Another Man’s Meat tells and interesting and probably sadly typical story about the difficulty Christians sometimes face when discussing political views outside the “conservative” mainstream. Jollyblogger picks up the thread and also has a somewhat related post regarding the return of the “Moral Majority.” I can add a story of my own: I learned of a “political action” committee in a local church recently, and was discussing the purpose and goals of the committee with one of its founders. She seemed utterly baffled at some of my questions, such as whether it’s really worthwhile to spend large amounts of energy getting Arlen Spector taken off the Judiciary Committee, and why so few Evangelicals seem concerned with the human cost of the Iraq War. I was trying my best not to wear my law professor hat, but she seemed unable to articulate any serious policy reasons for her positions. It was really disturbing, almost creepy in a way — like some kind of group think was making her unable to see merit in any political position other than those she had been fed by Concerned Women for America or James Dobson.
So, I’m very glad to hear from some moderating voices here in the blogsphere. Perhaps we can begin a move towards a “third way” in Evangelical thinking about public policy. Perhaps we can be more consistently “pro life” — as deeply concerned about the effects of poverty and war as we are about banning abortion. Perhaps we can be more consistent advocates of the role of morality in our public policy — as deeply concerned about the regulatory capture and economic and social inequity as we are about same sex marriage. Perhaps we can become not “conservatives,” “liberals,” or even “moderates,” but rather followers of Jesus who humbly yet honestly seek to be redeeming influences in a broken world — “servants” rather than a “majority”; a “Church” advancing against the gates of Hell rather than a “Christian Coalition” pressing for political advantage; the people of God, confident of the coming fullness of His Kingdom, patiently and faithfully awaiting our Lord’s return, rather than another interest group scrambling for “rights” and influence.