Religion, Nationalism, and Terror

Raised arm of evangelical woman praying, by Christopher Morris/VII

Evangelical Movement, Presidential Election of 2008, New York Times, October 28, 2007

The hundred-foot white cross atop the Immanuel Baptist Church in downtown Wichita, Kan., casts a shadow over a neighborhood of payday lenders, pawnbrokers and pornographic video stores. To its parishioners, this has long been the front line of the culture war. Immanuel has stood for Southern Baptist traditionalism for more than half a century. Until recently, its pastor, Terry Fox, was the Jerry Falwell of the Sunflower State — the public face of the conservative Christian political movement in a place where that made him a very big deal.

With flushed red cheeks and a pudgy, dimpled chin, Fox roared down from Immanuel’s pulpit about the wickedness of abortion, evolution and homosexuality. He mobilized hundreds of Kansas pastors to push through a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, helping to unseat a handful of legislators in the process. His Sunday-morning services reached tens of thousands of listeners on regional cable television, and on Sunday nights he was a host of a talk-radio program, “Answering the Call.” Major national conservative Christian groups like Focus on the Family lauded his work, and the Southern Baptist Convention named him chairman of its North American Mission Board.

Alex Koppelman, The Christian right vs. Giuliani | Salon News, October 19, 2007

Appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes” shortly after news of the first meeting to discuss the possibility of a third-party candidacy in the event of Giuliani’s nomination, James Dobson, head of Focus on the Family, stood up strongly against co-host Sean Hannity, who noted that a third-party conservative challenge could produce a Clinton presidency. Questioned about the impact a Clinton administration would have on the courts, compared with Giuliani’s promises to appoint judges who would be acceptable to social conservatives, Dobson was dismissive. “It will be terrible, Sean,” Dobson said of the possibility that Hillary Clinton could make appointments to the Supreme Court. “But you’re taking Rudy’s word on his intention to appoint strict constructionists to the Supreme Court, and I would like to remind you that he has a terrible record in New York of appointing judges.”

In an interview with Salon, Janet Folger, the president of Faith2Action, said she didn’t support the idea of a third-party run, preferring former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who she believes will win the Republican nomination and the presidency. However, she warned that it’s her belief that even without a third candidate in the mix the nomination of either Giuliani or Mitt Romney would guarantee Republican defeat in the general election. “Hillary et al. will have an activated, motivated base, while our people at most will go pull a lever, then go home and take a shower,” Folger said. “They won’t do the heavy lifting necessary, and everyone involved in politics knows that it’s the pro-lifers who hammer in the signs and man the phone banks. We’re the ones who are most highly motivated because we’re the ones who want to stop the killing.”

Dobson has made this threat before, but Christian Right strategists like Ralph Reed know that the only way they can achieve any of their goals is by remaining in the GOP. If conservative evangelicals voted in large numbers for a third party, they would simply be helping to elect the Democratic nominee. That said, most Christian conservatives will vote against Giuliani in southern and western primaries and many will refuse to vote for him if he is the GOP candidate even if this means helping Hillary Clinton become the next president.

James Dobson, The Values Test,New York Times, October 4, 2007

REPORTS have surfaced in the press about a meeting that occurred last Saturday in Salt Lake City involving more than 50 pro-family leaders. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss our response if both the Democratic and Republican Parties nominate standard-bearers who are supportive of abortion. Although I was neither the convener nor the moderator of the meeting, I’d like to offer several brief clarifications about its outcome and implications.

After two hours of deliberation, we voted on a resolution that can be summarized as follows: If neither of the two major political parties nominates an individual who pledges himself or herself to the sanctity of human life, we will join others in voting for a minor-party candidate. Those agreeing with the proposition were invited to stand. The result was almost unanimous.

The other issue discussed at length concerned the advisability of creating a third party if Democrats and Republicans do indeed abandon the sanctity of human life and other traditional family values. Though there was some support for the proposal, no consensus emerged.

Idaho senator severs ties to Romney campaign because of arrest in men’s room, The Boston Globe, 8/28/2007
The undercover officer was monitoring the restroom at noon on June 11. A few minutes later, Craig entered and sat in the stall next to him. Craig began tapping his right foot, touched his right foot to the left foot of the officer in the stall next to him and brushed his hand beneath the partition between them. He was then arrested.