CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTIONISM: Threat to Liberty
by Jan Brazill
After the all-too-vivid tragedy of September 11, and the further threats from
anthrax, Americans now recognize that our country is under attack. Most
citizens want to stand together, supporting each other regardless of
differing religious or philosophical beliefs. Displaying the unity of
pluralism expressed in our country’s original motto, E Pluribus Unum (out of
the many, one), some non-Muslim citizens of Colorado Springs went to the
defense of our Muslim community against the threat of religious prejudice.
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Now we need to be vigilant for another threat against our nation, coming not
from overseas terrorists, but from those within who would change the basic
structure of our country, modifying it to reflect one narrow religious view.
For years they have opposed the constitutional principle of separating church
and state, and now with a religious president and opportunistic friends in
Congress, they seek to advance that agenda.
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The October issue of Church & State, a publication of Americans United for
Separation of Church & State, describes this threat. It shows that many
Republican members of Congress are now showing favor to Christian
Reconstructionists, the most extreme wing of the Religious Right -- a group
whose views would be unbelievable to most Americans. They would impose their
interpretation of "biblical law" on our country, replacing democracy with a
theocratic state based on a literal reading of the Old Testament’s legal
code. Reconstructionism would eliminate many of democracy’s manifestations,
such as labor unions, civil rights laws, and public schools. Political
leaders would look to the bible, not the Constitution, as the nation’s
governing document.
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In the 1960’s, the writings of Rousas John Rushdoony made popular some of the
more extreme opinions of Reconstructionism, such as advocating the death
penalty for a number of offenses, among them striking or cursing a parent,
adultery, homosexuality, "unchastity," witchcraft (shades of the Middle
Ages!), blasphemy and propagation of "false" religious doctrines. Some of
his followers even favor stoning as the biblically preferred means of
execution. All would make our country a "Christian Nation," with no
allowance for other views or religions.
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The Promise Keepers group follows Reconstructionist teachings in their view
of the family with wife and children "in submission" to the husband.
President George W. Bush’s welfare guru, Marvin Olasky, was clearly
influenced by this philosophy in his belief that churches, not the
government, should provide for the poor.
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The biggest current threat seems to be from the National Reform Association,
whose president, Jeffrey Ziegler, is determined to become a political player
in promoting Reconstructionism. He has met three times with members of
Congress, once with staffers of our own Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. In
July 2000 he met with Rep.Tom DeLay to plan an upcoming "biblical worldview"
conference for congressional staff on Capitol Hill.
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Ziegler feels that the Republican party is the best vehicle to accomplish his
goal of establishing an officially "Christian" government, and has begun
running Reconstructionist candidates. Observers note that these candidates
have learned to downplay the controversial aspects of their philosophy and
focus instead on more palatable pocketbook positions that appeal to voters.
Thus many voters never realize their true intentions.
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Reconstructionism represents a threat to each American’s guarantee of
individual religious liberty. Losing that would be a disaster unequaled by
any other.
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NOTES: Read articles referenced on Americans United’s website, www.au.org , October issue. For
background on Reconstructionism, see Carlson article on www.publiceye.org .
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Freethinkers of Colorado Springs
P.O. Box 62946
Colorado Springs, CO 80962-2946
Phone: 719-594-4506
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