It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. In light of increased debate of the posting of the 10 commandments in courtrooms and California's Proposition 209 ending official government discrimination, its seems appropriate to republish answers to a family friend's questions about libertarianism. His questions and the response, which ran in the February 1995 issue of the New Liberal Review (the Spokane County LP newsletter that has become the Washington Libertarian) follow.

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Recently, my husband and I received a letter from an old family friend. As we have always sent copies of the New Liberal Review to family and friends, we were particularly intrigued by a question he posed. I wish to share with you excerpts from the letter from our friend and our response.

''I have long suspected a humanist foundation in libertarian thought and would be interested in your view on this matter. As I trace humanism, it appears to be the starting point for feminism, one-worldism, and a whole lot of other 'isms' that are all doomed due to bankrupt assumptions, i.e., man by nature is good, God is a human creation, we can work out our own problems given enough time and everybody else's money, etc. I've read the Humanist Manifesto (I and II) and reject it as man's futile attempt to make sense out of life.''

I think this letter may reflect the concerns or questions that many people of strong religious conviction may have. It also reflects a popular belief that capitalism is, somehow, based solely upon Christian beliefs. I would like to share part of our response to this special friend.

''Let me start with a few thoughts from Thomas Jefferson, a patron saint, if you will, of the Libertarian Party. Jefferson writes in the Declaration of Independence: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' Jefferson stated, on his personal religion, 'I have ever thought religion a concern purely between our God and our consciences, for which we were accountable to Him and not to the priests. I never told my own religion, nor scrutinized that of another. I never attempted to make a convert nor wished to change anothers creed. I have ever judged of the religion of others by their lives . . . for it is our lives, and not from our words, that our religion must be read.' Jefferson writes of a Creator throughout his letters and journals but never felt that government should play a role in any religious choices, as it was far too personal a matter.

''You mentioned humanism, feminism, and one-worldism as doomed 'isms' and some of them, in fact, may be. A libertarian would argue that they are bankrupt concepts not because, as you stated, 'man by nature is good, God is a human creation, we can work out our problems given enough time and everybody else's money, etc.,' but because the approach is from the group and groupthink perspective. Libertarians celebrate the individual and, as Jefferson felt, the celebration of the right of the ind'ividual to live his life unencumbered by tyranny and, in fact, blessed by individual liberty.

''Libertarianism is based on the belief that one's life does not belong to the state (government). No matter what one's religious beliefs, or even if they have none, libertarians acknowledge that all human beings are endowed with certain inalienable rights. Religious people may attribute these rights to their creator or God, but they are sometimes referred to as 'natural rights,' and we are born with them.

''Feminism, in the radical form that believes women as a group deserve preferential treatment (due to their alleged oppression) is antithetical to libertarianism. Libertarians focus solely on the rights of individuals, not groups, believing that all humans have the same rights. Libertarians are tolerant. They believe that so long as a person is not using force or fraud against others, the government should leave people alone.

''Secular humanism is, I believe, simply the belief that humans are not inherently evil. Secular means that something is of the world and may not be regarded as be religious. Humanism is defined as a system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity predominate. These beliefs, in and of themselves, do not necessarily lead one to want or approve of socialism. The beliefs of secular humanists may dash with some religions, but libertarians are tolerant of people of all religions---or none---and believe simply that the freedom to determine one's own beliefs, or even to not hold any religious beliefs at all, belongs to the individual.

''Since libertarians recognize that large and powerful governments are always a threat to the freedom of individuals, libertarians would oppose the concept of a monolithic, all-powerful world government. Libertarians want the least amount of government possible, recognizing that humans are human and that some humans seek power and control over others---a constant threat to the liberty of individuals. Though some people may think humans are perfectible, libertarians tend to be realistic about the shortcomings of human beings, which reinforces their call for a minimum of power delegated to government.

''I hope this helps dear up your perceptions of Libertarians. Once examined, I truly believe that this philosophy bears on all that we do in our lives. Whether it's talking with our God or dealing with our neighbors, Libertarian thought is consistent at all times.''