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 Political Theologies - Should Religion and Politics Mix? Take Two

December 10, 2007

    In October one of our contributors to this newsletter posed the seemingly simple-minded question: should religion and politics mix?

    Since that time the race for the US Presidential nomination, particularly among Republicans, has generated a stunning answer.  Religion and politics do mix, or at least they are increasingly mixing it up with each other.

    It's no longer a hypothetical question.  It's the real deal.     

Consider the two most striking manifestations of this trend - the sputtering fortunes in the GOP race of the all-American family values man Mitt Romney.  From the start Romney has been the poster child for religious conservatives who think that the battle to prevent the legalization of gay marriage and to make abortion illegal is the magic bullet for restoring the republic.  There's only one problem.  He's a Mormon.

    It's not that Mormons aren't moral and virtuous, or that a Mormon president wouldn't do things that even James Dobson would eat his heart out for if Romney found himself in the White House.  Mormons  even believe that the US Constitution is divinely inspired, which should please non-evangelical conservatives.  

    No, the problem is that Romney is, well, a Mormon.  Period.  One sixth of the American population has told pollsters they wouldn't vote for a Mormon for president for that very reason.  Basically, in the minds of many Americans, Mormonism is just too strange, even though the public is beginning to learn more and more about it.   From the standpoint of the history of religions Mormonism is not all that strange, considering what a lot of Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, and Orthodox Jews - let alone Scientologists who inhabit Hollywood - actually believe. 

    One of the problems is that historically there haven't been that many Mormons in the public eye, even though it is one of the fastest growing denominations not only in the United States but in the world.  Add the fact that Mormonism itself has many "esoteric" teachings and practices that are understood only by insiders as well as that it is habitually silent on the public policy front outside of Utah and you have a lot of suspicions that cannot be easily dispelled. 

    In this decade "transparency" is what voters seem to want desperately in a candidate as well as someone who professes faith without talking about what he really believes, even if it might strike the average member of the electorate as completely weird, is not credible these days.

    On the other hand, with the decline of Romney we are witnessing the meteoric rise of a Republican un-Romney in the person of Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor.  Huckabee isn't exactly transparent, though a genial and jocular manner can make you seem that way.   Although he definitely has a "family friendly" record, he doesn't seem to be the bulwark of public integrity that one would expect of a moral values kind of guy.

    What's his appeal?   He strikes many in Republican primary electorate as pure preacher man rather than as politician, and that's a plus, though it may not be for the majority of the population that doesn't speak Southern Baptist.  But at least he is the real deal.

    The same yearning for authenticity, even it comes with a lot of moralism and theological baggage, seems among Democratic voters to be driving Barak Obama up in the polls and Hillary Clinton down.  Obama especially has not tried to hide his sincere religious convictions and has actually made the case that they influence his politics.  In his "Call to Renewal Address" in June 2006 Obama leaped into the national spotlight by excoriating Democrats for not only keeping religion out of politics, but for not putting faith into action. 

    "Secularists are wrong," Obama proclaimed "when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering into the public square. Frederick Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Williams Jennings Bryant, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King - indeed, the majority of great reformers in American history - were not only motivated by faith, but repeatedly used religious language to argue for their cause."

    Obama has often been compared to Kennedy, but Kennedy played down his religion, arguing that it wouldn't make a difference when it came to how he would govern. Obama is saying the opposite - it will make a difference.   

    Huckabee is a theological conservative.  Obama is a theological liberal.  Both are running for president.  The choice for voters next November may not be between political philosophies and policies, but between political theologies.

Carl Raschke

Links

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316738,00.html

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071214/NRSTAFF/712140301

More Links

http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3975744

            (Dec 10) The organization targeted in the first, if not both, of the recent shootings at Colorado churches is known for attracting and training zealous young people to be Christian missionaries in locations around the world, including some of the world’s most dangerous places. According to one of the Youth With a Mission’s leaders, the incidents were tragic, but no more so than what others face serving God and spreading the gospel. In countries where Christian proselytizing is not welcome, the organization concentrates more on relief work as party of mercy ministry.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/09/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Women-Killed.php

            (Dec 9) At least 40 women have been killed by religious vigilantes in Basra this year, according to authorities. The women’s bodies were discovered mutilated and were accompanied by notes warning against violating Islamic teachings and claiming that the women were killed for un-Islamic behavior. Sectarian groups attempting to impose a strict interpretation of Islam have been accused. Men with Western clothes or haircuts have also bee attacked in the city.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2007/12/09/young_hungarians_spurring_a_revival_of_jewish_life/

            (Dec 9) As horrors of the Holocaust and communism become more distant, a new generation of Hungarian Jews is embracing its identity and spurring a revival of Jewish life. In Budapest, there are reportedly at least 100,000 Jews, and the city has numerous synagogues Jewish schools, Jewish publications and flourishing Jewish neighborhoods.

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59111

            (Dec 9) A sign in Vernon, Connecticut has caused many religious believers to cringe. The ten-foot tall sign erected by the Connecticut Valley Atheists has a picture of the pre-9/11 twin towers and the words “Imagine No Religion,” based on John Lennon’s anthem, “Imagine.” According to a CVA coordinator, the image accuses religion for the destruction of the towers. Instead, the organization is hoping to emphasize what they see is an advantage of atheism. A large Christmas tree has been put up ten feet from the atheists’ sign, leading some to wonder if the goal was to obstruct the view.

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Heritage_and_Culture/10173778.html

            (Dec 9) Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai has urged officials to encourage more centers of Quran memorization so that youth will develop greater awareness of Islamic teachings and allow them to be a guide in a future based on dignity and moderation.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2007/12/09/carolers_banned_in_philippines_capital/2537/

            (Dec 9) Officials in the Philippines have banned Christmas caroling in Manila this year. The head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority claims that the ban is to stop young carolers from entering city streets in order to seek money from passing motorists. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, with adherents from more than 90 percent of the population.

http://business.maktoob.com/News-20070423133663-World_s_finest_Islamic_art_collection_to_go_on_display_in_Abu_Dhabi.aspx

            (Dec 9) Some of the world’s finest Islamic art will be on displace in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi next year. The selection, from the Khalili collection, will be displayed in the exhibition titled “Truly God is Beautiful and Truly Loves All,” under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The exhibit is another sign of Abu Dhabi’s increasing role as a global cultural destination.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=54514

            (Dec 9) Police in Malaysia have lodged a report against a local mufti for issuing a fatwa that forbids religious statues or replicas of human and animals in public places close to the road. Statements claim that the fatwa could incite hatred and animosity in the country’s plural society and goes against the country’s constitutional guarantee to the freedom of religion.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120801660.html?hpid=sec-religion

            (Dec 9) Contrary to the predominant European reaction against Islamic architecture and increased signs of cultural, religious and ethnic divides, one city in France is welcoming Muslims with open arms. In fact, in Creteil, a $7.4 million mosque with room for more than 2,500 worshippers is planned to be finished next June. However, even Creteil has its struggles. French authorities are attempting to deport the mosque’s imam, women fear offending worshipers by wearing swimsuits at the adjacent lake, and there are other concerns.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/10/stories/2007121054420400.htm

            (Dec 10) Speakers at a Human Rights Day function in Bangalore have warned that human rights violations in the country will become more widespread in the current era of globalization and liberalization even as religious fundamentalism gets stronger. Consequently, they called on religious organizations and political parties to stop dividing society for their own gains. Instead of exploiting people in the name of religion and God, religious organizations should protect people from exploitation, according to one speaker.

http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnSP200646.html

            (Dec 10) The number of fatwas is exploding thanks to the prevalence of web sites, television, and radio. Through these different forms of media, Muslims can seek out advice from their favorite cleric. However, the sheer availability of fatwas does not guarantee that they will have influence. In addition, there are so many different religious judgments now that one can find an interpretation that fits ones needs.

http://www.earnedmedia.org/cn1210.htm

            (Dec 10) In a recent survey of 1,600 Christians, 62% responded Christmas is now a Pagan holiday because presents, the Christmas tree, and Santa have become the focal points instead of Christ. Some said that Christmas has always been a Pagan holiday. In addition, a number said that celebrating Christ’s birthday in the winter is inappropriate since Jesus wasn’t born then.

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-12-10T141519Z_01_L1011269_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-BRITAIN-CHRISTMAS-COL.XML&archived=False

            (Dec 10) Britain’s attitude towards ethnic and religious minorities has been highlighted in light of the threat of radical Islam. Now, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims have joined the call urging Britons to enjoy Christmas without worrying about offending non-Christians.

http://www.pr-inside.com/court-upholds-ban-on-civil-servants-r339977.htm

            (Dec 10) A court has upheld a German state’s ban on civil servants and public school teachers from wearing head scarves at work. The measure bans any civil servant from wearing garments that would constitute a religious or political symbol, but excludes Christian symbols. The court ruled that, since civil servants represent the state, authorities have the right to ban garments.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200712100588.html

            (Dec 9) Somalia’s transitional federal government has been dismissed by a member of Somalia’s Islamic Courts movement as a “colonial government.” In addition, he claimed that Islamist gurrillas who are currently waging war on the government and its foreign allies are not criminals because they are acting in defense. The Islamist war chief has stated that the only solution in Solmalia is for foreign troops to leave.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071210/30427_China_to_Open_World's_Largest_Bible_Production_Plant.htm

            (Dec 10) The world’s largest Bible production factory is set to open in China early next year. Amity Printing, who recently celebrated the completed production of 50 million Bibles, plans to open a new plant that can produce one million Bibles each month. Demand in the officially-atheist China has been growing and some contend that the demand is tied to the country’s recent economic boom. Authoriest claim there are about 30 million Christians in the country, but that does not take into account the house churches outside of government jurisdiction, which some estimate to have as many as 100 million participants.

http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2007/12/6/2177/

            (Dec 6) 40,000 signatures have been collected in support of changing the law on religion in Belarus. According to a spokesman for the campaign, signatures show the increased interest in the problem of freedom of conscience and religion in the country. Organizers hope the signatures will help government leaders better gauge the current situation and understand the necessity to respect rights of believers.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071206/30361_Black_Evangelicals_Emerging_as_New_Conservatives.htm

            (Dec 6) Black evangelical leaders are emerging as the new voice of the conservative movement, a role traditionally dominated by white Protestants. While a number are registered democrats, they have expressed willingness to support Republican candidates if their conservative values are addressed. Two of the main concerns continue to be abortion and same-sex marriage.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/offbeat/2007/12/westboro_baptist_church_sings.html

            (Dec 6) The church known for protesting military funerals is at it again.  This time, they have produced a collection of music videos that spokesperson Shirley Phelps-Roper characterizes as a “warning” – a broad declaration that all people of earth have sinned and that God’s wrath will soon send us all to hell. The songs’ biting lyrics include messages of hate for false prophets, homosexuals, and the U.S. foreign policy

http://www.totalcatholic.com/pages/news_pages/0612vaticanisrael.html

            (Dec 6) The Vatican and Israel are close to concluding a bilateral accord on the legal and financial status of the Roman Catholic Church in Israel. According to an ambassador, about 85 percent of the accord has been examined and approved by both sides. All that remains is negotiating an agreement on the legal and tax status of Church property, commercial activities of Christian communities, and the question of access of Arab Christian clergy to their flock.

http://www.earnedmedia.org/caa1206.htm

            (Dec 6) Concerns of religious persecution and the corruption of justice in China have been raised again after police have forced a young American girl and her middle class Chinese family into hiding. According to the article, the girl’s father has already been taken into custody without formal charges or legal representation. Her father, who runs a Christian literature bookstore, was arrested along with some of his employees, his younger brother and his wife, who were later released. Twenty police raided his home and again questioned his wife in connection with Christian literature confiscated in the home, office and bookstore.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071206/30372_Introducing_the_'Itty_Bitty_Bible'.htm

            (Dec 6) A new Bible is available for purchase now. This one, however, contains all 1,200 pages of the King James Version 285 times on one and one-fourth inch of microfilm. The Itty Bitty Bible is the size of a credit card and weighs less than an ounce. Although the words are illegible to the naked eye, they can be viewed word for word using a standard compound microscope. The company making them is marketing them as an example how faith cannot always be seen, but it is always with us. They will be donating 5,000 of the Bibles to U.S. soldiers.

http://www.russiatoday.ru/features/news/18139

            (Dec 7) The first health center designed for Muslims in Moscow has opened its doors. The clinic aims to provide Muslims with medical treatment that does not compromise the strict rules of their religion. All alcohol is removed from medicines, men and women are treated by doctors of the same sex, and the center even has a prayer room with separate entrances for men and women. At least two million Muslims live in Moscow.

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7207

            (Dec 5) Anglican Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini has called on churches in eastern Africa to fight against homosexuality. The Anglican Church of Rwanda has declared that it will ignore the 2008 Lambeth Conference because not enough has been done to fight homosexuality within the communion.

http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/071207/domestic_vn.htm

            (Dec 7) the Vietnamese and Cambodian government authorities on religion have agreed to continue to coordinate management of religious activities and make religions an important element of building peace and stability in the countries. The two groups have also agreed to share spiritual, material and technical assistance and organize more visits and study tours.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7133867.stm

            (Dec 8) Germany’s federal and state interior ministers have declared the Church of Scientology unconstitutional. Scientology is not recognized as a religion in Germany, and the recent declaration may lead to a nationwide ban. Although Scientologists claim that they promote a religion based on the understanding of the human spirit, critics argue that the organization engages in cult-type practices and exploits followers for financial gain.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/07/africa/ME-GEN-Israel-Indonesia.php

            (Dec 7) A rare delegation of Muslim religious leaders from Indonesia will be hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres this month. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, currently has no diplomatic ties with Israel. The Muslim clerics hope to present Peres with the moderate face of Islam that promotes peace and rejects Islamic extremism. Peres has acknowledged the effort, claiming that Israel’s enemy is not Islam, but terror.

http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2007/12/07/feature-01

            (Dec 7) A program to train morchidates, female Muslim preachers, in Morocco has resulted in about 150 trained women since its launch in 2005. The program prepares women to engage in tasks that were previously restricted to men and to the imams of mosques. Tasks include delivering religious lessons and lectures at hospitals, schools and prisons. The morchidates have been especially helpful reaching out to other women.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071207/30383_Two_of_Six_Preachers_Turn_Over_Financial_Data_for_Probe.htm

            (Dec 7) Only two of the six mega-church preachers turned over financial documents for a Senate investigation by the set deadline. Senate members allege opulent spending and abuse of the tax-exempt status of their churches. By law, churches are not required to make their finances public.  However, one of the tax-exempt requirements is that the churches do not pay unreasonable compensation. One of the four who did not submit the documents asked the investigation be referred to the IRS or for the committee to get a subpoena. Both would grant greater privacy to the matter.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=55209

            (Dec 7) The number of Catholics in the United Arab Emirates is steadily growing, according to one news agency. The constitution of the UAE guarantees freedom of religion. There are currently forty-five priests and 1.3 million Catholics in the country.

http://www.plusnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75752

            (Dec 7) HIV- and AIDS-intolerance is slowly declining as more imams throughout the world are being educated and passing on information to their congregations. According to UNAIDS, prevalence is relatively low in Islamic communities, but it is growing in some countries, including Algeria, Iran, Libya and Morocco. One former-imam believes that having imams speak out on the issue is key to increasing awareness and tolerance.

http://www.narinjara.com/details.asp?id=1544

            (Dec 7) Burmese military authorities in part of Burma have began to insult monks by calling them a new nickname, “orange.” The trend is allegedly part of a government plan to destroy the monks’ image and to devalue their status in the eyes of the people. The Burmese military authorities have also been accusing monks of sexually abusing women.

http://www.miamiherald.com/367/story/335518.html

            (Dec 7) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing rapidly in southern California, in large part thanks to large numbers of Hispanic converts who appreciate the religion’s emphasis on family values. Many of them converted, some from the Catholic Church, before immigrating to the U.S.. Worldwide membership of LDS topped thirteen million this year.

Richard Bishhop