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Friday, June 16, 2001

The organization is Toward Tradition, founded by Orthodox Rabbi Daniel Lapin in 1991. It describes its mission as "fighting secular institutions that foster anti-religious bigotry, harm families, and ultimately jeopardize the survival of America."

In a telephone interview from Toward Tradition headquarters on Mercer Island, Wash., National Director Yarden Weidenfeld explained the theme of an ad the group plans to place in at least one major U.S. newspaper.

"It will be about the extent to which the left in this country has misused and misapplied the term 'tolerance' to impose a rigid, politically correct ideology on America," he said.

"The country likes the word 'tolerance' because it sounds American, as in being compassionate and good to guests," Weidenfeld said. But, he continued, the left has turned the word around to the point that dissent on subjects that once were considered moral issues or family issues, such as sexuality and abortion, are no longer allowed to be questioned because to do so is labeled "intolerant."

The text of the ad, obtained by United Press International, implicitly urges readers to take the long, historical view of events.

It says the enforcers of false tolerance make baseless charges of racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia to intimidate civic leaders, religious leaders and others. "Ironically, the top enforcers include major Jewish organizations."

Toward Tradition considers this ironic because the Torah, the five books of Moses, "isn't particularly tolerant" in moral matters. Today one can't say that anything is wrong except for a vaguely defined "intolerance," which is presented as the ultimate evil.

"That's why tolerance enforcers bristle at institutions based in tradition and the idea of hierarchy, like family and religion, which assume that some values are indeed right," the ad says.

The organization says the resulting drift to moral relativism and general chaos includes: the equation of animal life with human life; increasingly pornographic entertainment; political indoctrination in suburban schools, while urban schools are turned into violent, education-free zones; a massive state bureaucracy hostile to faith and families; hostility to police and soldiers; contempt for free enterprises and the hierarchies it produces.

"These developments are especially ominous for Jews," the ad says, because "a coarsened public life undercuts respect for all moral values, including respect for minorities." Also, an ever-expanding government is more likely than a more limited one to grow tyrannical.

"A demeaned police force and military can guarantee neither our safety nor our freedom, including freedom of religion. And continued national prosperity, including Jewish prosperity, requires a strong free market."

Toward Tradition dared "moral cowards among the cultural elite" to call its members "intolerant" for defending biblical morality, constitutional liberty, patriotism and prosperity.

"Let them," the organization said. "We will no longer be terrorized by 'tolerance.'"

Copyright 2001 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.

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