The ‘religious left’ gets a little bigger

June 21, 2005

I admit from the outset that I know literally nothing about this group or who’s behind it, but for those who believe the “religious left” should do more to take on the “religious right,” it appears there’s a new organization committed to doing just that.

The success of the Religious Right in appropriating the language of Christianity has led many people to become generally wary of religion in the public sphere and of Christianity in particular. The Religious Right has used the language of Christianity to promote an extreme and divisive political agenda that has helped polarize our nation. But foundational Christian values like compassion, justice and peace are largely absent from our political discussion. And there are millions of Christian Americans who share progressive views, or, at a minimum, are increasingly turned off by the extreme rhetoric and political agenda of the Religious Right.

The Christian Alliance for Progress is a national movement that started in Jacksonville, Florida among ordinary Americans who want to reclaim Christianity and change this current political picture. Members in the movement want to restore core values of Christianity while honoring diverse views about religion and Christian life. Many Americans, especially people of faith, are ready to hear from Christians who are tolerant, and who understand the many ways that our faiths impact our views of public life. The Christian Alliance advances a renewed, progressive vision of Gospel values and seeks to help Americans express this moral vision in our lives and in our politics.

I got a heads-up about this group hosting an event in DC today, so apparently its leaders are trying to let the political world know that it’s planning to have an impact and make a difference.

To be sure, the landscape here is getting a little crowded. Groups that abhor what Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, et al are doing to blur the church-state line and drive the religious right movement are already well established. Americans United for Separation of Church and State has been around since the 1940s, the Interfaith Alliance popped up in the 80s, People for the American Way has worked on some of these issues for a while, and PFAW even spun off the Progressive Religious Partnership a few of years ago. And let’s not forget the there’s also Jim Wallis’ Sojourners.

But the Christian Alliance for Progress sounds a little different in that it seems intent on changing the Christian political agenda away from right-wing causes and towards progressive social policies on diversity, the environment, and health care. The aforementioned groups do tremendous work on stopping the religious right’s agenda, but if I’m understanding the group’s promotional materials properly, the Christian Alliance for Progress literally wants to reclaim Christianity from Republican activists.

Christian Alliance for Progress, welcome to the party.

YEAH for them……I hope it can bring some reason to this debate. The way I see it the the right wing people who are trying to dictate policy have NO christian values at all. They are radicals and I believe the leaders are lining their pockets big time!!

  • Bravo! Just as liberals are taking back the real meaning of “liberal” from those who have worked for decades to demean it, so too are those who believe that to be “Christ-like” is what a “Christian” should be. And, surprise, the values that both true Christians and real liberals hold are alike to a substantial degree.

    People are starting to wake up, and maybe that old pendulum is swinging back to the left, to where the vast majority of Americans live every day of their lives. Today’s Republican Party agenda is far out of the mainstream. I suspect — and yes, even pray — the Rethugs will pay a significant price both in 2006 and 2008. In my more fevered dreams, I also believe the media will work to reclaim its spoiled honor, and even that Bush and Cheney will be impeached AND convicted before the end of 2007.

    As real Christians are wont to say, “Hope springs eternal!”

  • Christ-like Christians? Next you’re going to tell me that the DNC has as its chair an outspoken Democrat who attacks Republicans. What’s the world coming to?

  • The Baptist Joint Committee ( http://www.bjcpa.org )is another Christian organization that belongs in that camp. The BJC campaigns to maintain the separation of church and state. Good on ’em, and good on Sojourners, Interfaith, and all the organizations that remember the political foundations of the U.S. and the moral foundations of their (various) faiths.

  • The Baptist Joint Committee…is another Christian organization that belongs in that camp.

    Excellent point. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Brent Walker, the BJC’s executive director, on several occasions, and the group does terrific work. Thanks, Scott, for the reminder.

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