While Hunter used these terms in very specific ways, "Culture War" has taken on a broader meaning, and has been used by Patrick Buchanan and Charlton Heston in speeches meant to rally people to their particular causes. The idea now seems to encompass the entire struggle between "Conservatism" and "Liberalism" (as modernly defined,) for the very "soul of America."
More particularly, it is the struggle between those that believe a certain set of specific moral and ethical codes, derived from the somewhat vague "Judeo-Christian" tradition should be paramount in all decisions informing government and society, and those that believe society is better served by keeping religious beliefs in the private realm and holding fast to the Enlightenment ideals which were the basis of much of the founding of the United States over 230 years ago.
The last paragraph likely indicates to the reader where I personally stand on the issue, and I will be up front about the fact that I belong to the latter camp.
As examples of what prompted me to begin this blog, I give you the following selections from some groups which threaten the ideas and values which have made the U.S. stand apart for two centuries:
"The Family Research Council (FRC) champions marriage and family as the
foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of
society. FRC shapes public debate and formulates public policy that values human
life and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family. Believing that God
is the author of life, liberty, and the family, FRC promotes the Judeo-Christian
worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society. "
These folks want to make sure that your family "institution" is agreeable to their particular religious view.
"The American Family Association represents and stands for traditional
family values, focusing primarily on the influence of television and other media
– including pornography – on our society. AFA believes that the
entertainment industry, through its various products, has played a major role in
the decline of those values on which our country was founded and which keep a
society and its families strong and healthy. For example, over the last 25 years
we have seen the entertainment industry "normalize" and glorify premarital sex.
During that time we have suffered a dramatic increase in teen pregnancies,
sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS and abortion as a means of birth
control. We believe in holding accountable the companies which sponsor programs attacking traditional family values. We also believe in commending those
companies which act responsibly regarding programs they support."
These people are under the impression that alleged increases in teen pregnancy, STDs, and abortion are the media's fault. Apparently, the "institution" of family is not strong enough to withstand assault from the likes of Britney Spears.
"Concerned Women for America: The mission of CWA is to protect and
promote Biblical values among all citizens - first through prayer, then
education, and finally by influencing our society - thereby reversing the
decline in moral values in our nation."
These ladies are concerned that there are not enough "Biblical values" influencing our society. I wonder whether they support enslavement of defeated populations, human sacrifice, and the stoning of adulterous women and "rebellious" children.
And finally, straight from the horse's mouth:
Assuming Mr. President is speaking of the biblical god, I suppose that means we derive the right to have our cities destroy by fire and sulphur, and be turned into pillars of salt if we displease this god. I am eager to see Mr. Bush's appointees enforce such edicts.“We need common sense judges who understand that our rights are derived
from
God. Those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the
bench.” --President George W. Bush
The exaggerations in the above comments are meant to point out that picking which religious tenets to follow and which to reject is fraught with peril for a civilized society. It seems much better to lean on the philosophy of human rights and responsibilities in governing a modern nation.
This is why I oppose these groups and their ilk, and the attempts to subvert the U.S. Constitution to serve there own supernatural agendas.
