THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407010040
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
I am very impressed with your recent change on the editorial page. Just a cursory glance at the June 24 paper shows your style has brought out a vigorous and impassioned exchange of ideas from both left and right. More than any other function, that is the true purpose of freedom of the press.
I think you'll agree that the volatile injection of religion and politics into the same brew has increased the rhetorical level considerably. Just a few of the phrases I got when I eagerly opened to this page today more than makes my point:
``Serving up hatred'' - a comment on the recent Cal Thomas column on the Christian right/pagan left.
``Is God a Republican?'' - from a Christian-left viewpoint?
``Oust Warner and Coleman'' - for treason to the Republican Party.
And, finally, your editorial ``Demonizing Christians.''
OK, so where do you go from here?
Instead of debating the issues, why not debate the assumptions held by those who both fear and champion the Christian right?
Find out what liberal Democrats think society would look like in an America dominated by the religious right. Then ask the same question of those on the religious right.
I would be fascinated by assumptions each faction has behind its opinions.
The question to ask: ``What would America look like if Congress, the presidency and the Supreme Court were dominated by the Christian right?
HOWARD PEARLMAN
Chesapeake, June 24, 1994 by CNB