Mixing Christianity and Election Politics

I don’t know why The Times published two big articles on the Christian right’s political contributions to Republicans (“Christian Right Tries to Take Over State GOP,” Oct. 18, and “Ahmanson Heir Bankrolls Religious Right’s Agenda,” Oct. 19). Had the purpose been to inform, you would have published a series of articles examining the motives of Big Labor’s and the liberal movie stars’ huge contributions to Democrats.

However, whatever the motive in examining the “evils” of Christians getting involved in politics, your article on Howard Ahmanson had, I’m sure, an unintended effect.

Howard and Roberta Ahmanson, as revealed by the article, are truly remarkable people. Their philosophy: Rather than give you merely a fish and a loaf of bread, I will give you the tools to fish and farm.

Long before I entered politics, I knew both Howard and his wife. When I was leading coalitions to defend property rights and the enterprise system against growing government regulation, Howard Ahmanson was a strong supporter. Had we won, this recession would not have lingered and California would not now be called “America’s fine-tuned, well-oiled business-eating machine.”

In the service of your readers, I hope you publish more about the contributions of Christian activists to a better America, leaving the scare tactics to others. Howard Ahmanson’s personal growth from a young man seeking answers to a family man and a pillar of his community is an excellent example of how Christian activists are serving this country.

While Howard Ahmanson is busy being a friend to those in desperate need of friends all around the world, the left is busy warning of Christian involvement in politics.

In short, those who would deregulate morality are the proper targets of an investigatory series, not the Christian activists. To target our Judeo-Christian culture is to fear and demonize the very attitudes that create democratic values.

GIL FERGUSON, Assemblyman, 70th District, Newport Beach