Earlier this week, radio personality and psychologist James Dobson described a meeting of leaders of the Religious Right in which he participated. According to Dobson, the Salt Lake City gathering passed a resolution, the gist of which was:
If neither of the two major political parties nominates an individual [for President] who pledges himself or herself to the sanctity of human life, we will join others in voting for a minor-party candidate.
According to Dobson, "Those agreeing with the proposition were invited to stand. The result was almost unanimous."
Frankly, I hope that the members of this group follow through on their threat. Not necessarily because it would result in the election of a Democrat, which it incidentally might.
No, my interest in seeing the Religious Right shorn of its influence and power is entirely spiritual, not political.
For nearly three decades now, beginning with the formation of the Moral Majority by Jerry Fallwell in 1979, Religious Right politicos have presumed to speak, if not for all Christians, then for all who label themselves evangelicals. (Although a Lutheran, I classify myself as an evangelical because as the root word, evangel, implies, I believe in the Good News that all who turn from sin and believe in Jesus Christ will live with God forever.)
I've heard this rational in a few places and I think it's wrong. First, I don't think it will purge the Republican party of the religious right's influence. In fact it will strengthen, as if a third party stunt results in the election of Hillary Clinton, the lesson will be clear: appease the religious right or face electoral disaster! Secondly, it's not worth enduring Hillary Clinton generally. It's just not.
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