EASTER: Politics, Faith and the Democratic Party
13 April 2006 5:48 pm by Taylor Marsh
EASTER: Politics, Faith and the Democratic Party
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At the center of this early evangelical doctrine (1820s
– 1830s) was the idea of original sin: we were all born stained by corruption
and fleshly desire, and the true purpose of earthly life was to redeem this.
The trials of economic life–the sweat of hard labor, the fear of poverty,
the self-denial involved in saving–were earthly tests of sinfulness and virtue.
While evangelicals believed salvation was ultimately possible only through
conversion and faith, they saw the pain of earthly life as means of atonement
for original sin. These were the people that writers like Dickens detested.
… Evangelicals interpreted the mental anguish of poverty and debt, and the
physical agony of hunger or cold, as natural spurs to prick the conscience
of sinners. They believed that the suffering of the poor would provoke remorse,
reflection, and ultimately the conversion that would change their fate. In
other words, poor people were poor for a reason, and helping them out of poverty
would endanger their mortal souls. It was the evangelical who began to see
the business mogul as an heroic figure, his wealth a triumph of righteous
will.
LET THERE BE MARKETS
The Evangelical
Roots of Economics, by Gordon Bigelow (Harper's Magazine)
Tomorrow is Good Friday, with Easter weekend to follow. It's also
Passover. Some observe one of these holidays, while others do not.
But if there is one thing we learned in the 2000 and 2004 elections
is that religion in politics is a powerful mover. One of the reasons is that
it is emotional. Any issue that moves emotions is a natural GOTV mechanism.
There has been much lamenting about Democrats being unable to
express their faith in public. Contrasted with Republicans, it's no wonder we
look secular. Bush and his bunch wear their religion on their sleeve, though
they disgard their religiosity when it comes to making policy or crafting their
politics. Whether it's economics, the environment, foreign policy and national
security, or domestic issues, the Republicans don't seem to understand or care
about bringing their religiosity in to craft just laws and policies. Because
we do, our inability to engage this debate verbally, often and whenever it's
needed, is costing us dearly. Our silence costs the country as well.
Democrats have a foundation in social justice. Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. said “religious faith should 'bend the world toward justice.”
(source: God's Politics, by Jim Wallis, p. 71). Dr. King was right.
The reason Democrats must find a way to speak about values and
faith in the public square is because our policies are moral and just, whereas
the Republicans are not. Their willingness to talk about faith has seduced the
electorate into believing they have a corner on the God market. Our silence
makes it so. Besides, it's ethically, morally and politically irresponsible not to talk about the just nature of Democratic Party politics, which is about, not only religious freedom, but the social equality of each and every man, woman and child. Our policies help make that wish a reality for everyone, whereas the Republicans' policies do not.
Today's
podcast is up (also found here).
The topic mirrors the title of this post. It's just a start, a bare beginning on the discussion
of faith and the Democratic Party. A conversation about faith, something I've been reading and talking about all of my life.
Whatever your faith, or if you have none at all, enjoy the holiday.
