The archbishop of Canterbury (head of the global Anglican communion) has reportedly called upon the Church's constituency for greater public identity with the Christian faith. Such would, of course, run counter to present liberal trend in its quest to inhibit public manifestation of Christian profession and sentiment. We trust the archbishop's call to represent valid spiritual concern as opposed to mere tactical maneuvering in addressing the difficulties of a body increasingly disunited over issues of radical liberalism.
Not that the archbishop is alone in calling for inreased religious acknowledgement and rhetoric. Considerable irony attends the call for faith-oriented emphasis by some American liberal strategists in light of various political setbacks deemed a consequence of religious voter disillusionment with the losing party's general endorsement of abortion, homosexuality, radical feminism and other like interests.
Implementation of this new "religious" approach was amply demonstrated in association with the Texas constitutional Marriage Amendment approved by voters this past week. Defining marriage as valid only between one man and one woman, the amendment was energetically opposed by homosexual and liberal political activists. Through varied avenues of conveyance - ads, radio and television interviews, telephone calls, etc. - the public was "warned" of the amendment's vulnerability to alleged, if not clearly defined, social and moral "abuses." Television commercials portraying a "pastor" deeply concerned for the amendment's supposed shortcomings concluded with a gracious, benedictory "God bless you." In lieu of honest discourse and/or voter persuasion, obfuscation would obviously suffice.
Unfortunately, we shall likely see more of this strategy in days to come.
Burl Ratzsch
