The last time the "religious right" took power in the US was during THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT which culminated in THE PROHIBITION OF THE 1920's!
Prohibition, of course, gave us the JAZZ AGE! !
The Jazz Age arose as middle class white folks were "made into criminals" for wanting some "fun" in their lives!
Prohitition caused white folks to go into "bad neighborhoods," mostly black or Italian, to "get a drink" when the "church lady" wasn't lookin.
There, upscale middle class folks were exposed to JAZZ! (still called the "devil's music" by evangelicals who consider any "toe tappin" to be sinfull),
And as they say; the rest is history!
THE GRIM TRUTH IS THAT THE "RELIGIOUS RIGHT" IS ALMOST ALWAYS DEAD WRONG!
BUT, WHEN THEY DO "PREVAIL," AS THEY DID IN THE 1920'S AND AGAIN TODAY;
THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT OFTEN "FORCE THE ISSUE."
PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN; "THE CHURCH LADY LIVESTYLE."
AND LIVING A FULL MODERN LIFE IN THE REAL WORLD.
MOST PEOPLE CHOOSE MODERNISM.
We see today attempts to "mainstream" the religious folks into the American media conversation are falling short.
And worse, it all seems a little bit hokey to many of us!
Most of us are not going to be convinced that Darwin was wrong, or that Darwinism is "just a theory" as the religious right claims.
Most of us are not going to reject fifty years of feminist progress. And say that a women is controlled by her husband or father, and all abortion is illegal.
Most of us are not going to "put religious symbolism" back into public
life.
It would be impossible in a multicultural nation like the US. The courthouse lawns would be stuffed with displays of every kind, not just "manger scenes!"
Most of us realize that religion is a "means of social control" used by the political and economic elites to "do their bidding" by institutionalizing inequalities, and fighting meaningless wars like the one in Iraq today.
AND SOME OF US FEEL THAT THE WORLD COULD USE A LOT LESS RELIGION NOWADAYS-----NOT MORE!
WITNESS THE PRESENT CHAOS IN THE MIDDLE EAST!
IT'S ALL SO VERY, VERY UNNECESSARY; BUT FOR THE NONSENSICAL DEMANDS AND BELIEFS OF VARIOUS MISGUIDED "RELIGIOUS FOLK" ON ALL SIDES.
COULD THESE MISGUIDED FORCES OF MEDIEVEL DARKNESS PREVAIL?
Well if so, the good news is we might be on the verge of a: NEW JAZZ AGE!
The real problem is that "religion," like communism, "looks great on paper,"
But, when you actually try to apply it to real people in the politcial sturcture..............it doesn't work.
Things break down quickly........the most you get is alot of public hypocrisy
Sooner or later a public reaction develops.
The Witch Hunts suddenly aren't any fun anymore!
A "NEW JAZZ AGE" is born, where "old sins" are embraced or at least tolerated.
Then, the "old time religion" is rejected for the always more interesting: "Shock of the New."
COULD THIS BE THE ULTIMATE END OF OUR CURRENT AFFAIR WITH THE "NEW RELIGIOUSITY?"
ARE WE ON THE VERGE OF A NEW JAZZ AGE? I THINK WE ARE.
Before you reject this notion outright. Consider the new "Swing Kids" in Iran! It's happening! Instead of giving "democracy" to the Arabs, maybe we should be giving them more "Jazz!"
Perhaps, more CD's, less Bombs and Invading Armies?
Because, as Adam knew well the "forbidden fruit" tastes the sweetest."
Secular Neocons take note....
