Originally posted by caltour: What in the world makes you think they are not entirely capable of acheiving their goals?
caltour, you bring up some well articulated concerns about the potential for a powerful entity, be it corporate or religious, to misuse its influence within the public sector. And I would agree with you that certain segments of the Evangelical community seem to be increasing in power with each passing year. But in some of my earlier posts which were directed at your concern I'm trying to tell you that the christian population as a whole is much too diverse to want to align themselves with each other on all political matters for the purposes of creating a Bible Nation as you call it.
You are assuming that "the christian population as a whole" would have to support the evangelicals/megachurches' grab for power in order for it to succeed. Why?
A relatively small group can start a revolution (see Russia (1917), Cuba (1959), United States (1770s)). A small, relatively unpopular cadre of dedicated, organized operatives can dominate the policymaking apparatus of even a large democracy like ours (today's Neoconservatives). Evangelicals would need only a fraction of the "christian population as a whole" to generate the money and influence needed to dominate the playing field.
One of the great weaknesses of our form of government is that it is a "winner takes all" system. There is virtually no representation for those individual voters who don't vote with the majority. Minority parties are locked out of power. And only a minority of the population votes. Any group that can round up tens of millions of dollars, or (just a few) tens of millions of votes, can control almost everything.
Originally posted by 04marauder:Not only would these attempts not make it out of the church pews but if it did I have a feeling that the rest of our society would be more inspired than ever to take political action more seriously and try restoring balance to the political landscape.
Faith is a wonderful thing, in sprirtual matters. But not in politics.
Originally posted by 04marauder:You should also know that the often unheard christian voices that preach sermons that aren't centered around a few divisive hot button issues are beginning to gain a wider acceptance by congregations around the country. And it is within these churches that I think a new perception of christianity by the mainstream will be born.
You acknowledged above that the evangelical megachurches are growing in influence. ("I would agree with you that certain segments of the Evangelical community seem to be increasing in power with each passing year.") You know they have millions of members and are hugely wealthy organizations. They already have more than enough money and membership to steamroll almost any political opposition. And they are avowedly dedicated to doing so.
Yet you pin your hopes for averting their excessive political influence on some "often unheard christian voices" in a few churches. You think that "a new perception of christianity" will be born in these chuches. Excuse my skepticism, but is that really supposed to make me feel better?
Originally posted by 04marauder:I geuss my advice to you then is to not be so alarmist.
If you are not alarmed by the political threat posed by the evangelicals and the megachurches, then I suppose it's simply because you share more of their goals than I do. A lot of Germans were not alarmed by the rise of the Nazis, because they shared many of the Nazis militaristic, totalitarian and antisemitic views.
Originally posted by 04marauder:And maybe go to church every once and a while.
Why? Do I need to go to church in order to have a fulfilling spiritual life? Do I need to go to church in order to get into heaven? What if the churches in my area are havens of SUV-driving Bush Republicans who would rather run over a needy person than feed him?
