The problem, good Ake, is not the philosophy, or the spiritual beliefs. Liberals take exception when the cultural burden and the vocabulary of those beliefs and practices are used in an effort to control or manipulate others. As a general rule a liberal (in this country, anyway) believes the spiritual beliefs and religious practices are a provate matter and should not be used as the basis for politiocal intercession into the lives of other people. Although I have no investment in the interpreted Christian belief structures that some people carry through thier life, I have absolutely no reason to fear them or consider them a threat, or in any way think they are any of my business.

On the other hand when those doctrines are used as the grounds for political action, often erroneously -- such as when the Mornoms funded Proposition 8 in California -- I take exception for many reasons, none of them religious.

Religion should never be allowed to colr the contemplation of optimum political actions. It's just wrong-headed tothing so highly of your own religion that you believe it gives you the right to mess with others' lives and life in the commons.


A