Kelley writes:
> Here, membership in many of the "just christian" churches
is important part of social status.
Whenever the theist/atheist thread rears its ugly godhead, Kelley posts this sensible observation and it seemingly gets ignored so she must do so again and again.
I believe that in many parts of the country communities are no longer enclaves of ethnicity or class, but of religion. Groups are going to form along some line, and it seems that religion is becoming a more and more important defining line.
I can hear the musical now:
"A boy like that, he dis your savior. A boy like that does bad behavior. Stick to your own kind. Stick to your own kind."
(Sorry, it is gay pride month)
The reality seems to be that a "christian identity" has evolved whereby people recognize each other, associate with each other, and influence each other.
Now, just as different ethnic groups wanted to be see themselves represented both in the culture at large and in the government, so these new social groups desire the same thing (just following the pattern that has been set up in this country).
The sticking point, of course, is separation of church and state. We have never had separation of class and state or ethnicity and state, so in some ways we are faced with a unique problem.
Groups have sought legitimization by being represented in culture and government, and by having their issues enter the public discourse. To me, the challenge the Left faces is to explain why religion is different identity-wise from race, ethnicity, sexuality, etc. to a group of people who see their religion as their primary identity above all others. And though I do not have any ready made solutions, I think trying to discredit religious belief is just a losing approach. Maybe one day, but not now -- it only strengthens their hand and increases their sense of victimhood.
Maybe the French have the right idea: purge all religious symbols from secualr space. But somehow there must be a counter-authority proposed that is basis for action in a diverse society other than what Jesus would do. Also, the Left needs to be more vocal about how there is no right not to be offended (unfotunately, a Pandora's box the Left helped to open with speech codes and the like). Being offended is part of existence, but people today expect to be able to move about in a protective cocoon which protects them from all offense -- and that is both the Right and the Left..
Brian Dauth Queer Buddhist Resister