The United Methodist Reporter has an article from their most recent edition that focuses on Tony Campolo and his assertion that the Religious Right is "frightening"
Some observations from Mr. Campolo:
- "The Religious Right's takeover of U.S. media as representative of Christianity has been embarrassing, at best, and at times even frightening, Dr. Campolo said. Not only do Religious Right spokesmen such as Mr. Robertson and James Dobson misrepresent Christianity -- and especially evangelicals -- they are not held accountable regarding truth in broadcasting."
- "Christian media often repeats a weak Freudian case for homosexuality that has been discounted by contemporary scholars: that homosexuality has its roots in a weak father and a domineering mother. That theory, he said, would be disproven by a cursory study of the population of Camden, N.J., a city with a 90 percent rate of single-mother families.
- You would expect homosexuality would be the norm (there). The theory propagated by Christian radio has no basis. But once Focus on the Family says it, it's repeated everywhere. You dare not go against James Dobson."
- "Left Behind has set a tone in this country against social action. The only thing that really matters is getting people saved and ready for the Rapture. But Scripture talks about the transformation of the individual under the power of the Holy Spirit and a transformed society marked with justice. Once again, go to the Bible. It’s a great source of theology."
- "When we're being faithful to what Jesus said, we will transform society. Some people tell me that what I've been saying is 'dangerous.' When did Christianity become not dangerous?"
Tony Campolo, Jim Wallis and Brian McLaren are among evangelical leaders who have come up with a new term to describe themselves. They reject the term "Religious left" as an alternative to the the "frightening" religious right. Instead they're calling themselves "red-letter Christians." They take the message of Jesus seriously and try to make that the starting point for all their actions.
Like that "Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." stuff.
The more evangelical, mainline, catholic -- any followers of Jesus who stay with that message first -- the better.
