More on Religious Tolerance

Posted on April 24, 2004 in Crosstalk Folly Watch Morals & Ethics

Patrick Neilsen Hayden’s (and John Paul’s) not getting it. What bothers me is that this comes off as a shallow “let’s get some votes” election year gimmick, particularly on Kevin’s part — Kevin who last year declared that if he thought it would win the election for the Democrats he would be antiwar.

It’s that kind of insincerity about convictions which alienate many members of the Christian Left these days. They have the strength to cope with confusions such as linking them to Fundamentalism. What tees many of them off is the view that they’re just another voting bloc to be manipulated and used for ends which often conflict with their faith.

This is what the Drumm post completely missed. In an otherwise good article, John Paul gives us an impassioned appeal to acknowledge the contributions of the religious among us, but ends his article with an ironic remark implying the supremacy of the Party. This is why many Christians — and this agnostic — look with suspicion at the “intellectual Left”. Are they real allies or are those who are now calling for tolerance just hoping to win an election by them?

How do you prove your respect for their kind of diversity? First, by seeing them as persons. (Hint to Patrick Neilsen Hayden: my name is Joel, not “this guy”.)

Second by being honest and delivering on promises. When statements about tolerance are couched in “We won’t be able to win this one without them” you send the message that what matters most is the winning of the election, not the principles. The Christian Left regularly votes Democratic despite the hostility that Patrick speaks about. The alienating thing is that, when the Religious Left becomes just a pawn in a greater scheme, the self-proclaimed prophets of the Left (Kevin Drumm left? Give me a break!) turn out to be a lot like George W. Bush and the Radical Right who use a few buzzwords dear to Fundamentalists to keep them showing up to the polls.

That’s not real tolerance or respect for diversity. That’s pandering.

Enough of the head-patting, guys. Let’s talk common ground.

No more commentary on this until Politics Tuesday.