Introduction: Barry Lynn
Barry Lynn as soon as admitted, though not, I believe, with heaviness of heart, that "the Reverend Jerry Falwell does not like me." That had to do with as caustic and mean-spirited as Barry can handle but, oh my, how incisive, interesting and amusing he can be protecting and advancing church/state separation. Make no error - this book is timely, for such a defensive is crucial at this time in the country's history. "God and Government" demonstrates in addition to any of the landmark books by Dawkins, Harris, Dennett and Hitchens, if in a nice and velver glove method, that secularists are in a major battle against a house grown Right Wing ISIS of the mind religionists whose enthusiasms extend well beyond denying evolution, science, climate change, women/gay and unbeliever liberties and the human right to be devoid of religious beliefs. They desire exactly what they have longer and falsely asserted we were created by the creators of this nation to be - a Christian nation.
Were it not for Barry Lynn and others like, if not rather the equal of, we might be such a society already.
Mr. Lynn has for years been the Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU). I've listened to him face to face on numerous wonderful and inspirational events. (I refer to him with the Reverend deliberately - I don't care to use the "Reverend" prefix he has earned and never ever abused. I attempt to avoid fuse of all religious titles, including "Father, Your Excellence, Your Holiness, Your Eminence" and so on. If Mr. Lynn desired it, nevertheless, I 'd make an exception in his case, and for other heroic figures with clergy qualifications. I'm still a little versatile. In the meantime, I choose The Most Right Honorable and Highly Esteemed Sir Barry Lynn.).
Like countless others, I've taken pleasure in Mr. Lynn's short articles and numerous media interviews and appearances before Congressional committees. (His description of an encounter before a committee chaired by the god-addled Republican Congressman from Texas, Louis B. Gohmert, is funny.).
Mr. Lynn is a legal representative and minister in the United Church of Christ. The latter background is, no doubt, a big increase for his effectiveness with Christians and others who still have some regard for religion, in spite of the superstitious notions that go to faith and the grotesque policies and deviant behaviors displayed by numerous religious figures.
Genuine Wellness and Religion.
Liberty is a vital dimension of REAL health: separation of church and state helps protect our secular democracy. This is more vital than ever now when the Protestant Religious Right and the Roman Catholic hierarchy seek a Christian nation agenda. While I think most Christian leaders prefer an American theocracy, this goal is hardly ever revealed publicly. Obviously, to a regrettable level, America is already something of a theocracy, given "In God We Trust" on our cash, in courtrooms, in the Pledge of Allegiance, with massive tax exemptions for religions and on and on. If there were a god that controlled everything, as many Americans seem to believe, I 'd thank him, her or it for Barry Lynn, who to name a few stalwarts for secularism works tirelessly and successfully to keep American UNunited in church and state and, so far, prospering, hardly.
Why Religion and REAL Wellness Are Incompatible.
Factor, the "R" in REAL wellness, and religion represent two unique point of views. One trusts in discovery (i.e., assertions about such); the other in important thinking, evidence and an unbiased look for comprehending truth. Religion does not mix well with democracy, freedom, human rights, joy, happiness, wellness orgasms or other states that secularists looking for well-being of the mind and body connect with quality of life pathways. Religion is antagonistic to reason. Religious authorities insist that the faithful submit their wills to a higher power (whose desires only they can translate). They demand belief in religious dogmas, adherence to rituals and regard for all of these things from the rest of society that has and seeks no part of any of it. They make a virtue of "faith" ("believing exactly what you know ain't so," as Mark Twain put it) which, by meaning, means lacking proof or other rational bases. Religious beliefs have no usage for such life-affirming, reason-based democratic concepts as expressed in the "Affirmations of Humanism" as well as in the U.N's "Universal Declaration of Human Rights.".
While there is no connection with the "A" (athleticism or workout and nutrition), the "E" (vitality) and "L" (liberty or personal freedoms) measurements are similarly incompatible with the toxicity of faith. Hence, it appears completely genuine and sensible if not vital for REAL wellness lovers to attend to religion in the context of explaining the nature and characteristics of living a health, delighted and significant life directed by factor and flexibility that helps with exuberance.
Hence, Barry Lynn's "God and Government" could be and in my view is a REAL health worthwhile publication. One requires not be a history teacher to know that faiths have not shown much interest for or tolerance of qualities associated any among these 3 measurements.
Barry Lynn's "God and Government".
Mr. Lynn's latest work, published by Prometheus Books, contains ten chapters that represent a mix of his columns, statement and speeches during 2 and a half years. The book consists of extensive notes (references) and an index. Numerous the author's encounters with Religious Right theocracy-promoting lobbyists are explained with wit and humor. Among my favorite sections are those handling these important church/state problems:.
School prayer and prayer all over else.
Taxpayer-subsidized coupons for religious schools.
Creeping faiths into the general public sector (e.g., avoiding end-of-life options, promoting censorship and so on).
The imposition of spiritual beliefs by lawmakers into policy policies and laws.
Opposition to science in a broad sense and advancement in particular.
Efforts to proselytize by consisting of religious content into public educational curricula.
Faith in the military, the court system and city governments.
Tax choices for clergy; subsidies for chaplains, and so on
. Crook clerics.
Encounters with "great" and "unusual" famous people while fighting the battle of church and state.
Descriptions of historical events that formed the present standoff so far avoiding the loss of our right to liberty "from" faith.
5 Stars.
I completely concur and endorse what comedian Lewis Black, author Frank Schaeffer ("Crazy for God"), Feminist Majority president Eleanor Smeal and filmmaker Jill Soloway wrote in blurbs for "God and Government," respectively:.
"No one is more on top of the challenges dealing with the very first amendment than Barry Lynn ... with intelligence, wisdom, mankind and a devilish wit, Lynn makes the problems come alive.".
"This book is actually a defense of flexibility against the theocratic illness.".
"Barry Lynn understands all the techniques, twists and turns of those who wish to turn the clock back numerous centuries.".
"Barry Lynn has the extraordinary capability to demonstrate how religious fundamentalism poisons practically every public law debate that matters.".
To paraphrase Bruce Springsteen's tribute to Robert Green Ingersoll, Barry Lynn's "God and Government" demonstrates "exactly what he has actually done for equality, education, development, complimentary ideas and free lives, against the superstitious notion and bigotry of religious dogma. We need men like him today more than ever. His writing still inspires us and challenges the 'better angels' of our nature, when individuals open their hearts and minds to his simple, honest mankind. Thank goodness he (is) here."..