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The Parental is Political

Jerry Falwell may have died, but his fundamentalist political agenda will live on.

By Julie Marsh

Ok, so I've been back here a number of times and am still surprised that there aren't other comments. This is an excellent piece that deserves conversation, so I'm jumping in, headfirst.

Jerry Falwell was a polarizing figure. His mix of religion and politics, his strict patriarchical views, his hateful comments -- they all sicken me, too. I feel like the Republican party has been hijacked by fundamentalist Christianity and will continue to be as long as people like Falwell have a direct line to the White House.

Here's the problem for me, though, as a Christian: these people are NOT the majority (despite their claims otherwise). They aren't even the majority of Christians. They just happen to have a loud voice, lots of money, and a (now departed) charismatic leader.

I think we need to be more careful about grouping people together just because they claim the same religion (or lack thereof). Calling myself a Christian does not make me a member of the Republican party or Focus on the Family anymore than atheism turns someone into an amoral scoundrel.

However, when atheists dismiss anyone of faith as those lacking critical thinking skills, it tells me that they themselves have failed to collect evidence on this matter. I work in an academic environment. I have an advanced degree in science. I would say that the majority of people in my department identify themselves people of faith (with most being either Jewish or Christian, to no surprise). Several study theology as a hobby. The believers and the atheists practice good science and do world-class research. And while my own sample is admittedly skewed, I think it is more representative of reality than most.

I guess I would simply caution you against reacting against others in the same way you hate being pigeon-holed: You say that atheists can be moral people. I say that believers can be critical thinkers. Both are true statements.

Posted by: Nicole | May 24, 2007 14:23

Nicole, I didn't use the word "Christian" once. My beef is with the fundamentalists who interpret the Bible literally and argue for legislation on that basis.

I also don't accuse believers of not being critical thinkers. But fundamentalists who interpret the Bible literally and disregard scientific facts in favor of what they take on faith - they are not thinking critically at all.

Posted by: Julie | May 24, 2007 15:04

Julie,

Points taken. I've been thinking about this more (sometimes it takes me a while to mull these things over) and I guess what it comes to, for me, is this: where are the voices of reason?

It seems to me that I, as a Christian but NOT a Fundamentalist (and, in fact, a liberal) need to speak up more often to make it clear that these people do not represent me. And I would offer that you, as a Republican, need to continue to do the same (as you have here) in an effort to pull the party back to it's traditional themes.

I think that the more we hear from people like us, the better. I am also hoping that the death of Jerry Falwell and the aging of other fundamentalist leaders will force a turn in the right direction at the intersection of politics and religion.

Posted by: Nicole | May 30, 2007 12:28

Nicole, hear hear!! I agree with you wholeheartedly that those of us who can - and do - meet in the middle must speak up more often. I think there are far more of us out there than political and religious leaders would have us believe - the extremes are political constructs at heart.

Posted by: Julie | May 30, 2007 12:57

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