18 June 2005

a voice of reason...

Former United Nations Ambassador and Senator, John Danforth (R-MO) has written the most encouraging New York Times Op-Ed piece concerning the state of what is happening in the culture/religion war in the U.S. today entitled "Onward, Moderate Christian Soldiers."

Sen. Danforth throws down the gauntlet:

"In recent years, conservative Christians have presented themselves as representing the one authentic Christian perspective on politics. With due respect for our conservative friends, equally devout Christians come to very different conclusions....

"Moderate Christians are less certain about when and how our beliefs can be translated into statutory form, not because of a lack of faith in God but because of a healthy acknowledgement of the limitations of human beings. Like conservative Christians, we attend church, read the Bible and say our prayers....

"For us, living the Love Commandment may be at odds with efforts to encapsulate Christianity in a political agenda. We strongly support the separation of church and state, both because that principle is essential to holding together a diverse country, and because the policies of the state always fall short of the demands of faith. Aware that even our most passionate ventures into politics are efforts to carry the treasure of religion in the earthen vessel of government, we proceed in a spirit of humility lacking in our conservative colleagues....

"To assert that I am on God's side and you are not, that I know God's will and you do not, and that I will use the power of government to advance my understanding of God's kingdom is certain to produce hostility....

"We reject the notion that religion should present a series of wedge issues useful at election time for energizing a political base. We believe it is God's work to practice humility, to wear tolerance on our sleeves, to reach out to those with whom we disagree, and to overcome the meanness we see in today's politics."


According to beliefnet.com only 12.6% of the voting age population identifies as Religious Right with an additional 11.4% identifying as "Heartland Culture Warriors." Both of these groups feel strongly that social issues are the major concern in the U.S. and government must take the lead in this "agenda." That totals only 24% of the voting population.

The rest of the population of voting age runs the gamut from moderate to left liberal and believes that there are more pressing things for the government than social issues. It's not just Christians who believe this way. Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, agnostics, athiests, etc. - the vast majority of the population (76%) - identify in some form or other in thinking that government shouldn't enter into a "social agenda."

If this, indeed, is the majority, then what is stopping more people from speaking out like Sen. Danforth? Fear of peer pressure? A loss of a sense of power? Dread of being called unpatriotic? Suspicion in thinking that "maybe they are right?" Anxiety? Apprehension? Antipathy?

just asking...

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