When Shrugging is Not an Option
- May/June 2025
- April 30, 2025
Whether opposing the British or abortion, whether supporting abolition or tax cuts, whether seeking to end child labor or kiddie porn, religious activists have always been a part of American politics. History has shown that whatever separation of church and state has meant, it obviously hasn't meant – nor was it ever intended to mean
READ MOREOn a warm spring day more than 150 years ago George Schiffler died on a street in Philadelphia. Though history didn't record much about the 18-year-old, except that he was a "leather worker," it does tell a great deal about the circumstances surrounding his death. Young Schiffler was the first to die as rampaging mobs
READ MOREThough Scripture condemns homosexual behavior, what happens when a judge in the courtroom does the same? That's the struggle confronting Judge Roy Moore of Alabama, who insists that because God prohibits gay and lesbian relationships, so will he. And though few would argue against the judge's right to hold his religious views, many would argue
READ MOREAt the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, when asked whether we had a republic or a monarchy, Benjamin Franklin replied, "A republic – if you can keep it!" Thomas Jefferson once said, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Preserving democracy does, indeed, take work. It must have an educated and active citizenry. Constructive input,
READ MOREIn a 1991 recruitment video, America at a Crossroads, Pat Robertson, founder and chairman of the Christian Coalition, hardly sounded like the leader of a mere "nonpartisan education organization" that doesn't advocate the election or defeat of candidates. "I believe," Robertson said, "that the Christian Coalition will be the most powerful political force in America
READ MOREThe pain for Norma Smith of Dallas, Texas, was acute. Her husband was dying of a liver disease, and the doctors weren't able to help. But she found hope in God and in televangelist Robert Tilton, who in solicitation letters promised that if she donated money, he'd personally pray for her husband and that he
READ MOREIn May 1991 a rental car that Gwendolyn Robbins' father was driving in upstate New York skidded, plunged down an embankment, and overturned. Both her parents were killed, and Robbins, 55, was severely injured. She was rushed to nearby Glens Fall Hospital, where her condition was so critical – chest injuries, a fractured right femur,
READ MOREThe Prayer Panacea Resolutions calling for prayer to be reinstated in public schools have been approved in more than half the counties and at least 50 cities in Texas. At least 10 states have passed or are considering passing measures to allow "nonsectarian, nonproselytizing, student-initiated" prayer at public schools. And various bills supporting some type
READ MOREChewed Out! Your article "Consenting Adults" (March/April) has nothing to do with the separation of church and state. These moral issues come under the rightful domain of civil law. If a place such as the sex club referred to in this piece is a legal business, its existence makes socially destructive behavior appear common and
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