Religious Right Crack-Up? Many Conservative Christians "Finished With Politics"

Washington Monthly:

n general, the most noticeable fissure among politically conservative evangelical Christians is generational. In this dynamic, older evangelicals see themselves as an appendage of the Republican Party, and consider abortion and gay rights as the only "moral" issues that matter. Younger evangelicals are less partisan, and consider poverty and global warming important, too.

But there's another fissure, which in the short term, may be even more consequential. It's between leaders of the religious movement vs. those more inclined to take John 18:36 to heart (Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world").

Read the whole story: Washington Monthly

Comments

[Dupree]

06:11 PM on 04/06/2009

I applaud this gesture and move away from politics. I often wonder why Christians ...who are defined as "being in this world ...but not of this world" ...I often wondered why many were so adamant about building "their Kingdom" on earth for they were so involved in the political process. I would oftent wonder why they were not busy rolling up their sleeves and sharing the word of God to HELP people instead of CONTROL people. They were endoctrinated with a "one issue" oriented premise that they raised as a false deity...like abortion or gay rights...whatever emotionally charged category they could generate responses from in order to make it the only litmus test to measure morals and instead in many ways...the only test that was accomplished was the test level of their hypocrisy by cherry picking certain "sins" and overlooking their own shortcomings in the long run.

[VeroucaSalt]

05:07 PM on 04/06/2009

It's about time. There's a reason why the Constitution was written to include the phrase "separation of church & state".

[bdaved]

11:01 PM on 04/06/2009

It doesn't.

[DoTheMath]

04:20 PM on 04/06/2009

Looks like the wedge issues cut both ways.

[Felicty]

03:53 PM on 04/06/2009

This is the best news I've heard in eight years.

[historymatters]

03:53 PM on 04/06/2009

I suspect that announcements of the demise of the religious right's political activities are rather premature, much like the announcement of the permanent Republican majority a few years ago.

But maybe I'm just feeling cynical today.

[Cinnamonape]

05:08 PM on 04/06/2009

Yes...just look at what Michelle Bachmann and Glenn Beck are saying today!

[wordvarc]

03:19 PM on 04/06/2009

Be careful when someone calls you a victim and you are identified as a special interest.

The 'religious right' fell into the 'victim role' asserted as the "silent majority" which was 'rescued' in exchange for votes by the GOP with the "moral majority" talk which turned them into perpetrators of violence as they arrogantly claimed power and authority to dominate government.

(There's no 'crack up' as suggested by the headline.)
The victim-rescuer-perpetrator triangle goes on and on.

[kimhoulian]

03:19 PM on 04/06/2009

Now they can start focusing on the Bible and understand the true meaning of being a believer. And hopefully start practicing what they will have learned!

[MontanaSouth]

01:42 PM on 04/06/2009

“And the route to a more moral America is through good works -- service, prayer and education -- not political lobbying."

At last, the voice of true Christianity is heard and appears to be growing. While I don't consider myself a Christian, I do respect those who truly practice their faith. They have always been in the background doing "good works" while the political arm of the evangelical movement has been preoccupied with the perception of Christian persecution and their attempt to rule others lives. If this aspect of the evangelical movement gains more voice in their community, I just might agree to attend the local Unitarian Church again.

[Skyhawk]

01:13 PM on 04/06/2009

Don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.

[twisted-european]

12:58 PM on 04/06/2009

"... finished with politics."

US citizens: Finished with IFS (Imaginary Friend Society).

[DoTheMath]

04:24 PM on 04/06/2009

Reminds me of the House episode in which House goes into the chapel to tell Foreman that when he's finished talking to his imaginary friend he needs to come back and try to save his patient.

[outnow]

12:51 PM on 04/06/2009

I watched a History Channel HD presentation about Jesus. This man was opposed to Roman power and encouraged those around him to take a vow of poverty. He opposed collaboration with the Romans. There was a tax revolt put down with overwhelming force by the Romans. John the Baptist and others were killed.

The point is that the Chirstians want to take the moral highground on moral issues politically while disavowing the central features of their own religion, i.e., poverty and the rights of the working people and their children.

The values of the GOP are at odds with the values of any "real" Christian. I wonder what Jesus would have thought of faith-based initiatives. He would have considered in a bribe for votes no doubt. I am glad to see movement by young people toward other important issues facing humanity.

[JimGroom]

12:40 PM on 04/06/2009

Where is the down side of this argument?

[barackobama4prez]

12:37 PM on 04/06/2009

religious leaders should VOTE. that's it....as far as trying to influence, lobby, and solicit the gov't. it's BEEN LONG PAST TIME to quit it.

[UltraClassic]

12:34 PM on 04/06/2009

Not all religious conservatives are idiots as some commentors on this post would have us believe.

[noamjunior]

03:01 PM on 04/06/2009

any proof of that- or should we just take it on faith?

[lonnywinn]

05:22 PM on 04/06/2009

Ha!

[ChairmanOfTheBoard]

12:33 PM on 04/06/2009

Well what do ya know, maybe their is a God? Now let's hope they stop voting next .