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04/25/2005: Voices in the Wilderness...
John Leo in an article for
US News & World Report writes about the premise of attacks from the “Judicial Sunday” activists:"Slanderers." Accusing the Democrats of running a jihad against believers clearly implies that people who vote Democratic are either terribly ignorant or simply not good Christians, Jews, or Muslims. This is a surefire recipe for increasing polarization within the churches. One Baptist website complained caustically about "Injustice Sunday," quoting one minister who said: "There are people of faith on both sides; neither has God in their hip pocket on this issue." Martin Marty, a liberal Protestant theologian of great stature and fairness, went uncharacteristically ballistic on this point. He said the backers of Justice Sunday "have assaulted and are mobilizing slanderers against millions upon tens of millions of Catholics, Protestants, and Jews (and fellow Evangelicals?) who politically support efforts not to 'go nuclear' and hence kill the filibuster potential in the Senate."
Frank James (Chicago Tribune national correspondent) writes about tother Christian oppositions to the Far Right Wing Conservative views in this piece: Christians square off over battle for Judiciary:"…The monologue of the religious right is finally over, and a new dialogue has begun," said Rev. Jim Wallis, an evangelical Christian and editor of Sojourners, a progressive Christian magazine, and author of the best-seller "God's Politics."
Accusing the religious right of pursuing political power ahead of the social Gospel of Jesus, including meeting the needs of the poor, Wallis accused the religious right of "religious offenses. For offenses such as these, I believe theological terms are better, like idolatry and blasphemy."
Rev. Joe Phelps, a Baptist minister who spoke at the counter-rally, ridiculed the religious right for claiming to be persecuted for their faith. "You're not persecuted for your faith when those in power hit an obstacle on their way to total domination," he said, accusing the religious right of "whining”…."
I’ve seen numerous interviews and commentaries by the Rev. Jim Wallis (Editor of Sojourners) and he is a most well spoken, thoughtful and moderate voice on many issues related to the Christian faith and it’s philosophy.
Again, maybe it’s time for those Christians who seek a moderate message, a truly caring outlook and religious bent to the purpose of Christianity in daily life as well as in the realm of political discourse, to consider the points of view of Rev. Wallis and the Congregation he represents.
If I were going to reconsider the message of the Christian Faith it would be to begin with the ideals and thoughts as projected by Rev. Wallis' group, rather than by looking to a reversion to the Catholic tenets of my upbringing or the upcoming progress-run-in-reverse promised by the choice of Benedict XVI as the new Pope.
Karen on 04.25.05 @ 09:28 AM CST
