Posted on 09/19/2006 11:59:16 AM PDT by Froufrou
The Red Letter Christians, a "progressive" group, says it offers an alternative to the religious right in the discussion about moral values in American politics. The liberal group claims Christian conservatives focus too heavily on abortion and homosexuality.
"Since the 2004 election, the term 'values voters' has become a mainstay of the political discussion, and we're hearing it again this fall. But the discussion has generally been very narrow and discusses particularly one specific type of voter -- a conservative, white, evangelical, Republican," said Rev. Jim Wallis, founder and editor of Sojourners Magazine, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
"I would say most voters are values voters," Wallis said, but added that until now, there has been only one voice for the religious community. "The monologue of the religious right is ending," he claimed.
Wallis said the religious right focuses on two "wedge issues," namely abortion and homosexuality.
"It is arrogant to assume that moral values only involve two issues," said Wallis.
He added that because there is a focus on two issues, poverty, peace, environmentalism, and racism have become a "selective moral ethic."
"There is no consistent ethic of life on the religious right," he said. "Neither party has a pro-family agenda."
Tony Campolo, founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education and former spiritual advisor to former President Bill Clinton, said that because of the United States' lack of aid for the poor, "America is losing its stature in the eyes of the world."
Campolo said the religious right, particularly individuals at the Family Research Council's "Value Voters Summit" later this week, must address poverty.
"We challenge the religious right that meets at the end of this week to do something about the poor of this country if they are really serious about their pro-life agenda," said Campolo.
The Family Research Council did not return multiple phone calls seeking comment for this article.
There are no poor in this country. People in Haiti are poor. We have the "richest" poor in the world.
Right and right again.
Liberals say conservatives should focus on losing issues like increasing government spending.
That is why I strongly support growing the economy (lower taxes, less regulation) and quality education for all (vouchers). An education and a growing economy gives all Americans the chance to get a job and improve their lives.
Social programs promoted by liberals (socialism) ALWAYS lead to a lower standard of living for all people.
Democrats have no right to complain. It is they who made abortion and homosexuality public policy issues, not the right. It turns out to be a stinking turd in their laps, but there's no disowning it now:
Democrats, the party of dead babies, perversion, and sexually transmitted disease... hope y'all are proud of yourselves!
"The Family Research Council did not return multiple phone calls seeking comment for this article."
They were still languishing on their fainting sofas, after hearing the bad words on the 9/11 documentary.
Don't hold back, now. Tell us how you really feel! ;o)
Fine, close the border. Eliminate marketing in illegal, largely unskilled labor. Provide them with jobs.
~snorrfle!~
Tony Campolo is an idiot. What are all the other nations in the world doing to aid the poor as compared to Americans? Let them ask their taxpayers and private donors to dig deeper into their wallets. Americans already do plenty on a public and private basis.
Red Letter Christians? They got the "red" part right.
Conservatives want nothing more than to drop the subject. Cource that means we keep the status quo. Which means folks OTHER THAN CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES will keep bringing it back up.
They should have the Scarlet Letter "A" for abortion.
The subject of homosexuality (esp. marriage).
"Progressive Christians" - atheists!
They're already doing quite a bit of that. :-/
I don't care that much about the homosexuality issue. I think it is wrongful and sinful behavior, so I don't do it. I do oppose homosexual "marriage" because it dilutes what marriage means.
As for the abortion issue, however, it IS an important issue to most conservatives, and indeed to most thinking people. Even those who support abortion rights think that abortion should be rare (at least most of them do). Why? Because they know in their hearts that abortion is wrong (just inconvenient).
Because it is such an important issue, you will continue to hear about it. It is like a baby who needs to be fed. Telling him to shut up doesn't change the fact that he is hungry. Telling him you know he is hungry doesn't change the fact that he is hungry. He is hungry, and until you feed him, he will cry.
Until the abortion issue is resolved you can expect those of faith, conservatives and honest thinking people to retain it as an issue.
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