IP: Getting our side explained

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2001 08:58:53 -0500
> From: Brent Hunsaker <brent.hunsaker () alcatel com>
> To: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
> Subject: Getting our side explained
>
> David,
>
> Over the weekend I watched a few programs which focused on the Afghans
> and the Muslim world and their concern about what the USA is doing. Many
> do not understand why we are doing this or if they do they want to see
> some proof regarding Ben Laden's guilt. In many interviews they would
> give the USA its due regarding Sept. 11th, but they want to understand.
> Lets take the opportunity to teach them about us.
>
> How hard would it be for the USA to produce a series of programs that
> would explain in historical terms why the US has a separation of church
> and state? That due to the nature of man that if we allow the church to
> lead the state we would return to oppressive religious conditions where
> that one religion would repress the practice of other  religions. Since
> many of us accept this without any discussion it might also help to
> build a strong understanding of it here as well.
>
> Many of our founding fathers were Master Masons as well, inserting the
> teachings of Masonry into the fabric of our government. The
> philosophical and historical background in Masonry would add to the
> understanding of why we are this way. Ideas of being able to freely
> travel and the right to practice one's religion freely, without
> molestation being just a couple.
>
> This idea of John Locke that sovereignty flows from the people to their
> government not from God to the royal houses and then to the government
> (the trickle up effect vs the trickle down effect of power). Show that
> the US is not looking for a Utopian world but just one that will
> function with our freedoms intact. A place where if those freedoms are
> attacked there is in place a system that will punish those that would
> take those freedoms away.
>
> Since trials are public here show some of the trials of those who harmed
> the Muslim people here. Explaining the process of trial advocacy for
> those that are on trial. How the rights of all involved are maintained
> as best a possible. Show that there is no  favoritism for one religion
> over the other. That we fill that this freedom can only be maintained
> under a separation of church and state.
>
> I see such an opportunity here. Lets take it and see if it helps.
>
> Brent Hunsaker


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