Quote:
Originally Posted by DeltAlum
A group of Evangelical Christians will release a report in Washington this week saying that religion has become too political.
The AP has gotten a copy of the document. Following are quotes from the AP article:
"That way faith loses its independence, Christians become `useful idiots' for one political party or another, and the Christian faith becomes an ideology," according to the draft.
The declaration, scheduled to be released Wednesday in Washington, encourages Christians to be politically engaged and uphold teachings such as traditional marriage. But the drafters say evangelicals have often expressed "truth without love," helping create a backlash against religion during a "generation of culture warring."They say more than 80 evangelicals have signed the statement, although only a few names have been released. A. Larry Ross, spokesman for the authors, said the theologicans and Christian leaders involved are seeking to "go back to the root theological meaning of the term evangelical."
To put it simply, I agree.
Here's a link:
http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/i...ylist=national |
I like the idea of sending this message, and I think the problems described were frustrating to Christians for both political and religious reasons. As a voter one might not like being labeled or marginalized. As a Christian, one might not like being spoken for my the likes of the folks that the media and politicians go to (or who seek out the media and politicians) to make statements on behalf of Christians. ETA: not to mention, of course, the sincere problem of the most vocal and political Christians advocating positions that didn't seem Christ-like.
It's interesting to me that this resolution happens after the guy perceived as the evangelical candidate lost the Republican nomination and while connections to a Christian religious figure may be hampering one of the Democratic candidates.
I don't really doubt the sincerity of those putting the document forward or signing it, but it does give those who were kind of guilty of political pandering or manipulation a face saving out: it's not that the lost their influence; it's that they are backing away from politics to be more Christian.
Hybrid Mode
