Turnout at the Spiritual Activism Conference is high, but if the gathering is any indication, the biggest barrier for liberals may be their regard for pluralism: for letting people say what they want, how they want to, and for trying to include everyone's priorities, rather than choosing two or three issues that could inspire a movement.This observation might be correct, however, the real question is who will do the choosing for the "religious Left?" The real leaders of the religious Right were not established leaders of denominations, but rather became powerful leaders through their organizational and fund-raising efforts. I would content that the Evangelical Church is much more open to these entrepreneurial leaders than the Mainline Church is. (It is probably telling that one of the most significant leaders of the progressive movement in the church, Jim Wallis--comes from an Evangelical perspective.)
I believe there is hope for the Religous Left (or Progressive Faith), but there will be moments of frustration like the article documents.
5 comments:
Evangelical is a term they use for themselves, but in fact is far from their actual practice. So they spread the "Good News"? Have you listened to their radio broadcasts, seen and heard their TV broadcasts, listen to even a few minutes of "talk radio"? It is not good and it is not news -- it is filled with intolerance, bigotry, racism, and outright hate. Extremism in Islam is abhorred, in Judaism is fawned over like a new puppy, in Christianity is mean to seem as "normal" behavior and thought. Extremism can unify a message, thought, and action. By mere definitive terms, the middle and moderate left are not unified in message, thought or action simply because of what and how they believe. I am not disappointed they left isn't organized as a counter-faction, but when it gets bad enough, and that day is coming quickly, those in the middle and on the left will get it together. And don't forget the unchurched -- middle, left, and right, are becoming increasingly aware of an uneasy with the pushy "christian" right. Look at the fun the right wing is having with their beloved Republican Party in Kansas -- the middle is leaving for the Democratic Party. Game on!
Actually if you research John Green and review his in depth research into Religion and American Voting over the last decade, he shows that when compared from 2000 to 2004, the "regligious left" actually was the largest growing voting block in America. George Bush actually lost 1 percent in 2004 when compared to 2000 of the Religious Right vote. He won on the "Heartland Culture Warriors" middle of the road vote.
The Religious Right does a spectacular job of base-rallying at election time with hot-button cultural issues, no doubt! As for a voting BLOC, I just don't see the "left" as able to identify and rally support on topics or issues separate and apart from countering the right. Religiosity and patriotism is still tightly linked. As a Christian and member of the military, I have BOTH my faith and patriotism questioned by those who claim to be Christians and patriots, yet who don't seem to practice either and confuse both.
Actually, the problem is deeper than you realize. You must stop trying to "counter the religious right" and develop your own identity, mission, message, purpose, agenda... whatever. Only then you will be on the path to victory for your cause. Even in a military campaign, if all you do is counter attack from a defensive standpoint, there may be some victories in battle but you will never win the war. Stop trying to counter attack so to speak. Find your purpose and uniqueness, only then will you have a posture of strength, confidence and power. This is exactly why the republicans continue to win and why the right continues to dominate, because they don't change their purpose and message to counter anyone, they stick to the "grand old" ways which gives people something firm to stand on.
If you do research you will run across John Green, who has researched this topic of "Religion and Politics" in the US for over 20 years. His research shows that the Religious Left was actually the largest growing voting block from 2000 to 2004 jumping from 11 percent in 2000 to 14 percent in 2004. That countered the "Heartland Culture Warriors" (independent voters) that came out for Bush and made the race so close. I would say by this the Religious Left has found its base. Whether the war, education funding, health care coverage, immigration or the envioronment, the Religious Left now has arguments that are being heard.
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