Another reminder that those of us who commit ourselves to challenge the religious right's assault on the foundations of our democracy must continue to be vigilant: as I noted some weeks back, in this new year we can look for the religious right to try in every way possible to present a kinder, gentler version of itself to youth, who are turning away from this political movement for more progressive forms of evangelicalism (http://bilgrimage.blogspot.com/2009/01/obamas-election-and-rise-of-hate-groups.html). I've been noting that I foresee the religious right to try to make inroads among youth by crafting new strategies of outreach including campus visits, campus crusades, and enhanced web technologies (http://bilgrimage.blogspot.com/2009/01/targeting-youth-with-anti-gay-lies.html).For continued evidence that this new youth outreach is an urgent priority for the religious right now, check out this posting at Pam's House Blend blog on the weekend: www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9184. As it notes, the American Family Association, a leader of the religious right's anti-gay movement, has just launched a Facebook site.
The announcement of the new site spells out its political intent: "And you can network wtih like-minded people concerned about America's moral decline." Visit the AFA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?sid=c34b8f8b0792c32225794d23e67ad881&gid=8160796407), and you'll find statements indicating that the demographic that the new site is targeting is the age group 15-34. You'll also see AFA's political agenda tricked out in Facebook format, with discussion groups on all the usual right-wing wedge issues--abortion, gay folks and gay lives, prayer in schools, etc.--which try to convince young folks that it's all about love and not about hate.
But read between the lines and see if you agree . . . .
