1. I had no idea that the influence of the Religious right is so recent in politics. Somehow I thought that the church had always been pushing and meddling in political affairs but its interesting to know that my grandparents didn’t even grow up with things that way, yet they identify with the evangelical Baptists and watch the 700 club. I think its interesting that evangelicals want to claim things about the Bible and make grandiose claims about their own rightness, when their version has been adjusted over centuries, and their ideas are descended from other religions over centuries. As Harding went over, even their conversion techniques are derived from others, they try to push the immutable word of God onto others, trying to show them the right way and save them. The idea that the Holy Spirit was somehow influencing Harding isn’t even unique to fundamentalism, several religious groups practice spirit possession and forms of it.
I think the idea of saving people is beautiful, and the idea that they want to help and make the world a better place is beautiful. However, their actions and behavior is misguided and cruel. I’m all for the push for people to register to vote and be active in their government, but I’m against third parties trying to use votes as a way to get their ideas and policies into office. No one group can decide what is good and right for all. A Christian fundamentalist group cannot speak for the multitudes of other religions in America, while some of their ideas are shared, some aren’t a fit for our current society.
I think the Maya Angelou quote really helps with the idea that all the groups may disagree and fight, but the truth is, they are all the same. They all strive to fulfill some aspect of life that humans deem necessary. The ten commandments in their basic ideas: the right to freedom, the importance of family and community, theft is bad, helping people is good and love is great. It’s something every culture values in some capacity yet every religion and group fight over the smallest differences rather than accepting the commonalities. ‘We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike” Maya Angelou.
2. “The Rise of the Religious Right” was focused on the Evangelical church; a sub-category of the broad Christian church. The Evangelical church dominated American culture in the 20th century and grew upset due to the removal of prayers in School. They disliked the separation of church and state. After Goldwater’s loss, they felt as if they lost control. They endorsed Nixon, who was a public ally. Jimmy Carter was also a huge influencer for the evangelical church. Following Carter was the presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan. He was pro-life and anti-abortion which made his large supporters, the evangelical church happy. Around 75% of evangelicals were registered to vote and they soon started setting registering booths around and on church grounds. Economic recovery was primary but the Evangelists craved a different priority, more religious presence. Reagan proposed a voluntary prayer in schools and the church supported him heavily. Ultimately, the proposition failed.
“Convicted by the Holy Spirit” talks about conversion to the Christian faith. The topics of being “saved” and listening to the gospel are also important and detrimental to complete conversion. Being raised in a Christian environment, nothing I read in the chapter was new knowledge. My mother’s side of the family is very religious. I’ve always seen how similar my family’s values were compared to conservative republicans and that is no coincidence. Many of my family members are democrats, but I’m sure there are a couple of closeted republicans. I am against crooked politicians who try to enforce their religions on the people and I encourage the separation of church and state.
What is your response concerning the above?
