Group decries mixing religion and politics

[Khephra]

Group decries mixing religion and politics

BY DARREN BARBEE

Knight Ridder Newspapers


FORT WORTH, Texas - (KRT) - A growing number of theologians, ministers and citizens are taking issue with statements made by evangelical Christian leaders suggesting that God has chosen sides in the presidential election.

An advertisement published in The New York Times to coincide with the Republican National Convention begins, "God is not a Republican. Or a Democrat."

As of Friday, more than 59,000 people have pledged support for the advertisement, according to Sojourners, a Christian Internet magazine that helped sponsor the ad. A Sojourners spokeswoman said the magazine did not ask for supporters' political affiliations.

The advertisement quotes Pat Robertson saying that God told him President Bush would win the election "like a blowout." It quotes Jerry Falwell, saying it is the responsibility of evangelical Christians, pro-life Catholics, traditional Jews and Reagan Democrats to re-elect Bush.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/special_packages/election2004/9599115.htm

[kimchi]

1. Pat who?

Anyone who listens to Pat or Jerry will never, ever, vote for a Democrat. They are lost.

But Kudos to Sojourners for fighting the good fight!

[Chovexani]

2. Wow

I thought Sojourners was a fundie rag. Or am I mixing it up with Charisma?

[Khephra]

3. I think you're mixing them up

AFAIK, Sojourners have always been progressives.

[Voltaire99]

4. Can the American Taliban be stopped?

Since Reagan elevated these nuts into a powerful political force, we've underestimated them. They intend theocracy. We've precious little democracy left as it is.

Unfortunately, both parties are so terrified of losing a single retarded NASCAR vote that they are effectively neutered (in the case of the Dems) and gleefully opportunistic (in the case of the GOP) where this disastrous force is concerned.

So bravo for those religious leaders speaking out. Sectarian divisions have often spelled trouble in US history, but in this instance it's hard to see who else has agency and voice to lead this fight against an ignorance that would swallow us all.

[Voltaire99]

5. Addendum: Cornel West / Richard Lichtman

Amy Goodman interviewed Cornel West today on DemocracyNow.org.

It's great stuff, and towards the end West eloquently addresses this very same theme: "The battle for the soul of American democracy is in part a battle for the soul of American Christianity." West speaks to the imperial and corporate uses of Christianity.

And if you want to go deeper into this subject--especially in light of our post-9/11 lurch toward fascism--here's a fine recent essay by Richard Lichtman on the pathological history of Puritanism in America:

http://www.counterpunch.org/lichtman07102004.html