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Obtuse Word · May 14, 2008, 10:09 pm

Fear, Atheism, and Politics Play Role in Evangelical Manifesto

The recent Evangelical Manifesto is all about politics and fear. Despite claiming to depoliticize the religion the document actually plays on Christianity’s fear of atheism in the US in order to manipulate American politics. The Manifesto, written by Os Guinness, portrays two opposing possibilities for religious discourse in American society, the “naked public square” and the “civil public square.” Guinness presents the two possible choices for the future of America, one being the right path, the other disastrous for America. He warns of dangers of the “naked” public square, which according to the Evangelical Manifesto, is completely devoid of religion or spirituality in public life. In contrast the document promotes a so-called “civil” public square, which would allow for expression of religion and spirituality in the public domain....

read more at:

http://obtuseword.blogspot.com/2008/...y-role-in.html

**Jack** · May 14, 2008, 10:22 pm

The only thing about that blog entry I didn't like was his failure to provide a link to the original manifesto. Other than that, I concur with his thoughts and conclusions. This manifesto should be a wake-up call for moderate non-believers who don't accept the idea that there are elements within our society and government hell-bent on turning the U.S. into a theocracy.

Walrus · May 15, 2008, 05:30 am

The Manifesto can be downloaded from here with a study guide.

An Evangelical Manifesto

As Christian ideals go, it seems quite moderate.

ItsDarts · May 15, 2008, 09:45 am

I agree with the blog post completely. I read the Summary manifesto and it's very clear that while calling for tolerance for all faiths, it shows NONE for non-faiths. I'm still trying to figure out how a secular society like Europe would spell disaster for America. Is Europe in a downward spiral because of a lack of theism in the public square? The manifesto makes it seems so without any supporting facts or even references. It doesn't say how secularism in the government spells out disaster for America.

May 14, 2008, 10:09 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
Obtuse Word Sedimentary Rock Posts: 5	The Evangelical Manifesto: Fear, Atheism, and Politics Fear, Atheism, and Politics Play Role in Evangelical Manifesto The recent Evangelical Manifesto is all about politics and fear. Despite claiming to depoliticize the religion the document actually plays on Christianity’s fear of atheism in the US in order to manipulate American politics. The Manifesto, written by Os Guinness, portrays two opposing possibilities for religious discourse in American society, the “naked public square” and the “civil public square.” Guinness presents the two possible choices for the future of America, one being the right path, the other disastrous for America. He warns of dangers of the “naked” public square, which according to the Evangelical Manifesto, is completely devoid of religion or spirituality in public life. In contrast the document promotes a so-called “civil” public square, which would allow for expression of religion and spirituality in the public domain.... read more at: http://obtuseword.blogspot.com/2008/...y-role-in.html

May 14, 2008, 10:22 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 13,002	The only thing about that blog entry I didn't like was his failure to provide a link to the original manifesto. Other than that, I concur with his thoughts and conclusions. This manifesto should be a wake-up call for moderate non-believers who don't accept the idea that there are elements within our society and government hell-bent on turning the U.S. into a theocracy. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

May 15, 2008, 05:30 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
Walrus Cabbages and Kings Location: England Posts: 225	The Manifesto can be downloaded from here with a study guide. An Evangelical Manifesto As Christian ideals go, it seems quite moderate. If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years. Bertrand Russell

May 15, 2008, 09:45 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
ItsDarts 13.7B Light Years+ Location: 42 N, 83 W Posts: 942	I agree with the blog post completely. I read the Summary manifesto and it's very clear that while calling for tolerance for all faiths, it shows NONE for non-faiths. I'm still trying to figure out how a secular society like Europe would spell disaster for America. Is Europe in a downward spiral because of a lack of theism in the public square? The manifesto makes it seems so without any supporting facts or even references. It doesn't say how secularism in the government spells out disaster for America. God is superfluous, nuff said Life Made Easy, without a god Big Bang Misconceptions String Theory for the Layman