Right Wing, Wrong Bird

For years I have watched as the Christian Right has become more and more entangled with electoral politics and become pretty much exclusively that of the Republican party.  It appears lately that the connection is becoming a little rocky. Mike Huckabee, a Presidential candidate, who is also a former governor of Arkansas and Baptist minister says: "I think in many cases, they've become intoxicated with a taste of power." when he speaks of the leadership of the Christian Right. 

I think Gov. Huckabee is right, for some years I have seen leaders of  the Christian Right profess the mystical marriage with their speech but then turn around and act like harlots in secret. But then I have not thought for some time that they were sincere in their quoting from the Bible to justify their eye for their eye and tooth for tooth.

In referring to the culture war, Pastor Joel Hunter of 7,000 member Northland Church, in Orlando, Florida, says that: "This whole thing is not a struggle over ideology, it's a struggle over power."  He was so unhappy, he wrote this book, "Right Wing, wrong bird".  What a powerful metaphor.

So there u have it, power.  Amazing, and back before the Moral Majority was created, I recall preachers warning about political compromises harming the Gospel.  So all this time the Wing has been flappin and it was the wrong bird all along.

Comments

[Codename: Copperhead]

The know it alls that I think of are the people who act as if our nation doesn't have a religious history. They base their decisions about our country independent of Biblical truth. Sin does not exist in the minds of these people.
The extreme right wing has always got on my nerves because their inability to listen, but it almost takes that in order to face the moral crises that our country faces.
I think the religious right is opposition to the progressive ideas that is atheistic and amoral.

[Monk-in-Training]

Hey Copperhead.
I am glad u are posting and joining the discussion.

You have an interesting premise that I would like to explore.

First of all with the Presidency, most of Congress and the Federal Judiciary, I find it hard to imagine the Religious Right is being "marginalized".

But, for the sake of the question let's say they were I am just curious - what "threat" do they pose, and to whom? And just what are the "political know it alls" taking over?

Jesus remains on His throne, all is in His hands. I fear no one or nothing political.

[Codename: Copperhead]

Why is it not possible that the real reason why the religious right is being marginalized isn't because of the the threat they pose? At least they dare to stand up for something instead of letting the political know it alls take over?

[Captain Freedom]

I think some on the religious right are starting to develop more of a moderate stance. Especially when some of been turned on by their colleagues for thinking differently.

I think that's case for Joel Hunter because he took serious flack from the Falwell/Robertson camps for his enviromental/social concerns.

[Monk-in-Training]

BruceA

Yes! I am not so sure the political left is going to usher in the Kingdom as well. Today's collect was esp. clear on the subject.

O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without Whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us Your mercy; that, with You as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[Monk-in-Training]

Copperhead,
I see no suggestion of fear here, simply members of the movement unmasking it's true political nature, rather than it's whitewashed walls of sanctity. Something we have needed for some time. Politics is fine, but don't claim you are about making people holy when all you want is political power.

[BruceA]

It's good to see religious conservatives backing away from political ambitions. It's a little unnerving to see, at the same time, some religious liberals (Jim Wallis and Michael Lerner, to name two) embracing political action.

[Codename: Copperhead]

There is some truth here, but it's I fear it's also tainted by fear. People are so freakin afraid of the Christian Right Wing. I don't always agree with them, but they aren't the Taliban as some like to claim. I think it's interesting that people think you can separate Christianity from politics. That is simply not true. One is either influencing the other or vice versa.