Bush-Cheney '04 commits "an astonishing abuse of religion" from W.Cronkite

[ElsewheresDaughter]

http://www.interfaithalliance.org/


http://www.interfaithalliance.org/ReligiousResources/ReligiousResources.cfm?ID=4812&c=32

The Interfaith Alliance, denounced an initiative from the Bush-Cheney campaign seeking to enlist campaign support in 1600 "friendly congregations" in Pennsylvania. "Whether or not this is legal, this is an astonishing abuse of religion," said the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of the Interfaith Alliance. "It is the rawest form of manipulation of religion for partisan gain."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i recieved a letter from Walter Cronkite yesterday stating,

"For years I have kept my opinions to myself. But now I must speak out.

That's because I am deeply disturbed by the dangerous and growing influence of people like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell on our political leaders.

Especially after Robertson and Falwell both shamefully blamed America's courts and highest levels of our governemnet for the horrific September 11 attacks on our nation. They said it happened because we "insulted God." Falwell went on to blame feminists, pro-choice Americans and other groups he despices.

Like you, I understand that freedom of speech is a founding principle of our nation, and I respect people with the courage to speak their minds.

As a concerned person of faith, however,(from here on it is underlined) I have watched with increasing alarm as the Christian Coalition and other Religious Right groups manipulate religion to futher their intolerant, political agendas.

Over the years Robertson and Falwell have gained considerable influence on local school boards, in the Bush Administration and in Congress. They have shrewdly twisted the traditional healing role of religion into an intolerant political platform.

Using religion as a tool to push their personal poliotical beliefs - especially, in a time of national tragedy - not only insults people of faith and good will, it also diminishes the positive healing role religion can and should play in public life.

This is why I am speaking out today, and why I urge you to speak out, too.

It is time we challenge those who equate religious beliefs with partisan politics....."

snip

In short, The Interfaith Alliance offers a mainstream alternative for people of faith and good will to stand in opposition to the extremism of the Religious Right....

Thank you,

Walter Cronkite

P.S. The Religious Right's influence over America's politicians has gone too far. Please join me in offering a voice of tolerance, civility and true compassion in the political process by supporting The Interfaith Alliance's mission.

http://www.interfaithalliance.org/

[The empressof all]

1. Thank you Walter (nt)

[2Design]

2. help....can't find the walter cronkite words in this link....

am I missing something or looking in the wrong place....

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. this was "a letter i recieved yesterday" but there are Cronkite links @

the site

[Just Me]

3. I love the Interfaith Alliance!!!

I participated in their events both in WA and WV (although they are a much smaller group here in WV)!!!

They embrace the positive common message shared by nearly all religions: tolerance, compassion, cooperation.

[BootinUp]

4. Walter is right on the money. n/t

[FlaGranny]

5. Do you have a link for the letter?

I've been searching the site and cannot find it.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. sorry no just the letter recieved from Walter Cronkite but his speeches

have links at the site

[Miss Marmelstein]

8. Walter Cronkite and Helen Thomas.....

are both National Treasures. May they live forever.

[LostInAnomie]

9. I miss having an articulate, intelligent media...

... that would actually call out a politician for that kind of shit.

[iconoclastic cat]

10. Wow! I hope this makes the news!

I love it.

[Shakespeare]

11. A couple thousand years ago, they called them Pharisees.

Same thing, different millennium.

[Ishoutandscream]

12. Walter Cronkite. "The most trusted man in America."

And a real, true, dye-in-the-wool journalist. I have forgotten what real American journalism was. Keep on kicking, Walter!

[mopaul]

13. excellent

thank god for uncle walt

[MrSlayer]

14. Doesn't Walter have a spellchecker?

despices? governemnet? poliotical?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

16. those were my typos...i typed it from the letter i recieved..sorry

[TexasSissy]

15. Wow.

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. Walter is wonderful.