What will be the future of the Religious Right?
Aug. 8--As membership in most Christian denominations decreases and many conservatives lament what they see as the advent of socialism in the U.S. many are wondering about the future of a movement that changed the face of American politics.
The Religious Right, also known as the pro-family movement or the values movement, is undergoing some changes: changes that indicate that people's beliefs about religion and politics aren't what they were 30 years ago when the movement began.
"I think that the country is becoming increasingly secular and is probably moving a little farther to the left," said Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association, a Tupelo-based organization that has been a leading voice within the movement.
A 2008 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life suggests that for the first time in a decade a slim majority of Americans believe that churches should keep out of political matters. That spells trouble for a movement whose primary purpose has been to shape public policy to conform to biblical teachings.
Born in turmoil
The genesis of the Religious Right can be traced to the cultural and political turmoil of the 1960s, when the Vietnam War and the sexual revolution caused many to question traditional morality.
In the late '70s and early '80s conservative, evangelical Christian leaders like the Rev. Jerry Falwell began asserting their influence in the political arena. Their efforts were supported by people like the Rev. Don Wildmon, founder of the AFA, who spoke out against indecency in popular culture.
Although the Religious Right was made up largely of Protestant evangelicals, conservative members of other denominations also found meaning in the movement's message. For example, many Catholics heard echoes of their own tradition's strong, anti-abortion rhetoric.
The Religious Right evolved into a formidable cultural institution, raising awareness of the issues that fell at the confluence of religion and politics.
"You can't deny that within the Christian tradition the movement has spoken to a large part of the collective, moral conscience," said Sarah Moses who teaches religion and public policy at the University of Mississippi.
"To some extent they've kept religion alive in the public square."
As happens with long-lived movements, however, the Christian Right is starting to show its age.
"We're losing some of our generals," said Tim Wildmon, referring to the 2007 death of Falwell and the recent retirement of James Dobson as president of Focus on the Family.
Wildmon's father, along with people like the Rev. Pat Robertson are still looked to as the movement's venerated elders, but recent political defeats and changing cultural attitudes about religion have led some to wonder if a new type of figure might best serve to lead the movement forward.
Broadening platform
The Religious Right has traditionally confined its focus to a limited platform of issues centered around "family values." Those issues have ranged from promoting traditional marriage to aggressively combating the abortion industry.
Some within the Religious Right, however, feel that recent sex scandals among high-profile evangelicals, such as the Rev. Ted Haggard, as well as among Republican politicians, like Gov. Mark Sanford, R-SC., who form much of the movement's base, have squandered a lot of capital.
"We've lost on the issue of family values as a Republican Party," said Fox News commentator and Mississippi native Angela McGlowan.
"If you're going to preach family values then you'd better live by example."
Many share McGlowan's disillusionment over the close relationship between the Republican Party and the Religious Right.
The Rev. Roy Ryan, a retired United Methodist minister from Tupelo, said the association has become so close that "people wonder if you're a Democrat, how can you be a Christian?"
Tupelo author and dentist Dr. Ed Holliday considers himself both a part of the Religious Right and a political independent. He has attended the Values Voter Conference in Washington, D.C., and is part of the local leadership for Mission Mississippi, a Christian organization devoted to creating dialogue between blacks and whites. He's concerned that the perceived identification of the GOP with the Religious Right limits the movement's reach, particularly among blacks.
Holliday sees the Rev. Harry Jackson, pastor of Hope Christian Church in Washington, D.C., as someone who might help change the demographics of the movement.
Jackson, who is black, is a registered Democrat but his theologically conservative message is interspersed with strong currents of social justice.
Jackson represents what many are calling a new breed of evangelical, people like the Rev. Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life" who while remaining theologically conservative demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by a global society.
McGlowan is a fan of Warren's and believes that if America is going to change for the better, "we cannot go to politicians, we have to go to spiritual leaders. Not 'religious' leaders, but true spiritual leaders."
Always prevailing
Ryan said although he has disagreed with the Religious Right's approach for decades, he believes it has a place in American society.
"Those of us who were more liberal-leaning in the '60s and '70s were doing what we could to influence public policy so we shouldn't have a problem with others doing it," he said. Overall, it's the strident tone invoked by many within the movement he said most offends him.
Moses of Ole Miss said many today see the Religious Right as "fighting against the general tide of American thought, which includes tolerance and moderation," and the future of the movement must "translate its values into a language that can be spoken more effectively in the public square and used to build wider coalitions."
Wildmon said those who proclaim the death of the Religious Right are speaking prematurely. Despite the fact that abortion is still legal, evolution is taught in public schools and school-sponsored prayer isn't allowed, he said the movement has also won some substantial victories.
"If you look at our opposition to gay marriage, it's 30 wins and no losses when it's been put to a vote of the people," he said, adding, "Just because Roe v. Wade hasn't been overturned doesn't mean that the principle of protecting human life isn't worth fighting for."
McGlowan said the Religious Right may need an overhaul but the cause is still worthy and there's no room for complacency.
"If we quit, we deserve what we get," she said. "We cannot lose faith. Our relationship with God must guide us. The Christian, Religious Right will always prevail."
Contact Daily Journal religion editor Galen Holley at 678-1510 or galen.holley@djournal.com
To see more of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.djournal.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo, Miss. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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BACK TO THE BIBLE
Now that we have everybody in Washington claiming to be a Christian and the Leading Political Fundamental Christians busted for Adultery, Greed, Graft, Lying, Cheating Stealing, and acting like a "witness for the Religious Right Movement"...,
CAN WE GET BACK TO THE BIBLE?
When did Jesus Run for Office?
Never.
When did Jesus tell his folowers to run for office?
Never.
When did Jesus say Christianity would conquer the World and America was the Land of Righteousnees and Godliness?
Never.
When Did Jesus tell His disciples to accumulate wealth, prospeperity, kill your enemies, and hate your aversaries and raise the banner of Life Liberty and justice for all?
Never.
In fact, as the House built on Sand as now felt the tide come in, I wonder, where DID YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN?
Religous Right? Conservatism? Democracy? Politics? James Dobson? Glen Back? President Obama?
Who are you?
Me, I know who I am.
In every election, in every success and failure I know who I am and I will not be misled.
Why?
God can see the future, God knows the past, he even invented Hamsters and watching the Hamsters run in the Wheels right now spinning and running as fast as they can, and going no where, He knows what will happen soon.
Oh not the Political Revolution or soon outbreaks of violence people are being deceived into doing, not the lies and deceptions the Land Of TV wants to make people into Last Days Warriors for the Battle of Armageddon into,
No, He sees the one, the only one who will walk into the Morass of mankind deceived in these last days and not let the people declare Him to be King, but choose to Die for the Ones everyone wants to hate.
In a time when the gospel of God should be the word on the lips of the People called by his name, another gospel I hear:
Us, versus Them.
We the People.....(ahh sorry no me) You the people can choose who you will serve.
We the The members of My House, we Choose the Fear of the Lord
We choose the Love of the Lord
We choose the Way of the Lord
and we we go astray we don't go to politicians for answers.
We go back to the Bible and Jesus.
If you really want to be a political person, review history, and then go ahead, as for me and my house, I would rather walk away with God alone then stand in a land as Divided as America is.
We were judged, and America still hasn't realized it yet...........,
God help us now.
Michael James Stone
