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November 30, 2007
Chris Matthews squares off with Mike Huckabee
I normally think of cable news shows like Hardball as just sound and fury, signifying nothing, but once in a while the contrarianism produces something more substantive than the usual shouting match. Last night Chris Matthews departed from the fawning chorus that's followed Mike Huckabee since Wednesday's debate, and actually challenged his pious politicking. The answers are of secondary importance. The real story is that Matthews actually asked tough questions about faith's role in the campaign.
November 29, 2007
Dispatches from the gutter
Perhaps you didn't hear that Barack Obama is a Muslim Manchurian Candidate, but the rumor is making the rounds, and not just by word-of-mouth. Perry Bacon, Jr's Washington Post article (which ran in today's FPL newsreel) gives a pretty thorough account of the extensive disinformation campaign that attempts to tie Obama, Islam and terrorism into a neat little bundle. Dishonesty, bigotry and innuendo make a great team.
David Kirkpatrick's The Evangelical Crackup (remember that?) included a quote from a Kansan saying she wouldn't vote for Obama because he's a Muslim. Odds are that she didn't deduce his religion out of thin air. Bacon shows that there are enough subtle and not-so-subtle messages and signals floating around out there to conjure such a belief in people whose knowledge of Obama extends little beyond name recognition. It's similar to the way a majority of Americans came to believe Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11. It is the matrix of the deceit; it is craven and disgusting.
GOP-smacking America
As America saw again last night during the CNN/YouTube debate, the GOP has a habit of wearing God on its sleeve while on the platform. But the questions and the answers given rarely get beyond the superficial.
As Dan noted below, in one question Americans saw Guiliani stumble around the idea of the allegorical (apparently applied to commands about honesty and marriage). Romney mindlessly and nervously repeated "word of God" five times. And Huckabee running for America's pastor-in-chief.
For the latter, this is not the first time. H/t to Think Progress for reminding us of this fine moment in back-slapping spiritual arrogance.
God takes stage at Youtube debate
The last Democratic debate had no shortage of stupid questions, but I'd say this one from last night's GOP CNN/Youtube debate is at least first among equals:
CNN received almost 5,000 questions for the Youtube debate, and the cream of the crop apparently included some oddball from Dallas asking the candidates if they were fundamentalists. Take a look at some of the questions that didn't make the cut. I hate to use another site's language, but CNN just doesn't get religion and politics.
November 28, 2007
Republican Youtube debate questions
This isn't an exhaustive list of religion-related questions submitted for tonight's Republican CNN/Youtube debate, but it's a good range.
The true message of the Gospel, use of religion as a political weapon:
Religion vs. Science:
Creationism, church & state:
The Mormon question:
"Fanaticism" of the Religious Right:
Culture War Watch: Turkey Edition
Could it be? Did the Culture Warriors get so wrapped up in the spirit of Thanksgiving that they called a brief cease fire? (I'd blame the tryptophan, but I guess that's out now) Hard to believe, but all was (relatively) quiet on the Culture War Front this week, allowing the Common Do-Gooders more time to shine. This week's highlights:
I'd go just for the crab cakes: Middle East peace talks are currently being held in Annapolis, the one-time home of the federal legislature and the current home of tasty crustaceans. Expectations for the outcome are relatively low, but regardless, Culture War Watch thinks it takes a lot of courage to sit down with your enemies, and we hope for the best.
Washington hearts Bono; is it because "U2" is the ideal band name for blackberry users? Pulitzer material? Probably not (no offense), but this Washington Post piece on the rock star turned rock star/activist was encouraging nonetheless. Best quotes: "I think knowing the Scriptures helped,"-- Bono on conversations with legislators and "I like him because he's a cool guy,"--former (very conservative) Republican Congressman John Kasich.
Did you know it's really hard to make stem cells funny? New technology looks like it will be able to diffuse some of the conflict over stem cell research. To be sure, it doesn't solve the underlying ideological issues, but it might help us get closer to some groundbreaking cures regardless.
Finally, a few desperate shots from the culture warriors: so, there were a few rumbles near the front lines, but nothing too significant. Rev. Ken Hutcherson announced plans to take-over Microsoft due to some of their pro-gay rights stances. Clearly, this is the best use of everybody's money.
Oh, and Tony Perkins sent us some weird notes.
The Scorecard: Common Do-Gooders have it. I mean, they've got Bono.
Common good: Islamic and Catholic views
Recently discussion of the common good has sprung up in the MSM and the blogosphere. While the term is often traced back to Catholic social teaching and increasingly framed politically, as Sr. Marianne Farina and Br. Rauf Adil point out, the common good is also universal and very real. (1:25)
November 27, 2007
Maybe he needs glasses?
Apparently, Tony Perkins and I don't read anything the same way. Not Scripture, not articles in the Washington Post.
The latest example is in today's "Washington Update" which began with an analysis of a piece in yesterday's Washington Post. Perkins claims that the article is evidence of, "how major issues like abortion and marriage are uniting African-Americans and allowing the Republican Party to make potential inroads into this community."
Well, that's true I guess, the article (featured on yesterday's Daily Faith News Reel) does touch on how anti-gay marriage initiatives in 2004 helped Bush win a higher percentage of the African-American vote than Republicans normally do, but it seems a bit ridiculous to suggest that's what the entire piece was on.
In fact, most of the article focused on how African American evangelicals have traditionally, and continue to, give strong weight to a whole range of issues including education, civil rights and poverty, as well as abortion and same sex marriage.
Like in this quote:
"Morality is different in terms of the way we see it and white evangelicals see it," said Pastor Lyle Dukes of Harvest Life Changers Church in Woodbridge, ... who supported Bush in 2004. "What we think is moral is not only the defense of marriage, but we also think equal education is a moral issue. We think discrimination is immoral."Dukes is looking at candidates in both parties this year.
and this one:
On his way out of the noon Bible study at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in the District the other day, Stephen Peagler, 27, said he is a faithful churchgoer who believes that abortion and same-sex marriage are wrong. But, he said, when it comes to voting, he's looking for a candidate who will address issues that are more relevant in his everyday life. And Democrats are more likely to deal with the high incarceration rates of black men and underperforming inner-city schools, he said.
But all this seems lost on Perkins who somehow sees this article as an opportunity to bash Democrats' faith outreach initiatives claiming it is, "ironic is that while some leaders of the Democratic Party have started embracing the language of faith with the hopes of attracting religious voters, most still want to hold the party line of abortion on demand and remain estranged from traditional marriage."
Of course, Perkins has some words of caution for Republicans too, especially if they nominate somebody who has a less than perfect (in his eyes) record on abortion and gay rights (I have not idea who that could be).
According to Perkins (emphasis mine):
While the Republicans experienced the powerful pull of social issues on African-Americans in 2004 because of the marriage issue, they are increasingly distancing themselves from these key issues that speak the true language of faith and bring Christian voters into the fold. If issues that are important to so many Christians, both black and white, are ignored by both parties then ultimately both parties may find they are ignored by many Christians.
Well, kudos to Perkins for "standing up" to Republicans, but he never really grasped the concept that there are other issues important to people of faith which influence voting behavior.
You know, like, poverty. Which is discussed in over 2,000 verses in the Bible. But I guess, to Tony's eyes, that's not enough words to form the "true language of faith."
The club for green grows
The polluting industry is losing is exploitative grip on the American religious landscape. Now it's almost impossible to fail to find an article each week on the greening of God. In fact, the dog bites man story is becoming "evangelicals care for creation."
For example, from the Associated Press:
The tall, tan pastor stood at the pulpit of his Baptist church on a recent Sunday morning, cleared his throat, and nervously proclaimed the following:"We can embrace God and Scripture and science together. And it's enough to say when they agree - and sometimes they do - we should embrace it. And they agree that our Earth cannot last forever. And that we are charged with the responsibility of taking care of it."
With that, there was another rustle in the crowd. And Peachtree Baptist Church had opened its two-month Sunday sermon series on the environment.
But this growing club of the Godly greens reveals more than a local church shift.
This is evident in "true conservative" Bob Novak's recent column attacking GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee clearly departs from the mainstream of the conservative movement in his confusion of "growth" with "greed." Such ad hominem attacks are part of his intuitive response to criticism from the Club for Growth. . . . On "Fox News Sunday" on Nov. 18, he called the "tactics" of the Club for Growth "some of the most despicable in politics today. It's why I love to call them the Club for Greed. . ."
Never one to shed light basic human morality, Novak continues to split "economic conservative" from scripture:
But Huckabee simply does not fit within normal boundaries of economic conservatism, such as when he criticized President Bush's veto of a Democratic expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Calling global warming a "moral issue" mandating "a biblical duty" to prevent climate change, he has endorsed a cap-and-trade system that is anathema to the free market.
It's becoming clear that a split is coming, with the godly moving away from the greedy "conservatives" and joining the growing club for a green future.
November 26, 2007
Crosses and Sweatshops
The National Labor Committee (NLB) reports that US-based Christian retailers are selling crosses made in Chinese sweat shops. Charles Kernaghan, director of the NLB, said "the factory's mostly young, female employees work from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., seven days a week and are paid 26 cents an hour with no sick days or vacation. Workers live in filthy dormitories and are fed a watery 'slop.'"
The Association of Christian Retail denied the claims in the AP story. Association president Bill Anderson's statement downplayed the sweat-shop issue entirely:
While we occasionally hear this issue raised, and believe there are factories in China where human rights are violated, we believe claims that products sold through CBA member stores are made in these shops are irresponsible and unfounded.
His statement leads one to think that there may be a few human rights violations here and there, but that talking about them is somehow uncivil.
These workers, and millions like them, are left exhausted and dehumanized at the end of their work day. With one poor soul at the end of a 19 hour shift, crying out, “Jesus, take pity on me! I’m going to die of exhaustion.” Shouldn't the primary consideration be finding the truth and remedying such horrible abuses? It's irresponsible to dismiss these charges, not to make them.
These sweatshop crosses, most likely, were to be purchased as gifts. As we purchase gifts for our loved ones this holiday season, let's support products from businesses that offer fair wages and livable, humane, working conditions.
US: Christian leader :: UK: "a nutter"
The BBC is airing a documentary retrospective on Tony Blair's term as prime minister of the UK. Next week's installment includes a segment about his religious faith, and bits of it are circulating in the press. The contrast it sets up between British and American public life is remarkable.
Blair apparently kept a lid on his deep religious faith because of concern that "You talk about it [religion] in our political system and frankly people do think you're a nutter." Nutter, if you couldn't guess, is British for lunatic.
Compare this with American politics, in which a candidate thinks it advantageous to literally spell out his religion in campaign ads:
And aside from this ad, polling shows that religiosity is effectively a necessity for candidates.
Interesting perspectives on this in the London Telegraph and The New York Times.
To those I'd add that the religious cynicism Blair sensed in British public life is the fruit of a state-established religion.
November 21, 2007
Great New Resource -- The progressive religion bookstore
Our friend Robby Jones set up an online progressive faith and politics bookstore, which will save me at least one mall-induced migraine before Christmas. Robby is a leading scholar of the progressive religious community, just the right person to compile a must-read list. It's a good source of gift ideas, and it's run through Amazon, so it's very easy to use.
Over on the bookstore's page Robby has a blog post explaining what the project's all about. Pay him a visit, and pick up some gifts!
Gratitude
Every blog needs the Thanksgiving, "What I'm thankful for," post right?
We think so.
Turns out, this is easier said than done.
Of course, I'm thankful for so many things, but expressing it in the humble medium of a blog has some challenges. Picking a style, for example.
There's (my usual default ) somewhat sarcastic humor: "I'm thankful for Pat Robertson and the Family Research Council" (every good cause deserves a foil).
There's the true-but-with-political-overtones: "I'm thankful that I live in a country (mostly) free of war and natural disaster"
And of course the towing-the-company-line: "I'm thankful that faith voices for justice and the common good are finally getting recognized in the media and in the political process."
And finally there's generic: "I'm thankful for my health, my faith, my family and my friends."
I am thankful for all of those things, and maybe, if I was a better writer/advocate/theologian I could find a way to weave them all together into the World's Best Thanksgiving Day Message and leave you all in tears. But I can't. At least, I haven't been able to yet.
But, even as I sit here trying to write something I am overcome with what a wonderful problem this is to have.
My profound statement of gratitude for all I have and heartbreak over the times I haven't appreciated it might not be one for the history books, but I'm glad I got the chance to try.
November 20, 2007
Faithful Progressives: Family Research Council is scared of you
I get Family Research Council's fundraising appeals, and the latest one contained a shocking revelation: I should fear...me. Well, not me personally, but politicians who agree with my belief that people of faith should focus on a range of issues beyond same sex marriage, abortion, stem cells and public display of religion.
Here is the latest Leftist ploy:
So to make sure they win at all costs, they are hijacking the language of faith in order to sell their anti-faith programs, hiding the truth about their real agenda -- and purposely confusing people of faith.
Among these anti-faith programs are "tax hikes and 'global warming' initiatives." (The letter really does set global warming aside in quotes, as though it is a hoax.)
This scheme really matters, too:
And the bad news is, it just might work unless Family Research Council and supporters like you expose them!
It is at once heartening and discouraging that FRC is threatened by a broadening agenda among people of faith. On the one hand, the fear indicates that the progressive faith movement is gaining serious steam. On the other, it's disappointing that this is feared rather than embraced.
Perkins says liberals are trying to "confuse and divide people of faith." You read that right, the religious Left are the ones dividing people of faith. The Right cares not for wedge issues. Look at the inclusive common good agenda FRC is protecting:
Throughout the huge and pivotal national debate that lies ahead in 2008, we will flood the media with the facts about who actually believes and will act upon vital family issues such as:- Is America still one nation under God?
- Should public displays of America's religious heritage be allowed?
- Should Congress enact dangerous "hate crimes" laws that could be used to destroy religious freedom in America?
- Is every human life a gift from God that should be protected?
- Is marriage the union of one man and one woman only?
These are the vital family issues. If as a person of faith I am concerned about global warming ("the defining challenge of our age," according to the UN Secretary General), the 47 million Americans who lack health insurance, economic justice, equal protection for the LGBT community, and comprehensive immigration reform, I have been distracted by the Left.
Silly me.
November 19, 2007
Religion-Based Bigotry: Shouldn't this be an oxymoron?
Hate crimes were up 8% in 2006. Religious bias was blamed for 18.9 percent of the incidents; sexual orientation bias for 15.5 percent, and ethnic or national origin for 12.7 percent. Explicit religious bias is shown at close to 20%. Certainly there is a link between the homophobic stances of many religious groups and the atmosphere of intolerance that gives space for violent actions taken towards the GLBTQ community.
It is heartening, then, to hear of Faith In America’s newly launched “Call to Courage” campaign, which is being run in early Presidential primary and caucus states to engage and educate citizens about religious teachings and practices that foster discrimination and oppression against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. In an interview with Bob Abernathy of Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, Rev. Jimmy Creech, Faith in America's Director said, “We really do believe that conversation, that dialogue, that being together in a civil, neutral setting will make it possible for us, first of all, to understand one another better, and then secondly to begin to recognize the need for change.”
The debate over homosexuality centers on scriptural interpretation, but disagreements over theology and doctrine need not lead to discrimination and disrespect. That is something that all people of faith should be able to agree on.
UPDATE: A Washington Post Article Today focused on the geographical disparities in hate crime reporting. Alabama, for example, does not consider crimes connected to sexual orientation to be hate crimes.
Religious right favors amnesty
Today's Washington Times breaks the story that Paul Weyrich and other Religious Right leaders are calling for amnesty, not for undocumented immigrants, but for Border Patrol agents who shoot them:
In a letter that was delivered today to the White House, 31 major conservative petitioners joined a campaign led by Rep. Duncan Hunter, California Republican and presidential candidate, asking President Bush to pardon [Border Patrol agents] Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean before Thanksgiving...The letter comes on the heels of the arrest of admitted drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila on charges of trafficking marijuana while he was profiting from the federal immunity deal as the star witness in the shooting case against the agents.
"History has proven that the mere words and deeds of a president can change the course of history and profoundly affect both the tone and direction of the nation's moral character for generations to come," said the letter signed by 31 petitioners, mostly from Christian conservative groups and national-security organizations.
What the statement and the article neglect to mention is that Ramos and Compean are in prison for shooting the unarmed Aldrete-Davila in the behind as he fled from them, and then covered it up.
Message -
Immigrants:
If you cross the border illegally but otherwise obey the law, get a job, pay your taxes, feed your family, you are a criminal unworthy of the opportunity to earn citizenship.
Border Patrol agents:
If you shoot an unarmed man in the behind, cover it up, and get convicted of a violent felony in federal court, you are a victim of a grave miscarriage of justice and deserving of a presidential pardon.
The statement's signers say that presidents can "profoundly affect both the tone and direction of the nation's moral character for generations to come," and they are right. What they're wrong about is what it would do to the nation's moral character to pardon people who shoot unarmed migrants while denying marginalized, hardworking, otherwise law-abiding undocumented immigrants the opportunity to earn legal status in their adoptive homeland.
Thousands drown in Bangladesh cyclone with "Katrina-like storm surge"
From the AP:
Barguna, Bangladesh - The death toll from Thursday's cyclone in Bangladesh is now more than 3,100, and officials say that number could reach 10,000 once rescuers get to outlying islands. Rescuers are struggling to reach thousands of survivors, and relief items have been slow to reach many.
CNN:
November 16, 2007
Friday news wrap
I'm continually fascinated by the variety of angles on religion and politics stories. Based on coverage of the Catholic church's "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" voter guide, one could hardly be blamed for thinking the bishops released two or three documents simultaneously. (Note: Terry Mattingly at getreligion.org posted a great analysis of the AP story and some manipulation of it, so I'll leave that alone.)
Depending on what you read, the bishops just issued a) a broader Catholic voters' agenda, or b) a reinforcement of the ascendancy of abortion, stem cells and euthanasia, or c) political wiggle room on abortion, or d) a warning that voting pro-choice is evil, or e) clear directions to hell. Most stories I read provided a thorough account if you read all the way through, but emphases varied greatly, and emphases matter a great deal. I don't have the exact figure on hand, but I recall from journalism school that far fewer than half of readers get all the way through stories.
Dig these headlines and leads for a sense of the range of descriptions readers across America found in their morning papers, and ask yourself if the whole country got the same declaration:
The LA Times -
Bishops issue guidelines for Catholic voters
Catholic voters who back candidates because of their support for abortion or other "assaults on human life" would be "guilty of formal cooperation in grave evil," according to a statement adopted Wednesday by U.S. Catholic bishops.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch -
Bishops take stand on voting, conscience
Six weeks before the first presidential primaries, the nation's Catholic bishops voted almost unanimously Wednesday to adopt a 40-page statement on voting and conscience. The document states more clearly than ever before that Catholics should weigh abortion, embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia more heavily than other issues such as war and poverty when they enter the voting booth.
The New York Times -
Catholic Bishops Offer Voting Guide, Allowing Some Flexibility on Issue of Abortion
The nation’s Roman Catholic bishops approved principles Wednesday intended to guide Catholics in choosing whom to vote for but leaving the door open for them to back candidates who support abortion rights.
The Chicago Tribune -
Catholic bishops say voters' souls at stake
Proclaiming a sense of new energy and empowerment, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops on Wednesday issued instructions to Catholic voters that their eternal salvation could be at stake when they cast ballots.
The Baltimore Sun -
Catholic bishops amend, approve 2008 voters guide
Roman Catholic bishops gathered in Baltimore approved a voters guide yesterday for the coming elections - repeating their long-standing opposition to abortion but this year adding torture and genocide to the matters that should be considered.
Early dirty tricks
Iowa and New Hampshire are early tests not only for candidates, but also for campaign strategies. It appears that the timeless dirty tricks are in no danger of going out of style. The AP reported today that residents of both states received "push poll" calls that criticized, among other things, Mitt Romney's religion. (The story was featured in today's FPL newsreel.)
Among the questions was whether a resident knew that Romney was a Mormon, that he received military deferments when he served as a Mormon missionary in France, that his five sons did not serve in the military, that Romney's faith did not accept blacks as bishops into the 1970s and that Mormons believe the Book of Mormon is superior to the Bible.
I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear that nobody is claiming responsibility for these calls. A group called Western Wats placed them, but the company defends itself by saying
Western Wats does not design or determine the content of the surveys it operationalizes by telephone or over the Internet, nor does it analyze or use the data for its own purposes. Confidentiality agreements prohibit us from commenting on specific projects and/or clients.
Of course nobody will claim responsibility for these smears, but journalist can ask candidates whether their campaigns are behind these phone calls, and candidates can say "No, and attacking someone's faith is beyond the pale of ethical campaigning."
UPDATE: A few candidates weigh in. (h/t The Carpetbagger Report.)
Fred Thompson: This attack is strategically inadvisable.
John McCain: It's wrong, and it should be investigated.
November 15, 2007
Clinton joins Rick Warren's AIDS summit. Will other candidates?
Hillary Clinton has accepted an invitation to participate in the third annual Global Summit on AIDS and the Church later this month at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and Sam Brownback and Barack Obama spoke at last year's event. Hopefully this is a sign of the continuing political importance of fighting AIDS.
Edwards, Obama, Huckabee, Giuliani and Romney also were invited to the summit but have yet to commit, although all have expressed interest.
Warren says
Inviting politicians from different perspectives to the Summit is not a political decision -- it is a humanitarian and Christian action. When millions are dying each year, we're interested in lives, not labels. We want everyone to become concerned about the AIDS pandemic.
With an endless litany of issues and events to address, presidential candidates are only able to focus on the things we tell them are most important. That's why the Global Summit on AIDS is important -- it helps keep the disease on both parties' political agenda by reminding them how much people of faith care about the plight of the people and nations being destroyed by AIDS.
Clinton should be commended for seizing this opportunity, as should other candidates if they follow suit.
Culture War Watch: Veto Edition
I hear the "unborn" have been lobbying hard for a flat tax too While one might not see the connection immediately, the low taxes=pro-life formula soon becomes stunningly obvious after you talk to some prominent "pro-life" leaders. Which is why the President and several "pro-life" politicians are bravely blocking expanded access to children's health insurance and why President Bush also vetoed an appropriations bill containing a breakthrough pro-choice/pro-life common ground abortion reduction measure.
The Real Spirit of Christmas: Saying the word "Christmas"
The Liberty Council is protecting the Christmas message of peace and hope by encouraging Christians to shop at Wal-Mart. The retail giant is on the conservative group's "nice list" this year. What earned it such a prestigious designation? Certainly not making their employee health-care plans more accessible; the Liberty Council is looking out for what really matters like having a "Christmas Central" section on your website and peddling Jesus action figures.
No Thanks, Archbishop, I think the U.S. is going to stick with Iran, China and North Korea on this whole "capital punishment" thing.
Desmond Tutu has called for a global ban on the death penalty.
They Don't Like the Death Penalty Either The U.S. Catholic Bishops approved a document affirming traditional church teaching on issues like abortion, the death penalty, poverty and immigration, but avoids setting up partisan litmus tests for voting behavior.
Scorecard: The Bishops' statement is a pretty significant achievement for the Common Do-Gooders. Do all people with a Common Good agenda agree with the bishops on every issue? Definitely not. Within the broader community there is principled debate on those hot-button issues. However, the emphasis on conscience in the Bishops' doc moves things in the right direction and hopefully will help diffuse some of the "wafer wars" we've seen in past election cycles. However, Culture War Watch is giving this week to the Culture Warriors just to see how long they can drag out this ridiculous War on Christmas nonsense.
Faith leaders call for immigration reform this thanksgiving season
Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a coalition of Christian organizations, churches, and leaders from across the theological and political spectrum, united in support of responsible immigration reform, will release a report "A House Divided: Why Americans of Faith Are Concerned About Undocumented Immigrants." This report documents the increasing prevalence of the un-Christian treatment of immigrants. It focuses on three areas of humanitarian concern for the faith community, including the increases in hate speech and hate groups linked to the anti-immigrant movement, the upswing of harshly anti-immigrant local and state ordinances and the impact of raids on immigrant families living in our country’s shadows.
Speakers include: Rev. Jim Wallis, Founder and CEO of Sojourners; with the Most Reverend John Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, Chairman, United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Committee on Migration; and Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; and James Winkler, General Secretary of the United Methodist Church, General Board of Church & Society
November 14, 2007
Catholic Bishops on "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship"
The updated document on Catholic participation in public life was made public today by the U.S. Catholic Bishop's Conference. Anything that the bishops put out usually gets a good amount of attention, so I won't spend too much space right now pontificating (pun intended) on its significance. The quick and dirty summary: not bad.
The document (and the shorter summary) put forward a very mainstream vision of Catholic political thought and the common good. Attempts by certain conservative bishops (Burke) to steer the Conference rightward appear to have been thwarted.
Indeed, partisans on both sides of the aisle are likely to be alternatively delighted and disappointed by the statement which highlights the primacy of issues like abortion, stem cell research, poverty, immigration and torture for Catholics while affirming that Catholics should not be "single issue voters."
Many Catholics, myself included, have often struggled with how to make political sense out of Church teaching. If nothing else, this document seems to affirm that challenge and the many directions one's conscience might take in trying to solve it.
Below is an excerpt from the statement's introduction:
As a nation, we share many blessings and strengths, including a tradition of religious freedom and political participation. However, as a people, we face serious challenges that are clearly political and also profoundly moral.We are a nation founded on “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” but the right to
life itself is not fully protected, especially for unborn children, the most vulnerable members of
the American family. We are called to be peacemakers in a nation at war. We are a country
pledged to pursue “liberty and justice for all,” but we are too often divided across lines of race,
ethnicity, and economic inequality. We are a nation of immigrants, struggling to address the
challenges of many new immigrants in our midst. We are a society built on the strength of our
families, called to defend marriage and offer moral and economic supports for family life. We
are a powerful nation in a violent world, confronting terror and trying to build a safer, more just,
more peaceful world. We are an affluent society where too many live in poverty and lack health
care and other necessities of life. We are part of a global community facing urgent threats to the
environment that must sustain us. These challenges are at the heart of public life and at the center
of the pursuit of the common good....In this statement, we bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom
to vote. Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth.
We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in
light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a
particular election.
The moral case for changing immigration rhetoric and policy
Our allies at Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform just released a troubling, instructive report on the moral crisis of immigration in America.
Most interesting is the report's assessment of the public debate:
It is clear that the anti-immigrant effort is very successful at several of its most critical goals: moving public opinion, generating activism, effecting public policy, and hiding its origins. But the speech that they incite is disturbingly reminiscent of a part of America’s past we thought we had moved beyond. All of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, must stand up and reclaim our national dialogue. If the media will not make everyone aware of how extreme our national conversation has become, then we have the obligation to stand in the gap and do it for them.
It's worth reading in its entirety.
Lessons from Islamo-fascism awareness week
Note: FPL intern Nouf Bazaz recently led an interfaith response to Islamo-fascism Awareness Week. Below is her reflection on the meaning of the event.
David Horowitz’s Islamo-fascism Awareness Week, hosted by the Young America’s Foundation (YAF) recently concluded at universities across the nation. At George Washington University, the Peace not Prejudice campaign simultaneously launched as a peaceful alternative similarly came to a close. In the aftermath, one thing has become painfully clear: the entire campus, including YAF, played right into the hands of the political machine that will continue to churn out hate long after Islamo-fascism Awareness Week is forgotten. Several other key lessons can be drawn from the highly politicized sequence of events that divided our campus.
On Thursday, October 25th, Peace not Prejudice and Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week met in a climactic fashion. A speech by David Horowitz was juxtaposed to an interfaith prayer vigil titled “Pray for Peace,” headlined by six prominent religious figures and Ambassador Edward Gnehm.
When David Horowitz stepped on stage he began shouting at the GWU administration and student body in a fit of rage. He accused the president of the University of heading a “lynch mob” against conservative white students and further shrieked about the treachery of the American Left. If it was not evident enough before, it now rang crystal clear: The purpose of Islamo-fascism Awareness Week had nothing to with Islam. Muslims were merely the latest in a long line of victims carved up at the political chopping block. Horowitz serves only as the overzealous errand boy behind the knife, dutifully obliging the system for paycheck after paycheck. In typical fashion, he went on to depict Muslims as violent and merciless henchmen that would bring about the destruction of the West. At the end of his diatribe he dramatically stated, “You have to understand who your enemy is” or else you are “defenseless.”
Lesson 1: Hate is the greatest weapon of war.
By accurately equating Horowitz’s words with hate speech, one serves only to strengthen Horowitz’s claims of being victimized. With this coveted “victim card” tucked safely in his pocket, he adroitly avoided and twisted every question he was asked. There was no room for dialogue.
The ending of Horowitz’s speech pushed the prayer vigil off to a late start. As a modest-sized crowd settled in their seats, the speakers made their way to the podium. Immediately hope permeated the room as they exclaimed that equipped with the message of “Peace on Earth,” we will move forward united. Each speaker expounded on the idea that if we truly live our lives with the understanding that all of mankind is created in the likeness of God, all outward differences, and thus sources of prejudice, fade away. Ambassador Edward Gnehm related that same sentiment to his tenure in the Middle East: Behind the deceptive veil of politics, we are one and the same.
Lesson 2: Division is merely a political artifice
As the vigil drew to a close, one of the speakers posed a question to the few dozen people in the audience: Who believes that if we were talking about hate rather than love, and division rather than unity, that this room would be full? Every single hand immediately went up.
It was undeniable that the peaceful vigil failed to draw close to the same numbers that Horowitz’s hateful speech did. Playing right into the hands of the political demon, hate conquered love. The division of our campus not only formed the crux of Horowitz’s speech but attracted reporters from across the globe. It is amid this sea of shouting voices and empty words that truth ceases to exist. Within this vacuum, the mainstream media had their story long before George Washington University heard anything about Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.
It is our responsibility to break the cycle of hate that has trickled down from the political juggernaut to our own universities. Through the darkness of the storm that inundated our campus, the prayer vigil stood as a beacon of light. In order to truly eliminate the ignorance that breeds prejudice and division, we must strengthen interfaith and cultural bridges. If you say that you love God, then you must prove it by embracing the simultaneous diversity and unity of creation.
Lesson 3: It is often the few that bring about the liberation of the many.
Nouf Bazaz
Islamic Alliance for Justice, President
Congressman: Catholics United 'the devil.' Olbermann: Congressman 'worst person in the world.'
Last month our friends at Catholics United ran radio ads pointing the consistency of 'pro-life' members of Congress who voted against providing health insurance to millions of uninsured children. One of these Congressmen, Thad McCotter (R-MI), lashed out, calling them "false prophets" and "the devil."
“This type of rhetoric is simply inappropriate, especially from someone serving in a senior leadership position. Criticizing the inconsistencies of McCotter’s pro-life beliefs belongs in our public debate, insinuating that an organization represents the devil does not,” said Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United, in response.
Keith Olbermann was slightly less diplomatic, but inspired in his own right:
UPDATE: ThinkProgress has audio of the "sinful" Catholics United radio ad.
November 13, 2007
God, the Founding Fathers, and the Nation
At University of Virginia,
Jon Meacham, the managing editor of Newsweek discussed his latest book, American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation. Meacham chronicles America's ongoing struggle between politics and religion from George Washington to Ronald Reagan.He examines the role religion has played in many of the major events in our nation's history such as the Declaration of Independence, the Civil War and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s call for civil rights. The book looks at how our founding fathers' views on faith have shaped religion's place in American public life.
November 09, 2007
Friday news wrap
The Religious Right's (imminent? proceeding? mythical? overblown?) demise has now driven religion-and-politics news for consecutive weeks, and as stumping, endorsements, gaffes and polling continue, we can rest assured that somehow or another the narrative will continue to dominate until something huge and faithy happens to a Democrat.
The best article I've seen on the Evangelical Crackup, as it was dubbed in David Kirkpatrick's agenda-setting New York Times Magazine piece, was a Dallas Morning News editorial comparing it to the transformation of labor's role in politics. The editors could have made a more persuasive case, but the comparison itself was observant, and hopefully prescient:
A generation ago, one of the most dependable voting blocs in American politics – the labor movement – began to fracture. Union leaders bitterly opposed the presidential candidacy of Ronald Reagan, but a funny thing happened on the way to the voting booth: Many in the union rank-and-file voted for the Republican...We may be seeing the same thing happening today with the religious right, which, like organized labor used to be for the Democrats, has for nearly 30 years been a solid base for the GOP.
If you haven't, read the whole thing. It's rather insightful.
This week's episode of The EC brings a new angle: competing endorsements. Does Paul Weyrich endorsing Mitt Romney, Patrick Lunatic Robertson getting behind Rudy Giuliani, Sam Brownback backing John McCain, and today Donald Wildmon lining up with Huckabee
mean the Religious Right is crumbling? Even if James Dobson comes out for Fred Thompson next week, (which he probably won't) I'd say this is a pretty mild symptom.
Judging from the broadening evangelical agenda, the generational shift in leadership, the ascendancy of megachurches over parachurch organizations, and the distance between the power brokers and the people in the pews, I'm inclined to believe the Religious Right as we know it really is dying, but that doesn't mean there will no longer be millions of religious people on the right. For now though, I'm going to sit and watch how the primaries shake out before I call the undertaker.
We believe in clean campaigns
We Believe Ohio, an interfaith group of religious leaders, told Ohio media and the nation yesterday that political campaign tactics are a moral issue, that distortion, character assassination and cynical polarization are inconsistent with the teachings of their faiths. Several members spoke of the command not to bear false witness, as negative campaigns essentially do, but the message was ultimately hopeful.
"Some will say that we are looking for a miracle," said Cantor Jack Chomsky of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Columbus. "Who would work for miracles if not us? We embrace the idea that miracles happen every day."
Work for miracles, not wish for them. Leaders of We Believe Ohio will monitor campaign speech and advertising and speak out as necessary against tactics that violate the group's stated principles. As a group of faith leaders, We Believe brings a moral authority that watchdog groups lack. Hopefully the weight of their voice will encourage candidates and parties to embrace the values they espouse, run campaigns worthy of a democracy, and keep the shadow groups on a leash. We watch and wait hopefully.
NPR: The Christian Right and the '08 Election
"With Pat Robertson coming out in support of Rudy Giuliani yesterday, the show looks at candidates' efforts to woo Christian conservatives. Has the Christian right's clout in national politics diminished?"
Guests:
Charles Boswell, senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas.
David D. Kirkpatrick, Washington correspondent for the New York Times
Matthew Continetti, associate editor of the Weekly Standard
Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and author of “The Divided States of America?”
Particularly interesting is Richard Land's defense of the Southern Strategy as non-racist religious right support for Ronald Reagan contra Paul Krugman's recent argument.
VIDEO: God is getting greener
A representative of the National Association of Evangelicals, Richard Cizik discusses the importance of the environment to his constituency and his work.
November 08, 2007
Analysis and discussion of Religious Right in presidential politics
The Newshour's report on the Religious Right's changing role in politics:
and Joel Hunter and Harry Jackson's discussion of the matter:
(You might've seen the transcript on FPL's daily newsreel email.)
Sincerity vs Power
It's been a big month for religion and politics news. Story after story has sounded the death knell for the Religious Right, noting the divergent political alliances of its traditional leadership and the expanding priorities of the Evangelical grassroots.
But is this "evangelical divide" really so new? I don't think so. Until recently, "evangelical" has, unfortunately, been used as a term synonymous with "Christian right," when, in fact, there has always been a significant difference between these groups. But in the media coverage of who's endorsing whom, this distinction, with a few exceptions, rarely rises to the surface. It's not about Giuliani vs. McCain vs. Romney vs. Huckabee. It's about sincerity vs. power, who's trying to make their politics conform to their faith and who's preying on minority groups (gay men and lesbians, Muslims) to further consolidate their elite status.
The "new generation" of Evangelical leaders taking action on issues like poverty and the environment are not staging some kind of religious rebellion but rather are following their religious commitments to their natural ends. It is simply impossible to read the Bible without getting the idea that God cares about the poor.
On the other hand, the "old guard" has been desperately trying to figure out a way to hold on to the power it's enjoyed for the last 8 years. For some this means forming a third party to protest the imperfection of the GOP primary candiates. For others, it is rallying around the most "electable" Republican, ditching the old hot button issues and zeroing in on a new target.
So, is all this "disarray" a good thing? On the whole, I think so. I am delighted that the "new" Evangelical priorities are finally getting media coverage, and I think the chaos within the old leadership might let some more leaders with a common good agenda break through. However, groups with power rarely surrender it nicely. While gay rights and abortion may be loosing their wedge issue appeal, railing against "islamofascism" (and Islam itself) is gaining in popularity among Religious Right heavy hitters.
Sincere people of faith should notice this trend and decide to do something about it. Of course the United States and the global community need to address the threats of war and terrorism. But stirring up Islamophobia in the process is offensive to the vast majority of Muslims who embrace peace, and counter-productive in the interest of global security.
As figures like Robertson feel their base of power slipping beneath them, lets make sure they don't try to take our Muslim brothers and sisters down with them.
Sometimes power is the principle
I guess televangelist Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani counts in the category of "if you live long enough there's not telling what you'll see." Far from the Robertson of old who struck a chord of conservative discontent among Iowa Republicans 20 years ago while vying for the coveted spot of GOP front runner, he endorsed Giuliani with virtually no explanation. Unless you count his claim that he "knows how the game is played" and that he desperately wants to keep a Democrat out of the White House. Neither seem like good reasons to drop a moral crusade against gays and so-called abortionists that has lasted a lifetime for him.
Not that I have ever agreed with him on either of his signature moral issues. But I might have had even a little respect for his decision had he come out and said God has told him that Rudy Giuliani would make a great president (as he said in 2004 about George Bush). And it would have sent me dancing in the streets to hear him finally admit what God has probably been telling him for years...that blaming gays and young women faced with difficult choices in pregnancy for the demise of Western civilization is not only Unchristian but Unamerican.
Of course moral leaders want to win, but not usually at the expense of moral principle. Hard as it is for me to admit, I sort of miss the old Pat Robertson who stood for something.
November 07, 2007
The soda wars, Romney and evangelicals
Culture War Watch: Election Wrap-up Edition
Apparently, there are elections in odd years too. Decision 2007's impact on the culture wars and more:
Gov. Replaces ethics, good government with framed pieces of paper on easels; Voters shockingly unimpressed.
Kentucky governor Ernie Fletcher's re-election bid met defeat yesterday. Apparently, installing a few pieces of paper in the capitol rotunda and deploying gay-baiting robo-calls days before the election are not enough to convince Kentucky voters you are the "values" candidate. Voters in that state seem to prefer someone who hasn't been indicted.
A Vote for Romney is a Vote for Satan
At least, televangelist Bill Keller thinks so. Culture War Watch really wanted to find a way to point out the fundamental wrongness of this statement, ideally calling attention to the danger both the Church and our American democracy face if this kind of world view becomes widely accepted, but Keller's logic "[Romney] would influence people to seek out the Mormon faith...They would get sucked into those lies and they would eventually die and go to hell" and fashion sense "[Keller] was dressed in a red and black Michael Jordan tracksuit, with the zipper lowered halfway down his bare chest" are simply above reproach.
Pat Robertson attempts to stay relevant
By endorsing Rudy Giuliani.
This Week's Scorecard: At first glance, it seems like the Culture Warriors have this week all wrapped up, but a second look reveals surprising gains by the Common Do-Gooders. After all, Gov. Fletcher's culture war stoking strategy failed miserably. (He probably would have benefited from the new efforts from We Believe Ohio and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good calling for clean campaigning). And while any mention of Pat Robertson tends to score points for the Culture Warriors, this time he only seems to underscore how traditional culture war issues are becoming more and more irrelevant. Give this week to the Common Do-Gooders.
Is waterboarding torture?
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture is calling on the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject any attorney general nominee who is not forcefully "against the use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment."
But the call by the 130-member coalition seems likely to be too little, too late as the committee appears ready to send to the full Senate the nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey to replace Alberto Gonzalez.
Of course, for the sensitive types like former Ambassador to the UN John Bolton, just talking about torture is torturous.
On Democracy Now, Amy Goodman interviews someone who actually has been subjected to waterboarding.
According to Religion and Ethics Daily,
In a Nov. 1 letter to the Judiciary Committee, the interfaith group said it was "deeply concerned" about Mukasey's answers on the volatile issue of torture and what interrogation techniques may be permissible. "Our country already knows what happens when we have an attorney general who countenances torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment," the letter said. "We lose our moral compass; decent Americans are called upon on our behalf to commit acts that damage their souls; our soldiers who may be captured are placed in greater jeopardy; we are shamed in the eyes of the world. It would be tragic to allow an individual who has not clearly rejected the illegal and immoral practices of torture ... to become the leading law enforcement officer of our nation."