Fourteen Writers Remind Jim Wallis That The Religious Right Is A Real Problem

[SecularMotion]

There are people in this country who belong to fundamentalist Christian religious groups and who believe that they have the right (and perhaps the duty) to run your life.

That is a fact. These people exist. I’ll be spending some time with them this weekend at the Family Research Council’s “Values Voter Summit.”

It’s also a fact that some folks would like to pretend that these people don’t exist, or that they are a fringe group that can be easily dismissed. Some evangelicals are embarrassed by the antics of politically active, extreme fundamentalists, but instead of standing up to them, they’ve decided instead to criticize those of us who write about the Religious Right.

It’s a classic “kill the messenger” scenario.

http://blog.au.org/2011/10/06/special-delivery-fourteen-writers-remind-jim-wallis-that-the-religious-right-is-a-real-problem/

[Coyote_Bandit]

1. The only difference

between Jim Wallis and Jerry Falwell is the political agenda. We like to defend Wallis because his faith based political agenda is a progressive one.

Faith based political motivation is wrong - regardless of whether it advocates for a progressive or fundamentalist political agenda. It is entirely possible to take a right position on the issues - for the wrong reasons.

[grasswire]

2. I was shocked by your assertion.

I consider Falwell to be an evil man, thoroughly corrupt and the antithesis of the teachings of Christ.

I don't think Jim Wallis is any of those. I do think he has been in Washington too long and has lost focus on the plight of those Jesus instructed us to care for.

[Warpy]

3. You must not be a woman

Wallis is as virulently antichoice as any right wing fundamentalist. He just disguises it better.

He is also opposed to marriage equality.

I have trouble giving support to any "progressive" whose progressivism and concern for human rights doesn't extend to half the human race.

[grasswire]

4. last time I checked, I was a woman

Apparently I don't follow Wallis as closely as some others do.

Well, he's a Catholic at root. So some things aren't surprising, I guess.

[Warpy]

5. When something is too good to be true

it always deserves a much closer look.

Progressive clergy often seem too good to be true.

[grasswire]

6. according to what I have read on the Internet this afternoon...

...it seems that the problem is that Wallis has changed the position he held a few years ago but won't repudiate his prior position. In any event, there's much conversation about what he does and does not believe regarding choice. His position seems to be that of Andrew Cuomo (another Catholic) who says he is personally opposed to abortion but does not believe it should be criminalized.

[Coyote_Bandit]

7. Wallis and Falwell

both think their faith ought to be implemented in the political realm. That is the fault they share.

[trotsky]

8. Bingo. n/t

[edhopper]

9. For those that think fundamentalism

is a small minority view. They should remember that a major political party that has a good chance of taking over our Government in 2012 agrees with their agenda close to 100%