, Philosophers first meeting, Brock University, 1990, Audiotapes $70. $ St. Catharines, Canada, 1991 ❑ "Living Without Religion: The Good Life vs. the Afterlife," Cathedral Hill Hotel, San Francisco, 1989. Audiotapes only, $65. $ ❑ "Nietzsche, Heidegger, Levinas and Derrida: Postmodern Challengers ❑ Tenth Humanist World Congress: "Building a World Community," to Humanism," David Goicoechea; "Postmodernism, Cynicism, and State University of New York at Buffalo, 1988. Humanism," Tim Madigan Audiotapes, $150; Videotapes, $89. $_ D "Humanism and Anti-Foundationalism," Thomas Clark; "Foucault and ❑ "Secular Humanism and Roman Catholicism: Confronting Humanism: A Panel Discussion," Rob Maclsaac and Rob Tielman the Contemporary World," American University, ❑ "Facing the Challenges to Humanism," Paul Kurtz; "Marxism, Washington, D.C. 1987. Audiotapes, $49. $ Socialism and Humanism," James Lawler; "Was Nietzsche a ❑ "Ethics in Conflict: Biblical vs. Secular Morality," University Humanist?" H. James Birx of Richmond, Virginia, 1986. Audiotapes, $39; ❑ "Heidegger and Taoism on Humanism," Xianglong Zhang: "Heidegger Videotapes, $89. $ and Kurtz on Humanism," James Kidd D "Jesus in History and Myth," University of Michigan ❑ at Ann Arbor, 1985. Audiotapes, $39. $ "American Pragmatism and the Humanist Tradition," Konstantin ❑ Kolenda; "Postmodern Challenge for Educational Humanism: Dewey "Armageddon and Biblical Apocalyptic: Are We Living in the Last or Dewey Not?" John Novak and Thomas Busnarda Days?" University of Southern California at Los Angeles, 1984. Audiotapes, $19. $ Each tape is $6.95. Order three for $18 or a complete set for $35. ❑ "Religion and American Politics," National Press Club, U.S. and Canadian postage and handling $1.50 per set, $6.00 maximum. Foreign air mail Washington, D.C., 1983. Audiotapes, $26.50. $ $3.00 per set, $30.00 maximum. Please pay in U.S. funds drawn on U.S. bank.

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FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Buffalo NY 14226-0664 or call toll-free 1-800-458-1366. FAX 716-636-1733. 1/92 Baptists seem to have stopped discussing the issue sometime enough merely to allow their missionaries onto the plantation before 1800. to preach to the slaves. For, they pointed out, as long as Slavery could be abolished in the North because there were the slaveholder was supporting a religion in which he did few slaves and the institution was of limited economic not believe, his slaves would see through his hypocrisy and significance. But in the South things were different, and religion not respond. If the slaveholder wished to see his slaves follow found itself powerless in the face of economic interest. The the New Testament admonition to obey their master as they outcome of this ill-fated religious crusade against slavery was would Christ (Eph. 6:5-7), then he himself would have to to put new emphasis on the Evangelical belief that the struggle show forth his own obedience to God in his daily life. And against evil involved a personal struggle with one's own sins. so the worldly slaveholders began coming forward to give This period marks the beginning of the Southern Protestant their hearts to Jesus. doctrine—still with us—that the way to make the world a Besides his desire to make slaves more obedient through better place lies in working to develop one's personal holiness their being indoctrinated with Christianity, the slaveholder rather than trying to change society. The emancipationists was also looking for an ideological defense of the institution of the eighteenth century came to be seen as people who lacked of slavery in the face of attacks coming from Northern humility. abolitionists. The abolitionists were appealing to the Social justice was no longer on the agenda of the Southern Declaration of Independence, which stated that it was self- Protestant, but other Southerners continued to be suspicious. evident "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed Most slaveholders maintained their distrust of Evangelical by their Creator with certain inalienable rights," one of which Protestant religion into the 1830s, when two events led them was "liberty." to change their minds. First there were the slave revolts, Considering how important the Declaration of Independ- particularly Denmark Vesey's 1822 conspiracy, but above all ence was for the founding of the United States, the abolitionists the dramatic insurrection led by Nat Turner in 1831. These were clearly playing their ace when they employed it in their two movements were led by charismatic religious figures, and arguments. They made it look as if those who defended slavery they gave the Evangelicals the opportunity to argue that black were not real Americans, and the Southern slaveholders people would always be a threat to the white power structure desperately needed an even more prestigious document with as long as they had their own subculture. The way to destroy which to trump the abolitionist ace. They found it in the black culture, these Evangelicals continued, was to teach them Bible. the white man's religion of Jesus and his love. Once the Evangelical clergy began pointing out that the Around the same time as the Nat Turner rebellion, another Bible, when interpreted literally, supported the institution of event occurred that helped persuade slaveholders to regulate slavery, being religious (and therefore supporting slavery) the religious lives of their slaves more closely. This was the became identified with being moral. The social pressure that appearance of William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist was to transform the South into a church-going, Bible- newspaper Liberator. Slaveholders now felt that they were believing society began building. definitely under attack. Church leaders moved to reassure the The Bible did indeed provide an alternative to the ideals slaveholders that they did not sympathize with the abolition- of liberty and equality found in the Declaration of ists. Presbyterian theologian James Henley Thornwell Independence. In place of human equality the Bible explained how the church viewed the slaves': emphasized human sinfulness. Government was not estab- lished by men in order to protect their natural rights as Thomas She sees them as the poor of the land, under the lawful Jefferson had thought, but rather by God in order to restrain dominion of their masters; and she says to these masters, sinners. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers," in the name and by the authority of God, give them what said Paul. "For there is no power but of God: the powers justice, benevolence, humanity would demand even for a stranger, an enemy, a persecutor—give them the Gospel, that be are ordained of God" (Rom. 13:1). According to Paul, without which life will be a curse. the ruler is "the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (v.4). But people are born with Beginning in the 1830s, the Southern slaveholders became unequal intelligence and unequal capacities; therefore, some more willing to allow Evangelicals access to their slaves. As must rule while others must be ruled. one Southern Baptist church historian has described the The Southern Evangelicals argued that this was the case process: with women. Because of the fall, God had decreed to women that "thy husband ... shall rule over thee" (Gen. 3:16). Here Masters usually welcomed Baptist preaching, which stressed was a clear case where the Declaration of Independence must an otherworldly hope and personal morality, because such be wrong in alleging human equality, for according to the teaching did more to strengthen than to undermine the slave Bible half the population was to be subjected to the other system. Those who preached to the slave population were half. fully conscious of such practical considerations. One minister, in an appeal for support of work among the slaves calculated Keeping women in subjection to men proved useful in that conversion would increase the value of slaves by more legitimizing the institution of slavery. The South adopted this than 10 percent.2 explicit principle of subordination even as the North was developing a concept of separate spheres for men and women, But the Evangelicals argued successfully that it was not which provided women with a limited form of equality.3

Winter 1991/92 35 Southern Evangelicals argued the same case with respect to children. Surely no sane person would claim that children "The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest were equal to adults or that they should not be subject to adult discipline. And these religious leaders then went on to Protestant denomination in the United States, claim that black people were really children that had never with some fourteen million members, was grown up—a belief that was widely held even among founded for the sole purpose of defending abolitionists. The conclusion was that blacks needed the same supervision and correction as children. the institution of slavery." These same Evangelicals also emphasized those passages in the Bible that advocated corporal punishment of children. brothers in Christ. The conflicts that arose in the three main "He that spareth his rod hateth his son" reads Proverbs 13:24, Evangelical denominations were pushed for by both "but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." "Withhold abolitionists and apologists for slavery, for the members of not correction from the child," enjoins Proverbs 23:13 in both camps knew in their hearts that God was on their side. enunciating one of the Bible's biggest lies: "For if thou beatest The Methodist split came over the question of whether him with the rod, he shall not die." Since the Bible said it bishops should be allowed to own slaves. The test case was was right—even loving—to beat children, then it must also Bishop James Osgood Andrew of Georgia. Bishop Andrew be right to whip slaves. Thus the desire to legitimate slavery had inherited two slaves. One was a young boy whom the also led to treating children as sinful and in need of severe bishop intended to free and send out of state—as was required punishment. By contrast, the North was moving in the opposite by Georgia law whenever a slave was freed—as soon as he direction, viewing children as innocent and portraying them was old enough to make his own way. The other slave was as little angels in magazine illustrations. a young woman who was offered her freedom but turned This dark vision of human nature in which all are sinners— it down rather than leave the state. this night in which all cows are black—leaves room for only In 1844 abolitionists demanded that Andrew resign his office two types of people: those who discipline themselves and those in church; the bishop at first decided to comply in order to who must be disciplined by others. The Southern Evangelical avoid a conflict, but then Southern delegates to the merely had to argue that blacks lacked self-discipline and denomination's General Conference of that year urged him to therefore belonged in the second category along with criminals, stay on as bishop and force a confrontation. He did, and the the insane, women, and children. Given the atmosphere of northern Methodists then won the vote on a resolution relieving racial ideology of the time, this wasn't very hard at all. Andrew of his duties for as long as he continued to own any But these Evangelicals went further than saying that slavery slaves. Having seen enough, Andrew's supporters met in May was a necessary evil to restrain morally and intellectually 1845 at Louisville, Kentucky, to found the Methodist Episcopal inferior blacks. They claimed that slavery was an act of Church, South—a denomination whose sole reason for existing Christian love, for only as slaves could black people find the as an autonomous entity was to defend the institution of slavery. conscientious supervision that they so desperately needed in Southern Baptists were also looking for a fight, but it was order to cope with life. As the Southern Evangelicals described harder for them to find one than it had been for the Methodists it, it was the Northern abolitionists who were heartless and because they had little formal organization above the level of uncaring for they wished to throw blacks out on the street the local church. What they did have was a convention every to fend for themselves, even though these racial inferiors were three years to coordinate missionary activity, and it was here obviously incapable of doing so. that the confrontation was precipitated. In 1844 it was learned that an official of the Home Mission Board was trying to rom the 1830s to the 1850s the growth of Evangelical persuade Jesse Busyhead—Chief Justice of the Supreme Court AIProtestantism exploded in the South. By the 1850s of the Cherokee Nation—to resign his position as a missionary Southern whites were arguing that they were more religious because he owned slaves. Chief Justice Busyhead died before (and therefore supposedly more moral) than people up North, the issue was settled, but his fellow Alabamian Baptists angrily and with good reason. As one Baptist minister pointed out, insisted to the Board of Managers of the Baptist General according to the 1850 census the population of New England Convention that there be an explicit policy statement affirming was about the same as the free population of the five original that slaveholders were as qualified to be missionaries as slave states. But New England had only 4,607 churches with nonslaveholders. Finally, in December the Baptist Acting Board 1.9 million members, while the corresponding five slave states of Foreign Missions ruled that it would not appoint anyone had 8,081 churches with 2.9 million members. And no fewer as a missionary who intended to continue to hold slaves. than 487 of those New England churches were Unitarian, while The proslavery Baptists met in Augusta, Georgia, in May those Southern states had only eight Unitarian churches! of 1845—the same month that the proslavery Methodists met Clearly the South was more religious. in Louisville—to found the Southern Baptist Convention. The If the proslavery South was more religious—continued Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denom- these Evangelical leaders—then it must also be more moral ination in the United States, with some fourteen million than the free states of the North. Thus the biblicist religion members, was founded for the sole purpose of defending the developed by the Southern Evangelicals and its use to defend institution of slavery. slavery put them on a collision course with their northern After the end of the Civil War, Southern Methodists,

36 FREE INQUIRY Southern Baptists, and Southern Presbyterians all continued Press as a volume in the Chicago History of American Religion series, to denounce emancipation as contrary to the will of Gdd. edited by the well-known church historian Martin E. Marty. Additional material on the religion of the Southern Evangelicals is Religion is basically a conservative force in society, and these available from Sidney E. Ahlstrom's A Religious History of the American three Evangelical denominations were true to form as they taught People. This is the standard history of religion in the United States and Southern whites that the North had abused them and that life was originally published by Yale University Press. For a broader look at the history of racial attitudes in the U.S. in the nineteenth century, had been better before the Civil War. They comforted the including those of the abolitionists, one may have recourse to George M. Southern whites, not only by telling them that they were superior Fredrickson's The Black Image in the White Mind. Fredrickson is professor to blacks, but also they were morally superior to Northern of history at Stanford University. For an analysis of the relationship between the institution of slavery and Southern culture in general there is Eugene whites, who were less religious than they. For after all, you D. Genovese's classic work. The Political Economy of Slavery. can't be moral if you're not religious, can you? Given how mainstream these references are, one might think that the The three Southern Evangelical churches achieved great story of how Southern fundamentalism arose from the defense of slavery would be well known. But that is not the way things are in this country. success with this message, and by 1890 they accounted for 95 Most people get most of their information about religion from religious percent of all Southern church members. And their heritage institutions. and these institutions are highly selective about which lives on. Today we are still confronted with Southern scholarship they disseminate. The upshot is that most churchgoers have very little understanding of how religion in America came to be what it Evangelicals who claim that belief in the literal truth of the is today. Bible, the subordination of women, the physical abuse of children, and a narrow view of the role of the state as merely a system of criminal justice have all been ordained by God. Notes And none of them will acknowledge—nor do very many even 1. Anne C. Loveland, Southern Evangelicals and the Social Order 1800- remember—that their religion arose from the theological defense 1860 (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1980), p. 206. of slavery. 2. John Lee Eighmy, Churches in Cultural Captivity: A History of the Social Attitudes of Southern Baptists (Knoxville: The University of Tennesee Press, 1987), p. 25. The story of the origins of the Bible Belt is readily available in standard 3. For an account of the rise of the concept of separate spheres (which works on church history. The most complete account is in Religion in the author characterizes as "separate but equal"), see Julie A. Matthaei, the Old South by Donald G. Mathews, professor of history at the University An Economic History of Women in America (New York: Schock Books, of North Carolina. His book is published by the University of Chicago 1982), Part II. •

Unbuckling the Southern Baptist Bible-Belt

Wayne Allen Brinkley

he minister of a typical Southern Baptist church in The pastor noted that two classes weren't in attendance a small, conservative community had decided that it at the meeting, so a letter, co-signed by the pastor, associate Twould be beneficial for the Sunday school classes in minister, chairman of deacons, and the Sunday school director the church to meet together one Sunday morning—during was dispatched to the teachers. The letter strongly admonished the time normally reserved for Sunday school—in the church the couple for their delinquency in failing "to lead their classes sanctuary in order "to build strong unity and spirit within to cooperate fully and happily with the church's leaders." the Sunday school organization." Two Sunday school Describing this as "a most serious offense," the letter went teachers—a married couple who had been members of the on to inform the couple that they would no longer be allowed congregation for more than fifty years (an exceedingly longer to teach because of "the indifference shown to the God- tenure than the minister)—informed their respective classes ordained, church-elected leadership." Numbers 12 and 16 were of the meeting. Their classes decided of their own volition cited as scripture references. These two chapters recount how that they would rather meet in their customary classrooms God supposedly punished those who spoke out or questioned and not participate in the conjoint meeting. The teachers the authority of Moses. Miriam is afflicted with leprosy and conceded to the wishes of their students since they possessed expelled from the encampment for seven days because she no authority to compel them to attend any church functions. and her brother Aaron disapproved of Moses' marriage to an Ethiopian woman. That's trivial, though, compared with Wayne Allen Brinkley is a former Baptist who lives in the 250 individuals destroyed by fire and the 14,700 people Thomasville, North Carolina. who died as a result of a plague administered by God because they lost confidence in Moses.

Winter 1991/92 37 When this incident became known among the parishioners, of the current controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention the pastor reversed his position; the realization that he couldn't and to make findings and recommendations to resolve it." emerge unscathed in such a skirmish was undoubtedly the However, notwithstanding the conciliatory tenor of that impetus for his backpedaling. resolution, the Peace Committee didn't contribute toward squelching the piercing dissonance within the convention. s a longtime Southern Baptist, I view this incident not "The primary source of the controversy in the Southern Amerely as an example of the authoritarian arm-twisting Baptist Convention is the Bible; more specifically, the ways used by some pastors in order to retain and bolster control in which the Bible is viewed," according to the report of the over their parishioners; but rather, seen in context, it is a Peace Committee. That determination didn't, however, suit metaphor of the larger schism that has occurred in the most moderates who believe that the actual root of the Southern Baptist Convention per se. Such ecclesiastical squabbling is power and not theology. These moderates argue superciliousness and other perversions of pastoral authority (I think persuasively) that fundamentalists are accentuating have, I think, become more legitimized over the last decade, their theological differences with moderates as a subterfuge coinciding, not surprisingly, with the ascendency of aimed at seizing power. fundamentalism amid Southern Baptists—particularly among The Peace Committee "found that most Southern Baptists those in positions of denominational leadership. ... believe in direct creation of mankind and therefore they Until now, the most severe cleavage among Baptists had believe Adam and Eve were real persons," in which case the occurred in 1845 with the conflict over slavery and, more committee urged Southern Baptist institutions and seminaries particularly, the dispute concerning whether or not slave- "to build their professional staffs and faculties from those holders should be missionaries. The current struggle could who clearly reflect such dominant convictions and beliefs held result in the establishment of a new "moderate" denomination by Southern Baptists at large." Although most, but certainly for those who have been disenfranchised by the fundamentalist not all, Southern Baptists would concur with that position, predominance. which is intended to malign evolution, fundamentalists regard The resurgence of fundamentalism in the SBC is these statements as an official endorsement (not that they attributable, primarily, to the efficacy of the organizational need one) of their efforts to purge Southern Baptist seminaries strategy contrived by those who believed that the convention of professors and staff who don't espouse biblical inerrancy and seminaries had been overtaken by liberals who weren't and/ or thoughtlessly dismiss the possibility of evolution. representative of rank and file Southern Baptists and the SBC By a process of natural attrition—through the resignation, had foresaken its commitment to biblical inerrancy. retirement, or death of current trustees—fundamentalists, The rehabilitation of conservative enthusiasts and the because of their stronghold over the SBC, are able to appoint subsequent shake-up in the leadership of the SBC is traceable new trustees (their ideological brethren) who have a litmus to the handiwork of three influential Southern Baptists: Paul test for prospective professors that doesn't tolerate the notion Pressler, a state appeals court judge in Texas; Dr. W. A. of academic freedom. Consequently, of course, Southern Criswell, a former president of the SBC and current pastor Baptist hard-liners have been able to fortify their control over of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas; and Dr. Paige the six seminaries that were established to train future Patterson, head of the (Dr. W. A.) Criswell Institute for Biblical missionaries, ministers, and seminary professors. Perhaps the Studies. Along with conservative luminary Joseph Coors of most prominent and quarrelsome confrontation between Coors Brewery, Patterson and Pressler are members of the fundamentalists and moderates has been agitating at Council on National Policy, a conservative political Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, organization in which "quite a few Southern Baptists are North Carolina. Since garnering a majority on the board of members," according to Patterson. Criswell has castigated trustees at Southeastern, the fundamentalists have sought to "modern liberalism" for inducing persons to use "condoms ensure the adherence to biblical inerrancy by excluding those and rubbers" rather than counseling abstinence. who don't accede to an ironhanded interpretation of the Bible. Beginning in 1979 with the election of Adrian Rogers, pastor This sort of theological blacklisting of moderate Southern of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, as Baptist academians and administrators prompted a dean, president of the SBC, the convention has been superintended former president W. Randall Lolley, and six school by like-minded fundamentalists who espouse a strenuous administrators to resign their positions. orthodoxy that's indistinguishable from the agenda champi- Moreover, because of resignations and policy changes oned by the political right-wing. In San Antonio, Texas, site ushered in by the new trustees, the Southern Association of of the 131st annual SBC in 1988, Jerry Vines of Florida was Colleges and Schools issued a "warning" to Southeastern. The elected president, an event that signified the culmination of warning means that the seminary, in order to assure its a successful ten-year blueprint formulated by fundamentalists continuing education accreditation, has two years to develop for electing one of their partisans as president each year. a plan addressing four areas about which the accrediting By 1985 the cleavage between fundamentalists and agency has serious concern or questions: institutional moderates in the SBC had become so pronounced that at effectiveness; the role of the faculty in selecting new professors; their annual convention in Dallas, Texas, the messengers academic freedom or the lack thereof; and the organization (delegates) passed a resolution creating a special committee and administration of the institution by the board of trustees. composed of both factions "to attempt to determine the sources The fundamentalist trustees and the new seminary

38 FREE INQUIRY president, Lewis A. Drummond, however, thus far haven't demonstrated a willingness to alleviate the dissension at "Even [the Southern Baptists] realize that their Southeastern. The die-hard conservatives have, in fact, tried ideology is so fragile and narrow-minded that to discredit the recommendations, which were the product of an unbiased accreditating agency. The fundamentalist it will eventually wilt under the light of trustees and their partisans surmise, quite erroneously, that reasoned scrutiny." the investigation of Southeastern is part and parcel of a strategy encouraged by their foes in order to neutralize their purported Baptist Church had official segregation until 1968, once urged mandate: restoring the seminary to its supposed conservative state legislators to oppose integrationists, whom he heritage. characterized as "Infidels. Dead from the neck up." They experienced a setback of sorts at the Baptist state Adding further to the perception that Southern Baptists convention in Georgia when they tried to flex their muscles. are indifferent and frequently contemptuous regarding race Southern Baptist layman Lee Robertstack became troubled, relations, Curtis W. Caine, a physician from Mississippi and to say the least, when, in the January 1987 issue, Playboy a commissioner of the Southern Baptist Christian Life picked Mercer University, a Baptist-affiliated institution in Commission, labeled Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a "fraud" Macon, Georgia, as one of the top forty party colleges in and offered an eccentric and unusually scurrilous conjecture the nation. (Mercer came in at number nine.) Then, adding concerning apartheid in South Africa: "We have to be very further to Robertstack's irritation, Playboy for October 1987 careful that we do not get caught in the trap that is closing presented a pictorial feature, Women of the Top Ten Party in around us about apartheid in South Africa, which doesn't Colleges, in which two Mercer co-eds appeared au naturel. exist anymore and was beneficial when it did because it meant Despite the self-righteous indignation of Robertstack and his separate development." oppressive ilk, the efforts of the fundamentalists to replace The SBC, not unlike a lot of other religious bodies, perceives Mercer president Kirby Godsey—whom they blamed for the women as second-class citizens and thereby relegates them so-called lax moral atmosphere at Mercer—with one of their to a subservient role, which is supposedly proscribed for them lackeys was unsuccessful; the rabble-rousers also fell short in the Bible. Most bewildering, though, is that many Southern in persuading the state convention to defund Mercer. Baptist women submissively accept this status. The SBC chieftains have masterfully persuaded them that they have he SBC was inaugurated as a sanctuary for Southern a "different" role than men that is, nonetheless, equally vital Baptists who didn't comprehend the unseemliness of T for the work of God. propping up the systematic obliteration of human rights Charles Stanley, former president of the SBC and current through slavery. A sort of quasi-segregationist ethics still exists pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, recently among some Southern Baptist constituencies, as is evidenced preached a sermon in which he extolled his sentiment that by the pronouncements of Criswell: women should be submissive to their husbands. Furthermore, he said that if a woman isn't allowed to be submissive to Birds of a feather flock together. People of a like background her husband, then she'll eventually find a man elsewhere to sort of gravitate toward each other and they don't mix very well. Let's take the black: It seems to me that he is, by nature, whom she can submit. More extraordinary, still, is the responsive to God. He sings. They'll have preaching all day enigmatic sociological observation cited by Stanley as a long; they seemingly never tire of praising the Lord God. rationale: He holds out the relationship between prostitutes They respond to the gospel—the black man, the black people and pimps as proof that women have an innate desire to do. be subservient to men. Now, let's take these brown, Hispanic people: It seems to me that they are, by nature, conservative; they're family Not only do these antiquated ideas offend justice, but such people; they love their children. They look upon promiscuity presumptions also have hurtful consequences for real and moral compromise with abhorrence.' individuals. In March 1987, the directors of the SBC's Home Mission Board voted to prohibit ordained women from Such stereotypical postulations are, I think, typical of the receiving any future funding as local church pastors. After ludicrous rationalizations propounded by some Southern that vote was taken, Deborah Griffis-Woodbery, the only Baptists in order to explain why Sunday morning is still the woman to subsequently receive pastoral funding because she'd most segregated hour of the week in America. Theoretically, received assistance prior to the change in policy, took a decision everyone is welcome to attend services at any church they to leave the SBC altogether and become a minister in the desire. However, in my experience as a member of no less United Methodist Church. If this sort of discriminatory than six Southern Baptist congregations, I haven't been aware conduct occurred in any setting other than under the rubric of any black persons joining a predominantly white Southern of religion, the aggrieved party would undoubtedly have had Baptist church. The membership of most churches in the SBC the basis for filing a sex discrimination lawsuit. is overwhelmingly and most often exclusively Caucasian. Most The Southern Baptist Alliance (SBA) was formed in 1986 Southern Baptists reason that black persons prefer to maintain by self-proclaimed moderates in order to halt or at least separate churches since the races "don't mix very well," frustrate the fundamentalist steamroller from gaining any more according to Criswell. Interestingly, Criswell, whose own First headway in its increasingly successful venture to commandeer

Winter 1991/92 39 the entire apparatus of the SBC. "The SBC as we perceive to stop distributing the Surgeon General's report on AIDS it is now a fundamentalist-dominated convention. Diversity because it sanctions additional sex education, but doesn't is rejected and dishonored," according to Alan Neely, acting emphasize abstinence with enough fervor. The commissioners executive director when the SBA was formed. Neely, who of the CLC also voted to stop distributing a pamphlet on left Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake capital punishment because it called on Southern Baptists to Forest, North Carolina, to join the faculty of Princeton work for its abolition. Theological Seminary, describes the SBA as "a clear alternative to fundamentalism, authoritarianism, hierarchy, and right- I can crystallize this disturbing data and provide wing political ideology." psomeerhaps insight into the psychological processes of Southern Indeed, the extent to which "right-wing political ideology" Baptist fundamentalists by relating a personal experience: has been able to steadily worm its way into the SBC became After the local newspaper published an article in which self-evident following former President Ronald Reagan's I exposed the false statements and unsubstantiated claims that nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Violating were being propagated by a local antipornography organi- a long-standing tradition of not officially endorsing political zation, I received a call from a member of this same Southern candidates, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) of the SBC Baptist-dominated group who was obviously provoked. She passed a resolution that "strongly urged" the Senate to approve epitomized the fundamentalist caricature—shrill, intolerant, the (failed) Bork nomination. PAC member Les Csorba III, and devoid of reason. I learned that she was a member in then executive director of Accuracy in Academia, an offshoot the Reverend Donald Wildmon's censorious American Family of Reed Irvine's conservative Accuracy in Media, which Association (AFA). monitors the supposed liberal bias in the media, presented Although the caller was unable to contradict any facts in the resolution based on his belief that Bork "is consistent" the article, she, apparently in an effort to unnerve me, let with the SBC's positions on homosexuality, pornography, and me know that she intended to telephone the newspaper's editor the First Amendment; i.e., exhibiting antipathy toward all to voice her displeasure. In letters to the editor, some of her three. puritanical comrades did their best to excoriate me by quoting "By any measure, Southern Baptists are a conservative Bible verses and spewing forth warmed-over claptrap. The people in the theological and sociological spectrum of the chairman of the antipornography group, a Southern Baptist nation," according to R. G. Puckett, editor of the Biblical preacher, wrote, "I would defend at any length his right to Recorder, a Southern Baptist weekly newspaper in North express his opinion." But my caller told me that she didn't Carolina. Indeed, relative to other Protestant religious bodies, even want my opinion represented in her newspaper. many Southern Baptists are unquestioning conservatives— Seemingly, she was most angry that the article was allowed so much so, in fact, that most will only identify themselves to be published at all. She feigned concern for the gullible as either conservative or moderate. In this scheme, liberalism, public who might be taken in by my arguments, even though or what's perceived as such, is often equated with nonbelief I had been unsuccessful in making a convert out of her. This and permissiveness and epitomizes all that is contrary to concern, however, is a smoke screen for the real fear that Southern Baptist beliefs. makes Southern Baptists' knees buckle: Even they realize that The Baptist Faith and Message, a 1963 statement of the their ideology is so fragile and narrow-minded that it will SBC's beliefs and goals, advises that "Every Christian should eventually wilt under the light of reasoned scrutiny. seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole If the Southern Baptist fundamentalists had the power to under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and overhaul America in their own ideological image, this nation brotherly love." Endless resolutions opposing pornography, would be radically different and certainly less free and abortion, homosexuality, gambling (including lotteries), democratic than the America envisioned by the architects of alcoholic beverages, and sex education reflect the SBC's notion our Constitution. of advancing "the principles of righteousness." Similarly, Once a person's name appears on a church membership aiming to safeguard their perception of truth, at their 1988 list, it's very seldom expunged, even if the individual is no convention, the Southern Baptists indicted the New Age longer active in the church. Having spoken with many Movement for endorsing the most persistent phobias of the Southern Baptists and from my own familiarity regarding this SBC—secular humanism and one-world religion. matter, I'm convinced that those who attend services regularly As for "brotherly love," the Southern Baptists' record represent only a fraction, perhaps as low as one-fourth, of relative to combating racism and sexism, eradicating poverty, the 14.8 million estimate. Furthermore, excluding so-called and fostering social justice has been lukewarm. Judging by moderates and fundamentalists on the sidelines who aren't their resolutions, one is left with the distinct impression that directly involved in political issues, still yet a lesser percentage Southern Baptists are seemingly more concerned with what of Southern Baptists are dyed-in-the-wool fundamentalists. goes on below the belt than above. Many are more offended Nevertheless, the inflated membership doesn't detract from by an unclothed breast than by a hungry stomach. the fact that the SBC is a force to be reckoned with. The SBC's position on AIDS and opposition to the "mass and indiscriminate distribution of condoms" is symbolic of Note its members' homophobia and contempt for sexuality. The 1. W. A. Criswell in the Public Broadcasting System documentary Thy Christian Life Commission (CLC) of the SBC, in fact, voted Will Be Done, April 6, 1988. •

40 FREE INQUIRY FREE INQUIRY Interview Church and State in Poland and Hungary

A number of Eastern European humanists visited Prague, that these changes have had the character of reforms rather Czechoslovakia, in the summer of 1991 to confer with board than abrupt or revolutionary changes. members of the International Humanist and Ethical Union As for the separation of church and state, I think it is (IHEU). FREE INQUIRY Associate Editor Tom Flynn had not an event, like the cutting of a rope. It is a process, and an opportunity to interview three of these individuals: this process is now moving in the opposite direction from that in recent years. Gabor Papp, representing the Hungarian Humanist Orga- As you probably know, in Hungary the atheist-Marxist nization. Though founded only in May 1991, the HHO has worldview was imposed on society. This was done primarily already participated in the production of a Hungarian though the educational system, but reinforced in every sphere television program and assumed responsibility for Vilagossag of life. After the changes, a process of the opposite character (Enlightenment), a thirty-year-old intellectual magazine. It has was started. enlisted a number of writers and scientists and has received FI: A reaction in favor of the churches. a great deal of media coverage in Hungary. LANCZI: Yes. We do not yet know where it is going to end, or find a balance. At the moment, churches are still Andras Lanczi, a journalist, also representing the HHO. on the upswing. Church leaders would like to get back what churches owned prior to the Communist takeover, in two "Stanislaus," a pseudonym for a college professor from respects. The first is the spiritual. They would like once more Gdansk, Poland. Stanislaus attended the Prague conference to tell people what their morals should be, how they should representing only himself, but informally he spoke on behalf behave, and how they should judge things. Another, much of a great number of Polish intellectuals who have continued more concrete goal is that they would like to get the schools to espouse sincerely held atheist and humanist beliefs as "free" and other properties that they had before World War II. Poland has drifted toward Catholic theocracy. It is a measure FI: Where do you stand on this issue? of the seriousness of Poland's church-state situation that LANCZI: Church properties must be returned, especially Stanislaus felt he might compromise his family's welfare if those belonging to the Roman Catholic church. Roughly two- his real name was revealed. thirds of Hungary's population is Catholic. The remaining third is split between Protestants and Jews. It is just to return FI: In many parts of Eastern Europe, the retreat from their properties. Communist rule has meant a resurgence in the power and Church authorities should not, in my opinion, have restored prestige of traditional religious groups. What is the situation to them all the privileges they held prior to World War II. facing humanists, freethinkers, and secularists today? In particular, the Catholic church enjoyed privileges in LANCZI: First we cannot talk about "Eastern Europe" education, in intellectual life, and also in terms of material monolithically. Eastern Europe consists of several countries— assets and properties. Of course, at the moment the churches several societies each with different problems. Hungary's case seek only as much as they need to function (or at least that is obviously different from Poland's, Czechoslovakia's, or is what they say). Romania's. So when we are talking about Eastern Europe, FI: As church schools are restored to the churches that we always have to state which society we are talking about. once owned them, won't that mean that, in some villages PAPP: Let me point out an example. Ireland and The and small towns, the only school will revert to church control, Netherlands are both in Europe, but they are very different leaving the community without a public school? from one another—as they are from Norway or other LANCZI: Certainly this is likely to occur in the case of European countries. secondary schools. Many smaller communities have only one. FI: What is the environment that confronts the Hungarian It has been reported to Hungary's Parliament that practically Humanist Organization? all of the schools will be given back to the church. The problem LANCZI: After the turmoil and the major changes that shook is that maybe 90 percent of the villages, and most of the all of Hungarian society—especially in 1989, which we call medium-sized towns, have never constructed new, public the "Miraculous Year"—a tremendous change has begun that school buildings. So practically all the schools will belong is touching all spheres of society. I would like to emphasize to the church.

Winter 1991/ 92 41 solidly with the principles of the IHEU, and stated that we are free and that our main objective is to protect individual human rights. We made it clear that we are not primarily a political organization. But our desire to protect human rights may be intertwined with the fact that the political process may be used to eliminate human rights. So it has been impossible for us to avoid the political life entirely. FI: What was the response in Hungary to the announcement that the HHO had been established? PAPP: After our initial declaration, we received many telephone calls and letters from liberal organizations across Hungary, both political and nonpolitical. Being the only organization in Hungary that emphasized secularization, we wanted to be at the forefront of the Hungarian liberal movement. Our first desire, to cooperate with different influential (Left to right) Gabor Papp, Paul Kurtz, and Andras Lanczi liberal groups, was realized immediately, in part because our leading members are very FI: What does this mean to a schoolteacher who is a influential in Hungarian intellectual life. humanist or agnostic? We also have the potential to act as a pressure group, LANCZI: The church has stated that it wants to employ to lobby before Parliament and elsewhere with other liberal all teachers who formerly taught in public schools. But organizations. Finally, we see the possibility to place humanist expectations will be different. There's no possibility to fit the counselors in the hospitals and in the prisons—to create the secular life or way of thinking into church-run schools. kind of humanist social services similar to that which the FI: What will be the impact on secularists' families and Western European humanist organizations provide. children living in less densely populated areas when local FI: You've mentioned that there are a great many small schools revert to church control? parties and other political organizations in Hungary. Is the LANCZI: There is no possibility for choice, because in number of contending groups unworkably large? Do you Hungary it's very difficult to attend school in another city. anticipate a shakeout? FI: Would you describe this as the most serious church- PAPP: That's a good question. It's very difficult to answer, state issue you face in Hungary? because it's impossible to mark the limits of politics and LANCZI: In my view there will be serious debates, both nonpolitics. A formal party system exists in Hungary that in the Hungarian Parliament and in other forums, over issues is familiar in Western Europe. But many people say they aren't regarding religious vs. nonreligious education, what should interested in formal politics. Instead you have civic groups or should not be returned to the churches, and so on. And and other public organizations getting involved in the political of course, there are very serious moral issues that will dominate process more or less instinctively. the Hungarian intellectual debate, on which the churches will FI: So you have explicitly political groups and nonpolitical be heard. or quasi-political groups, all elbowing for influence. Let's talk FI: Let's focus on the Hungarian Humanist Organization about your magazine Vilagossag. I understand that it's actually (HHO), founded in May 1991. How many members are there much older than the HHO. in the organization? PAPP: In Hungary it's an old magazine. It is thirty-two PAPP: We have about three hundred registered members, years old. but our influence is much stronger than the numbers would FI: What was the effect on Vilagossag of the social changes indicate. in Hungary? FI: And how do you plan to participate in the developing LANCZI: For three decades the magazine had been financed national debate on church-state issues? and distributed out of the party state budget. Almost all PAPP: HHO has declared quite clearly that we don't want Hungarian publications during the Communist years were to become involved in politics. But in Hungary, civic and financed in this way. After the changes, the whole structure political life are not as sharply separated as in Western of the Hungarian press changed too. Newspapers and countries. All of our worlds touch politics, and it's impossible magazines had to support themselves. This means that either to make meaningful statements that wouldn't at least imply you make the paper profitable, or you must obtain financial political interests and political aims. backing for your publication from foundations. A magazine When we announced the formation of the HHO we declared like Vilagossag cannot be profitable. To my knowledge,

42 FREE INQUIRY nowhere in the world is a humanist magazine like this a leaders have said that if you are 100 percent Polish you must lucrative enterprise. be Catholic. In that situation, Catholic leaders say that For one-and-a-half years now, we have managed to find Christian values are fundamental, absolute, and indisputable. the financial means to publish our magazine monthly. Thus they should be obligatory for everybody who would FI: How is the magazine structured? live in Poland. LANCZI: In each issue we have a section called "The Unfortunately, our church is so powerful that it is going Humanist Voice." We devote this space to humanist ideas, to dominate our system of education, politics, everything. And mostly articles from publication in other countries, which we if objections are raised against this dominance, church leaders translate. We have printed articles by Paul Kurtz and Rob will argue that Western Europe has been spoiled by secularism. Tielman of The Netherlands, among others. America is also spoiled because Americans concentrate too In Vilagossag we also would like to give our support to much on economic values. They say that Poland must present Hungarian liberal democratic ideas in general. This is not a good example for Europe and America. easy because liberals are in the opposition now. The FI: What is the status of abortion? Did a proposed law traditionalists seem stronger at the moment. Also, we must that would have drastically restricted abortion pass in the ask which "traditions" we should follow. This is a significant legislature? issue in Hungary. The ideas of our conservatives are rooted STANISLAUS: No, not yet. The matter was postponed. Our in nineteenth-century liberalism, which has nothing (or very churches, of course, are against abortion because they believe little) to do with today's liberalism. It is interested in re- it is against nature. They are also against any kind of birth establishing a powerful role for traditional religion in control; it is also against nature. Only celibacy is not against Hungarian society. It poses a very difficult problem when nature. you want to step into the political arena. You must present FI: Another part of their view of nature seems to be that ideas from the nineteenth century and say that you want to women should stay at home, have babies, bring up the children. make your country develop in a liberal way in today's terms, In the West, we read of day-care centers being closed and according to today's Western standards. subsidies being withdrawn that triple or quadruple the price So our magazine is very consciously concerned with liberal of birth control pills. What is the situation for women in democratic ideas. This does not mean we don't want to take Poland today? notice of conservative ideas, but we are on the other side. STANISLAUS: The situation for women is very difficult. We want to debate the relevance of the dominant conservative Many kindergartens are closed because of difficult economic thinkers. situations. It is necessary for women to work because husbands FI: What are the key issues in the debate between Hungarian and fathers are not able to support their families—especially liberals and conservatives? if, like President Lech Walesa, they have seven children. LANCZI: Eastern Europe, in a sense, has picked up where FI: Lech Walesa and his wing of Solidarity are perceived it left off, going back to the period after World War II. The within Poland as being intensely loyal to the pope, are they debates today are like those that were then characteristic of not? Western society—debates over separation of church and state, STANISLAUS: Oh yes. He is very close, and he does not and so on. In another sense, our intellectual debates are more deny it. On many occasions he has expressed explicitly that than two hundred years old. All those problems that were he is very, very close to the church and close to the pope. seriously discussed by the Founding Fathers of the United FI: Do many Poles feel angry about the way things have States of America are now at issue in Eastern Europe. gone? Is there regret that so soon after the Polish people Allan Bloom has written in his very clever book The Closing threw off the Communist yoke, a new ecclesiastical yoke has of the American Mind that young people from the Third descended on them? World are now coming to the United States to discover the STANISLAUS: I don't think the average Pole feels this way, heritage of the Founding Fathers, and he's asking why. Because but some of the students and the intellectuals may. In fact, in the Third World—and to some extent Eastern Europe many of them are already disappointed. They express belongs to the Third World the problems are very much themselves openly. They worry about what's going on in the the same as those experienced two hundred years ago in the country and wonder if the future will be even worse. United States. FI: Regarding the church's influence over education, will FI: Stanislaus, what is the situation in Poland now regarding we see in Poland a situation like Hungary's, with state-owned church-state separation and the rights of unbelievers? A Polish schools being turned to church control? Or will the state feminist recently told the New York Times that "We've continue to operate the schools, simply adding Catholic exchanged our red regime for one that wears black robes." content to the curriculum? Is that a fair description of the Polish scene? STANISLAUS: In Hungary there are private schools. In STANISLAUS: The situation in Poland is clear and simple. Poland, the churches don't build schools or hospitals. The It's not as complicated as in Hungary. We have one powerful state does. Even teachers of religion are paid not by the church, church, the Roman Catholic church, which is growing in power but by the state. and opposes the separation of state and church. FI: Which spares the church the burden of running schools Poland is a Catholic country. Anywhere from 95 percent themselves. NEUTRUM, an organization that advocates to 99 percent of the population is Catholic. Many church separation of church and state, has reported incidents in which

Winter 1991/ 92 43 non-religious students have been harassed or even beaten by expected. classmates for not participating in religious education classes. All the same, the situation is improved in some ways. We Are you directly aware of any such incidents? have about one-half million unemployed out of 38 or 39 million STANISLAUS: Fortunately, my children are already mature. Poles, not that high by Eastern European standards. And I have no direct information that these things are happening. we no longer have shortages of industrial or agricultural But I am almost sure that in small towns and villages, it products like before. It is possible to buy anything produced will be like that. I remember when I was attending religious in Poland, and goods from throughout the world. Our shortage lessons in 1948, and only one of my colleagues didn't attend now is in terms of money. such lessons. I remember how cruel we were toward him, FI: Looking ahead, how do you think the church-state and how difficult his situation was in high school. I am almost situation will change? sure that there will be victimization, discrimination, STANISLAUS: Poland is an unpredictable country. People persecution, and so on by the peers of those children who are not very obedient; the position of anyone in authority are non-religious. will be exceptionally difficult. I can only hope that we will FI: On the pope's last visit to Poland, which I believe was reach a good quality of life generally speaking, by the end his fourth since attaining the papacy, the crowds that greeted of this century. him were often smaller than in the past. On a few occasions, FI: Can the West play any role in helping to encourage the turnout was obviously embarrassingly smaller than a more democratic and tolerant order in Poland? planners anticipated. Western media took notice, and it was STANISLAUS: I hope that soon Poland will be a member suggested that staying away from John Paul II's appearances of a unified Europe. The European Community has some was a way many Poles had chosen to protest what the church power to require reforms, economic, and otherwise, and also is doing in Poland. Do you think that interpretation is valid, to monitor personal freedoms. By that I do not mean just or were other factors involved? political freedom, but also freedom of religion, freedom of STANISLAUS: It was probably in part true. But it is difficult moral views, and so on. to answer that question in a responsible way. Was reaction FI: What would you most like to see develop in your against the Polish church the only factor? Probably not. Poles countries? are generally speaking a little bit disappointed—and a little STANISLAUS: I would like to see a situation where no one bit exhausted. We expected change, and we expected to go can force me to attend church or otherwise demonstrate my in a better direction at a faster pace. But in many facets of religious beliefs in order to prove I am "100 percent Polish." our lives we don't notice improvements. Many people find That happens far too often today. their situations much more difficult than before. It is difficult PAPP: Church authorities would like to develop their to notice any difference between Polish living standards of influence over both public and private life. This has been 1980 and, say, 1989, when we changed governments and going on, seemingly, since the beginning of time. Their effort almost everybody was hoping that we would soon be a free to "re-Christianize" Hungary is presently very strong. I think and prosperous country. It was not so simple as we had the challenge to humanists and secularists is clear. •

Announcing the 40th Anniversary Congress of the International Humanist and Ethical Union "Humanism for Head and Heart" Sunday, July 26 to Thursday, July 30, 1992 Rai International Congress Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Themes for Humanist Action: Counseling and Ceremonies, Practical Work and Social Action, Education. Workshop Topics: Environment, Euthanasia, and many others. Meet people from: India, Scandinavia, Eastern and Western Europe, and the United States who share the same humanist ideals. There will be a boat trip, a buffet supper and other informal opportunities for socializing. Registration Rates: (US$1 = Dfl1.75 approx.). Full participation Dfl250, Accompanying participant Dfl175; Student Dfl100 Hotel accommodations: per night Dfl100-Dfl250, Bed and breakfast per night Dfl25 (limited availability) If you think you might come—and we really hope you do!—please write to the address below. You'll receive the second announcement containing a full programme and a reservation/registration form with details about accommodations, excursions, workshops, etc. Write to IHEU Congress Secretariat, P.O. Box 114, 3500 AC Utrecht, The Netherlands. Telephone +31 30 31 21 55 • FAX +31 30 36 71 04 1/92

44 FREE INQUIRY

NEUTRUM's Statement of activities that would limit abortions i.e., Purpose and Principles sexual education, state financial support for family and single parents, as well as The following was written by the members of NEUTRUM and the other social services. social liberal faction of the Democratic Union, which is dedicated The principles of our program result to promoting secularism in Polish life. from resolutions passed during the first National Convention of ROAD (Civic Movement—Democratic Action), par- ticularly those aiming at:

cceding to the democratic union we organize itself. 1. Stable parliamentary democracy state that the major goal of our Being of a high opinion of both the and political pluralism. faction lies in the development of a liberal tradition of European humanism 2. Law and order, civil rights, and liberal Poland in the sphere of economics and the Christian roots of our culture, equal rights, irrespective of one's reli- as well as individual freedom. we declare for the neutrality of state, gion, moral beliefs, or heritage. We are of the opinion that the separation of state and Catholic church, 3. Separation of state from church transition program leading to the free and for other churches or religious and religious communities. market economy has no alternative. communities to be protected by consti- 4. Freedom to undertake and run Nevertheless, we think that in the face tutional guarantees of free development businesses, as the fundamental safeguard of the threats that this program brings of these institutions prominent from of the free market coming into being. to society, it is necessary to conduct a social and cultural activities. At the same 5. Active and coherent social policy, coherent and active social policy antic- time we oppose the use of the Catholic especially in the face of unemployment, ipating disadvantageous social events. church by political forces. We are also a difficult start for young people, and Particularly, it ought to embrace such against the new tendencies to substitute situation of politically weak social problems as: dismissals in enterprises the ideological state of the communists groups. entering liquidation, unemployment, with a new one. That is also why we 6. Attention to the health of our and providing for those whose age or are against the state's financial support citizens and providing disabled persons state of health make it impossible to of religion classes in state schools as well with the right conditions for rehabilita- adapt themselves to a new situation. Our as in placing religion in school curricula. tion, education, and work. view results from a social sensitivity and We oppose the introduction of prayers 7. Formation of a system of pragmatic approach, and we hope the and religious symbols in state's schools. national education, with equal oppor- transition to a market economy can be Every citizen should have the right tunity to all according to abilities and without sharp social conflicts. We give not to disclose his or her religious and predispositions. up the utopia of the so-called social moral beliefs. 8. Neutrality of schools, universi- justice of "real socialism" and the utopia The state should not prefer any ties, and state institutions in respect to of the beneficial impact of an immediate religious or moral orientation, including outlook on life. privatization of the entire economy. atheism. These beliefs should not be the 9. Respect for the rights of national, We are striving for the creation of basis for discrimination against national, religious, and cultural minorities, pro- a tolerant and democratic state ruled religious, or cultural minorities. We are viding them with the possibility of full according to law as the only political striving for providing national minorities participation in social life. Protection of system protecting the individual and living in Poland with complete rights, groups and individuals against discrim- minorities from the dictation of an also in their social life, attaching ination on account of moral and reli- authoritarian power or of the democratic importance to education in the spirit of gious beliefs. majority. These conditions can be ful- tolerance. 10. Abolishing all aspects of discrim- filled only by a state based on a strong We are of the opinion that moral ination against women. Women should parliamentary system with efficient and principles of religion should be followed always have an unrestrained right of free competent executive power ensuring by the faithful. They should not be, choice, which would provide for per- maintenance of balance and stability in however, the grounds for law. sonal ambitions and satisfaction—at both the internal and external policy of We are against the anti-abortion bill work, at home, or within a family. the country. We attach importance to for it abuses the principles of tolerance 11. Environmental protection and the development of non-governmental and state neutrality as well as women's support for a long-term policy for organizations and associations, which rights to undertake decisions in personal cleaning an already polluted environ- make it possible for the society to matters. At the same time we support ment. •

Winter 1991/ 92 45 Reopening the American Mind: Alternatives to Relativism and Absolutism This year philosopher and Humanist Laureate Karl Popper marks his 90th birthday. Below Michael Chiariello argues that Popper's critical rationality is the best foundation for modern ethics.

Michael Chiariello

his bestseller, The Closing of the American Mind, Allan which is what Bloom and so many others are fearful of losing. Bloom complained that the philosophy of open- What I propose is to combine a skeptical, but not relativistic, Inmindedness, so characteristic of American thought, and account of our moral beliefs with an ideal of moral knowledge so much the guiding philosophy of our educational that is objective, but not absolutistic, and a theory about how establishment, has led to the widespread acceptance of to progress toward that ideal, even if it is impossible to reach. relativism among our undergraduates. This generation has Although I support Bloom's rejection of relativism, I do not had its mind closed to the possibility of objective moral truth recommend his absolutistic alternative—the theory that there and opened to the closedness of ethnocentric value is a self-evident law of nature. My sympathies here are with communities (pp. 34-36). The possible consequences are those students who see in absolutism the seeds of intolerance terrible to contemplate: Relativism threatens the survival of and authoritarianism, both in and out of the classroom. I philosophy, and worse, it precedes the collapse of the West, think there are important values—such as autonomy, in Bloom's words (p. 39). Since American universities bear tolerance, and pluralism—that some relativists, particularly the grave responsibility of stewardship for the fate of undergraduates, are trying to defend. Indeed, I think they philosophy in the world (p. 382), we must ask: What is to merit a better defense than relativism can provide. Yet, I side be done? with them in seeing Bloom-style philosophizing as inadequate, Before I go any further, let me say that no one, including and perhaps inimical, to that defense. Bloom, knows if this description of popular American meta- ethics is correct. So no one knows whether this is an important he biggest obstacle I have encountered in proposing this book in its own right, or a sign of the times. Yet some version Talternative is the ideal of rationality, which requires that of Bloom's complaint describes the private anguish of many we provide "good reasons," or justifications, in support of who teach ethics. I agree with Bloom's report of the prevalence our beliefs (Bloom p. 238). This is called "justificationism," of relativism among undergraduates, and I agree that and its influence in our civilization is formidable. Indeed, as relativism is to be rejected as a false and inadequate view Bloom writes, "Unfortunately the West is defined by its need (p. 25), but I don't think it is as dangerous as Bloom warns. for justification of its ways or values ..." (p. 39). Skepticism I also agree with Bloom's contention that relativism is viewed is the traditional philosophical undercurrent that argues by our students as "a moral postulate, the condition of a against the possibility of ever fully satisfying such justifica- free society" (p. 25). tionist needs or expectations. When skepticism is combined I wish to make a contribution to the campaign to reopen with the classic Platonic definition of knowledge as "justified the American mind: an alternative approach to the rationality true belief," then knowledge (as defined) is impossible. That of moral belief and disagreement. My approach seeks to defend is all there is to skepticism. Notice that the argument does the values of tolerance and autonomy, which are so important not support the rejection of either truth or belief, and certainly to my students, while preserving respect for objective truth, not true belief. It does represent a discouragement to those for whom, following Descartes, belief that success in achieving Michael Chiariello, associate professor and head of the true belief must be guaranteed or the search is in vain. It Department of Philosophy at St. Bonaventure University, has seems an absurdity to others, who are impressed by the authored several articles in ethics and social philosophy. confidence they have in the truth of their own beliefs. Perhaps the most serious charge is raised by those who believe that

46 FREE INQUIRY unjustified beliefs are irrational, and who would equate to see the unintended immoral implications of their views, skepticism with subjectivism and the rejection of rationality. I urge that we look at the intended moral aspirations and Skepticism about moral beliefs is often taken for granted try to build an ethic that accommodates them. In other words, by our students, and on this they are philosophically up to if we appreciate the extent to which popular relativism allies date. That is not a justification, of course. But I would prefer with tolerance and opposes authoritarianism, we can see that to put aside the question of the correctness of skepticism for its unlimited openness itself is open to criticism and thus now. My concern is with its implications, both practical and rationally limitable. However, if such criticism smacks of philosophical. The great fear is that if justification is authoritarianism itself, for example, through professorial impossible, we lose the ability to separate the true from the bullying, resistance is provoked. I think this is especially true false, the rational from the irrational, and what is worse, we when the only alternative provided is one that rests on alleged lose the authority to support our most cherished beliefs. self-evidence such as Bloom's. We may still find such an Indeed, I think that to allay this fear would be contribution approach objectionable: I think Bloom would. enough. It is important to note that skepticism about justification believe the most constructive approach to the concerns does not mean that there are no true beliefs, nor does it mean voiced by Bloom is to consider what is valuable about that the search for knowledge must be abandoned. Most relativism and to try to preserve these values while providing important, the abandonment of justification as the criterion an alternative. It is often assumed that relativism is allied of knowledge and rational belief does not entail the relativistic with a moral nihilism, thus inviting references to such negative view that all beliefs are equal in either truth value or rationality. examples as Hitler and Manson. A more sympathetic reading My proposal, as I will explain, prefers Karl Popper's view of relativism would stress its alliance with the democratic values of rationality as continuous critical debate that exposes and of tolerance, autonomy, and pluralism, and its opposition to eliminates errors in our beliefs in order to improve them. absolutistic ethics as antithetical to those values. This view of rationality, I think, renders skepticism and Tolerance suggests respect for the liberty of thought and rationalism compatible, but I will not go into the argument expression. It is primarily a negative principle, and as such at this point. it often enjoins us to tolerate the holding and expression of views that we consider wrong, vile, or otherwise unworthy. hy is relativism a problem? Relativism is the view that It does not of course require us to believe or even to respect Wthe correctness of a moral belief is relative to the believer any of the views that we are obliged to tolerate. Autonomy either through membership in some value-bearing community is the principle that calls upon individuals to accept or culture (cultural relativism), or by a decision to embrace responsibility for themselves, their behavior, and beliefs, and a value or commit oneself to such a community (subjectivism). enjoins us to allow adults to pursue lives of their own choosing. What is wrong with this? The short answer is that it does So autonomy is part liberty (negative) and part self-reliance. not differentiate among values or communities—they are all Pluralism is a condition of open societies: the peaceful equally correct and the choice among them is arbitrary. cooperative coexistence of groups and individuals with Moreover, it provides a justification for some of the most contrary moral, religious, political, and cultural beliefs within heinous of choices and beliefs. the same society. As a principle it is the view that such a As a young student of philosophy I believed that relativism pluralistic condition should be celebrated and promoted, not was integral to a defense of individual autonomy and social just tolerated. tolerance. My own disenchantment with relativism was based I think that pluralism presents the most pressing current on the realization that I was not open to illiberal views such problem of moral philosophy in democratic societies. Indeed, as those of a professor who tried to bully me out of relativism developing a coherent theory of pluralism is a necessary by the "charge" that relativism would support the choice of condition for reopening the American mind. The problem homosexuality as morally permissible. Although I had much of pluralism is this: How can I encourage respect for people contempt for this tactic, when I became a professor I would whose values differ from mine without implying that my beliefs cite such well-known and unambiguously immoral monsters are not true and that morality is a free-for-all? I think pluralism as Adolf Hitler and Charles Manson in my classroom is the most difficult idea to reconcile with an absolutistic ethics. refutation of relativism. I must confess I was bullying and Absolutism asserts that our views are true, and therefore, teaching others to bully at the same time. contrary views are false. Bloom would be likely to agree with The times call for a new approach. For one thing, we have that and to add that it's to the credit of absolutism. Relativists, come to a more open-minded sexual ethic. I have come away especially among the young as we have seen, often view this from the belief that an objectively justified morality is necessary as high-handed and illiberal. to condemn mass murderers, or that providing an objective Relativism preserves tolerance for all views by narrowing foundation for such a condemnation would even begin to the scope of truth. True means true for me, and true for address the real problem of violence. Most important, citizens me may be false for you and vice versa. I don't think there in a democracy have a right to expect not to be bullied by is a standard relativist answer to the second question about professors and other unelected authorities. Finally, I don't the moral free-for-all. Indeed the varieties of relativism indicate think it fair to bully students and to overlook what is of alternative responses, e.g., cultural relativism, historicism and value in their innocent meta-ethics. Instead of being so quick subjectivism. Both relativism and absolutism fail to provide

Winter 1991/92 47 us with an acceptable view of moral controversy, and neither authority beyond the range of what one's opinions are. So can serve as an adequate philosophy of a pluralistic democracy. there is nothing to disagree about. Worse still, if truth is relative My aim is to provide an alternative that might succeed in to the believer our beliefs need never be false. Here I agree this area. with Bloom's complaint that relativism creates the possibility of "no-fault choices" (p. 222). Thus relativism undermines the et's take a closer look at absolutism, which is the classic motive to search for truth: the desire to replace ignorance I(version of moral rationalism that is held by both utilitarian and error with truth. and deontological moralists. The former would reduce moral beliefs to some empirical claims that would in turn support used to think that relativism was simple adolescent anti- or justify that moral belief; the latter would seek some authoritarianism, and that the charge of authoritarianism independent, nonempirical moral principle as the basis or against absolutism was unwarranted. There is no reason foundation of belief. Both forms share two assumptions. tolerance and autonomy could not be elevated to the status 1. Realism or objectivism. There is a real object of moral of moral absolutes, rather than relativistic opinions. This is knowledge that is independent of our diverse beliefs and comparable to a natural rights philosophy like Bloom's. opinions. If our beliefs conflict with the truth of this moral Perhaps such a strategy would be seen as intolerant towards reality then those beliefs are false. nonliberal communities. This brings us back to the important 2. Cognitivism. Objective knowledge, justified true belief, questions for democratic theory: Does tolerance extend to is possible in morality. We can and do know moral truths the enemies of tolerance? Does democracy sanction its own by virtue of our ability to reason to conclusions by rational destruction? Without going into more detail, let me say that argument and consideration of evidence. I agree with Bloom that democratic values are better served I believe that untold confusion has resulted from a failure when they are defended as substantive principles rather than to separate these two elements: I would agree that (1) is a by the benign indifference of relativistic openness (p. 41). necessary condition for (2) and therefore the latter is a sufficient Should we reject the charge that absolutism is authoritarian? condition for (1), but (2) is not a necessary condition for After all, many absolutists also claim to eschew external (1). In other words moral knowledge may well be impossible, authority (heteronomy) in favor of rational autonomy. For moral cognitivism may be false, while moral realism remains example, absolutist Immanuel Kant claimed that even God's true. It is often asserted that the denial of (2), which is commands cannot override morality (p. 157 fn.). Kant and skepticism, entails the denial of (1), which is relativism. That others assumed that we are capable of moral autonomy is why moral skepticism and moral relativism are often (without a moral free-for-all) because we are able to grasp confused. But there is a vast difference between saying "I the moral law by means of reason alone. Thus rational beings don't know whether x is wrong or right" and "x is both wrong can know what is right without coercion or indoctrination. and right." Yet we continuously encounter students who defend But a crucial problem arises here: To the extent that we provide relativism skeptically: "Who's to say what's right and wrong?" for the possibility of objective knowledge rationally obtained, On this analysis it is easy to see why absolutism is we find ourselves more pressed to account for ignorance, error, uncomfortable with the existence of controversy. If truth is and disagreement. All disputes should be quickly resolvable absolute, and knowledge is possible, controversy must be by reason. The persistence of disagreement in morality is a avoidable and explainable as a deviation from the means by challenge to this view of moral knowledge (p. 39). Hence, which knowledge is justified. We will return to this later. absolutism is uncomfortable with ongoing moral controversy. For example, even that great defender of liberty, John Stuart elativism is the rejection of realism or objectivism, but Mill, was ambivalent about controversies, moral and Rnot of moral knowledge, which it seeks to redefine in otherwise. Debates had utility even when the truth was subjective terms. Relativists are not shy about claiming known—they kept students awake and defenders of the truth knowledge of right and wrong, but they deny its objectivity. alert (p. 41). Moreover, we would have no right to claim What they say has to do more with the nature of truth as a truth for our beliefs until we had attended to contrary it applies to moral beliefs or judgments. arguments (pp. 16-19). The latter argument for defending Remember, objectivism is the view that holds that moral controversy has to do with the disutility of censorship. Mill judgments refer to a reality independent of opinion and that, argues that the burden of justification rests with the censor, therefore, some opinions are true and their contraries are false. who must demonstrate infallibility. But such a demonstration Relativism has the uncomfortably pluralistic implication that entails responding to contrary views: the very views that the contrary judgments may be true. This may seem preposterous, censor would like to stifle. So the impossibility of demon- yet, a sophisticated relativism can respond. Apparently strating infallibility—or justifying censorial authority— contrary opinions can be true because they are not really defends tolerance. Mill is exceptional; there are too many contrary. It is not to be claimed that abortion is both wrong for whom moral debate is unpleasant, particularly where and not wrong in a way that would imply a contradiction. opportunity is presented for the airing of possibly immoral Rather, it is explained, abortion is wrong for some, and not views. In Mill's view little more than a taste for hearty debate wrong for others. Again relativists may invoke the holy supports pluralism. This will not do. Pluralism is a moral principle of tolerance and say that they pass no judgments concept, and it is disagreeable (at least for absolutists) to reduce on those who disagree. Nor do they pretend to invoke a moral moral concepts to matters of taste.

48 FREE INQUIRY What I am suggesting is an extension of an insight, first his opponent is wrong. The relativist takes the position that proposed by Karl Popper in "On the Sources of Knowledge if he is right his opponent is right too, and both are right. and of Ignorance," that at the heart of the Western philosophic Jones says abortion is wrong; Smith that it's right. Jones tradition we find an authoritarian theory of rationality concedes that for Smith it's right; Smith, likewise, grants that (Conjectures, pp. 8-9). The theory says that to be rational it's wrong for Jones. Do we disagree? What's to argue? Is we must justify our beliefs by some superhuman standard, there any reason for either Smith or Jones to alter his views the foundation or source of knowledge such as observation in the face of what he learns from the other? Is there anything or reason, which is presumed to have authority in matters a third party might find relevant to his or her beliefs? of truth value. However the existence of contrary beliefs implies The skeptic may and should agree that the two positions that someone is mistaken (objectivism); the existence of errors cannot both be right, but does not know who is right, or implies that someone is willfully irrational. The corollary of even if both are wrong. Skepticism is the necessary condition this view is that error is the avoidable result of irrationality. for an adequate theory of moral controversy. Because it sees Moreover, controversy is evidence of error. The locus classicus error as something that cannot be avoided, it is not of this theory of what Popper calls the "sources of ignorance" uncomfortable with controversy. Yet, before we have the (p. 7) is in the Fourth of Descartes' Meditations where sufficient conditions for an adequate theory of controversy, willfullness is the source of error, ignorance, and sin (p. 38). there must be a respect for the objectivity of truth that moves Again, if the truth is absolute and I have it, people who disagree us to seek and remove error in our beliefs through critical with me must be suffering from a defect of reason either debate. Neither Smith nor Jones can claim a justification for knavishly willed or foolishly suffered. It hardly need be said his position that is decisive enough to deprive the other of that such a view is not congenial to moral controversy. Is a fair hearing and a response. Moreover, if both are moved it advisable to tolerate such people? Perhaps, if the by a respect for an objective truth they will be eager to debate, consequences of their ignorance are sufferable and/or if the and not just for the sport or opportunity for conversion, but price of censorship is unacceptable. But is it advisable to listen for the opportunity to remove errors and improve one's to such people or invite them to present their views in an standards. Because both agree that they cannot both be right open forum? Not if one is consistent. We do not persecute they sense that there is something important at stake in their flat earthers but we do not invite them to teach our young. debate. Skepticism, on the other hand, is not surprised by the existence of controversy, nor need it explain the error and ignorance n conclusion, I want to propose a few principles as central of which it is indicative. I believe that skepticism is a more Ito the new philosophy of open-mindedness: tolerant philosophy and perhaps more humane in areas of 1. It is unjust to deprive persons of their liberty without, controversy. at least, providing an opportunity to debate and criticize this restriction. hich of the three meta-ethical frameworks—absolutism, 2. In our tradition the burden of justification always rests Wrelativism, or skepticism—provides us with the best with the restrictor. Liberty needs no justification. theory of moral controversy? Popper's formulation of the 3. The justification of a moral judgment is better presented rationalist's attitude provides us with an approach to as a criticism of the belief that one is at liberty with respect controversy that is an advance over both absolutistic and to a particular choice of actions. relativistic alternatives. In The Open Society and Its Enemies, 4. Justifications that cut off debate are unjust. he sums up what he calls the critical rationalist's attitude 5. Tolerance is extended to diverse judgments and value toward disagreement in these words: "I may be wrong and perspectives because no one knows for certain how to justify you may be right, and by an effort, we may get nearer to a moral judgment. the truth" (Chapter 2, p. 225). 6. A pluralism of alternative moralities is welcomed, Absolutism denies that controversy is a good thing. It's provided the above conditions are respected, to enrich the a sign of error and uncertainty and thus the failure of people possibilities of moral debate. None can have final authority. to be rational. Tolerance of controversy has a conditional 7. The truth has final authority, but we can never be certain value: It is a necessary or unavoidable evil but an evil that we have grasped it. We show respect for the truth by nonetheless. acknowledging our fallibility. Relativism denies that controversy even exists. The fact that relativism can consistently hold the truth of apparently References contrary moral judgments makes error impossible. If everyone Bloom, Allan. The Closing of the American Mind. New York: Simon & is right then no one is wrong. There can be no controversy Schuster, 1987. under such terms because opposed views do not concern a Descartes, René. Meditations on First Philosophy, trans. Donald A. Cress. common reality. Relativism discourages controversy by not Indianapolis: Hackett, 1979. Kant, Immanuel. Religion within the Limits of Reason Alone, trans. T. recognizing it. Greene and H. Hudson. New York: Harper, 1960. Imagine a debate on the morality of some area where a Mill, John Stuart. On Liberty, ed. Elizabeth Rapaport. Indianapolis: firm moral consensus has not been formed, and where there Hackett, 1978. Popper, Karl R. The Open Society and Its Enemies. New York: Harper, 1982. are good-willed proponents of contrary moral views. The . Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge. absolutist takes the position that if he is right, and he is, New York: Harper, 1965. •

Winter 1991/ 92 49 is unsurpassed in his treatment of the relationship between ethics and putative divine command. Appendix 1 alone is worth the price of the book. Books Unlike Plantinga, Martin has said something fresh and fruitful that theo- logians and philosophers of religion simply cannot afford to ignore. Whereas A New Critique of Christianity Plantinga is clever and seems content to use his time in little more than symbol juggling, Martin wrestles with the Joe Barnhart problems of philosophy of religion. His chapters on Incarnation, Resurrection, The Case Against Christianity, by arguing with one another. While the Virgin Birth, and the Second Coming Michael Martin (Philadelphia: Temple noted evangelical philosopher Alvin tread where Plantinga simply fears to University Press, 1991). 263 pages plus Plantinga seems unable to write for long venture. Few philosophers of religion Index. $44.95. in any other way, Martin has demon- have tackled the Christian doctrine—or strated his ability to write brilliant and doctrines—of atonement. Martin's ven- Kristian theologians and philos- lucid prose and, therefore, must not be ture into this mystical area exposes the Cophers must at least try to respond forgiven. At the same time, this portion heavy element of arbitrariness infecting to Michael Martin's new critique of the of his book is nothing less than astound- the major theories of atonement. Christian belief system, The Case ingly insightful and carefully reasoned. Every serious student of Christian Against Christianity, if they wish to be Every page is strewn with gems worth doctrine would do well to spend time taken seriously by their peers. Martin examining with infinite patience. Martin on Martin's insightful chapters. • has paid his opponents the compliment of studying their works—ancient and contemporary—and offering rigorous and insightful comments. In contrast to many books of this genre, Martin has Explaining the World a grasp of much of what is going on in biblical studies, which enables him to argue on the territory of his opponents. H. James Birx Perhaps, therefore, the best aspect of this highly succinct work is the steady flow Science vs. Religion, by Tad S. Clements and religious world-views are incompat- of internal criticisms, much of which is (Buffalo, New York: Prometheus ible ways of explaining reality. There telling. Books, 1990). 154 pp. $26.95 cloth. is a crucial difference between state- One of the clearest and most beau- ments of fact based upon empirical tifully written chapters is Chapter 2: "The he aim of science is to describe this evidence and those beliefs of faith Historicity of Jesus." It is refreshing to Tworld in a comprehensive and grounded in religious dogmatism. With read a contemporary philosopher who intelligible way, giving priority to empir- succinct arguments, he shows that has taken the time to digest G. A. Wells's ical data and reason (logic and mathe- ongoing science and traditional religion thesis that Christianity might well have matics). The scientific outlook upholds are mutually exclusive approaches to developed without a historical Jesus as an open-ended view of reality that understanding and appreciating evolv- its founder. Martin has done a splendid stresses the value of factual evidence, ing nature. Furthermore, the author job of both summarizing Wells's thesis corroborative experience, and testable illustrates how religious commitment and showing why it deserves the careful hypotheses and theories in terms of has often impeded scientific advance- attention of scholars. repeatable experiments and observable ment, e.g., blind faith had rejected the Appendix 1, "The Divine Command consequences. scientific discoveries of Galileo and Theory," is not so well done. Unfortu- In Science vs. Religion, Tad S. Darwin (among many others). nately, it succumbs to the habit of writing Clements points out that the scientific A strict and literal interpretation of in the somewhat arid style that contem- those myths written in Genesis, e.g., the porary philosophers resort to when H. James Birx is professor of anthro- Creation of Adam and the Noachian pology at Canisius College, and the Deluge, is not compatible with those Joe Barnhart is in the Department of author of seven books, including Inter- scientific advances in geology, paleon- Philosophy and Religion Studies at the preting Evolution: Darwin and Teilhard tology, archaeology, evolutionary biol- University of North Texas. de Chardin (Prometheus Books, 1991). ogy, and radiometric dating techniques. The critical intellect shows that biblical

50 FREE INQUIRY stories and empirical generalizations are require any blind concessions to dog- Science vs. Religion is a clear, honest, mutually exclusive claims about this matic religion. Answers to questions and timely book of particular impor- planet and humankind within nature. about reality, experience, and human tance to any reader interested in the Special attention is given to the values require both further scientific conflict between open-ended science and continuing conflict between biblical progress and ongoing philosophical closed-minded religion. It is recom- fundamentalism and scientific evolu- inquiry free from myopic outlooks and mended for all naturalists, humanists, tionism concerning the origin and wishful thinking. and enlightened believers. • development of life. In particular, these two different world-views represent incompatible interpretations of earth history and the emergence of our species. In the final analysis, religious beliefs and mystical experiences are no An Unfair View of substitute for science and reason. Clements also stresses the stifling and an American Hero abusive use of religious fanaticism to mask those grave problems now threat- ening human existence, e.g., unchecked population growth and rapidly spread- Lyle Glazier ing fatal communicable diseases. In truth, the Holy Bible is simply not Frederick Douglass, by William S. Douglass cleverness, charisma, and an an authority on either ethics or science. McFeely (New York: Norton, 1991), 465 animal magnetism that makes white It is a heterogeneous mixture of history pp., $29.95. women swoon, and sends white mobs and myth (fact and fiction) that repre- lynching. sents a prescientific world-view. illiam S. McFeely's Frederick The biography is a masterpiece of This scholarly treatment of a serious WDouglass is the work of a Uni- research from a covertly biased point conflict shows that a person is free to versity of Georgia professor whose of view. It has immense drawing power, choose between sense and nonsense revisionist biography of Ulysses S. because of its Freudian insinuations, (scientific progress or religious stagna- Grant won a Pulitzer. This new bio- wealth of painstakingly researched tion). Although great thinkers like graphy of Frederick Douglass is a put- details, and a narrative pace that pulls Copernicus and Newton have held to down of the African-American states- along even when it seems to be running religious beliefs, a result of their man. slow as molasses. It contains much enculturation, it is their scientific Extravagantly flattering Douglass brilliant insight into the character of discoveries that have actually enriched while disparaging his character and Southerners and Northerners in ante- the human condition. The fate of achievements, McFeeley employs racist and post-bellum America, but McFeely Giordano Bruno is a constant reminder propaganda that kept black Americans never seems to overcome an instinctive of the tragic outcome of fanaticism in slaves before Emancipation, and has proprietorship and a need to demon- theology. kept them second-class citizens since. strate that he himself belongs to the In the Judeo-Christian tradition, a McFeely's highly personal narrative will "master" race. Anybody who has read devout practitioner must have a truly doubtless be welcomed by sympathizers, slave narratives and the history of schizoid attitude toward reality: believ- north and south. American slavery together with the ing in a perfect transcendent spiritual His attack on Douglass hinges on a record of the plight of African- realm while living in this imperfect Freudian denigration of Douglass's Americans in post-Emancipation Uni- imminent material world. However, the character, and on the charge that this ted States will be hard put to believe survival and fulfillment of our species unflinching fighter against religious and what he or she reads in these pages. (See requires a rational comprehension of Stanley Elkins's Slavery, political persecution became a tragic Kenneth M. and realistic appreciation for the place Stampp's The Peculiar Institution, figure because he was too unschooled of humankind within this evolving Gunnar Myrdal's to seize opportunities for reform: "In The American universe. Dilemma, James W. Silver's the end it did matter that he had no Mississippi: It must be emphasized that all so- The Closed Society, W. E. B. DuBois's formal education." McFeely grants called revealed knowledge and religious The Souls of Black Folk.) practices are forever subject to critical Lyle Glazier is professor emeritus at the Nobody should judge McFeely's investigation in light of our growing State University of New York at Buffalo. book who has not read deeply into cross-cultural and historical knowledge He was the originator and the first Douglass's three autobiographies — in anthropology, sociology, psychology, chairman of the Program in American Narrative of the Life of Frederick and psychiatry. Studies there and at the University of Douglass (1845), My Bondage and My A comprehensive, intelligible, and Istanbul. Freedom (1855), and Life and Times of open-ended world-view simply does not Frederick Douglass (1881, revised and Winter 1991/ 92 51 expanded 1892). McFeely tells how, in in Baltimore uncultivated mother. My Bondage and My Freedom, Dou- glass devoted three pages to the sadistic to separate Frederick from an envir- Another whim of McFeely's is to beating of his Aunt Hester by his master onment that they could see would plant in the reader's mind that Douglass Aaron Anthony, who was jealous of her stunt this remarkable slave child. They may have harbored homoerotic arranged for him to go to Baltimore mulatto lover. McFeely rebukes Dou- to live with Thomas's brother, Hugh impulses, even though he later portrays glass for "his unavoidable urge to climb Auld, and his wife Sophia. In his Douglass as one of the great womanizers onto a hortatory soapbox." He charges accounts of the move, Frederick (a threat to white female chastity, unless that Douglass's "account of his aunt's suggested that Sophia's need for help the woman was a trollop). McFeely whipping by their owner—the woman in caring for her two-year-old son begins by charging slaveholders with provided an opportunity. But if she harboring sexual inclinations toward bared to the waist, the taunts, the snap needed help in caring for her two-year- of the whip, the screams at the slicing old, Lucretia and Thomas would male slaves, bringing the charge first of leather into her `plump and tender' surely have arranged for one of the against traders and then against slave flesh—went not to his readers' brains teenage girls in the Anthony family breaker Edward Covey: but to their groins." No normal virile to be sent; an eight-year-old boy was almost as sure to be at least as much He ordered me to take off my clothes. male, McFeely argues, could read this trouble as the child he was supposed I made him no answer, but stood with passage without losing his sympathy for to look after. the victim because he himself would my clothes on. He repeated his order. I still made him no answer, nor did become sexually active. McFeely may This is pure malarky and McFeely must I strip myself. Upon this he rushed well be describing his own response, but know it. He writes about "Frederick" as at me with the fierceness of a tiger, it is not the one intended by Douglass, if he was not a slave but a white boy tore off my clothes, and lashed me till he had worn out his switches... . nor need it be that of any sympathetic visiting relatives. Faulkner refutes reader persuaded to share Douglass's McFeely's skepticism in the Sound and McFeely's comment: revulsion from the brutality of the slave the Fury's great, compassionate yarn master. about nine-year-old Luster being enlisted This was as close as a Victorian author In another dismissal of Douglass's to care for Benjy, trapped in retarded anti-slavery propaganda, McFeely could come to speaking about the infancy. It was not unusual to send an sadistic abuse of males by males. quotes from Douglass's open letter to eight-year-old black boy to care for a Covey's savage attack suggests a his second master, Thomas Auld, two-year-old white boy. "Fred" was perversion of homosexual attraction extracting from it Douglass's "fantasy valuable property and a marketable into vicious cruelty. of the rape of Amanda [Auld's daugh- commodity. It was more profitable to ter]: 'How, let me ask, would you look hold onto a slave and benefit from his McFeely thus describes his final encoun- on me, were I, some dark night .. . labor than to sell him South through ter with Edward Covey, to whom he was to enter the precincts of your elegant a slave trader. leased: dwelling, and seize the person of your McFeely's tribute to the misunder- daughter, Amanda, and carry her off stood Aulds reaches a peak of exaltation: Frederick and Covey fought in the from your family, make her my slave intimacy of battle—"He held me, and .. . clothe her scantily and whip her I held him"—and crucial to an under- Freedom would come to Frederick standing of the outcome, Frederick on the naked back. . . ?" McFeely Bailey, but when that great goal was neither knocked out Covey nor pinned pretends not to see that Douglass is not attained, he would be a debtor. him down. Instead they grappled for fantasizing rape but trying to give Auld Frederick Bailey owed his chance to what Douglass, no doubt exaggerat- some idea what it is like for a black seek freedom ... to the largesse of ing but making a telling point, said parent to have his daughter become "a an ambiguous Thomas Auld. For his was "nearly two hours." In impotent freedom—for his life he would for rage, Covey struggled against Fred- degraded victim to the brutal lust of the rest of that life, be beholden to erick's remarkably strong arms and fiendish overseers." a white man whom he loved and whom firm hands... . McFeely describes the relationship he now had to remember to loathe. between Fred and his white masters There is not a hint of covert homo- Aaron Anthony and Thomas Auld A fit response is Douglass's tribute sexuality in Douglass's account of the (Anthony's son-in-law) as a love-hate to his black mother and repudiation of encounter in Narrative of the Life. relationship. True, the lonely boy, an his white father: orphan, yearned for parents and won- The battle with Mr. Covey was the dered if the overseer of the plantation Of my father I knew nothing. My turning point in my career as a slave. was, as whispered, his father. It is not father was a white man. . . . The It rekindled the few expiring embers at all true that, having inherited Fred opinion was whispered that my master of freedom, and revived within me again the determination to be free. The after Anthony's death, the Thomas was my father; but the correctness of this opinion was withheld from me. gratification afforded by the triumph Aulds treated the boy with loving care. I am happy to attribute any love of was a full compensation for whatever As McFeely tells it, they sent the letters I may have ... to the native else might follow, even death itself. eight-year-old Fred to Thomas's brother genius of my sable, unprotected, and He can only understand the deep 52 FREE INQUIRY satisfaction I experienced, who has it must have been ghost written. Far from major speech, reflecting Douglass's himself repelled the bloody arm of failing in his vision because he lacked disillusion. slavery. I felt as I never felt before. education, in almost every way Douglass In a New York Times Sunday Mag- It was a glorious resurrection, from anticipated the thinking of African- azine article for February 11, 1968, the tomb of slavery to the heaven of freedom. My long crushed spirit rose, American writers during the Black Herbert Mitgang quoted the heart of cowardice departed, bold defiance Renaissance and after. Douglass's affirmative vision of Lincoln: took its place; and I now resolved that, He pioneered against the wish of however long I might remain a slave mentors like Garrison and Wendell Though he loved Caesar less than in form, the day had passed forever Phillips not to turn the anti-slavery Rome, though the Union was more when I could be a slave in fact. I did campaign away from moral and religious to him than our freedom or our future, not hesitate to let it be known of me, under his wise and beneficent rule, and that the white man who expected to monopoly and toward political action. by means approved and vigorously succeed in whipping me must also He split with Garrison on this ground, pressed by him, we saw that the succeed in killing me. declining to let Emancipation remain the handwriting of ages, in the form of crusade of Christians who believed the prejudice and proscription, was McFeely goes on to invent a possible battle against slavery should be waged rapidly fading away from the face of homoerotic relationship between Dou- in the conscience alone without resorting the whole country. glass and slave Henry Harris, whose to politics. On Douglass's first trip Yet Douglass in the same speech owner William Freeland leased Douglass abroad, in Scotland, he exposed the expressed sentiments much more in line after he stopped working for Covey. The Chartists who solicited money from final chapter gives a fillip to this buried racist churches in the American South with the 1963 March on Washington. accusation when McFeely remarks to pay for their campaign to free offhandedly that European white wage-earners from He was preeminently the white man's President, entirely devoted to the capitalist exploitation. welfare of white men. He was ready Frederick Douglass was one of the Douglass would have scorned and willing at any time during the first giants of nineteenth-century America. McFeely's assertion that "It is one of the years of his administration to deny, And in the end he stood as tall as any. great missed opportunities of Douglass's postpone, and sacrifice the rights of He had not found it necessary to rein life ... that he did not bring about a humanity in the colored people in in his sexuality as Melville had. With order to promote the welfare of the great dignity on his part—as well as true international working class move- white people of this country. In all his partners'—he openly dared to ment" by combining Chartist reform for his education and feeling he was an embrace intimacy in a way few wage earners with the antislavery move- American of the Americans. He came Americans did. ment. A century and a half after into the Presidential chair upon one Douglass's discovery of the fallacy in principle alone, namely, opposition to This is truly praise with a vengeance. the extension of Slavery. His argu- Chartist thinking, and his spirited call ments in furtherance of this policy had Melville, great tragic author, was to "Send Back the Money!," we are still their motive and mainspring in his bisexual and suffered for it with a midlife far from being able to unite labor forces, patriotic devotion to the interests of breakdown from which he never fully white and black, not because black his own race. recovered, even though he wrote great laborers are unintelligent or slack but works after he went virtually under- because white laborers jealously guard McFeely also faulted Douglass's ground. In spite of hints, McFeely their sinecures. disappointment with and attempt to halt provides no evidence that Douglass was McFeely is right to have noticed that the great migration of black people from androgynous except as we all are. His Douglass had reservations about Pres- the South. McFeely objects: richly heterosexual life gives no inkling ident Abraham Lincoln. Like most of sexual anguish or disorder. blacks, however, Douglass greeted Preoccupied as he was with his Emancipation with "an expression of personal life, Douglass somehow o return to McFeely's charge that loosened his hold on the excellent pure joy," and at the end of the war equilibrium he had for decades main- 1. Douglass was a failure because he thought he could rest on his laurels. Ten tained between his own need to be with lacked formal education, nothing could years later he was realizing what Lerone white people, not permitting race to be further from the truth. True, he was Bennett, Jr., would be saying in the determine the boundaries of his largely self-taught. After Sophia Auld, 1960s, that "a real/ that is, a fully existence, and his commitment to the at the request of her husband, stopped operative/ emancipation proclamation black community to which he belonged and whose interests he had teaching him, Douglass taught himself has become a matter of national survival so long and staunchly defended. The to read and write and become a public and . . . no one has ever issued such shift was evident, for instance, in his speaker. In the North for a few years a document in this country." These view of the Exodusters, black people he followed the lead of white reformers, words echo Douglass's sad, revisionist in Louisiana and Mississippi who but in time he realized that, having lived comment in 1876 at the dedication of sought to make a new start in the West. Standing on the levees with inside the system, he had a story to tell the Freedman's Monument in Lincoln bundles of their slight belongings at that no white man could match, and he Park in Washington, D.C. For some their feet, fearful that posses of whites told it so well that many readers thought reason, McFeely does not mention this would drag them back to work the Winter 1991/92 53 fields, they waited for boats that might brutal despot whose coup was engi- black folk brought up to desire the kind carry them up river. They were neered by the United States) the Admiral of living their father had provided. destitute. Douglass's good mind let was surprised to observe that Douglass McFeely has not given much thought him down as he examined their plight, and so did his sense of sympathy. He had extraordinary rapport with the black to the difference between Douglass's refused to see that something had government of Haiti. Blustering through evolution from slavery, one step at a changed—for the worse. the confrontation, the Admiral so time, and his children's plight in being annoyed Douglass that, as McFeely to the manor born, but no manor was What Douglass saw was beyond described it, "Douglass made the mistake likely to be theirs except the one provided McFeely—that there was a great differ- of sputtering that if the navy simply took by their father. ence between slaves running away from the Mole St. Nicolas, all this negotiating McFeely seems also out of patience slavery, and free men being driven from could end." McFeely interprets this as with Douglass's popularity with white their homeland. Writers like Jean a "gaffe" that encouraged the Admiral women. Without any solid evidence he Towner (Cane), Zora Neale Hurston to inform Washington that his request would, if he could, cast doubt on the (Their Eyes were Watching God), and had been granted. Working with the virtue of such ladies. He does the best Imamu Amiri Baraka (the Bottoms Haitians, Douglass drafted a letter to he can to put them in the place he thinks chapter in The System of Dante's Hell) President Harrison recommending that proper for white ladies who deign to reasserted in the twentieth century the Harrison request the Haitians to cede lower themselves for a black man. It African-American's identification with the harbor. The request came, the must disappoint him that Douglass lived the American South of his ancestors and Haitains refused, and Douglass had with his wife forty-four years even his inalienable right not to be driven foiled an attempt of a U.S. Admiral to though, as McFeely says, she was away from it. It is in the South today force his demands on a black sover- illiterate. She did the housework, and that the most impressive civil rights have eignty. McFeely thinks a great injustice bore his children and loved them and been gained and the most important was done, and true, Hyppolite proved cared for them and their husbands, political victories. It has also become the to be a bloodthirsty tyrant willing to wives, and grandchildren when they landscape for poets and novelists. massacre his own people, but Douglass came. Anna Murray must have been a Apparently, McFeely doesn't sympa- may have had a point of honor in great lady, and Frederick Douglass thize with such claims when he minimizes refusing to be a party to letting a respected her. Douglass's perspective. powerful white nation run roughshod When she died in 1882, he married McFeely seems to see only vanity in over a small black one. a white woman who had been his Douglass's accepting the presidency of McFeely also criticizes Douglass's secretary: the Freedman's Savings and Trust personal life, becoming almost indignant Company. If the bank was insolvent it with the way Douglass knuckled under People who had remained silent over was because it had been fleeced by white to his children, not insisting on their the unlawful relation of white slave manipulators. Douglass was appointed becoming self-supporting and indepen- masters with their colored slave as a scapegoat to have a black man carry dent. McFeely would have turned them women loudly condemned me for marrying a wife a few shades lighter the burden of liquidation. He acted loose to their own resources, without than myself ... a shocking offense quickly to audit accounts, declare concern for their middle-class status in ... for which I was ostracized by white bankruptcy, and close the bank. "The a society not geared to make room for and black [including his children]. • bank," McFeely claimed, "could have been rescued"—but only if white financiers chose to rescue it. They didn't, just as recently happened when the Freedman's Bank in Harlem was Books in Brief allowed to close because it was not large and important enough to com- mand the support of government Prescription: Medicide, the Goodness of speaks out for the first time about the agencies. Planned Death, by Dr. Jack Kevorkian reasoning that lead up to his role in McFeely derides Douglass's achieve- (Buffalo, Prometheus Books, 1991) 245 helping these women end their lives. He ment as Minister to Haiti. Secretary of pages. $26.95 cloth. On the day that Dr. willingly takes on the medical establish- State James Blaine and Rear Admiral Jack Kevorkian assisted Alzheimer's ment, politicians, and all others who Bancroft Gherardi wanted to use gun- patient Janet Adkins in committing actively resist a rational program of boat diplomacy to force Haiti to yield suicide, an ethical can of worms was dignified, humane, and beneficial a naval base that had become important opened. Advocates of physician-assisted planned death. Kevorkian outlines his because of plans to build a canal across suicide had a new leader, and opponents sometimes startling views on voluntary the Panama isthmus. President Harrison had a new target. The debate was experimentation on death-row inmates, was lukewarm toward the expansionist intensified recently when Dr. Kevorkian organ harvesting for transplants, and the effort. When Gherardi made demands assisted in the suicide of two more ill right of the individual to determine what of President Hyppolite (a puppet and women. In his new book, Dr. Kevorkian value his or her life has.—Steve Karr 54 FREE INQUIRY At Least Our Bombs are Getting Smart- back to ancient instincts of nature Evolutions of the Mormon Temple er: A Cartoon Preview of the '90s by worship, 'Life on Earth' has become a Ceremony 1841-1990, by Jerald and Tom Toles (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, new god; a god that asks for protection Sandra Tanner (Salt Lake City: Utah 1991) 133 pages $9.95. FREE INQUIRY from the hell of industrial civilization, Lighthouse Ministry, 1990). 185 pp. $5 cartoonist and Pulitzer prize-winner but promises the heaven of a pristine when ordered from Utah Lighthouse Tom Toles takes an irreverent look at natural world." Carlson and Goldman Ministry, 1350 South West Temple, Salt what life will be like over the next ten predict that this issue will dominate the Lake City, Utah 84115. The Tanners years in his new collection of illustra- political spectrum in the next decade, compare the Mormon temple cere- tions. Toles spares no one as he pokes and worry that without a dose of critical mony to a religious play in which the fun at George Bush, Dan Quayle, the thinking, the political coalitions that will participants take part in the ritual. Democrats, and Saddam Hussein. The arise will have no qualms in dictating Since, they claim, the ceremony has book offers a bundle of humorous, draconian laws "for the good of all life never been copyrighted, but simply sometimes scary, but always brilliant and on earth."— Tim Madigan kept secret, they feel it is a scholarly thought-provoking cartoons.—Steve obligation on their part to publish it. Karr The Case for Christian Humanism, by Included in the appendix is a 1984 R. William Franklin and Joseph M. updated version of the ceremonies and Jesus Doesn't Live Here Anymore, by Shaw (Grand Rapids: Mich.: Wm. B. a 1990 revision of the update. They Skipp Porteous (Buffalo, Prometheus Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991). aim to lead the Mormons away from Books 1991) 313 pages, $23.95 cloth. It 270 pages. $18.95 paper. Christian their church and have them turn toward is always a pleasure to read about a humanism has returned with a ven- the God they believe in. Their former minister's break with fundamen- geance. Franklin and Shaw attempt to own views, however, do not detract talism. Porteous debunks the myth that rescue the notion of humanism from from their scholarship. —Vern L. people who leave the faith do so due anti-God variations. They are particu- Bullough to their own bitterness. Through his larly vehement in arguing that "huma- book, the reader gets to see what nism" does not mean the same thing as Encountering Mary, by Sandra L. humanists are up against when they have "secular humanism," and blame the Zimdars-Swartz (Princeton: Princeton to express their views to a hostile world. confusion over the issuance of the University Press, 1991). 342 pages. Porteous also discusses his activist Humanist Manifestos in 1933 and 1973. $24.95 cloth. The author was intrigued position on the separation between The basis of their case is the claim that by the contemporary occurrence of church and state. He closely monitors one cannot appreciate the true dignity supposed apparitions of the Virgin the religious right and lends support to of human beings from a purely natu- Mary. She focuses attention on the those who are interested in walking away ralistic perspective. They write "Chris- human interactions and processes from fundamentalism.—Norm Allen, Jr. tian humanism insists on the dignity of involved rather then on the specific the human creature based on the work messages being promulgated, and 2020 Visions: A Long View of a Chang- and call of the Creator and the incar- shows how the modern-day apparitions, ing World, by Richard Carlson and nation of the Word of God in human dating back to the vision of Mary at Bruce Goldman Stanford: The Portable form." This is a thought-provoking Fatima in 1917, have had a strong Stanford Book Series, 1991). 252 pages. book, well steeped in contemporary apocalyptic element. Zimdars-Swartz $11.95 paper. People interested in theological matters. And while it may is particularly effective in describing futurology would do well to get a copy not be of much practical interest to how initial claims of visions are often of this provocative book, which specu- readers of FREE INQUIRY, it does added to considerably by later arrivals lates that a united Europe will be the demonstrate the importance of using the who have needs and desires they want major superpower of the coming cen- term secular humanism for clarity's fulfilled. tury, and points out that new ethical sake.— Tim Madigan —Tim Madigan dilemmas related to scientific advances

regarding life-extension will make the STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION current abortion controversy seem like Date of filing: October 2, 1991 Aver. no. Actual no. a playground dispute. FREE INQUIRY Title: FREE INQUIRY copies copies Frequency of issue: Quarterly each issue single issue readers will find especially pertinent the Complete mailing address of known office of during published publication: P.O. Box 664, Buffalo, NY preceding nearest discussion of "The New American 14226-0664 12 months filing date Complete mailing address of headquarters of A. Total no. copies printed (Nef Press Run) 25,727 25,725 Religion: Environmentalism." Accord- publisher: P.O. Box 664, Buffalo, NY B. Paid Circulation ing to the authors the environmental 14226-0664 1. Sales through dealers and carriers, Publisher: CODESH, Inc., 3965 Rensch Road, street vendors and counter sales 2,129 2,395 movement is taking on religious over- Buffalo, NY 14228-0664 2. Mail Subscription 19,006 18,365 Owner: CODESH, Inc., 3965 Rensch Road, C. Total Paid circulation 21,195 20,760 tones, which gives it a peculiar power. Buffalo, NY 14228-0664 D. Free distribution 3,099 2,934 Editor: Paul Kurtz, 3965 Rensch Road, E. Total distribution (Sum of C á D) 24,294 23,694 As with other theologies, its claims Buffalo, NY 14228-0664 F. Copies not distributed Managing Editor: Andrea Szalanski, 3965 Rensch 1. Office use, left-over, unaccounted, become non-falsifiable. "The environ- Road, Buffalo, NY 14228-0664 spoiled after printing 1,432 2,031 Known bondholders, mortgagees and other 2. Returns from news agents 0 0 ment has all the ingredients of a religion: security holders: None. G. TOTAL (Sum of E, F 1 and 2) 25,727 25,725 god, guilt, heaven, and hell. Reaching Winter 1991/ 92 55 Point/Counterpoint

In Defense of Skepticism

In the Summer 1990 FREE INQUIRY, Marvin Kohl published an article entitled "Skepticism and Happiness," in which he criticized the work of W K Clifford. First, Brian Zamulinski comments on Kohl's article, then Marvin Kohl responds.

Brian Zamulinski

Marvin Kohl's rejection of the absolutist happiness. contrast to the believer, the skeptic, the skepticism of W. K. Clifford was so Turning from defense to offense, it person who desires to be sexually cavalier that it left me aghast. He ignores is possible to undermine Kohl's case for attractive but neither believes or dis- Clifford's arguments and simply the necessity of believing some false- believes in his or her sexual attractive- announces that we have insufficient hoods if we are to be psychologically ness, is likely to take steps that will make evidence for believing. healthy. First, empirical research can him or her sexually attractive and most Kohl makes much of the research by prove only a correlation between belief likely to become sexually successful. Taylor and Brown that purportedly and health. Even if there is a very strong What the foregoing shows is that, shows that some illusions promote positive correlation, it does not follow ironically, it could very well be that mental health. Clifford was quite aware that there are no substitutes for belief purported demonstrations of the defi- that over-believing could make some that are as beneficial as belief purport- ciencies of skepticism actually show that believers happy. However, even if edly is. Second, what a person actually belief is bad. The fact is that Cliffordian morality were only a matter of maxim- believes is not always accurately reflected skepticism is not a philosophical push- izing happiness and it did not matter how by his statements of belief. over, and it is a shame that humanists the happiness was achieved, even if A person who believes that he or she like Kohl are as willing as the faith- "... happiness is an over-riding good," is sexually attractive may become mongers to assume that it is. It could as Kohl phrased the possibility, Clifford arrogant and complacent and, hence, less be the most powerful weapon in the could link, as he did, over-belief with attractive and less successful sexually. In humanist arsonal. • the subsequent subversion of our ability to weigh evidence accurately. Having established that link, he could argue that over-belief probably causes more unhappiness than happiness by making it more likely that we would believe other harmful beliefs in addition to the Humanism and the Justification psychologically beneficial ones. However, Clifford would not have of Belief accepted the assumption that happiness is the paramount good. He would have argued that the happiness of the believers Marvin Kohl no more justifies over-belief than the happiness of slave-owners justifies y article "Skepticism and Happi- demands that we only believe something slavery, that happiness achieved through Mness" evaluated a form of agnos- to be true when the claim is supported over-belief is inherently debasing. He ticism shared by many humanists. by reliable evidence. It also demands as would put moral integrity before According to this theory, truthfulness imperatively that we should doubt what is doubtful as that we should disbelieve Brian Zamulinski has degrees in lin- Marvin Kohl is professor of philosophy what is false. The essential (but not only) guistics, education, and philosophy. He at the State University College of New difficulty with this approach to belief is is presently living and teaching in Japan. York at Fredonia. that even if truthfulness demands that we be skeptics, it does not follow that

56 FREE INQUIRY a mixed mode of happiness demands the and the loves of others," "I am in control paradox is, if Cliffordian evidentialism same thing. In other words, much turns of my life," or "The future will be great "is true, then intellectual integrity on what end is being targeted—that it because I will help make it so"? requires that it be cast aside." The makes a difference whether the end-in- I welcome Brian Zamulinski's analy- suggestion that Clifford's position is self- view is merely truth, the subjective sis of "not believing a proposition." I refuting Zamulinski correctly reads as a happiness of individuals, or a combina- also think he is correct in saying that dismissal, be it cavalier or not. Suffice tion of the subjective and objective a fuller analysis of Clifford's position it here to say that if Clifford is claim- conditions that make for the happiness would be an invaluable addition to the ing that no statement (including prin- and well-being of the greatest number. literature. Perhaps Zamulinski or others ciples) is worthy of belief unless all the I suggested that to truly care for can explain why Clifford's claim—that possible evidence points to the truth of humanity is to be actively concerned the question of the right or wrong of the statement, then the "self-refuting" about protecting and increasing the latter a belief solely has to do with its origin— charge is plausible, if not telling. And kind of excellence. That a fuller or more is a warranted one. I leave it to the intelligent reader to humane humanism cannot casually Let me briefly reply to some other decide which of us has an unquestioning dismiss the claim that one theory is better points. I pass in respectful silence over belief in something for which he has not, than another if there is reliable evidence his request that I should have written and perhaps cannot, provide full to show that, if everyone were to abide a paper that addressed issues closer to evidence. by its rules, it would lead to the best his own epistemological heart, except to A final word about the bellicose possible consequences in terms of point out that if agnostic skepticism is rhetoric and special pleading concerning happiness and well-being, all considered. more reasonable than Clifford's, and if the writings of William James. Suppose Nor can an open-minded humanist say, I have shown that my rudimentary we admit that on some occasions James as some appear to do, that by merely theory is more reasonable than the first, played rather loose with the notion of undertaking this kind of inquiry one then I have shown that my theory is more disbelief. Suppose we also admit that becomes a faith-monger. Such an reasonable than Clifford's. I think that much, though not all of his energies, were approach is abusive and reductionistic Zamulinski's attempt to reduce my directed toward a justification of reli- (the strategy typically being that of position on happiness to a subjectivism gious faith. Nonetheless, much of value reducing the position to a biased reading is a clever dodge, but a dodge nonethe- remains. First, James suggests that of William James on faith). More less. If he is not being disingenuous when believing that p is often necessary in important, it is contrary to the spirit of he says that he has never encountered order to make p more probable or true. free inquiry. Like Plato's prisoners a successful attack on Clifford's view, Or more generally: We need to recognize chained in a cave, the extreme eviden- then I suggest reading Stephen Nathan- facts and possibilities. That there are tialist seems to be unable to separate the son's "Nonevidential Reasons for Belief: some areas of belief in which possibil- shadows from the sun and is unable to A Jamesian View" (Philosophy and ities, not finished facts, are the realities differentiate the shadows cast by others Phenomenological Research 1982, pp. with which we have actively to deal. and those cast by himself. To this 572-580), Peter Hare's "Towards an James reminds us that the heart of the evidentialist to talk about happiness and Ethics of Belief," [XVIIe Congres issue is courage. It is not courage as the well-being in a nonsubjective way is quite mondial de philosophie (1988), pp. 428- mere absence of fear. Rather it is the absurd, a bad joke, the latest card trick 432], and Hare's "Problems and Pro- courage to nurture a frail good, to bring dealt out of mystical double talk. Yet spects in the Ethics of Belief" (Presiden- into existence a new one, and to believe he often chooses to talk about "the ideal tial Address to the Society for the that the possibility for doing so exists. of moral integrity," apparently failing to Advancement of American Philosophy, Still more interesting, and perhaps see that this may be a shadow for the March 3, 1990, Buffalo, New York). The equally valuable, James understood that ideal of epistemological integrity, for the latter contains a persuasive defense of the best beliefs are those which make claim that evidentialist purity is a what we may call "overbelief," as well the world a significantly better place. sufficient and overriding good. as an excellent summary of the recent Now we may differ as to what constitutes But where is the evidence for this literature. that end. But I venture to suggest that belief? Where is the evidence to show Let us now turn to the heart of the what is needed is a combination of that the arch-evidentialism of W. K. matter. What provoked Zamulinski's knowledge, vision, and intelligent active Clifford—the belief that it is wrong response was my interpretation of hope. I say "intelligent active hope" always, everywhere, and for anyone, to Russell's dismissal of Clifford's position. because the combination of inert concern believe anything upon insufficient I wrote that "Russell seems to have with blind (or false) aspiration is a deadly evidence—is true or more reasonable to understood that if it is wrong, every- fillip. Without vision we are apt to grow believe than less extreme forms of where, and for anyone, to believe any- stale and thin mentally. Without knowl- evidentialism? And of all the examples thing upon insufficient evidence and if, edge, the world of our hopes cannot be to select, how does disbelieving both P as the facts reveal, we have insufficient built. But without hope and other and Not-P, where P is "I am sexually evidence for believing this, then agnostic supportive beliefs, we lack part of the attractive" compare to disbelieving "I am skeptics must reject their own meta- means necessary for successfully building a worthy person, worthy of my own love belief." I then added that the apparent the better life. •

Winter 1991/92 57 (Letters, continued from p. 3) issue of FREE INQUIRY will include a best secular universities to become second article on this subject, giving a engineers, chemists, computer operators, Judith Boss's article was very refreshing. somewhat more right-wing, off-setting businessmen, and bankers, but there has The basic problem of religion and the analysis. We in the Canadian Humanist been little or no assimilation of Western paranormal is that they are based on the movement have been harmed by a values and humanist traditions. premise of a supernatural universe. perceived left-wing bias among our America has and will use its military Therefore, I find it perplexing that some militants. It would be sad to see this to confront extremism and should not humanists promote a magical world- happen in the U.S.A. apologize for it. We should be proud view with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, of the abject lesson in force we showed and the Tooth Fairy. J. D. Boume our enemies and allies, knowing full well This is not to say that the Santa myth Ottawa, Ontario that the world-wide suffering index cannot be presented as fiction. But there Canada would have increased if Hussein and his is a world of difference between pres- barbaric society prevailed unchecked. enting fantasy as fiction and fantasy as To accuse George Bush of protecting his fact. My son and I enjoy fantasy and family's oil interests and the perpetuation Dane C. Sorensen science fiction. Yet wouldn't most of the myth of April Glaspie giving Maple Grove, Minn. parents agree that I would be crazy if Hussein the go-ahead to invade Kuwait I told him that Darth Vader was real? seems a contradiction. It is amazing the There is one possible benefit deriving number of nobodies that Mr. Yant Defining Secular Humanism from a belief in Santa. As a child grows quotes to promote his views. I am older, he will reject it, which may later positive that if I scrape the bottom of Properly, secular humanism is a philos- serve as a model for applying skepticism the academia barrel I could quote a bevy ophy. It consists of a democratic, to belief in gods, devils, and angels. of experts and write a rational piece rational, scientific world-view, dedicated proving Stalin was Winston Churchill's to a melioristic viewpoint of mankind. Kenneth Marsalek lost brother. No point in a longer definition here. But Baltimore, Md. I only grant that the issue of freedom it is definitely a philosophy, and fits the was used too much as rationale for the dictionary definition of "the science war. In the Mideast there is very little which investigates the facts and princi- freedom—political, economic, women's Desert Storm ples of reality and of human nature and rights, or otherwise. conduct." It is in no way a religion. In "The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf Most conservative humanists believe Clashes arise when people consider War," (FI, Fall 1991), Martin Yant the war was fought for four basic secular humanism an ideology, usually suggests/ implies that the U.S. encour- reasons. Foremost was the need to assure bringing their own heavy ideological aged a "partial invasion [by Iraq] so the the free flow of oil at market prices. The baggage with them. Ideology has been United States could humble [Saddam] argument that Yant felt that Hussein was superbly defined as Hussein and win Kuwait a favorable not interested in Saudi Arabia seems to border agreement," but that this plan be negated when looking at Iraq's super a system of thought which claims to went "awry when Hussein took all of cannons and advanced atomic bomb be total, it is a historical and political Kuwait instead." If his first dubious project. The development of the atomic interpretation whose (unconscious) assumption were true, the results dem- bomb by Iraq was the second important aim is the actualization of an illusion, onstrate that it is impossible to predict reason to invade. There is no doubt that of illusion par excellence, that the ego Hussein's military actions. This does not President Bush took this threat seriously and its ideal can be reunited by a short- deter Yant from quoting a handful of and did not intend to see a nuclear war cut, via the pleasure principle. The pleasure principle entails the imme- "Monday morning quarterback experts" erupt during his second term. The third diate and complete discharge of the who are quite certain that if Iraq's reason was the long-term survival of drives without any of the deferments invasion of Kuwait been accepted as a Israel. With Hussein's admiration of and detours that characterize the path fait accompli that Hussein would never Hitler (he takes comparisons of Hitler of its opposite, the reality principle.' have invaded Saudi Arabia or other Gulf and himself as a compliment) there is States. Yant forgets that Kuwait was not not doubt of his hatred of Jews. As can easily be seen, such an approach the first victim of Iraqi aggression in Conservative humanists will support a to the world is in conflict with secular recent years. democratic Jewish state over a despot humanism, a philosophy that is firmly any day. based on the reality principle. Philip J. Klass Fourth the war was a rejection of Such a misunderstanding of the Washington, D.C. everything that Islam and Iraq stand for. difference between a philosophy and an The wealth of oil has brought material ideology is what has effectively destroyed Martin Yant's article could have been wealth to the peoples of the Middle East the American Humanist Association as written by that extreme left-winger, almost overnight. They have sent their intellectually relevant in America today. Noam Chomsky. I hope that the next sons (not their daughters!) to the West's Its takeover by leftist ideologues has left 58 FREE INQUIRY it merely another dead leftist jellyfish People have to come to grips with technological abolition of death, even drying up on the sand after its ideological the fact that religion is a way to keep without certainty of success, could make tide has gone out. people under control of a power group. secular eupraxophies much more com- The scientific world-view of secular Your organization and periodical can petitive with religion. (This is not humanism should be a bedrock of help people to live rewarding lives and speculative. I know cryonicists who were rationality. It should not be conflated not become victims. formerly Christians, yet dumped their with any particular ideology or political My husband and I have been religion as soon as they realized that commitment of the day. The American members of the Assembly of God, the workable, scientific approaches to the Humanist Association is an example of Methodist, American Baptist, Southern problem of death exist.) what to avoid. Secular humanism must Baptist churches, and finally Judaism. Other approaches to promoting remain a philosophy: atheistic, rational, I was an Episcopalian as a child and secularism—force in the communist pragmatic, scientific, devoted to a also have been a participant of the countries, persuasion in the West—have melioristic viewpoint of mankind. Church of the Nazarene. It was all part failed, so I do not see what secularists of a sincere quest in our lives for the have to lose by joining the quest for Note "true" religion. physical immortality. After all, the We are now senior citizens and are benefits of success are open-ended! 1. Janine Chasseguet-Smirgel and Bela Grunberger, Freud or Reich? (Yale University only recently free of religion. We will Mark Plus Press, New Haven and London, 1986) pp. 15- never again allow ourselves to be in any Secretary, Society for 16. way victimized by religion or philoso- Venturism phies that take on aspects of religion. George Rowell Wrightwood, Calif. Please continue on with your idea that New York, N.Y. you were profoundly mistaken in think- ing that humanism could become the `True' Cynics Paul Kurtz's review of Howard Radest's religion of the future. The Devil and Secular Humanism (FI, We are interested in how philosophy Thank you for publishing Tim Madi- Fall 1991), contains erroneous informa- applies to present-day affairs; we would gan's Viewpoint "In Praise of Cynicism" tion regarding the American Humanist like support in our position of freedom (FI, Fall 1991). I enjoyed the quote from Association's tax-exempt status. For the from religion; we would like to know Ambrose Bierce, the historic overview, record, since 1990, the AHA has been the historical background of some of the and, of course, the comment: "Idealists classified as an educational, nonprofit present-day ideas and philosophies. are not noted for their sense of humor." organization, not religious as the re- Back in the late 1920s, when I was trying Mrs. Mildred L. Walton view indicates. The organization that to be a Christian Idealist, one of my older Richland, Wash. Dr. Kurtz refers to is the Humanist role models startled me by observing: Society of Friends, a nonprofit, religious "The best we can hope for is Enlightened As a cryonicist and physical immortalist, corporation that is part of the AHA's Self-Interest." I have to express a certain amount of corporate family. It is through the Turner updated the description exasperation over your magazine's HSOF, which in turn governs the "Enlightened" to "Intelligent Self- articles about the future of secular Interest." Those of us who have become Division of Humanist Counseling, that humanism versus religion. Especially Cynics will just have to keep hoping that Humanist Counselors derive their after reading Paul Kurtz's editorial "Will growing numbers of people will become legal privileges, equivalent to that of Secularism Survive?" (FI, Fall 1991) I enlightened or intelligent or both. clergy. have to exclaim: Don't you get it? What Fred Edwords people are seeking through religion is not Bigelow Laurie Executive Director, AHA a relationship with some imaginary Madison, Wis. Amherst, N.Y. "god," but rather the immortality they think they can get from "god" in trade Paul Kurtz writes: "For a long time I for worship. Pee-wee Herman and followed a path similar to [Howard] As I have become acquainted with Masturbation Radest's. I held that humanism could my fellow cryonicists, I have been become the religion of the future, and impressed by their highly developed Pee-wee Herman's arrest for masturbat- that, as such, it would inspire a `religious secular world-views and the relationship ing in a pornographic movie theater was commitment.' I was profoundly mis- between their secularism and their the kind of headline grabbing, sensa- taken in that view. I think that it is time appreciation of the prospect of the tional story that the video magazines and that humanism strike out anew and resist technological conquest of death. print tabloids love. It had all the right obfuscation with religious language. This Although the number is small (currently ingredients: a big star, a taboo subject, is the task of CODESH [the Council for fewer than 500 worldwide, but growing and a see-how-the-mighty-fall theme. Democratic and Secular Humanism] rapidly), the cryonicist experience But beyond the explosive headlines, and FREE INQUIRY." suggests that a commitment to the society and the media offered little to Winter 1991/ 92 59 help the public understand the dynamics most? some?) sexual activity involves pretation of the Bible. I began reading behind the arrest. Fortunately, for (transfer of?) blood and blood products. his first few sentences with anticipation thoughtful analysis, there is FREE But, unless Coleman has new and and enthusiasm. Then, in the third INQUIRY. I appreciated Vern Bullough's startling data on ordinary sexual activity, paragraph, I came across the following insightful commentary (Viewpoints, FI, most will judge that implied proposition statement: "According to astronomical Fall 1991). to be wildly, obviously false. Has he been measurements, the universe is about 18 Pee-wee's plight illustrates just how watching too many vampire movies? billion light-years old. . . ." I was contradictory are the times in which we It is shocking and shameful that flabbergasted. Mr. Mazet's scientific live: We applaud and reward pop star twelve years after the discovery of HIV, credibility vanished just as he was (and marketing whiz) Madonna for we still lack the most elementary attempting to establish it. I found myself simulating masturbation on stage before information on heterosexual transmis- struggling through the remainder of his thousands of impressionable young fans, sion and don't even know whether arguments with less enthusiasm. As any and then humiliate and condemn Pee- Coleman's other premise is true. Is member of the American Association for wee for doing the real thing in the privacy blood-to-blood contact or the presence the Advancement of Science should of a darkened, triple X porno theater, of an open blood channel a necessary know—Mazet included—the light-year where such activity is an accepted fact condition for infection? is an astronomical measurement of of life and a viable alternative to the distance, not time. Specifically, it is dangers of casual sex. Tony Pasquarello defined as the distance a photon of light Ohio State University travels through space in a period of one Gerard Straub Mansfield, Ohio year. To state that the universe—or Havertown, Pa. anything else for that matter—is xxx light-years old is nonsense. If Mazet's On Cults laudable objective was to "measure" the Cyrano literal Bible against modern science, he While I appreciated Eric Merrill Budd's got started off on the wrong foot, so While I enjoyed Gene Gordon's "Cyrano "The ABC's of Cult Mind-Control" (FI, to speak. de Bergerac: The Man Who Thumbed Fall 1991), I was disappointed that the His Nose at God" (FI, Fall 1991), I could author shied away from explictly men- David Pitzer not help but wonder at the meaning of tioning the biggest and most dangerous Sonoma, Calif. the characterization of Téophile de Viau cult of all: The Roman Catholic church. as an "immortal libertine." It seems so absurd that even a court as awfully John Prewett Ancient Religions constituted as that which must have Fairbanks, Ala. condemned him could have believed that The interview with Martin Bernal (FI, condemning to death an "immortal" Spring 1990) was thought-provoking. could do any good toward causing his The article on cult mind control listed Thank you for publishing it. Bernal did, end. four types of cults: religious, political, however, make one highly questionable therapeutic, and commercial. One assertion: "... the earliest example of James L. Sutton further type of cult should be mentioned: monotheism is that of Akhenaton. Pocatello, Idaho military. Major American military cults such as the Army and the Marine Corps My understanding has been that most The characterization was due to a practice all the methods of mind control scholars consider Akhenaton (and typographical error. "Immortal" should listed in the article—although one may Moses) to have been henotheists—each have read "immoral.'—EDs. need to take a fresh look at their actions was devoted to his god, but did not deny to recognize how they fit the pattern. the existence of lesser, false deities who deserved little or no respect, much less Modern Views on Sex Richard Stallman worship. Free Software Foundation, Finally, do not scholars consider the Eli Coleman's "New Directions in Sex Inc. second Isaiah to have been the first Therapy" (FI, Fall 1991) contains a Cambridge, Mass. monotheist? If so, monotheism appeared puzzling—and invalid— first-order in Judaism during the sixth or fifth rather enthymeme that cries out for clarifica- than the eighth century B.C.E. tion: "Since the [Human Immunodefi- God's Follies ciency] virus is spread through blood and John George blood products, sexual activity with In his article "God's Follies," (FI, Fall Professor of Political Science others became one of the most effective 1991) author Bruce Mazet embarks upon and Sociology ways of contagion." The missing premise a noble and, to my way of thinking, Central State University can only be some thing like because (all? correct "attack" against a literal inter- Edmond, Okla. 60 FREE INQUIRY this propaganda about abortion. " (The In the Name of God Atlanta Journal) Oral Roberts Requests Cash to Fight `Satanic Conspiracy'

Television evangelist Oral Roberts has Pick of the Litter respect of 43 percent of Americans vs. written more than I million of his regular less than 6 percent of British, Germans, contributors for money to save his Five years ago, God spoke to Bob and Japanese. (USA Today) ministry from a "satanic conspiracy. Ha fey. God told him to build a life- We've got to have a financial break- size figure of Jesus using toothpicks. "I The Haunting through or all hell is going to break loose was in my work truck ... when God against this ministry," says the letter told me to do it," he said. "I said, Gee, A church-sponsored Halloween haunted seeking $500 apiece from the ministry's I can't do that. You're asking me to house in the Cape Cod town of Dennis regular contributors nationwide. The undertake a task that will take ten years." has raised an outcry because of its letter warns contributors of a "satanic But, equipped with tweezers, Super portrayal of a woman being sent to hell conspiracy to stop God's healing min- Glue, and boxes of sandwich, flat, for having an abortion. Inside, an actress istry in the earth." "I am unable to tell square, and round toothpicks, Ha fey in a bloody nightgown writhed on a you the full severity of this problem on began. After 2,500 hours and 65,000 stretcher, screaming "I want my baby. television because of the enemies of this toothpicks, Hafey, forty, finished "The I want my baby. Where's my baby?" ministry," the letter says. (AP) Gift." The Lord gave it that name, he Another actor, dressed as a physician, said. The sculpture of the crucified Christ handed the woman a handful of fake Sex Scandal Prompts Cleric is suspended by wire in front of a black blood and tissue, shouting: "Here's your to Quit Post background in Haifley's garage in baby!" The display was put on by the Covina, California, illuminated by a Victory Chapel Christian Fellowship The leader of an ultra-right religious spotlight. "I think I know what God's Church, which also has proselytized by party has resigned from Pakistan's doing," Haifley said. "He wants to inviting summer visitors to rock concerts Islamic government amid allegations inspire people. "(Los Angeles Times) at which they tell them about the gospel. that a host of prominent men frequented The day after visiting the exhibit, Amy a local brothel. While denying any Devil May Care McGillen joined the growing rank of involvement, Maulana Sami ul-Haq protestors outside. "What offended me resigned as vice president of the Islamic In Devils Lake, North Dakota, Christian the most was there was absolutely no Democratic Alliance government. He is fundamentalists are demanding that warning that this was going to be coming the only leader to resign as a result of Central High School drop its decades- up, "McGillen said. "You go in there and the scandal, which has put the country's old nickname, the Satans. The school are taken through a haunted house, and religious parties on the defensive during board will likely put the issue before the then suddenly you're pushed into hell a campaign to make Pakistan more voters. (Reason) and have to stand and listen and watch strictly Islamic. (AP)

Belief Worldwide

Young people in the United States have stronger beliefs in religion, hell, and war than their counterparts elsewhere, according to a poll by MTV and Yankelovich Clancy Shulman. Some results of 2,000 interviews with fourteen to thirty-four-year-olds in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.: Nearly 75 percent in the U.S. believe war some- times is justified vs. 18 percent in Japan and 32 percent in Germany. More than 90 percent of Americans believe in God vs. 48 percent of British. Hell exists for "Overcrowding and the quality of education aren't the issues here, Miss Stotesberry. 76 percent of Americans vs. 16 percent The real issue is—arc you now or have you ever been a secular humanist?" of Germans. Religious leaders have the From Oh My Heck by Pat Bagley (Signature Books, 1988).

Winter 1991/92 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. 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 1,000 local groups throughout North America. Pub- lishes a newsletter available by subscription. Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Committee Roger Greeley, Honorary 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 or joining a group in your area, please contact Tim Madigan, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005, (716) 636-7571, FAX (716) 636-1733. The Academy of Humanism The Academy of Humanism was established to recognize distinguished humanists and to disseminate humanistic ideals and beliefs. The members of the academy, listed below, (1) are devoted to free inquiry in all fields of human endeavor, (2) are committed to a scientific outlook and the use of the scientific method in acquiring knowledge, and (3) uphold humanist ethical values and principles. 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. Nita Barrow, ambassador to the United Nations from Barbados; Sir Isaiah Berlin, professor of philosophy, Oxford University; Sir Hermann Bondi, Fellow of the Royal Society, Past Master of Churchill College, London; Bonnie Bullough, dean of nursing, SUNY at Buffalo; Mario Bunge, professor of philosophy of science, McGill Univ.; Jean-Pierre Changeux, Collège de France and Institute Pasteur; Bernard Crick, professor of politics, Univ. of London; Francis Crick, Nobel Laureate in Physiology, Salk Inst.; José Delgado, chairperson of the Dept. of Neuropsychiatry, Univ. of Madrid; Milovan Djilas, author, former vice-president of Yugoslavia; Paul Edwards, professor of philosophy, Brooklyn College; Sir Raymond Firth, professor emeritus of anthropology, Univ. of London; Betty Friedan, author and founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW); Yves Galifret, professor of physiology at the Sorbonne and director of l'Union Rationaliste; John Galtung, professor of sociology, Univ. of Oslo; Stephen Jay Gould, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard; Adolf Grünbaum, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Pittsburgh; Murray Gell-Mann, Nobel Laureate in physics, California Institute of Technology; Herbert Hauptman, Nobel Laureate and professor of biophysical science, SUNY at Buffalo; Donald Johanson, Inst. of Human Origins; Franco Lombardi, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Rome; Jolé Lombardi, organizer of the New Univ. for the Third Age; Jose Leite Lopes, director, Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas; André Lwoff, Nobel Laureate in Medicine and professor of science, Institut Pasteur; Paul MacCready, president, AeroVironment, Inc.; Mihailo Markovié, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Belgrade; Indumati Parikh, president, Radical Humanist Association of India; John Passmore, professor of philosophy, Australian National Univ.; Wardell Baxter Pomeroy, psychotherapist and author; Sir Karl Popper, professor emeritus of logic and scientific method, Univ. of London; W. 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. Ayer, Brand Blanshard, Joseph Fletcher, Sidney Hook, Lawrence Kohlberg, Ernest Nagel, George Olincy, Chaim Perelman, Andrei Sakharov, Lady Barbara Wooton. Secretariat: Vern Bullough, dean of natural and social sciences, SUNY College at Buffalo; Antony Flew, professor emeritus of philosophy, Reading Univ.; Paul Kurtz, professor of philosophy, SUNY at Buffalo, editor of FREE INQUIRY; Gerald Larue, professor emeritus of archaeology and biblical studies, Univ. of Southern California at Los Angeles; Jean-Claude Pecker, professor of astrophysics, Collège de France, Académie des Sciences. Executive Director: Tim Madigan. FREE INQUIRY'S Tenth Annual Conference Spells Success

REE INQUIRY'S tenth annual confer- R. Young, Deputy Director of the the Robert G. Ingersoll Award for his Fence, held from October 31 to Johnson and Masters Institute, who used efforts to keep alive Ingersoll's ideals. November 3 in Kansas City, Missouri, humor to underscore the importance of The weekend-long conference that was a resounding success. The theme was sex education. Richard Taylor was began on Halloween also included a "Humanism and Changing Traditional presented the Selma V. Forkosch Award secular-séance to raise the spirit of Values," and speakers focused on impor- for his article "The American Judiciary Houdini (it was unsuccessful), folk music tant topics such as raising children with- as a Secular Priesthood" in the Summer by Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, and a out religion, nonadversarial separation 1991 FREE INQUIRY; syndicated colum- performance of bawdy cowboy songs by and divorce, and nontraditional families. nist Charles Faulkner received the folk singer Glenn Ohrlin. One of the highlights of the confer- African-Americans for Humanism ence included a live telephone hookup Award; and William Higgins was given —Steve Karr with Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who gave his first public statement since assisting two women to commit suicide in Michigan in mid-October. The event drew heavy media coverage, including all three local network affiliates, the Associated Press wire service, the New York Times, and CNN radio. Dr. Kevorkian's participa- tion in the conference also drew the attention of some members of local church groups who came out to protest the presence of FREE INQUIRY in their city. In the true spirit of freethought and debate, many of the conference regis- trants engaged the protesters in conver- sation over the merits of secular human- ism, but neither side won converts. Other highlights of the conference included a Saturday night concert featuring entertainer Steve Allen. The Dr. Jack Kevorkian's presence on the program sparked a visit from protestors. night of music and comedy drew nearly 1,000 people. Steve Allen was also the recipient of the Morris D. Forkosch Award for the best humanist book of the year for Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion, and Morality. The award in- cluded a cash prize which Mr. Allen generously donated to the FREE INQUIRY Capital Fund Drive. Another memorable highlight came at the Friday night awards banquet where Distinguised Service Award winner Walter Hoops, book manager of the American Rationalist, kept the audience in stitches with his humorous acceptance speech. The levity continued with Distinguished Scholar in Sex

Education Award winner Dr. William Walter Hoops (center) receives the Distinguished Service Award from Verle Muhrer (left) and Fred Whitehead (right).

Winter 1991/ 92 63 You are cordially invited to attend the inaugural conference of the 1/92 Coalition for Secular Humanism and Freethought "Secularism and Multiculturalism: A Humanist View // Co-Hosted by the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism and the Humanist Association of Canada Thursday, June 18, to Sunday, June 21, 1992 at the Skyline Airport Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada CONFERENCE PROGRAM Thursday, June 18 7:00 P.M.-MIDNIGHT: Welcoming Reception Friday, June 19 9:00 A.M.-NOON: Plenary Session—"In Defense of Secularism" NOON-2:00 P.M.: Luncheon 2:00-5:00 P.M.: Concurrent Sessions—A. "Religious Concepts of Multiculturalism" B. "World Population and Abortion Rights" 5:00-11:00 P.M.: Toronto by Night Tour (optional) Saturday, June 20 9:00 A.M.-NOON: Plenary Session—"Humanist Concepts of Multiculturalism" NOON-2:00 P.M.: Lunch (on your own) 2:00-5:00 P.M.: Concurrent Sessions—A. "Defending the Enlightenment" B. "Education and Pluralism" 7:00-10:00 P.M.: Awards Banquet Sunday, June 21 9:00 A.M.-NOON: Workshops and Summations 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.: Secular Organizations for Sobriety 4th Annual Conference (Speakers and special events to be announced.)

❑ YES, I (we) plan to attend "Secularism and Multiculturalism: A Humanist View." ❑ Early Registration for person(s) $99.00 u.s./$109.00 Canadian each ($109/$119 after May 1) $ ❑ Friday Luncheon for person(s) $20.00 u.s./$22.00 Canadian each $ ❑ Friday Night Tour of Toronto for person(s) $45.00 U.S./$50.00 Canadian each $ ❑ Saturday Banquet for person(s) $30.00 u.s./$33.00 Canadian each $ For accommodations at the Skyline Airport Hotel, please call 1-800-668-3656. Mention "Coalition for Secular Humanism and Freethought" to receive the conference discount rate of $69 single/ double room. _ Check enclosed _ MasterCard — Visa # Exp Signature Name Address Daytime phone City State/ Province Zip/Postal Code Residents of the United States please make checks payable to FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226. To charge by phone call 800- 458-1366, or FAX to 716-636-1733. For residents of Canada, please make checks payable to the Humanist Association of Canada (Conference '92), 116 Ravenscrest Drive, Etobicoke, Ontario M9B 5N3. For further details, call Tim Madigan at 716-636-7571.