To date, our activist guide has generally focused on activists who are group-affiliated. This month's activist guide consists of tips for the home-based activist.

Many people ask us how they can help defend the separation between church and state. There are many ways to be an armchair activist. For example, readers from around the United States provide the Institute for First Amendment Studies (IFAS) with extremely useful material. Some of this material is found each month in Freedom Writer. Sometimes it is passed on to a wide range of media with whom we share information. Other material is held in our extensive vertical files for later use by researchers, journalists, or special IFAS projects. If you would like to become this kind of activist, here are some tips:

Local paper

• The local paper is a good source of information about what the Radical Religious Right is doing in your community. Tidbits collected from local papers from around the country help us at IFAS to see the big picture.
• Read your local paper looking for political news — especially school board news and local elections. Look for controversies over sex education; book censorship in schools and libraries; and art censorship in schools, galleries, and museums. In some states watch for controversies about nude beaches. The hard right sometimes organizes around this issue.
• Read meeting notices to find information about "right to life" groups, the Christian Coalition, and other groups.
• Letters to the editor reveal the pulse of the community. Outspoken conservative Christians often end up as local leaders when the Religious Right comes to town. Letters to the editor are often based on literature from national groups.
• Clip articles and letters. If you want to keep a file of local activity for yourself, make copies of what you clip. Be sure to note the date of publication, newspaper, and page number. Mail the copy or original to IFAS. We will properly catalogue the information for immediate or future use.
• Write letters to the editor yourself. Don't allow the Radical Religious Right to have the last word on everything. If you feel strongly about a subject, write a letter. Stick to facts in your letter. Don't attack people with whom you disagree, attack ideas with which you disagree. Don't be afraid to use humor when appropriate. Keep your letter reasonably short — certainly not over 250 words. Use your maiden name, middle name, or some other variation of your name if you wish to remain somewhat anonymous.

Magazines

• Clip and mail magazine articles about the Radical Religious Right to IFAS. We review many magazines but cannot cover them all. Both secular and religious periodicals offer important information.

Radio

• Listen to the radio as a way to track the pulse of your community. Local talk shows allow you to hear the opinions and views of others.
• Call local talk shows if you feel compelled, and share your views (anonymously, if you prefer).
• Christian radio stations often present an overview of the Radical Religious Right both locally and nationally. Local Religious Right activists often appear as guests on shows, or are mentioned in the local news. Some have their own programs. National groups such as Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, or the American Family Association buy time on local stations.
• Write to national groups requesting to be on their mailing list, or write to them if you want specific information about their organization or viewpoints. Again, you can use a variation of your name, or just make up one if you wish. You may feel more comfortable using a post office box instead of a street address. Don't send them any money. If you are a student, mention it. Groups are usually very responsive to requests for information from students. Mail periodicals and other literature you receive to IFAS.

Television

• Watch Christian television networks such as Christian Broadcasting Network, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the Keystone Inspiration Network. Skip over purely evangelistic stuff and look for shows with some political content.
• Tape programs you find particularly interesting. Note the date, time, and channel of programs you tape for later reference. Also make note of who appears on the program.
• "The 700 Club" is especially useful. Pat Robertson frequently makes outrageous and newsworthy comments. Several people regularly view "The 700 Club" for IFAS and send us the tapes with notes describing the contents. However, we always need more people to monitor "The 700 Club."

Christian bookstores

• Look in the Yellow Pages to find the location of Christian bookstores in your area.
• Visit the stores near your home, or in an area where you plan to be. Christian bookstores are fascinating. The personnel in these stores will be nice to you. Be sure to check out the prophecy section and sections dealing with social action, such as abortion and gay rights.
• Look for a bulletin board, either at the back of the store or at the front. There will probably be lots of free literature; help yourself. Visiting Christian bookstores can be lots of fun, especially if they sell bumper stickers.

Evangelical churches

• Visit conservative churches if you are brave and possess self-assurance. Many larger churches are open every day. You can drop by and pick up literature; often much of this literature is highly political. Some larger churches even have their own Christian bookstores.
• If you find a politically active church, you can often find out who the local Religious Right is supporting for school board or some other office. Just say you're new in the area and are wondering who you should support for school board, or whatever. Church members often readily volunteer the information you are seeking.
• In your research you will learn of local Radical Religious Right meetings. Make a careful note of when and where these meetings are scheduled. Attend some meetings if you are the adventurous type. (Don't be afraid, no one will hurt you in any way at these meetings!)
• Collect literature and other information. If possible, take note of who attends. If attendance or membership lists are available be sure to pick them up. Mail what you collect to IFAS.

So, there is much you can do as a home-bound activist. If we all do our part, together we can make a difference!