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Is the Christian Right Becoming Nonpartisan?
Perhaps the passing of Jerry Falwell will highlight the growing disconnect between conservative Christians and their current relationship with the Republican party. The important point is not that the Christian Right is dying out, but that it is beginning to rethink its political allegiance. |
Dan Vestal, a leader in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, makes this point in an article published yesterday in the main Atlanta newspaper:
The death Tuesday of the Rev. Jerry Falwell means the "homegoing" of a brother in Christ and a Christian leader. It also marks the end of an era when Christian faith, and the evangelical tradition in particular, will be controlled by one political party.
It is no accident that the fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention, the emergence of the Moral Majority and the election of Ronald Reagan all occurred at the same time. Falwell was a significant player in this convergence, and for the past 27 years was an influential presence on the American religious and political scene. [ ]
On the other hand, I am not comfortable with those who equate Christian faith with only one political perspective, seem blind to racial and economic injustices and allow little room for dissent and disagreement. I also am grieved by the growing polarization in our society, divisive rhetoric and a general "mean- spiritedness" in civil conversation. [ ]
In contrast to seeking a "moral majority," which seems to have the connotation of partisan power, it seems that as followers of Christ we should seek to be bold witnesses, humble servants, compassionate ministers in our society. Of course this will mean engagement in the political process and public advocacy as well as prayer and worship, but not in a way that so clearly identifies the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ with partisan politics.
(Thanks to Melissa Rogers for the link)
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