Prosperity Theology: 'God's Chosen' v. the Undeserving Underclass  
by Michele Swenson

Marvin Olasky's book The Tragedy of American Compassion provides the theme for the Republican holy war to end benefits for the poor. Mirroring 19th century thought that held poverty and homelessness moral shortcomings, Olasky cites the biblical imperative of the Apostle Paul (Thessalonians 3:10): "...if a man will not work, neither let him eat." Prosperity theology ("pray and grow rich") advanced by some justifies the notion that the rich deserve wealth, and the poor deserve to barely subsist. It is common wisdom that evangelicals are prosperous because God "blesses their faithfulness to the gospel." William Kristol warned fellow Republicans not to be sidetracked by concerns about the poor: "The politics of growth trump the politics of compassion"--greed trumps mercy. "You cannot in practice have a federal guarantee that people won't starve," declared Kristol.

And if you care, you're a "compassion fascist," broadcast Rush Limbaugh." The poor in this country are the biggest piglets at the mother pig and her nipples," feeding off the largesse of government, accused Limbaugh. "The high rate of poverty in the United States is nothing more than a statistical trick, a dirty little liberal secret."* Enthused Newt Gingrich about Limbaugh: "Every day he educates about six million people around the country, who then become centers of communication."

Those most vocal about private morality facilely sidestep public morality. Marianne Williamson describes how the bottom-line needs of the market place have come to supersede basic values at the core of democracy--balancing the freedom of the individual with the collective good and advancing the goal of equality for all. The market thrives on inequality, observed one-time Kennedy administration policy advisor, Theodore Sorenson. Therefore, government should be an instrument to do the things that the market cannot do in providing for the general welfare.

Perhaps most cynical, religion that is intended to inform the moral conscience has been wielded as an instrument to advance the fortunes of a political movement. Language of spirituality and ethics is subverted in the service of selfishness, materialism and power gain, writes Michael Lerner. While demanding that the poor live up to a higher moral standard, the right overlooks the impact of selfishness and materialism on economic, political and social institutions. Conservative assumptions are committed to maintaining existing systems of power, unequal distribution of wealth, and the primacy of the competitive market driven by greed. Lerner declares the focus on personal morality to the exclusion of marketplace morality a false distinction between values and economics. Notably, at the time that conservatives went after the total $67 billion of all social welfare programs in 1996, they left untouched $167 billion of corporate welfare.

Based on the book Democracy Under Assault: TheoPolitics, Incivility and Violence on the Right by Michele Swenson

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The Morality of Erectile Dysfunction Treatments  
by James Kirby

Sexuality and reproduction are fundamental elements in human interaction and society worldwide. Accordingly, most religions have seen a need to address the question of a "proper" role for sexuality in human interactions. Different religions have different codes of sexual morality, which regulate sexual activity or assign normative values to certain sexually charged actions or thoughts. The views of religions and religious believers range widely, from holding that sex and the flesh are evil to the belief that sex is the highest expression of the divine. Some religions distinguish between sexual activities that are practiced for biological reproduction (sometimes allowed only when in formal marital status and at a certain age), and other activities practiced for sexual pleasure. Some religions view certain types of sexuality as "immoral" such as homosexuality. In light of the fact that sexuality is such an integral part of religious discussion, where does the issue of erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra, fall in relation to religious belief and doctrine. This article looks at the impact the issue of Viagra has had in relation to some of the major religions of our time. While more liberal branches of religious organisations have adapted perspectives more consistent with contemporary general secular culture. Many religions still share the idea that human sexuality was created with the twin purposes of procreation and intimacy and erectile dysfunction treatments are therefore only acceptable once they are taken within a marriage. For example, Christianity teaches that sexual intercourse must take place exclusively within marriage. Outside of marriage it always constitutes grave sin and excludes one from sacramental Communion. Therefore, because sex outside of marriage is immoral, then the use of Viagra -- a drug specifically used to assist males to be able to have sexual intercourse -- would most naturally be condemned as immoral if used by single men. Within marriage the use of drugs such as Viagra to help overcome pathological conditions can certainly not be immoral. Similarly, according to Islamic teachings impotency is a disease and should be dealt with as any disease. To seek a cure for a disease is advised by Prophet Mohammed (P) who said that "God has created no disease unless he created a cure for it as well, except old age". Islam also warns of several social problems in the use of Viagra indiscriminately, claiming it may lead to more sexual promiscuity and infidelity. Islam forbids celibacy as a form of religious practice, and considers the natural state for humans to be married. Interestingly the Catholic Church, whose teachings forbid contraception has approved of the use of Viagra. The difference between use of such drugs and artificial contraceptives is that contraceptives do not help overcome a pathological condition. Being fertile is not a pathology. Viagra does not go against nature -- it assists nature. Artificial contraception does not assist nature -- it goes against nature. One interferes with God's will, but apparently the other does not. Judaism also prohibits sexual relations outside of heterosexual marriage, so if Viagra is taken within marriage then is is deemed acceptable. However, the drug was previously prohibited because its coating was considered not kosher, inedible over Passover, when contact with everyday ingredients, known as hametz, is forbidden under Jewish law. A leading Israeli rabbi reversed the ban in 2005, saying that the pill can be swallowed if it is encased in a special soluble kosher capsule first. Viagra's Israeli manufacturer, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals-Israel, said swallowing the capsule does not breach Jewish law because the Viagra would not come into direct contact with the body. One religion where Viagra can never hope to secure a foothold is Buddhism. Buddhist monks and nuns of most traditions are expected to refrain from all sexual activity (Japanese Buddhism being a notable exception). A core teaching of Buddha's foundational first sermon is that "one should not pursue sensual pleasure (kama-sukha), which is low, vulgar, coarse, ignoble and unbeneficial. This is reinforced in many passages of the Sutta Pitaka, such as the Simile of the Quail, where Buddha teaches that sensual pleasures are "filthy, coarse, and ignoble" and "should not be pursued, developed, or cultivated; they should be feared." In addition, the second of the Four Noble Truths states that the ultimate cause of all suffering is attachment and desire (tanha), and the third states that the way to eliminate suffering is to eliminate attachment and desire. Sexual practices are characterised as both attachment (kama-upadana) and desire (kama-tanha). Sensual desire must be eradicated if one is to progress spiritually.

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