Pastordan Interviews Obama
Frederick Clarkson printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Wed Jul 12, 2006 at 03:37:54 PM EST
Several weeks before Senator Obama's controversial-but nevertheless -landmark-speech at Jim Wallis' Call to Renewal conference last week.  The senator's office, some weeks ago, arranged a post-speech interview with Pastordan at Street Prophets.

Pastordan used the occasion to, among other things, get Senator Obama's response to critics (I am certainly one of those) who say that he had adopted the frame of the religious right in the way he addressed secularists.  (I think Senator Obama evaded and pooh poohed the matter.) But the interview and the comment thread are worth a read; and are an important part of the widening conversation launched by Senator Obama's speech.

Meanwhile, also at Street Prophets, Chuck Currie flags an unwarranted and bogus response to the recent CBS News piece on the supposed rise of the religious left:

Another attack against progressive Christians came out today and it wasn't from the Religious Right.  It was the Rolling Stone magazine blog.

Although the religious left will have an agenda of its own, how it grows in particular response to the religious right will be an ongoing dicussion at Talk to Action. The response of the wider culture to the religious left will be important to follow, even as it will not always be obviously on topic here. This will be true in part, becuase ill informed and bigoted responses to the religious left, will often be indicative of poor understandings of the religious right as well.

Whether we agree or disagree on "issues," is not the same as whether we can be conversant with and comfortable talking about the religious right -- and the religious left, sufficiently to be able to force a movement that can permanently preserve constitutional democracy in the U.S.




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Having read the interview, not sure whether Obama just doesn't "get it" or is defensive about any criticism of his speech. One thing seems to be clear - the discussion on the left has started - and I suspect it's going to get pretty heated. Focusing on the religious right has tended to give the left some cohesion. Now that we're getting down to the nuts and bolts, we're seeing some strains on the left that will have to be addressed. Not a bad thing. One of the problems on the right is that they march in lock step and spout talking points. Progressives tend to like to think for themselves and resist being herded. That can be a strength if leaders listen to the diverse voices rather than attempting to impose some new dogma.

I was interested in Chuck Currie's response to a Rolling Stone article as well. He seemed rather offended but I'm not sure RS wasn't picking up on something that we need to be cautious about. If progressives are identified simply as the "religious left," they're likely to be seen as the opposition "party" and if they get into the "my brand of Christianity is more Christ-like than yours," they won't have a real alternative to offer - and are likely to alienate those of other religions and the non-religious. Used to work with a chaplain who complained that a couple of her residents were more invested in their own "God talk" than ministering to patients in a diverse, secular environment. Also thought Frank Cocozzelli's comment about "mainstream" on Chuck's post was apt:

Perhaps it is better that we focus ourselves as either the Religious  Center-Left or the religious mainstream?

What we truly are about is better reflecting the average American's view of faith, especially in relation to our government.

Incidentally, talking about the religious left and getting organized (just heard today and hadn't seen it posted here), Riverside (along with some cosponsors) is planning a bash with a number of big names (Kung, Campolo, and West included but not Wallis). Even William Sloane Coffin will make an appearance (on video that is). It's the 5th Fosdick Convocation, Oct. 23-26. For those who can't make it to NY, they will offer live streaming video. Could be interesting.

I'll stop rambling now. (This was going to be a short comment.)


by Psyche on Thu Jul 13, 2006 at 12:46:37 AM EST



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