Dear Editor:
While Eric Fantegrossi's Nov. 22 column induced in me several strong reactions (most involving my gag reflex), I must say that the first and strongest was shock.ÿIn his column, Mr. Fantegrossiÿseems to beÿclaiming that Americans have largely abandoned God and left religious convictions by the side of the road.ÿThis assertion is flat-out baffling.
Mr. Fantegrossi, the most recent presidential election (you know, the one three weeks ago) was decided by people who cited "moral values" as their top priority, equal to the number of people who cited the economy as the number one issue. Evangelical and charismatic churches are growing at ultra-rapid paces, and the markets for Christian literature (look up the "Left Behind" series, Mr. Fantegrossi), Christian music and Christian fashions are booming.ÿ
In Alabama, it is organizations such as the Alabama Christian Coalition that matter in politics, and an endorsement from Roy Moore - that's the former chief justice of the Alabama State Supreme Court who defied the federal order to remove the Ten Commandments from the courthouse, in case you'd forgotten - is tantamount to an election.ÿ The use of God and moral values pervades this nation, Mr. Fantegrossi.ÿCome out of your cave.
Another interesting point in your column, I found, was your use of the issues of abortion and gay marriage as your examples of the degradation of the American moral fiber.ÿFascinating, Mr. Fantegrossi.ÿ Apparently you felt it was sufficient to gloss over these issues, as if they were self-explanatory or were not in any way indicative of a political dogma.ÿGay marriage and abortion are indeed hot-button issues today, Mr. Fantegrossi, but do you really believe they are the biggest moral threats to our nation?
Tell me, Mr. Fantegrossi, is abortion worse than torture?ÿShould we worry more about two homosexuals making a marital commitment to one another than a president who governs in direct opposition to what it says in the Bible?ÿ Don't worry, Mr. Fantegrossi, I'll explain how.ÿWhen President Bush was governor of Texas, he presided over 152 executions - quite a lot for six years, don't you think? Even if we are to assume that all those "love your neighbor as yourself" and "thou shalt not kill" passages can be tossed aside for the sake of good ol' Texas justice, the Bible explicitly states that, if the death penalty is to be used: "No one shall be put to death on the testimony of a single witness" (Numbers 35:30).ÿNot the standard President Bush uses, Mr. Fantegrossi!ÿThere were several instances in which Bush - in all his compassionately conservative, born-again glory - could have granted clemency to death row inmates who were found guilty based on single testimonies.ÿHe turned that down.
But the presidency is not the only place where "moral values" mean the warping of God's teachings.ÿIn Alabama - thanks to the Alabama Christian Coalition, no less - an attempt to outlaw segregation has just failed.ÿThat's right, Mr. Fantegrossi: In the name of God, segregation in Alabama public schools is still constitutional.ÿ
But hey, what would offend Jesus more: millions of children starving every day, or gay marriage?ÿLook for Jesus' words against homosexuality, Mr. Fantegrossi, you won't find them.ÿYou will find message after message of social justice, however, and some pretty harsh words against the rich and those who make premature judgments. The country's problem isn't that God has left, Mr. Fantegrossi; our problem is that God has been warped into a tool of hatred, exclusion and fear.ÿNow there's a column, Mr. Fantegrossi, which I would like to see you write.
Allison Meredith Junior, SIS
