"We are particularly offended by the suggestion that the opposite of the religious right is the voice of atheism," said Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. "We are appalled when 'people of faith' is used in such a way that it excludes us, as well as most Jews, Catholics and Muslims. What could be more bigoted than to claim that you have a monopoly on God and that anyone who disagrees with you is not a person of faith?"

For years I've seen most of my peers, and much of the progressive community in general, eschew and even disdain not only organized religion but also anything we can learn from religious institutions -- almost entirely as a backlash against the bigotry and intolerance of the religious right.

I saw people walking in LA,
policemen and flashing lights by El Capitan
as traffic, crawling, reminded me that my errand had failed,
but I didn't care, for I saw hope
up ahead, a left turn on La Brea
leading inexorably towards the Hollywood Fleeway
which became the Ventura Fleeway
and I forked away to the fleedom of the 405, the 5
climbing up out of the smog
free of lost angeles once more.

"...it is quite clear that the Federal government cannot avoid or escape responsibilities which the mass of the people firmly believe should be undertaken by it. The political processes of our country are such that if a rule of reason is not applied in this effort, we will lose everything--even to a possible and drastic change in the Constitution. This is what I mean by my constant insistence upon 'moderation' in government. Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid."

-- President Dwight Eisenhower,
in a letter to his brother Edgar
dated November 8, 1954