There's
right-wing "Christian" site that uses an altered version of the US Presidential Seal for its logo. I'm no lawyer so I wonder whether this use runs afoul of federal law. According to
a heraldry web site, 18 USC 713 governs use of the Presidential Seal:
"There are actually bits of heraldic legislation in the US, and an instance of protected arms, as well. The seal described above is in fact protected by law: whosoever displays a likeness of the seal, or of the seals of the President or Vice-President, "for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or by any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be fined by not more than $250 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both." The manufacture and sale of such likenesses is likewise prohibited except under circumstances defined by executive orders of the President. ( 18 USC 713)."Quite apart from whether their modified seal runs afoul of the law (and personally, I would love for someone from Worldview Weekend to spend 6 months in jail for that!) the
"worldview test" offered through that site would be pretty laughable if it weren't also scary. The chief function of the test is clearly to harvest email addresses to which to send promotions for the organization's books and events, but its subsidiary function is to imply that deviation from their prescribed right-wing political agenda is a moral failing.
The test itself calls for you to agree or disagree with a series of statements. Here are some of my favorites, with commentary:
George W. Bush is the President of the United States of America.Ummm... what can I tell ya?
If the research and theory of a group of scientists contradicts the Word of God, the error is with the scientists, not the Bible.
Both Secular Humanism and Marxism are religious worldviews.
Biological evolution (life from non-life to human beings) runs contrary to reason, science and history.
It is the responsibility of the federal government to create wealth.Do you smell a "straw man?"
All forms of government-sponsored Socialism stifle economic growth and prosperity to one degree or another.As opposed to corporate socialism? That's right, shoveling money blindly to Halliburton is the best path to growth and prosperity!
The Bible states that money is the root of all evil.Implicit message: since the Bible does not say this, we should turn a blind eye to evils committed by money-hungry Bible believers.
The original intent of our founding fathers was a form of government that was free to set its own policy only if God had not already ruled in that area. Our founders believed that our man made laws were not to contradict the laws of God.
Ideas have consequences. Now there's a uniquely Biblical viewpoint. Certainly only a Bible-believer would think ideas have consequences...
Pastors should not be allowed to preach against homosexuality from the pulpit and if they do it should be considered hate speech.It's so sad that so many pastors are being prevented from preaching against homosexuality by the mob calling for their prosecution for engaging in hate speech.
While there is evidence for the defense and reason of a biblical worldview and the claims of Christ and Christianity, it is impossible to please God without faith.
There is no evidence for a world-wide flood.
The federal government should require students to pass a national test before graduating from high school.
Making the incomes of its citizens as equal as possible should be one of the top priorities of any legitimate government.Yup, lots of people saying this...
The most biblically based tax system would be one based on a flat tax system where everyone pays the same percentage of their income in taxes."A reading from the Book of Forbes..."
The Bible states that the government does not bear the sword in vain. Numerous verses throughout the Bible make it clear that capital punishment administered by the government, for those that have committed capital crimes, is biblically acceptable.