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From: sarah@purvid.purchase.edu (Sayah)
I apologize if someone else has mentioned this, but what about the antiabortion folk... the Christian Coalition, Right-to-life, et el? Religious persecution is alive and well. And we *all* ought to worry about a group that doesn't even want the opposition to think, say or publish opposing viewpoints.
It's all relevant...
I give up; I must really be a persecutor... Say, anyone remember what I did with my KKK hood? Now for some content. I see two very good reasons why Christian fundamentalists (CFs) would be on the side of the cypherpunk ideals: 1. There is a recurring theme in CF thought that can be summed up in a quote often heard: "...cross-referencing the Book of Revelation with the New York Times..." Many CFs see parallels in the Bible concerning predictions about the Antichrist and his aims with the power that is becoming rapidly available through the "Information Superhighway". For an example of this, try mentioning "digital cash" to a CF who isn't very technically hip and see what kind of reaction you get. Yet their concerns with these things is ultimately rooted in concern that a power structure will be erected that centralizes power; when that center is taken over by the Antichrist (whoever that may be), that's when "no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark" (Revelation 13:17 NIV, if you're interested). These same people, when they question me (since I'm a computer professional and therefore am "in danger"), are very enthusiastic when I talk to them about public-key crypto, anonymized digital cash, and the like, since these work to decentralize power. They are also appalled when I describe to them the implications of Clipper and Digital Telephony. Thinking CFs many times despair because of the inevitability of the "information economy" and the power implications it has; if they were to find out about any technical tools that would ensure decentralization of the NII, I'm sure they would fight hard to ensure their inclusion. Anybody around here know of any such technical tools? :-) 2. There are still places in the world where Christians are persecuted; Tibet comes to mind as one place. I have already put a copy of PGP into the hands of someone who wants to communicate with an underground church, and have also hinted to him about how to use anonymous remailers, pseudonyms, and the like. Maintaining communication in many cases is essential to the survival to a particular cause, and the spread of the gospel is no different. I will also add in passing that PGP could possibly be of interest for use by both moderate and radical pro-life groups, who now both fear repression as a result of the publicity of the murder of the abortion doctor in Florida. (BIG DISCLAIMER: I am pro-life, and am totally opposed to the killing of abortion doctors. I am NOT advocating any position on abortion on the list, however, and will not defend my position here. Remember that just because YOU oppose a group does not mean they don't deserve privacy!) -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQCVAwUBLsvK+TER5KvPRd0NAQFNGAQAqZTgWPo8FPWej4Bj1eotN5fYPE9SM1Yq 8TCzG5JSjoTroAmmCGjMLp0zyCFHmz/Lf0PSkUzUURGr8KMkVUfzuMRaPc5OA33u 1RtmuOlaQrLNoECJvpasLlf54FSPuAXFiaAFGD+9A8kXCIsgP3Cc87tGhouFswpY Mku0dPUm9Bc= =k1kL -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----