God, that was bad.(CORRESPONDENCE)(Letter to the editor)

SILLY ME. UNTIL I READ Peter Steinfels [September], I thought that the religious fight was a real problem. I thought it was a social and political force that was fanning the flames of blind patriotism and militarism, encouraging anti-intellectualism and stunting scientific advancement, and generally acting as an obstacle to liberal progress in America. In fact, I had thought that perhaps there might be a causal connection between two characteristics that make America unique among western societies--our infatuation with conservative religion and our rejection of social democracy. ...