They're a comin'

Anyone who does not believe that we are headed full steam towards a theocracy check this out. Several Christian groups are banding together to urge congress to "curtail" the actions of the ACLU. Think about this for a minute. Religous organizations are asking congress to watch over, and curb the rights of other Americans.

Whatever your feelings towards the ACLU (I'm a fan) this should send shivers down your spine. Because these people are not talking about fighting the ACLU on the merits of several cases but they are actually challenging the ACLU's right to exist at all. I should not have to remind anybody that the cornerstone of our democracy, and indeed our very society is the freedom to disagree and fight what we deem as unjust. The drive to eliminate a group's rights simply because of what they believe is a frightening new twist in the rules of public debate in this country.

While this is the work of fringe, militant Christians, it would be folly to dismiss them altogether. It is important to remember that these are the people who form the base of the Republican Party, and their infulence is growing. I don't think that this particular drive is going to end anywhere productive for them but who knows where this will lead in 10-15 years. Up to now we have been fighting to remain free from forced religious expressions, we may soon have to fight for the simple right to remain non-religous.

The Conservative Christian movement is making a dangerous turn, and it will take the Republican Party with it. So much so that we may be on the cusp of a major political realignment in this country. Many of my friends who consider themselves to be social libertarians will find that they are incresingly uncomfortable in the ranks of the Republican party, as the forces of evangelical Christanity continue to march in a schorched earth campagin.

Nobody knows when the next Joe McCarthy will raise theur head, but I can make one prediction: the next Joe McCarthy will have the title "Reverend" before their name.