Campaign to Defend the Constitution
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Campaign to Defend the Constitution (DefCon) is an American online organization founded in September, 2005 to support the constitutional separation of church and state and to oppose what it perceives as the growing influence of the religious right. It is a project of the Tides Center, a non-profit organization that funds progressive groups.
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[edit] Positions
DefCon describes itself on its website as...
| “ | ...an online grassroots movement intending to combat the growing power of the religious right. We will fight for the separation of church and state, individual freedom, scientific progress, pluralism, and tolerance while respecting people of faith and their right to express their beliefs. | ” |
[edit] Advisory Board
The DefCon advisory board includes scientists, journalists, and religious and political leaders such as
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[edit] Recent campaigns
[edit] Left Behind: Eternal Forces Campaign
After Bible publishing company Tyndale House released the video game version of LaHaye’s Left Behind (series) called Left Behind: Eternal Forces, DefCon asked their members to send emails to Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott to stop selling the game.[2][3] Like the book series, the game takes place in a post-rapture world, and pits Christians against the forces of the anti-Christ.
[edit] Stem Cell Research
During the stem cell campaign, DefCon ran two full page ads in the New York Times in May and June.[4]
They also released a video on YouTube featuring DefCon advisory board member and former NARAL Pro-Choice America President Kate Michelman's personal views on Stem Cell Research.[5]
[edit] Defending Science Education
DefCon launched during the infamous Dover, Intelligent Design trial in September, 2005. Since that time the group and its members have played a key role defending science education in states around the country including Kansas, Utah, and Ohio.
[edit] Criticism
DefCon ran ads asserting the involvement of conservative political strategist Ralph Reed, evangelist Lou Sheldon, and Focus on the Family's James Dobson in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Dobson has denied any connection to Abramoff, and a DefCon spokesman has conceded that there was no proof of collusion between Dobson and Abramoff.[6] In response to the ads, Dobson characterized DefCon as "a radical leftist organization," and stated:
| “ | Despite the viciousness of the DefCon attack, we are not vengeful or vindictive about it. Nor are we discouraged or depressed. It goes with the territory. Everyone who tries to defend righteousness in the culture is treated to something similar. Jesus told His followers to expect persecution, and therefore, it comes as no surprise that we have been subjected to it. [7] | ” |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Our Advisory Board. The Campaign to Defend the Constitution (2006-12-13). Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
- ^ Bray, Hiawatha. "Groups urge chain to drop Christian game", The Boston Globe, 2006-12-13. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
- ^ Lelchuk, Ilene. "'Convert or die' game divides Christians Some ask Wal-Mart to drop Left Behind", The San Francisco Chronicle, 2006-12-12. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
- ^ Burke, Daniel. "Senate Approves Three Stem Cell Bills", Religion News Service, 2006-17-06. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
- ^ Kate Michelman. Kate Michelman Speaks Out On Stem Cell Research [YouTube Video]. http://youtube.com/watch?v=D0PalqE8gbE:+Campaign to Defend the Constitution.
- ^ Guilt by Association. FactCheck.org (2006-03-13). Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
- ^ Dr. Dobson's Response to the DefCon Attack. Focus on the Family (undated). Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
