Pat Robertson's 16th Minute of Fame
CBSNews.com: Robertson Out Of The Club?
I don't have too much to really say about the latest in a long series of moonbat Robertson quotes, but this sidestory over on CBS News' blog is a worthwhile discussion on who really might be a better representative voice of religious conservatives.
For starters, I think Amy Sullivan is (as usual) spot-on when she says:
"I try not to comment on all of the ridiculous things that come out of Pat Robertson's mouth because 1) he's a moonbat who seems to be reading a very different translation of the Bible than I am, and 2) most evangelicals, even conservative ones, don't think of him as a spokesperson who represents their views."
There's a range of responses from others as to who might be a more representative voice. It runs the gamut from the likes of Rick Warren (who's claimed rather overtly that he does not view himself as a part of the religious right) to Houston's own Joel Osteen (who rather pointedly does not delve into matters political from the pulpit) on the one hand. Both of those, I think might be worthwhile interviews, but aren't representative voices of the current religious right.
On the other hand are names such as Franklin Graham and Ted Haggard, who may yet serve as more accurate barometers of religious conservatism. Each has a toehold: Haggard taking over the leadership of the National Evangelical Association; Graham benefitting from his father's years of quality ministry on an international level.
But ultimately the matter won't rest with progressive voices like Sullivan's nor CBS bloggers. That choice comes down to religious conservatives themselves in the form of who they listen to, who they allow to influence their actions, and who is viewed approvingly. Clearly, in the waning era of Falwell, Robertson, & Ralph Reed, the range of thought among religious conservatism is diverging a bit.
Ref: Christianity Today - Good Morning Evangelicals!
I'm perfectly content to let Robertson be the spokesperson for Christian evangelicals. Yes, he is a complete loonie, but so few among the other established Christian leaders will come right out and say so. They are content to let him speak for them and to stain the religious beliefs they represent, so why should I, as a non-Christian, object?
Howdy,
How about a vote for James Dobson to take the reins?
It is a shame to watch folks that have legitimate ministries compromise their faith for the benefit of secular conservatism. I don't include Robertson as ever being legitimate expect he scared me into throwing away all my Dungeons and Dragons stuff as a kid and for that I am still peeved. I know for a fact there were missed opportunities for me to be a Christian witness through fantasy and role play. Do the Chronicles of Narnia come to mind? Before I trashed all my stuff because of an unnecessary fear, I had actually incorporated the Chronicles into my play. I am certain there are those I played with that could have used more exposure.
That may qualify as the oddest take regarding cultural conservatism and D&D that I've ever read, Tim ;-)
I'm suddenly reminded of Jimmy Swaggart trying to tell me that Stryper was bad news due to the reliance of heavy metal music on minor scales/chords and particularly, the even more satanic diminished minor as used by the likes of Paganini back before the days of Van Halen, Malmsteen, and Oz Fox. Alas, it was an unsuccessful persuasion on the part of Swaggart.
Back to Dobson, I do think he likely ranks as one of the leading voices of the religious right ... but that's not exactly encouraging. At least in the case of Haggard/Cizik with the NEA, I can appreciate the ways in which their broadening the outlook of applying God's word to the political process in areas such as environment issues.
Greg,
I've just awakened from my long winter's nap.
I'm glad I caught your attention. After seeing all your going on about Malmsteen around your birthday. I figured any thing goes on this blog.
Let me clarify my "vote" for Dobson was not one of political confidence. I was trying to demonstrate how he is a good example of a good ministry gone bad with politics and that he is very likely a dominant figure head for the religious right, but not for me as a Christian Democrat.