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Dear Peter Joyce. Thank you very much for
taking a keen interest in our seminar and my article.
In my opinion we have seen a gradual rise in
religious fundamentalism in all religions, whether Muslim or Christian,
Jewish or Hindu fundamentalism....some of them is more militant than
others.
I am surprised that you do not see how Bush
introduced his fundamentalist views in his politics. Even other concerned
Americans, who are also Christian, were alarmed. Let me just quote you the
views of one Christian American, well respected by many. He is Jimmy
Carter. In his recent book Our Endangered Values on page 63 he wrote and i quote,
"Some prominent Republicans have also
become deeply concerned about the extraordinary influence of religious
groups in their political party...There is obviously a widespread,
carefully planned, and unapologetic crusade under way from both sides to
merge fundamentalist Christians with
the right wing of the Republican Party. Although considered to be desirable
by some Americans, this melding of church and state is of deep concern to
those who have always relished their separation as one of our moral
values."
Jimmy Carter opposes it as a Liberal Christian
and I oppose it as a Secular Humanist. I am against militant fundamentalism
and in favor of separation of church and state, mosque and parliament
wherever it is in the world...Religion is a private matter while civil
society needs to be based on secular values where all citizens have equal
rights and privileges. sincerely sohail
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