The candidates and the first Amendment
If the presidential candidates were rated on their support of First Amendment rights, who would come out on top? Probably President Carter, with John Anderson in second place and Ronald Reagan a distant third, concludes Liberty magazine in its November-December issue.
The knock against Reagan is his sup port of state-enforced prayer in public schools, says Liberty, and his stated intention to sponsor an abortion amendment. Though not itself necessarily a religious issue, an abortion amendment likely would be presented as part of a pro-life, pro-prayer amendment, with broad backing from an Evangelical- Catholic coalition, says Liberty.
Andersen's positions may be as separationist as Carter's, but the President must be given the nod because of his demonstrated determination to stand up to pressure groups seeking to erode the First Amendment. Liberty cited the visit to his offices of an Evangelical delegation that sought the President's support for "voluntary" prayer in public schools. The prayer was not "voluntary" in the sense the Supreme Court approves, said the magazine.
Anderson's controversial support of a Christian Amendment as a freshman Congressman did not weigh heavily with the editors. He has repented, they said, and the amendment, which stated that "this nation devoutly recognizes the authority and law of Jesus Christ," had no chance of being enacted. Supported by 25 other Congressmen, the amendment was introduced in 1961, 1963, and 1965 before dying in committee.
Anderson, a member of the First Evangelical Free Church in Rockford, Illinois, says he was persuaded to introduce the bill by a clergyman who felt it would be good to reconfirm that "our nation was founded not by freebooters but rather by godly men and women." Anderson now says his support was "ill-advised."
Liberty reviewed Carter's performance against the positions he set forth in an interview with the magazine while a candidate for the presidency. "Fault him as you will for foreign policy, deplore his domestic programs, or what ever," said the editors, "but he must be given the highest marks for integrity in respect to his stated church-state views. In several cases he has chosen principle over political expediency."
Though it reviewed the candidates' views on church-state issues, Liberty made no endorsements. "We just point out the positions and let our readers decide whether the issues are of such importance as to outweigh other areas of presidential performance," they say. "And to be fair, candidates backing some wild-hair scheme or another often find it wise to declare their support for the Constitution after being elected."
ertificate of martyrdom
Long-suffering saints may at last claim recognition.
If they have had three tragic events in their life, they're eligible for a "Certificate of Martyrdom" from the Church of World Peace in Denver, Colorado.
The martyrdom certificate contains these words: "The suffering you have had to endure at the hands of life has been almost more than any one person can bear. Rarely has such a noble soul been forced to put up with such undeserved agony. In recognition of your extraordinary plight, the Church of World Peace hereby awards this Certificate of Martyrdom. Your name shall remain in the Church Archives in perpetuity."
Yes, there is a $5 fee. One wonders whether parting with the sum will qualify as one of the tragic events or only mark one as the proverbial fool soon parted from his money.
The Godspell what?
It's called the Godspell Mass, and it has been packing people in at Episcopal churches around Rhode Island.
There is a cabaret atmosphere to the service. High school boys and girls in derby hats, black shirts and trousers, and white gloves step forth from the sanctuary, jerking their bodies in sharp mechanical movements, as robotlike voices intone the phrases:
"Do this in remembrance of Me ... I believe in one God . . . The Word be came flesh . . . The Lord be with you."
As a voice cries out, "Pree-ee-pare ye-ee the way of the Lord," seven musicians strike up their instruments—piano, drums, tambourines, guitars, an electric bass, and a recorder. The woodenlike characters melt into a sea of movement, daubing one another with red greasepaint, wearing big red hearts ("a symbol of baptism, an outward and visible sign of spiritual grace," as the catechism describes it), rainbow-colored suspenders, and white bow ties.
There is handclapping and music all around. Most of the elements of the traditional celebration of a eucharistic liturgy are there—though it's hard to tell that for the first half hour.
In place of the gospel "reading" the actors stage the Passion of Christ, ac cording to Luke, in pantomime and words, culminating in a dramatic portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion and death. Later, the resurrection is also portrayed, amid chants of "Long live God!" and handclapping by the congregation.
Parishioners' prayers and petitions are invited as if at a barnyard dance, amid strains of country music and a rhythmic "boom chicka boom."
Among other innovations the actors climb into the pews at the prayer of peace, "baptizing each parishioner on the cheek with a dab of red lipstick." When they did this recently at St. Martin's church in Providence one man turned and said, "It's a good thing I live alone. How would I explain this to my wife?"
Perhaps the cast of 11 high school students and seven musicians pronounce judgment upon their own efforts in a vaudeville routine of sorts, as a radio commentator interviews each of the Ten Commandments:
"And who are you?"
"The second commandment, 'Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.' "
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, it's like this: [pause] I have no idea."
Margin of error
Connecticut residents generally believe in God but aren't quite as sure of heaven and hell, according to a University of Connecticut poll.
Though 93 percent believe in God, only 69 percent believe in heaven and hell. Of the believers, 73 percent said they would go to heaven, 7 percent said they will go to hell, and 20 percent weren't sure.
The poll, said the university's Institute for Social Inquiry, has an estimated 5 percent margin of error. It is to be assumed that the judgment itself will contain no such margin, for what a man reaps, that shall he also sow, said One who probes the very intents of the heart.
