Monday, May 23, 2005
Christians and Political Power
The Calvin College story (see "Calvin College..." post, below) hints at the political potential of Christians who do not identify with the Right. As the Times article put it:
"The monologue of the religious right is over," Mr. Wallis said in an interview before Mr. Bush's appearance. "There is a progressive, moderate evangelical constituency that is huge." Others see the group as a far less powerful force, but they acknowledge that the Christian left cannot be a cheery development for Mr. Rove. "Were this movement to continue to grow, it could create some problems, probably not for President Bush but for future Republican candidates," said John C. Green, the director of the Ray Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron and an expert on the voting patterns of religious groups. In short, Mr. Green said, "Democrats have an opportunity to get some votes." (emphasis added)
Christians ought not to be just about getting "some votes" for one side or another (that's central to what's wrong with the Religious Right), but the ability to effect change on important social issues (poverty, race, war and peace, etc.) is a key part of living faithfully, engaged fully in the world.
"The monologue of the religious right is over," Mr. Wallis said in an interview before Mr. Bush's appearance. "There is a progressive, moderate evangelical constituency that is huge." Others see the group as a far less powerful force, but they acknowledge that the Christian left cannot be a cheery development for Mr. Rove. "Were this movement to continue to grow, it could create some problems, probably not for President Bush but for future Republican candidates," said John C. Green, the director of the Ray Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron and an expert on the voting patterns of religious groups. In short, Mr. Green said, "Democrats have an opportunity to get some votes." (emphasis added)
Christians ought not to be just about getting "some votes" for one side or another (that's central to what's wrong with the Religious Right), but the ability to effect change on important social issues (poverty, race, war and peace, etc.) is a key part of living faithfully, engaged fully in the world.
