desertphile@hotmail.com (The Last Liberal / ShyDavid / Desertphile)

I object to "tolerance:" no one has the right, no one has the
authority to *TOLERALE* harmless behavior and beliefs.

I've also wondered about that. If someone "tolerates" black skin,

much the same mentality in such a person as one who is intolerant

blask skin.

tolerance 1. The capacity for or the practice of recognizing
and respecting the beliefs or practices of others. 2.a. Leeway
for variation from a standard.

I'd rather see people tolerate others' religious occultism or skin
hue than see them intolerant if that's the only two choices, but
there's a third: acceptance without the need to tolerate or

Survey Finds Church-Going Americans Less Tolerant

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7400529

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On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:25:24 GMT,

The poll also found that 37 percent overall felt that deeply
religious people should be careful not to offend anyone when they
"spread the word of God," a decline from 46 percent four years
earlier.

And they call themselves Christians?

--
"Creationists are the best evidence we have that there is no intelligent design."
-Josef Balluch
(random sig, produced by SigChanger)
rukbat at verizon dot net

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:25:24 GMT,

I object to "tolerance:" no one has the right, no one has the
authority to *TOLERALE* harmless behavior and beliefs.

Exactly. "Tolerate" implies being a in a position to make a judgement.
The truly tolerant are surprised to be called that.

I agree.

The following post posted by Rod Keller is pertinent here in my
opinion. When a relative of mine was strongly trying to proseletyze

me she showed me a number of quotes from Christian Fundamentalist

that equated Scientology with satan worship. So I don't think that

will benefit from the new found religous zeal that is taking over a
large segment of the population of the U.S. From what I can tell, on
the right-leaning Christians think Scientology is an evil cult and
left-leaning, more tolerant Christians and other religious groups
consider that C of S's abuse of human rights makes the C of S

undesirable.

I know that the C of S has tried to line up with religious groups.
They have made some small inroads but by and large I think that their
PR efforts have not gotten too far. Even if they would stop their
policies of forced disconnection, abuse of staff, ruthless legal
proceedings, character assassination and fair game it would take many
years for the taint of past acts to diminish.

Anyway, here is Rod Keller's post from Feb. 2001 which I think is
pertinent here:


Rod Keller Feb 22 2001, 6:40 am show options

Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
From:

TV evangelist Pat Robertson has questioned President Bush's

welfare reforms, saying he fears such controversial groups as the

Krishnas and the Church of Scientology may soon get public funds to
offer
social services once provided by the government.


Robertson responded to reports that alternative religions -- along

more traditional churches, synagogues and mosques -- are lining up

millions of dollars in "charitable choice" welfare funds.


Speaking this week to viewers of his "700 Club" Christian talk
television
show, Robertson said expanded government funding of religious

"could be a real Pandora's box."


Robertson, a former GOP presidential candidate and one of Bush's
strongest
supporters on the Christian right, pointed to plans by the Rev. Sun
Myung
Moon's Unification Church to promote its sexual abstinence programs

public schools with government funds.


The TV preacher also fears the Church of Scientology will use Bush's
faith- based welfare reform plan to expand its Narconon drug

program.


He said Moon's church uses "brainwashing techniques" on recruits,

the Church of Scientology is "accused of all sorts of underhanded
tactics."


Robertson said he was concerned that public funding of controversial
cults
could jeopardize Bush's plan to provide more tax money to Christian,
Jewish and Muslim social service organizations.


"I really don't know what to do," Robertson told his television
audience.
"What seems to be such a great initiative can rise up to bite the
organizations and the federal government. I'm a little concerned

it,
frankly."


Robertson, a founder of the conservative Christian Coalition, could

be
reached yesterday to elaborate on his comments, which were broadcast
Tuesday to his nationwide flock.


A QUESTION OF FAIRNESS


Leading Unification Church members deny they brainwash anyone. One
longtime member said yesterday his church is as entitled to

money as any other religious charity.


"You have to open it to all religions or no religions," said Mose

of
Berkeley, a former national president of the Unification Church.


Jeff Quiros, a spokesman for the San Francisco Church of Scientology,
yesterday referred questions about Robertson's remarks to

Scientology spokesman Aron Mason, who could not be reached for

Robertson's televised questioning of the Bush plan comes the same

the
Bush administration opened its new Office of Faith-Based and

Initiatives.


Some liberal leaders, constitutional experts and Jewish groups have
attacked the initiative, calling it an attempt to dump the poor on
church
doorsteps. They also say it will force the government to choose which
religions are worthy of federal funds.


According to the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans
United
for the Separation of Church and State, Robertson's comments indicate
that
Bush's proposal is in "enormous political trouble."


In fact, many conservative evangelical and some Roman Catholic
charities
already oppose the limited charitable choice programs begun during

Clinton administration. They say government money always comes with

many strings attached.


BUSH'S VIEW


During the presidential campaign, Bush was asked if he would approve

government funding for a Church of Scientology anti-drug program.


"I have a problem with the teachings of Scientology being viewed on

same par as Judaism or Christianity," he said. "But I am interested

results. "


Earlier this month, Bush said his administration "welcomes all
religions"
to participate in his welfare reform.


Asked about Robertson's comments, White House spokeswoman Claire

said, "We think this program is based on sound principles, and that

is
the right thing to do, and the president is very committed to it."


E-mail Don Lattin at dlat...@sfchronicle.com. Chronicle news services
contributed to this report.

I know that the C of S has tried to line up with religious groups.
They have made some small inroads but by and large I think that their
PR efforts have not gotten too far. Even if they would stop their
policies of forced disconnection, abuse of staff, ruthless legal
proceedings, character assassination and fair game it would take many
years for the taint of past acts to diminish.

Anyway, here is Rod Keller's post from Feb. 2001 which I think is
pertinent here:

Rod Keller Feb 22 2001, 6:40 am show options

TV evangelist Pat Robertson has questioned President Bush's faith-based
welfare reforms, saying he fears such controversial groups as the Hare
Krishnas and the Church of Scientology may soon get public funds to
offer
social services once provided by the government.

Speaking this week to viewers of his "700 Club" Christian talk
television
show, Robertson said expanded government funding of religious charities
"could be a real Pandora's box."

Robertson, a former GOP presidential candidate and one of Bush's
strongest
supporters on the Christian right, pointed to plans by the Rev. Sun
Myung
Moon's Unification Church to promote its sexual abstinence programs in
public schools with government funds.

The TV preacher also fears the Church of Scientology will use Bush's
faith- based welfare reform plan to expand its Narconon drug treatment
program.

Robertson said he was concerned that public funding of controversial
cults
could jeopardize Bush's plan to provide more tax money to Christian,
Jewish and Muslim social service organizations.

"I really don't know what to do," Robertson told his television
audience.
"What seems to be such a great initiative can rise up to bite the
organizations and the federal government. I'm a little concerned about
it,
frankly."

Leading Unification Church members deny they brainwash anyone. One
longtime member said yesterday his church is as entitled to government
money as any other religious charity.

"You have to open it to all religions or no religions," said Mose Durst
of
Berkeley, a former national president of the Unification Church.

BUSH'S VIEW

TV evangelist Pat Robertson has questioned President Bush's faith-based
welfare reforms, saying he fears such controversial groups as the Hare
Krishnas and the Church of Scientology may soon get public funds to offer
social services once provided by the government.