WASHINGTON – For Christian right leaders, Sen. Barack Obama’s victory last week was a huge setback that left some in the midst of a grieving process. While things may not be going well for the movement, some of its leaders vowed to not only survive under an Obama administration but to thrive.
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(Photo: AP/Gerald Herbert)President Bush walks with President-elect Obama down the Colonnade to the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2008.
“Nothing unites Christian conservatives more than a common enemy, and here the enemy is a radical liberal agenda,” said Rebecca Hagelin of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation on Christian Broadcasting Network on Monday.
Hagelin made sure to clearly state that president-elect Obama himself is not the issue, but rather a “nation and a Christian movement” that she believes has fallen asleep and left the door open to a radical liberal agenda.
“There are a lot of dangerous social agenda items and I think you will see the church rise up to fight these like never before,” she contended.
Issues at stake, she noted, include a long list of measures preventing abortion - such as parental notification, informed consent and bans on partial birth abortions – and free speech if the Fairness Doctrine is passed into law.
Similarly, Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America predicts that Obama’s radical leftist policies could have a reverse effect on many Americans.
"If [president-elect Obama] implements the policies that he says that he believes," Wright said, "many people in America ... may be shocked enough that we'll see the pendulum swing the other way."
While David Kuo, CEO of the social networking site Culture11.com for the cultural conservatives, also foresees great opportunity for conservatives, he thinks that the movement will ultimately evolve to be more progressive in the next few years.
He highlighted that the movement is undergoing a generational shift and that it is likely to stay socially conservative but be more progressive in terms of the agendas it advocates for.
“I think the religious right has an enormous opportunity to be reconstituted in a way that may be even more reflective of an agenda that Jesus might pursue,” Kuo said, according to ABC news.
Some evangelical leaders have already begun to pursue agendas beyond the movement’s big three issues of abortion, marriage and justices.
Well-known conservative evangelicals such as the Rev. Joel Hunter, a megachurch pastor in Florida, and the Rev. Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), have embraced the global warming issue and are forging a new relationship with the Obama administration and Democrats.
Both leaders believe in consensus-building and working with those they differ with.
Hunter, while adamantly against abortion, helped draft the Democratic Party’s new abortion platform that states its support for a women’s right to choose but at the same time, also declares its support for the reduction of abortions in America. Hunter delivered the closing prayer at this year’s Democratic National Convention.
It was also Hunter who prayed with Obama by phone last week before the president-elect went on stage in Chicago’s Grant Park.
"What really works in this country is not inciting the base, but making partnerships with people with different views to advance your agenda," Hunter said, according to The Associated Press. "Those who don't will marginalize themselves politically. I don't think advancement of a cause primarily by attack is the way of the future." Continue >>
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Kuo is just a liberal that wants to hold on to his money. He is no conservative. It's the same dung that is spewed since time began. It is a distortion of God's word used to suit your own purposes. We are letting the liberal agenda seep into our teenagers with the parents to blame for letting them be ignorant of the Bible and letting them be fooled by this social gospel instead of telling them what the real gospel is. People going to Hell need salvation more than they need to stop them from sinning. Tell them that Jesus died for their sins. That will change their behavior and only that.
I am concerned about a couple of things.
One:
We realize,as Christians, that our hope is in Jesus Christ. He is the source for everything that we need.
So why are we putting so much faith in the "president" to bring forth such a dramatic change to our world. Our focus should be to Christ. We are putting too much stock in the role of president.
Especially to Barack Obama.
If he was perfect he would be GOD!But since he is not,we should take him for what he is human with imperfections!!!
He is not supposed to be perfect. He will differ with us on certain issues. He will not agree with us on every issue. As Christians we werent always saved. For we were once lost and without the full knowledge of Christ.So we should understand his lack of knowledge...
So instead of condemning Obama(and living up to the standard of the JUDGEMENTAL Christians)we should rally to educate Obama and the administration on the issues from a Christian perspective.Why not try to tell him what God says on these issues. Instead of labeling him the ENEMY! Rally not from this hard-core angry voice but one of love and understanding.
WAKE UP CHURCH!!!
TWO:
I am pro-life and believe in many Christian issue. But PERSONALLY,I believe voting on ONLY a pro-life basis is harmful and ineffective to our country. I believe it should be taken into account but it should not be our only basis.
Prime example: George Bush.Brought Christian principles but played a part in a number of events that were harmful to a nation.
Three:
A politician can say certain things to rally votes and claim to be a Christian but live a life completely unworthy of the gospel...So please do not continue to be wrapped up in all the things that you hear!
Wake Up CHURCH!!!
P.S--> Doesn't Christ usually use the unlikely to show forth his deliverance. In the bible he always used the unlikely and the ones that the CHURCH overlooked, and judged, to show forth his glory. Is Christ not powerful enough to speak a word into the life of the president and completely transform his WHOLE agenda...
artm:
Reducing the number of abortions would be a big improvement over increasing their numbers by fighting a culture war while the numbers of aborted fetuses stack up. I truly believe that the idiotic way we have aligned with a worldly political party and been so cynically used for our votes has only resulted in more abortions. A moral issue has been politicized beyond all hope of resolution, and we are much to blame.
Abortion is not a heart issue at all. When examining the Constitution of the United States, you'll notice the phrase about the right to life. Since all babies born on U.S soil have the right to citizenship, and therefor the right to life, taking it away removes that right they had. Many people like to bring it down to the biological level and determine the precise time it's considered a human being, but that's utterly ridiculous. Independent of what "stage" the baby is in, it has a chance at life and taking that away is simply unconstitutional and murder.
Anyways, I don't foresee Obama lasting too long. The American people had such a deep hatred for the Bush administration they were basically coerced into voting for Obama. I have no doubt that Obama will bring change, it's just the wrong type of change.
delight, with regards to who's next, some states and countries have already started down the list and my sense is others are not far behind.
Abortion is a HEART issue and as such can not be legislated by government.
It's too late to turn back Roe V Wade in this secular society! But to further compound the problem by allowing wide latitude (FOCA) to government authority to decide which segment of it's citizens can be deemed expendable; FODDER for convenience and choice, is to spiral deeper into a HEARTLESS world and suffer irretrievable, fatal ERROR.
Who is next on the expendables list?
The oldest?
the youngest?
the mentally or physically disabled?
the "unproductive"?
those who disagree with 'us'?
This is not a reality showi.e. who are we going to vote off the boat? Rather we are supposed to be a civilized society enjoying God's blessing by honoring what HE honors.
The greatest mark for a society is in how society treats (as a whole) the "least of these".
This nation will Change INDEED! Exchanging God's blessing for death and darkness.
Maranantha, Jesus come quickly!
"Hagelin made sure to clearly state that president-elect Obama himself is not the issue, but rather a â
A few words from God:
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart
Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
Looks like the Mormon and Catholics have developed more
backone then the "young evangelicals" Time for the
"politically correct" religiosity to go. God's word is the lamp
for our feet.. Jesus will bring victory over sin, not make
excuses for it. We have the biggest challenge of our lives, now
we also have the King of Kings to lead and guide our steps.
Daniel,
The media is typically liberal in their views, so what else would be expected. Even comedians tend to be. I read somewhere that on the late night talk shows that there were like ten times more jokes about McCain than about Obama.
The problem is we all have seen the media coat all democrat presidents with teflon. Just like Clinton...nothing sticks. He could sell the country to Iran and the mainstream media will portray it as a good thing.
This is why we in the church need to work to correct the virus that has been infecting our society. It is the virus of 'affluenza'. The concept that we deserve more, better and best. The concept that God gives us an income to please ourselves vs. helping others. The change Obama ran on was taking from the rich and giving to the poor. It is the rich that should be greatful to God for the grace they have been given and be good stewards of what they have.
Also, 'rich' is a term like 'normal'. Howard Hughes was asked how much is enough? He said "just a little bit more". We need to measure our success by how much we can help others and not by the size of our house, the kind of car, or if we have a boat or a condo. WE need to start to live life by the rule of loving our neighbor as ourself. Obama won because of selfishness of the American people. That was the target 'change' played to.
obeythefist,
You really think that standing in front of an abortion clinic would actually stop abortion? Your comment is rather sophomoric.
JHS,
And how is that different from Democrats. Both parties are out to line their pockets. Anyone who says that's not true, doesn't know much about politics.
Isn't going to work today instead of interfering in someone's access to abortion an act of complicity? Will god judge you for continuing to go about your daily activities when there is something you could be doing to stop abortion?
Perhaps this isn't about stopping abortion at all costs...
This is a political tactic for votes....double talk.
Out one side of the mouth....Women have the right to choose to have an abortion.
Out the other....Too many women are choosing to have abortions.
Not one time during the 6 years the republicans controlled both houses , the white house and courts did they try to outlaw abortion, this about their wealth flat and simple, and the people know it....
Isn't "reducing the number of abortions" partial obedience? I Samuel 15 describes how partial obedience cost Saul his kingdom.
Pastor Hunter is pro-choice. it is impossible to be Pro-life, and at the sametime support those who will further the killing of thousands of babies everyday in America.
God will not compromise His Word, He said, " Do not kill."
Christian, what number of baby killings are acceptable,? Reduce abortion,? to what number,? What can we live with,? instead of four thousand a day, If we get it down to Three, or even two thousand is that acceptable.?