Posted on 02/17/2007 6:23:04 AM PST by NYer
As I have traveled around the country, one line in my speeches always draws cheers: "The monologue of the Religious Right is over, and a new dialogue has now begun." We have now entered the post-Religious Right era. Though religion has had a negative image in the last few decades, the years ahead may be shaped by a dynamic and more progressive faith that will make needed social change more possible.
In the churches, a combination of deeper compassion and better theology has moved many pastors and congregations away from the partisan politics of the Religious Right. In politics, we are beginning to see a leveling of the playing field between the two parties on religion and "moral values," and the media are finally beginning to cover the many and diverse voices of faith. These are all big changes in American life, and the rest of the world is taking notice.
Evangelicals — especially the new generation of pastors and young people — are deserting the Religious Right in droves. The evangelical social agenda is now much broader and deeper, engaging issues like poverty and economic justice, global warming, HIV/AIDS, sex trafficking, genocide in Darfur and the ethics of the war in Iraq. Catholics are returning to their social teaching; mainline Protestants are asserting their faith more aggressively; a new generation of young black and Latino pastors are putting the focus on social justice; a Jewish renewal movement and more moderate Islam are also growing; and a whole new denomination has emerged, which might be called the "spiritual but not religious."
Even more amazing, the Left is starting to get it. Progressive politics is remembering its own religious history and recovering the language of faith. Democrats are learning to connect issues with values and are now engaging with the faith community. They are running more candidates who have been emboldened to come out of the closet as believers themselves. Meanwhile, many Republicans have had it with the Religious Right. Both sides are asking how to connect faith and values with politics. People know now that God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat, and we are all learning that religion should not be in the pocket of any political party; it calls all of us to moral accountability.
Most people I talk to think that politics isn't working in America and believe that the misuse of religion has been part of the problem. Politics is failing to resolve the big moral issues of our time, or even to seriously address them. And religion has too often been used as a wedge to divide people, rather than as a bridge to bring us together on those most critical questions. I believe (and many people I talk with agree) that politics could and should begin to really deal with the many crises we face. Whenever that happens, social movements often begin to emerge, usually focused on key moral issues. The best social movements always have spiritual foundations, because real change comes with the energy, commitment and hope that powerful faith and spirituality can bring.
It's time to remember the spiritual revivals that helped lead to the abolition of slavery in Britain and the United States; the black church's leadership during the American civil rights movement; the deeply Catholic roots of the Solidarity movement in Poland that led the overthrow of communism; the way liberation theology in Latin America helped pave the way for new democracies; how Desmond Tutu and the South African churches served to inspire victory over apartheid; how "People Power" joined with the priests and bishops to bring down down Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos; how the Dalai Lama keeps hope alive for millions of Tibetans; and, today, how the growing Evangelical and Pentecostal churches of the global South are mobilizing to addresse the injustices of globalization.
I believe we are seeing the beginning of movements like that again, right here in America, and that we are poised on the edge of what might become a revival that will bring about big changes in the world. Historically, social reform often requires spiritual revival. And that's what church historians always say about real revival — that it changes things in the society, not just in people's inner lives. I believe that what we are seeing now may be the beginning of a new revival — a revival for justice.
The era of the Religious Right is now past, and it's up to all of us to create a new day.
...engaging issues like poverty and economic justice, global warming, HIV/AIDS, sex trafficking...
Ahh, now there's the real "religious left!
Never could have been a bigger load of bunk. The Dems are 50% seething atheist militants that want to bring down all faiths starting with the Christians first of course.
The two major issues of importance are Roe and gay marriage. Both will be resolved by the courts one way or another. If Roe is thrown out, then the states will have the power to regulate abortion. Some states will permit it; most will severely restrict it. Gay marriage is a state issue, but if the Defense of Marriage Act is challenged in court, it will be resolved in the court system.
And if you think the Guiliani boosters here are not enthusiastic about throwing the social conservatives to the sharks, then you haven't been following the numerous threads on which they post here.
If by "throwing them to the sharks" you mean reducing the influence of the issues of importance to them on our elected officials, yes. If you mean somehow shutting them up, then no. But the pathetic performance of the Republican led 109th showed that those issues of importance to the RR which were continually debated by the social conservatives in Congress greatly diminished the efforts in the real issues America cares about. Most of America and many here on FR are sick of those issues taking center stage.
His version of the Church has mutated from concerns about salvation (The original doctrine) to "social" concerns.
I really think the word "social" was misused. He really means SOCIALIST concerns. The new church doctrine is right out of the Karl Marx Manifestos.
I'm still proud to call myself conservative. No one will shame me into voting 'centrist/moderate/wishy washy/liberal'.>>>>>>
That's why I'll just stay home on election day if guiliani is the choice(r) on the ballot. Sorry, I'd rather have a clear enemy
Jim Wallis is right. The secularists have won. Enjoy the America you seem to want.
Jim Wallis is a heretic, a liberal left leaning socialist. His "Sojourners" are proof. If you want to remain credible, don't quote this guy as an Evangelical.
"the contempt so many people ON THE RIGHT are now expressing for those of us who oppose abortion and the gay agenda."
It's aleays there it just gets louder when we lose an election.
But in doing so, you allow your enemy to become much stronger, which will guarantee as well as facilitate the rapid advancement of their evil ideology.
You make yourself an enabler. It would be like letting Hitler take all of Europe because you had a low opinion of the leadership on your side.
Jim Wallis is a socialist. I may agree or disagree with him on any number of issues, but I would never agree with him that power should be given to a few, money confiscated from the many, all in the name of solutions. It is one thing for government to stop crime (baby killing) and not hand out benefits for immorality (gay marriage and/or civil unions). It is quite another for government to be in charge of fixing every ill we create for ourselves. The most powerful thing government can do is to allow people to reap what they sow. Nothing keeps a person in check better than being responsible for the consequences of his own action or inaction.
But I agree that our faith can and should inform us regarding moral values. It should even move us to action on behalf of our fellow man. That does not translate into a few people taking money by force (taxes) and showering themselves with power and praise in the name of helping whichever group they currently seek to control. Socialism is evil.
If its not about lost souls anymore, its nothing but a socail club.
Not in the past 12 years or so with all the gerrymandering and creation of minority majority districts which came out of bill signed into law by Bush 41. Dems gained seats in '98 following impeachment and the Republicans lost miniscule number of seats in 2002. There are very few seats in congress that are not safe seats today unless you really screw up and piss off the public. Ta Da! that is what Republicans did in 2006. I dont see any sign it's going to get better in 2008. There is little that Republicans can do except hope that Dems overplay their hand.
"All Jesus's friend were prostitutes and tax collectors"???
That's not in my version of the NT. Oh, to be sure, Levi/Matthew, the apostle was indeed a tax collector; and Jesus did associate with a few prostitutes, but only as a way to convert them to God. Jesus treated everyone the same - we/they were all sinners and in need of Divine Grace and Redemption.
But, to say all Jesus's friends were prostitutes and tax collectors is a sensational statement which is erroneous.
Guilty as charged.
Jim Wallis and Tony Campolo are heretics and apostates who teach a false gospel because they cannot deal with the truth of the real gospel.
LOL! So, tell us -- how do you really feel? :-)
"better theology"? This statement (along with many others in the article) shows the author has absolutely no conception of biblical Christianity. He really needs to learn the difference between theology and philosophy. Interesting, the Apostle Pauls warns us of this very movement in 2 Timothy. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires." (2 Tim 4:3)
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