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By
Tim Wildmon | AFA President
The “religious right” we are called. Some political pundits
call us “America’s Taliban.” We are social conservatives
– mostly evangelicals and Roman Catholics – that
the liberals in the country can’t stand. And they – along
with Hollywood – do everything they can to try to make us look
scary to the rest of America.
I want to see if I can make a logical case for why people like me
have just as much right as any other American to participate in
the political process. This really should not be an issue, but I
think many people have bought into the idea – propagated by
left- wing organizations and many in the media – that because
evangelicals (and conservative Catholics) do speak out and get involved
in politics/government, that somehow we are a threat to those who
do not subscribe to our views – especially on what are commonly
referred to as “social” or “moral” issues. That
somehow we want to turn our country into a theocracy. In others
words, we may not look dangerous, but we are really not any different
from Islamic fundamentalists in that we want to force everyone to
obey our own code of morality and view of the Bible or suffer the
consequences.
Ever heard someone say, “You can’t legislate morality”?
Most of us have. But if you think about it, that is really one of
those statements that – and Bill Clinton would love this –
is both true and false at the same time. It depends on what one
means when one uses the statement.
If you mean you can’t change a man’s heart with the law
alone, I would agree. But, if you mean you can’t impose with
the law someone’s or some group’s definition of right
and wrong behavior, then I would disagree. And isn’t that the
definition of the word morality? The American Heritage Dictionary
says morality is: “A system of conduct based on principles
of right and wrong.” And isn’t that what lawmakers do
every day? They look at what society deems as right or wrong –
acceptable and unacceptable – and then they make a law
to reflect that. If I break a law, the law enforcement arm of government
brings an appropriate punishment.
So the idea that “you can’t legislate morality” really
is not true. The Mississippi legislature decided a few years back
that I couldn’t drive more than 70 miles an hour on Hwy. 78
from Tupelo to Memphis. I really would like to drive 80. But the
legislature has imposed its morality on me. They took away my freedom
to choose the speed I would like to drive. Why? They did it in the
interest of protecting my life and the lives of others because our
system – based on Christian values – teaches that all
life is precious.
This is just one example of legislating morality.
This year’s election cycle is another crucial one. Christians
must be informed and weigh in. And we can’t let people off
the hook just because they are Republican. While President Bush
has been very good on some of the moral/social issues like judicial
appointments, he has not been as good when it comes to fighting
the homosexual agenda. And this is critical. He, and other political
candidates who call themselves conservative, need to be held accountable
by the people who support them and the people from whom they seek
support. President Bush needs to fully support the Federal Marriage
Amendment to the United States Constitution. In the State of the
Union speech he said he would support the measure if it became necessary.
But the dye has already been cast on this issue with the Massachusetts
Supreme Court’s decision to legalize homosexual marriage late
in 2003. The time for President Bush to lead on this is now. As
of this writing, his office has said he will make an announcement
this month.
Please pray for President Bush specifically on this matter. I believe
he is a Christian, but sometimes I wonder about who he has advising
him.
You can contact Mr. Bush in the following ways:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov
White House comments phone lines : 202-456-1111 or 202-456-6213
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