Word: secularity
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...extremes of the season that get him down, wear him down to a frazzle of somnambulant grinning. Jews and Christians sing out their lungs this time of year, bear candles against the abbreviated light. Even secular humanists find a way to hold the dark at bay. Captain Midlife knows of an elementary school that takes the separation of church and state so seriously, the only holiday it celebrates is the winter solstice. The children sing solstice songs ("Joy to the world, the sun has sunk"?). All in the name of pitting one extreme against the other. Pumping like a bellows...
This reinterpretaiton of the Bible was more than a psychological escape from the pains of this world. Rather, it was a practice that eventually defined as "sacred" traditionally secular spaces, such as the cotton fields...
...reckless to ignore. "Americans are suspicious now of linking 'thus saith the Lord' with political specifics," says Richard Mouw of California's Fuller Theological Seminary. Evangelical Theologian Henry counsels, "You shouldn't say that the Bible requires every legislative position you take. Christians should use reasons that the secular community uses, such as appealing to the greater good for the greater number." Even Falwell agrees that change is nigh. He has always enjoyed having the last word, and once more he has it: "Never again will there be a Ronald Reagan-Jerry Falwell dual view for the Religious Right...
...general relief at the court's relative leniency. The prosecutor had asked for the death penalty for all 90 defendants, which would have provided the , fundamentalists with a large crop of martyrs and further energized their attacks on the government. The militants were charged with trying to overthrow the secular, pro-Western regime of President Habib Bourguiba and install an Iranian-style Islamic republic. Some of the seven sentenced to hang were implicated in the August bombings of four tourist hotels, in which twelve foreigners were hurt...
...rapture. His announcement speech, finally given in its entirety, was interrupted by ten standing ovations. The crowd of 1,200 roared with delight as he talked of returning prayer to the schools. This passion petrifies traditional Republican politicians, but Robertson has yet to craft a message that secures widespread secular support...