Faith: Progressives and religion

As a C-and-E Catholic at best, I don't spend much time in church or even thinking about things spiritual. You're more likely to find me in a pew on Christmas Eve than Easter, and because I've never read the Bible or the Quran or any other holy book, I don't find myself drawn to the topic. Count me among those who tend to dismiss it as the realm of those who use their faith as a justification to impose their beliefs on others, even if it means doing so militarily.

So forgive me -- no pun intended -- for admitting my surprise at how much I enjoyed a lunch-time talk at Lewis and Clark College by one Robert P. Jones, the author of a new book on progressives and religion. He's an ordained minister, a professor and a pollster, and I think his book could potentially have great impact in these times. Why?

He cuts through the popular assumption that religion in America -- and religious politics -- are the domain of the Religious Right. Think of it: Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority, Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition, James Dobson and Focus on the Family. Reagan (even though he was NOT of their ilk) and both Bushes, especially W., the self-proclaimed born-again Christian, were embraced by the Religious Right in their effort to legislate morality on issues of abortion, sex education and gay rights. The mainstream media fell into the trap of presenting a distorted picture, virtually equating these folks with anything having to do with religion and the public square.

Jones' research shows that for every progressive voice cited in the news media, three conservative religious voices were quoted. And yet...`14 percent of Americans define themselves as religious progressives vs. 15 percent who self-identify as religious conservatives. Jones spent three years criss-crossing the country doing 96 interviews with progressive religious leaders (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.) and stitches their views together in a book called "Progressive & Religious."

From those interviews, several themes emerge in the work these people and their congregations are doing:
* An emphasis on social justice in ending injustice.
* Critical engagement with tradition.
* "Truth" isn't the exclusive realm of conservatives.
* A fundamental belief in humanity.
* A vision for America as a more generous country.
* Community organizing in congregations.

Jones paints an optimistic picture of a new era in American politics, which just so happens to coincide with the election of Barack Obama, a bonafide progressive, if not an out-and-out liberal.

First and foremost, he sees "an infusion of passion to the progressive political movement." Where religious progressives tend to talk about statistics and policy implications, religious conservatives strive to connect actions to beliefs. Is it any wonder the latter's adherents get more worked up, more emotionally invested? "politics," says Jones, "is a game that involves people's passions."

Second, he describes "a broader vision beyond the culture wars" that reflects an interest in working toward the common good.

I hope to flesh out these thoughts in a piece for Sunday Opinion. For now, let's just say the hour I spent on this green, hilly campus was well worth it. I owe a debt to Tom Krattenmaker, a former newspaper reporter who's gone into academia while continuing to write professionally for The Oregonian, the L.A. Times and USA Today. Look for his piece in the March 8 edition on an unusual collaboration between Portland-area churches and public schools.