‘We are furious that the religious right has made Jesus into a Republican’

July 11, 2006

Slowly but surely, the burgeoning “[tag]religious left[/tag]” seems not only to be generating some media attention, but also some compelling soundbites.

Dr. [tag]Bob Edgar[/tag], General Secretary of the National Council of Churches: “Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, never said one word about civil marriage or abortion.”

The Rev. [tag]Tony Campolo[/tag]: “We are furious that the religious right has made Jesus into a Republican. That’s idolatry. To recreate Jesus in your own image rather than allowing yourself to be created in Jesus’ image is what’s wrong with politics.”

The Rev. [tag]Jim Wallis[/tag]: “Right now the war in Iraq costs us $1 billion per week. And we can’t get $5 billion over ten years for child care in this country?”

I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again: “religious” is too often a synonym for “conservative.” That won’t change over night, but it’s encouraging to see likable, compelling figures step up into leadership roles in the “religious left.” They’re making a good-faith effort (pun intended) to change the landscape, and it’s long overdue.

Religious Right = AntiChrist.

BushReich = AntiChrist.

Neoconservativism = AntiChrist.

Yes—it’s long overdue to have the Religious Left stand up—but sometimes, it takes a clear and present danger to get people off their posteriors and into the fight….

  • I’ve figured out the niche that The Carpetbagger fills in my own personal blogosphere. It’s the one I would always read if I could only read one.

    I just re-watched the documentary The God Who Wasn’t There and while I agree that moderate religionists are problematic, I’m glad they’re out there to mediate the godawful fundamentalists.

  • “We are furious that the religious right has made Jesus into a Republican.” – The Rev. Tony Campolo

    I must be feeling twitchy today. The Republican’ts haven’t made Jesus ‘into’ a Republican, they have made Jesus ‘out as’ a Republican. Wrong prepositional phrase, Rev.

  • In todays world being a Religious Conservative probably means you are intolerant, selfish, uninformed on most issues and willing to look the other way regarding illegal behavior of elected officials if the chance for progress on one or two issues is possible. And you are also responsible for the shameful condition this country is in. Good work.

  • What kind of mental arthritis do these people have that it takes them over six years to get around to realizing this? Better late than never I guess.

  • Doubtful, what are you talking about? Edgar, Campolo, and Wallis have been saying these things for years. The only “mental arthritis” involved is in the media that’s been ignoring them.

    CB, looks like you and Atrios are on decidedly different wavelengths today.

  • These lib evangelicals better fight for the traditional view of Jesus or they risk having their standard bearer hijacked.

    Contemporary view from recent history is the confederate flag. It did not have to become a symbol of slavery and hate. It did because too many people sat on the sidelines as the flag became a symbol for opposing civil rights.

    Needed more folks to act like Atticus Finch not George Wallace. Easier to be Wallace though.

  • The Republican’ts haven’t made Jesus ‘into’ a Republican, they have made Jesus ‘out as’ a Republican. Wrong prepositional phrase, Rev.

    Comment by Lance

    I think you’re right, Lance. I’m pretty sure they didn’t convert Jesus.

  • Religious liberals versus Religious conservatives.

    I love how this is playing out in the Anglican Communion. The liberal Epsicopalians allow women priests and support gay unions, the conservative Anglicans take their direction from African communions where the hierarchy wink at polygamists converting AFTER they marry all their wives.

    Polygamy or Homosexuality. Which do you oppose. Can’t do both if you are an Anglican 😉

  • Edgar, Campolo, and Wallis have been saying these things for years. -KCinDC

    I am humbled in my ignorance, then. I was largely unaware of any Christian movement against Radical Christianity, but am glad it exists.

    I guess I am suffering from mental arthritis.

  • “I think you’re right, Lance. I’m pretty sure they didn’t convert Jesus.” – Dale

    You should know by now that I’m always right 😉

  • The other day I was polled by the Pew Center, and one of the questions I was asked was “Do you consider yourself a member of the “religious Left?”
    So I guess the whole idea of such a thing as a “religious Left” is starting to catch on among those who gauge public opinion.

    Of course, when they offered me a list of religious affiliations from which I was to choose, they did not include “no affiliation” — I either had to declare myself a Catholic, a Lutheran, a Baptist, a Congregational, or one or two other choices, including “generic Protestant.” When I told the pollster “I’m not any of those,” he got impatient and said, “Well, choose one.” So they haven’t quite got around to including “secular humanist” or “atheist” or “agnostic” yet, as if there were no such people.

    I’m interested in seeing the results of this poll, but I haven’t yet.

  • Edgar, Campolo, and Wallis have been saying these things for years. The only “mental arthritis” involved is in the media that’s been ignoring them.

    I disagree. Traditional mainline churches have sat on their hands regarding the most pressing social issues — continuing poverty, homelessness, draconian welfare “reform,” economic justice, etc. — for a couple decades now. Mainline clergy haven’t had a high profile in the political/social justice arena since the late 60s/early 70s with the civil rights and antiwar movements. As a result, they’ve let fundamentalist evangelicals speak to and for the religious “values” voter. Edgar, Wallis and Campolo are relatively new to the game.

    Exchanging soundbites with the religious right is great. But this paragraph from the CBS story sums it up:

    “The Christian right has a ground game,” said Mark Silk of Trinity College’s religious studies department. “Thus far the Christian left mainly has an air game: they want to throw positions, they want to talk to the media, but do they have the networks in place on the ground to get people out to vote?”

  • I have always said that I honestly can’t understand how anyone can be BOTH a Christian and a Republican.

    Jesus even warned about the rePULBICANS.

  • You should know by now that I’m always right

    Comment by Lance

    Well sure, especially when you’re Left. 🙂

    “secular humanist” or “atheist” or “agnostic” yet, as if there were no such people. I’m interested in seeing the results of this poll, but I haven’t yet.
    Comment by Jeff R

    I like that term Secular Humanist. That used to be a really popular designation (and much exoricated by the Right). It think it is a an idea whose time has come again. I think it has legs!

    There is a notion that people can’t see what they haven’t named. Perhaps this is another silent majority or at least a substantial minority who will be visible again.

  • Shrub was their vehicle to power. Now the wheels are coming off while Rove and Snow keep shining the hubcaps. It’s almost hilarious watching the ultra-republiskunks that were Liebermanned expressing their outrage. Mission accomplished. Bush and the Christian link that brought him to power will put a “dark cloud” over religion in this country for the next decade. A little research would have shown the Shrub crew learned how to manipulate the Christians during Shrub 1. Too much faith and not enough reasoning.

  • According to Dr. John Green of the University of Akron, the Religious Left made up about one eighth of the electorate in 2004, same as the Religious Right. [NB: According to Green’s definition, the RR does not include all traditional Christians.] The RR supported Bush by an 88-12 margin, while the RL supported Kerry 78-22.

    And as for that Religious Left ground game…

    http://www.webelieveohio.org/

  • prm: sat on our hands? I don’t think so. Maybe not shouted loudly enough or been political enough, or been ignored in our efforts. The Lutherans (ELCA) have been doing outreach all along – helping the hungry, those affected by disaster, both locally and world wide, etc., etc. and I know other groups have done great charity work as well – Catholics, Episcopalians, etc. Some of the leaders have spoken out against war, for justice, etc. But we are starting to ramp it up. Many of us are angry at what the “religious” right has done to the name of Christ.

    A local interfaith justice group I belong to has successfully lobbied our city council to crack down on payday loan places, which charge up to 400% interest and prey on those living paycheck to paycheck. We have also helped nudge the city to get a bus system going and helped make sure that areas where poorer residents live will have service. We also educate for peace.

    Love will always conquer hate and fear. And the light will cast out the darkness.

  • I noticed the term “radical Christianity” in one of doubtful’s above comments (#10). While I realize that “radical” sounds more threatening (something that the religious right definitely is), I think the more accurate descriptive term for the religious right is “reactionary”. The religious right believes that it (in its various forms) is taking our society and our world back to better times, better ways of living, a better government, and a better world. Like fascism, the religious right doesn’t think twice about trying to control the rest of us against our wills to serve their “higher” goals. Nevermind that, just like fascism, one can’t go back to what didn’t really exist in the first place. Instead, a modern nightmare of society is created.

    “Radical Christianity” is a term that has been used for many efforts and attempts to express Christian values in ways that can be argued are progressive, liberal, or leftist on a political level. Over time I have come to realize that “radical” Christianity can also be overbearing and abusive of others. After all, when taken to their political extremes, the reactionary and the radical become indistinguishable as totalitarianism.

    Having said all of that, I proudly cling to many of the spiritual and religious values that I was raised with or have acquired as an adult. They have motivated me to value and desire fairness, equality, mutual respect, democracy, altruism, humble charity, and democracy among other things. Unfortunately, the religious right does not share many of the same values.

    I was raised that Christianity is a spirituality that you choose to accept and live, not a religion that you IMPOSE on others. Guess they didn’t get the memo!

  • “Radical” comes from the Latin for “root.” The radicals are closer to the spirit of the original church than is the Religious Right.

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