Does Conservative = Christian?

It's primary day in Florida, and the American Family Association (along with other such groups) has rolled out its voter guide. As much as I support many of the issues championed by the AFA, this year's guide reveals the ongoing habit that such groups have of confusing and conflating biblical issues with conservative political issues. The end result is that, for all appearances, the AFA has sold its soul to the GOP and squandered an opportunity to be a prophetic voice to both political parties. What are the eight issues they consider crucial in this year's election?

• Abortion
• Gay marriage
• Gun rights
• Freedom for businesses to not hire homosexuals
• Limited taxes
• Opposing gay pride celebrations
• Supporting the Iraq war
• Opposing gay-friendly school curriculum

Beside the fact that the guide unwittingly trivializes the horror of abortion by placing it among issues such as tax cuts and gun rights, it is silent on any mention of the death penalty (which Christians can defend or combat using Scripture), the environment or immigration (both of which Scripture has something to say about) or what any of the candidates intend to do to steward US resources toward alleviating some of the world’s problems.

Now I hate taxes as much as the next guy (and recognize the government's financial incompetence), but Scripture says little about taxes beyond “pay them." And yes, only the most naiive believe that removing guns from civilian society will eliminate crime. However, many reasonable Christians can make a case for gun control--particularly the mother in inner-city Philadelphia who thanks God every time her child comes home from school in one piece. Similarily, many reasonable evangelicals disagree with the war--with biblical substantiation.

The end result is that the AFA places people in the awkward position of embracing conservative political positions (guns, taxes, war) if they want to engage serious moral issues (the sanctity of marriage and abortion). With this type of rational inconsistency plaguing Christian lobbying groups, no wonder abortion has remained legal for 35 years!

The AFA has a mission to “motivate and equip citizens to change the culture to reflect Biblical truth and traditional family values," but it seems that they end up reinforcing stereotypes of the religious right and supporting a conservative political platform in the guise of family values. It ultimately hurts the cause of those of us who, like them, would like to see a “change in the culture.”

A voting bloc that is this predictable will ultimately end up being taken advantage of, as it cravenly sacrifices moral truth for political expediency.

Does Conservative = Christian?

It's primary day in Florida, and the American Family Association (along with other such groups) has rolled out its voter guide. As much as I support many of the issues championed by the AFA, this year's guide reveals the ongoing habit that such groups have of confusing and conflating biblical issues with conservative political issues. The end result is that, for all appearances, the AFA has sold its soul to the GOP and squandered an opportunity to be a prophetic voice to both political parties. What are the eight issues they consider crucial in this year's election?

• Abortion
• Gay marriage
• Gun rights
• Freedom for businesses to not hire homosexuals
• Limited taxes
• Opposing gay pride celebrations
• Supporting the Iraq war
• Opposing gay-friendly school curriculum

Beside the fact that the guide unwittingly trivializes the horror of abortion by placing it among issues such as tax cuts and gun rights, it is silent on any mention of the death penalty (which Christians can defend or combat using Scripture), the environment or immigration (both of which Scripture has something to say about) or what any of the candidates intend to do to steward US resources toward alleviating some of the world’s problems.

Now I hate taxes as much as the next guy (and recognize the government's financial incompetence), but Scripture says little about taxes beyond “pay them." And yes, only the most naiive believe that removing guns from civilian society will eliminate crime. However, many reasonable Christians can make a case for gun control--particularly the mother in inner-city Philadelphia who thanks God every time her child comes home from school in one piece. Similarily, many reasonable evangelicals disagree with the war--with biblical substantiation.

The end result is that the AFA places people in the awkward position of embracing conservative political positions (guns, taxes, war) if they want to engage serious moral issues (the sanctity of marriage and abortion). With this type of rational inconsistency plaguing Christian lobbying groups, no wonder abortion has remained legal for 35 years!

The AFA has a mission to “motivate and equip citizens to change the culture to reflect Biblical truth and traditional family values," but it seems that they end up reinforcing stereotypes of the religious right and supporting a conservative political platform in the guise of family values. It ultimately hurts the cause of those of us who, like them, would like to see a “change in the culture.”

A voting bloc that is this predictable will ultimately end up being taken advantage of, as it cravenly sacrifices moral truth for political expediency.

Let the Pandering Begin

This election cycle's batch of candidates has refined pandering, stereotyping, intelligence insulting and appeal to the lowest common denominator to an all-time unctuous art form. Here's just a sampling:

Hillary Clinton, courting Hispanic voters in Nevada:

"Clinton said unscrupulous lending leads to bad mortgages, which lead to foreclosures, which lead to people with nowhere to go and vacant neighborhoods that can go rapidly downhill. 'We treat these problems as if one is guacamole and one is chips, when ... they both go together,' she said."

Mike Huckabee, commenting on the Iran/US Navy encounter:

"Be prepared, first, to put your sights on the American vessel. And then be prepared that the next thing you see will be the gates of Hell, because that is exactly what you will see after that."

Barack Obama, celebrating his Iowa victory (and ostensibly attempting to engage younger, gangsta-rapping voters):

"As Obama and his wife, Michelle, strolled triumphantly into his victory party in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 3, Jay-Z's '99 Problems' was blaring. In it, Jay raps, 'I got 99 problems, but a b___ ain't one.' "

Mitt Romney, when asked about his Mormon beliefs:

"The most unusual thing my church believes it that God sent a flood upon the earth, a man took a boat and put two of each animal in the boat and saved humanity by doing that."

Let the Pandering Begin

This election cycle's batch of candidates has refined pandering, stereotyping, intelligence insulting and appeal to the lowest common denominator to an all-time unctuous art form. Here's just a sampling:

Hillary Clinton, courting Hispanic voters in Nevada:

"Clinton said unscrupulous lending leads to bad mortgages, which lead to foreclosures, which lead to people with nowhere to go and vacant neighborhoods that can go rapidly downhill. 'We treat these problems as if one is guacamole and one is chips, when ... they both go together,' she said."

Mike Huckabee, commenting on the Iran/US Navy encounter:

"Be prepared, first, to put your sights on the American vessel. And then be prepared that the next thing you see will be the gates of Hell, because that is exactly what you will see after that."

Barack Obama, celebrating his Iowa victory (and ostensibly attempting to engage younger, gangsta-rapping voters):

"As Obama and his wife, Michelle, strolled triumphantly into his victory party in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 3, Jay-Z's '99 Problems' was blaring. In it, Jay raps, 'I got 99 problems, but a b___ ain't one.' "

Mitt Romney, when asked about his Mormon beliefs:

"The most unusual thing my church believes it that God sent a flood upon the earth, a man took a boat and put two of each animal in the boat and saved humanity by doing that."

One Miserable Guy

Remember those '80s Christian movies about people who were rich, famous, successful, etc.--but miserable without God. The stories always seemed a bit contrived. New England Patriots QB Tom Brady is apparently one of these people in real life--someone who is rich and famous and enjoys the company of beautiful women. But he still hasn't found what he's looking for. I'm rich (in global standards) and enjoy the company of a beautiful woman, but I'm not exactly famous. I wouldn't trade places with this poor guy for anything ...

One Miserable Guy

Remember those '80s Christian movies about people who were rich, famous, successful, etc.--but miserable without God. The stories always seemed a bit contrived. New England Patriots QB Tom Brady is apparently one of these people in real life--someone who is rich and famous and enjoys the company of beautiful women. But he still hasn't found what he's looking for. I'm rich (in global standards) and enjoy the company of a beautiful woman, but I'm not exactly famous. I wouldn't trade places with this poor guy for anything ...

ORU: A Happy Ending [Beginning]

Oral Roberts University's acceptance of the Green (no relation) family's offer to bail the school out is one of the most positive stories I've read about in a while--amid the otherwise depressing and tawdry tales plaguing the charismatic/Pentecostal community these days.

I mused at the initial breaking of the ORU scandal that nothing substantive could improve the school's dismal reputation as long as it was run by the existing board--many of whom were haunted by their own ethical problems. It seems that Mart Green and his family were of the same opinion, as their $62 million gift hinged on the replacement of the board with a body that would more effectively represent the interests of the faculty, students and stakeholders--not the interests of the Roberts family. The new trustee board is heavily weighted toward those respected both for their solid ministry experience and academic credentials:

• Don H. Argue, Ed. D.
• Fredrick A. Boswell, Jr.
• Stanley Burgess, Ph. D.
• Hal Donaldson
• Mart D. Green, Chairman
• Rob Hoskins
• Lynette (Troyer) Lewis
• Ron Luce
• Charles W. McKinney, ED.D.
• Oral Roberts (Life Member)
• Russell P. Spittler, Ph. D.
• Dr. R. Lamar Vest
• William (Billy) Wilson
  

I think I hear the pleasant sound of ORU grads nailing their diplomas back on the wall. ...

ORU: A Happy Ending [Beginning]

Oral Roberts University's acceptance of the Green (no relation) family's offer to bail the school out is one of the most positive stories I've read about in a while--amid the otherwise depressing and tawdry tales plaguing the charismatic/Pentecostal community these days.

I mused at the initial breaking of the ORU scandal that nothing substantive could improve the school's dismal reputation as long as it was run by the existing board--many of whom were haunted by their own ethical problems. It seems that Mart Green and his family were of the same opinion, as their $62 million gift hinged on the replacement of the board with a body that would more effectively represent the interests of the faculty, students and stakeholders--not the interests of the Roberts family. The new trustee board is heavily weighted toward those respected both for their solid ministry experience and academic credentials:

• Don H. Argue, Ed. D.
• Fredrick A. Boswell, Jr.
• Stanley Burgess, Ph. D.
• Hal Donaldson
• Mart D. Green, Chairman
• Rob Hoskins
• Lynette (Troyer) Lewis
• Ron Luce
• Charles W. McKinney, ED.D.
• Oral Roberts (Life Member)
• Russell P. Spittler, Ph. D.
• Dr. R. Lamar Vest
• William (Billy) Wilson
  

I think I hear the pleasant sound of ORU grads nailing their diplomas back on the wall. ...

A Visit from Soulforce

Soulforce, whose vision is "freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance," will be visiting several megachurches to "share the message that justice for LGBT people is compatible with Christian teaching." They've sent letters ahead to the churches informing them of their visit.

"These pastors are part of a new generation of evangelical leaders in America," says [Soulforce's executive director, Jeff] Lutes. "We are calling on them and their congregations to demonstrate a new kind of leadership, one that models compassion and justice for all families, including families with two moms and two dads."

Lutes has written letters to Joel Osteen (Lakewood Church, Houston), T.D. Jakes (The Potter's House, Dallas), Harry Jackson, Jr. (Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, Maryland), Eddie Long, (New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, Georgia), Bill Hybels (Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois) and Rick Warren (Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California).

It will be interesting to see if the churches visited will step up to the plate with biblical grace and leadership on this--both in treating the protesters/picketers/visitors/etc. with kindness and respect, and in publicly addressing the incompatibility of homosexual behavior with scripture. Unfortunately, if history is any indicator, the leaders of some of these churches will lapse into sentimental platitudes, neither satisfying Soulforce's desire for affirmation nor confronting the sin of homosexual behavior and extending the offer of salvation by grace through faith--thereby squandering the prophetic platform God has given them in our culture.

A Visit from Soulforce

Soulforce, whose vision is "freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance," will be visiting several megachurches to "share the message that justice for LGBT people is compatible with Christian teaching." They've sent letters ahead to the churches informing them of their visit.

"These pastors are part of a new generation of evangelical leaders in America," says [Soulforce's executive director, Jeff] Lutes. "We are calling on them and their congregations to demonstrate a new kind of leadership, one that models compassion and justice for all families, including families with two moms and two dads."

Lutes has written letters to Joel Osteen (Lakewood Church, Houston), T.D. Jakes (The Potter's House, Dallas), Harry Jackson, Jr. (Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, Maryland), Eddie Long, (New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, Georgia), Bill Hybels (Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois) and Rick Warren (Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California).

It will be interesting to see if the churches visited will step up to the plate with biblical grace and leadership on this--both in treating the protesters/picketers/visitors/etc. with kindness and respect, and in publicly addressing the incompatibility of homosexual behavior with scripture. Unfortunately, if history is any indicator, the leaders of some of these churches will lapse into sentimental platitudes, neither satisfying Soulforce's desire for affirmation nor confronting the sin of homosexual behavior and extending the offer of salvation by grace through faith--thereby squandering the prophetic platform God has given them in our culture.