Leaders of five major Protestant denominations held a press conference to denounce the proposed Bush budget as immoral, which it almost certainly is, but what interests me is this whole new emphasis on the language of religion to frame political discourse. If we could have a real, honest-to-God(!) debate on what the moral foundation of this country should be, or what it is--if it's even possible to have that kind of discussion--it might bring about a political shift of profound consequence. But I'm really not convinced that there's some sort of broad religious groundswell happening here. People aren't turning to religion per se, they're turning to fundamentalism, and I'm not sure that a newfound emphasis on the Beatitudes and whether or not a rich man can pass through the eye of a needle is going to change that. This is a global phenomenon. People are fearful, they're resentful; they're looking for answers, they're looking for scapegoats; they're looking for the illusion of stability and safety in a world that doesn't have much of either. The only real solution to their real problems is a political solution that says that working people have the right to: a self-respecting job at a decent wage; decent health care, clean air and water, sound education and a say in the affairs of their community and their nation.
Maybe talking about social justice in the language of religion can create an environment where such "liberal" values can once again be considered credible enough to fight for in the political arena. But that's where the battle will be fought and make no mistake, the forces of the corporate/security state will not be swayed by morality. We need some righteous anger and a big-ass stick to chase these money-changers from the temple. Jesus may have been a liberal, but he knew how to kick butt when he had to.
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