One of the issues raised by radio host Mike Papantonio in our film Jesus Camp is the concern by some Christians that a marriage between a political party and a religious group is a dangerous and slippery slope for both. The intertwining of the GOP and Evangelical Christianity is currently playing itself out on the national stage via the Ted Haggard saga.
In one scene in Jesus Camp - now fervently making its way around the blogosphere and late night talk shows - Haggard unabashedly speaks out in his Sunday sermon against homosexual behavior, as he often did on the national political scene. His devoted parishioners were proud of Pastor Ted's outspoken nature and strong relationship with the Bush administration, which included regular phone calls to the White House. He represented the interests of 30 million Evangelicals, voicing their desire to overturn Roe v. Wade, stop stem cell research and assure that homosexuals did not benefit from the the slew of social and economic protections of marriage.
That is, until last week's shocking revelation of the Reverend's sexual dalliances and drug use forced him out of his position as moral authority and protector of Evangelical interests.
If a drug and sex scandal by an Evangelical minister in Colorado Springs can actually suppress conservative Republican voter turnout nationwide--possibly altering the results in several states--hasn't the merging of political and religious interests gone too far?
Haggard's oft-publicized ties with the White House leave born-again voters with a bad taste in their mouth for both him and his party affiliation. While this may delight Democratic voters this time around, liberals should also be concerned with this problematic pattern. As Hillary Clinton has begun to cultivate strong ties with conservative Evangelicals, further empowering the religious right by tacitly acknowledging that she cannot win the presidency without them, the cycle continues.
Haven't the prophecies of the Jesus Camp radio host come to pass before our eyes?
Hypocrisy and outrage over Haggard's double life aside, the goings on here speak to a bigger trend relevant to all of us: allowing religion and politics to manipulate each other to their own ends taints both the political process and the credibility of religious groups--a lose-lose scenario for everyone.
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady are the co directors of JESUS CAMP