Posted on 11/03/2007 2:28:38 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The cover story of Sundays New York Times Magazine pronounced the demise of the religious right in America. The ranks are demoralized, split, and liberal evangelicals are taking over with a new agenda for the environment and the poor. On the editorial page, the acerbic Frank Rich coordinated his column with the magazine, concluding, Inauguration Day 2009 is at the very least Armageddon for the reigning ayatollahs of the American right.
Wow! Just three years ago the press touted conservative evangelicals as the most powerful voting block in America. What happened?
Nothing. The press is up to its old tricks. When I was in the White House, the press heralded me as Nixons brilliant political strategist. Then within a year, once having built me up, I was called the White House hatchet man and a lot worse. The press loves to create monsters, build them up, and then take credit for slaying them. It sells papers.
The presss portrayal of the religious right was always a caricature. Take Jerry Falwell. They had fun printing unflattering pictures of him and playing up his extreme statements. Yet they paid no attention to the good things Jerry did, like reaching out to homosexuals and unwed mothers. And the same thing applies to Jim Dobson. He is upbraided for his political statements, but his heroic defense of the family is ignored.
And where was the press in 1999 when Bill Bennett and I started a campaign against sexual trafficking? Or when I and others, like Franklin Graham, urged President Bush to fight against AIDS in Africa? And how about the legislation to stop prison rape or enact prisoner reentry legislation? The media yawns.
Now they say we are dying, but the agenda has not changed one lick in the last 15 years. All evangelicalsRick Warren, Bill Hybels, Jim Dobson, Jim Wallis, Ron Siderall of us, right and left, in our own way, are battling for traditional values, defending life, and pursuing justice and caring for the poor. We do it in the name of God, which is what sets the medias teeth on edge. And sure, abortion has been out frontand has been since the first centurybecause it goes to the whole dignity of human life. Its what drives me to go into the prisons and care about prisoners.
What is really happening here is that the liberal media, aided by liberal politicians, is desperately anxious to marginalize the evangelical movement and to try to drive a wedge between us and get us fighting. So, the most important thing, right now, is for serious evangelicals of all political interests to join together to proclaim the Good News, protect the family, build the Church, help the suffering, and defend the truthall the while avoiding, as I have written for years, becoming a special interest group or placing ourselves in the hip pocket of one political party.
I am sorry to spoil the fun of the New York Times, but Inauguration in 2009 will not be Armageddon for the religious right or religious left or evangelicals, unless we fight each other, which is what the press really wants. It makes the best copy.
But if we reject their prophecy, a biased caricature, we will prove the New York Times wrong. All we are called to do is to stick to our job and work together.
No matter who wins or loses the election, I am sorry to tell you, Mr. Rich, the kingdom of God will continue to reign stronger than ever on Inauguration morning.
I know (Rick Warren) once spoke at my University (Alma matter) when I attended: Liberty University (I know Dr. Falwell’s University), anyway I was wary of him then; and my opinion hasn’t improved of him..
...and didn't address the loss of work in America through downsizing/offshorring.
Some of this can be laid at the feet of the Protestant work profit ethic, Some on the right felt that what was good for the corporate bottom line was good for America, Others concentrated on crying "Woe is me! Everyone is out to get Christians!" The big push was against homosexuality and abortion - and the traditional Christian concern for "the poor" was relegated to almost an afterthought.
Not at the local church level.
The problem in America is that we have some of the richest "poor" on the planet and the majority of Churches have taken to sending there money to third world countries.
The coalition was formed to right some wrongs. Our poor are doing pretty well by most standards. Sure you will run across the occasional street walker but I know for a fact many times they are the mentally ill, disabled or they are in transition. In all such cases there is a plan for their care that comes into play from governmental sources and any assistance the church might give is temporary.
So...to say the church has forgotten about the poor is disingenuous. I don't know of any Christian who wouldn't help someone who is truly in need.
What is really happening here is that the liberal media, aided by liberal politicians, is desperately anxious to marginalize the evangelical movement and to try to drive a wedge between us and get us fighting. So, the most important thing, right now, is for serious evangelicals of all political interests to join together to proclaim the Good News, protect the family, build the Church, help the suffering, and defend the truthall the while avoiding, as I have written for years, becoming a special interest group or placing ourselves in the hip pocket of one political party.
BTTT!!!!!!!!!
I recently saw a You Tube video of Rick Warren talking about the time when the Pharisees were going to stone the adulterous woman. He said that Jesus stood up for her in public, and that we should do the same—stand up for sinners in public (ie homosexuals?). I don’t think that is what Jesus was doing, LOL!
Well what (biblically liberal) people don’t want to admit is that Jesus did stand up for the sinner, (yet they conveniently ignore) that He then said to the SINNER: “Go and sin no more”
This article refers to wedge issues that the lame stream media is using to divide conservative across the board. Colson is expert in the religious right camp and has done some accurate assessments.
Your post is a great example of a conservative who has reacted to the media and it's efforts to break up the Republican voter base. Your post is a perfect example of what is happening within our ranks, and you appear to be a willing participant.
Ask yourself why this one single issue broken down to simple catch phrases like "shamnesty" should have the power to destroy a once powerful coalition and lead to the election of a socialist government.
How can such a single, simple but divisive issue become the straw that broke the conservative back leading to democrat wins by default without the participant having a clue as to knowing what happened.
It's been said that stupid cannot be fixed.
I concur.
Food for thought......................................
Besides abortion, amnesty for illegals is my number one issue. There’s no compromise on either of these because they will both lead to the destruction of this once great nation. If you or anyone else is willing to compromise on those issues, you’re the one that needs his stupid fixed.
btt
Yes! Of course, in that situation his main point was showing the Pharisees their sin (contrary to their own self-assessments). “Sin no more” is often forgotten!
Warren is part of the emerging church/contemplative heresy, which will lead to a one-world religion and a one-world government. He recently changed his PEACE movement acronym so that the P no longer stands for “Plant churches,” but now means “Promote reconciliation,” ie bring all denominations and religions together.
So...to say the church has forgotten about the poor is disingenuous.
Reread my post. I never said anything about the Church, but referred to the politically active religious right. Yes, our poor are generally pretty well off.
Could have sworn you stated “traditional Christian concern” as in general terms. Thanks for the clarification.
Oxymoron.
“And how about the legislation to stop prison rape or enact prisoner reentry legislation? “
No comments, just thought this was humorous.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.