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Show I : 1 Letter to the Editor The Panel Dear Editor, As one who is vitally interested inter-ested in the problems of religion re-ligion and the consequences of belief, I think a few observations observa-tions on the Challenge panel on "The Role of Religion in a Changing Society" are in order. First, the brevity of the period per-iod programmed for the panel did not allow for discussion of the problems faced by religion today, nor were many basic problems even raised. It was a study in frustration. Second, the statements of the panelists and their responses to questions from the audience only underscored the urgency : of the problems which they were not facing. Some of the panelists only showed that they had an axe to grind. Rabbi Relkin was more interested in clarifying popular misconceptions misconcep-tions of his faith than attacking the problems of religious people peo-ple "prophetically," as he so admirably said we should in his introductory remarks. Rev. Riley, speaking in the tradition ' of the redoubtable Rev. Billy Hargis and others, seemed to think the only modern religious problem was "freedom." I may have received the wrong impression, im-pression, but I believe that Rev. Riley was referring to political fredom (i.e. the Communist conspiracy), rather than moral or religious fredom. Third, the panelists sidestepped side-stepped the really interesting problems which were raised by the audience. Elder McConkie was queried about the influence influ-ence of the locally predominant church in the state legislature. He admitted that his church influences legislation against adultery, glossed over the racial rac-ial problem, and didn't even mention the liquor issue. Moreover, More-over, McConkie assumed tacitly ' that a church should involve itself in the politics of the state, a view which I am sure would draw enough dissent for a debate de-bate in itself. Again, the possibility of a humanistic religion was roundly round-ly denounced by the panel, as representatives of established churches. They seemed to agree that humanism is necessarily godless and lacking in ethics. Elder McConkie stated that the approbation of God is necessary neces-sary for ethics. I am sure that this is not so. McConkie himself him-self cited an example of a society so-ciety which instills values into its members without mentioning mention-ing the approbation of God. If this panel was accurate evidence of the way in which the leaders of religions are dealing with "The Role of Religion Re-ligion in a Changing Society," you and I had better join up soon, friend, because God is going to need some help. Scott Birkinshaw |