A Daily News blast from the past

Well I don't know what your answer is going to be, but I do know that your premise in this article didn't really pan out. There has been increasing pressure for removal of these types of public references to God, and no corresponding "explosion of conversions"... although maybe you were right, and that is to come.

Actually, it had to do with the idea of how, both then and now, I believe in a true "free market of ideas." But as I said in my post from Monday, I think true believers of any stripe only want a free market if they think they can dominate. Otherwise they'll demand socialism and entitlements, as it were. Put differently, they'll seek supremacy but they'll settle for survival if the latter isn't guaranteed. But they're not real free-market creatures who are willing to either win or lose in the public square....

"True believers of any stripe only want a free market if they think they can dominate."

Rob, as I have tried to point out numerous times before, EVERYONE is a true believer in SOMETHING. You are a true believer in YOUR opinions. So who EXACTLY are you attempting to paint as not really wanting a free market of ideas?

And don't get my worldview opinion mixed up with my political/national/government opinion. I can hold a very unusual, personal, "religious" worldview, and that doesn't change the fact that I want this country to openly embrace a wide variety of viewpoints including those not harmonious with my own.

HOWEVER. If "someone" or some movement were to come to power, in this country, that tried to PREVENT that free market of ideas, I would protest.

This is why, for example, you will never hear me advocate for prayer in public schools. Because if we must HAVE public schools (a different argument for a different time), then we should not be usurping parental authority in attempting to inculcate young impressionable minds with a particular viewpoint. At the same time, I am wholly in favor of those young minds spending LOTS of time studying Western Civilization and American History and all the wonderfulness that makes up this nation, because we have a legacy to pass along, and much of it, in this country, is Christian. So that history should be made clear to little minds before they embark on their multi-cultural journeys. Ah, but I digress.

Anyway, you appear to be arguing that strong conservatives and/or liberals don't want a free market of ideas, and I can't speak for the liberals. But conservatives know that this country will only survive if that market stays open, at all hours. Right now, the liberals "won" in the public square, right? But the conservatives are still THERE, Rob. They are engaging in exactly what they should be engaging in--an effort to win back the public square. How does that NOT make them "free-market creatures"?

By the way, do you get a bonus for number of blog comments? Because you have the other bloggers beat hands down. David and I should get a kickback.

I'm giving you two 100% of what I get for blog comments! In fact, I already gave it to you both! But I do appreciate the attention!

>>HOWEVER. If "someone" or some movement were to come to power, in this country, that tried to PREVENT that free market of ideas, I would protest.

Well, I'll definitely tip my hat to you for that. No many people can honestly say that.