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How can the role of religion and faith shape and influence politics in positive ways?
Share Your Reflection

The Playground Mentality of the Parties (September 18, 2004)
I was up early this morning, sending my three boys (my husband and two sons) off on a canoe trip. After they left I had coffee and listened to your program devoted to the political party conventions and the "God Gap." I was very impressed! I wanted to give you feedback on the one subject I was so grateful to hear addressed. The "playground" attitude displayed on both political camps bothers me tremendously. The name-calling and jeering from both sides makes me ill. I was taught by my parent's example to look at the issue and not the person. I can disagree with you on an issue, and I may argue with you passionately, however, this does not give me the right to judge you as a person. That is between you and God. I want to thank you and your guest, Steven Waldman, for mentioning that little talked about subject.

Jill Hawkins
Dubuque, IA (KUNI, 90.9 FM)

Discourse in the Media (September 19, 2004)
The gap between the level of discourse conducted on Speaking of Faith and that available in mainstream media and national political life is astonishing. Perhaps our greatest task is to encourage more citizens to develop their capacities to incorporate more complete (and thus apparently divergent) truth into their lives. As Nietzsche wrote, "A very popular error: having the courage of one's convictions; rather it is a matter of having the courage for an attack on one's convictions!"

Kudos to Krista and the entire staff; you are doing crucially important work. I consider the existence of Speaking of Faith a sufficient proof of God's existence.

Paul Zambrano
Wyoming, RI (Listens via Web Audio)

Religious Left in Latin America (September 19, 2004)
There has long been a "religious left." I worked within it throughout the 80s with respect to the horrific proxy wars in Central America. I urge you to contact Blase Bonpane and Teresa Bonpane, an ex-priest and nun who left the church to marry and work tirelessly for peace. And remember Archbishop Oscar Romero! The religious left has been very vocal in particular with respect to Latin America.

Kathlyn Powell
Woodland Hills, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

Religion at the Conventions (September 19, 2004)
I tuned in late for the program on September 19, so I may have missed something. I was disappointed in the tone of comments that seemed to assert that the so-called "Religious Left" (RL) is behind the curve and should emulate the Religious Right's (RR) visibility at the Republican Convention. Your guest said something to the effect that the RL took only "baby steps" compared to the RR. I would be dismayed if the Left became a mirror-image of the Right. Integral to my Christian faith (a Lutheran) is that religion should NOT be amalgamated with any established political group in a way that would suggest identification—that is the whole point of the Reformation Principle that all authorities are relativized by the Gospel.

Your guest reported that in some states, the establishment leaders of the Republican Party are members of the Christian Right, because they were present at the beginning of the resurgence of the Party in those states. I think that is terrible, and certainly not something I would work for. I certainly appreciate what you are doing. The Pelikan segment on creeds was wonderful! He was my dissertation supervisor at Chicago in the early 1960s.

Philip Hefner
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)

Religious Left in Latin America (September 20, 2004)
When Waldman referred to a new generation on the religious right separating themselves from Falwell and Robertson, I can only assume that he was referring to Ralph Reed and Gary Bauer—hardly an improvement over the rantings of the older preachers.

Richard Hamblin
Sherman Oaks, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

Congratulations (September 17, 2004)
Thank you so much for addressing the issues in today's program. It is high time for reasonable people to begin expressing their concerns over the vitriol coming from both camps in our national political discussion. I come from a family of staunch Republicans, associate with staunch Democrats, and find myself frequently uncomfortable hearing the intolerance and lack of acceptance coming at me from each side. In the final analysis, we are all motivated by our views of what we feel to be the right motivation and subsequent course of action, yet we rush to condemn those who's conclusions differ from our own. Wishing for a middle ground I remain. A faithful and appreciative listener.

Bob Ockenden
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

Congratulations (September 19, 2004)
As a teenager who is not altogether very familiar with the New Testament, I am disturbed at the thought that religious allusions may be slipping by my unaware ears (as with Clinton's possible allusion to Isaiah). I also find it disconcerting that so many Americans do not mind the profusion of religious rhetoric used by politicians as our country is/was secular. I commend you on a really well produced show and a great interview with Steven Waldman.

Julia Simon
Santa Monica, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

Congratulations (September 17, 2004)
You have hit a home run with this one.

Jim Hanson
Maple Plain, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

African-Americans and the Religious Left (September 19, 2004)
I normally love your show and listen to it whenever I am at home on Sunday morning. I was intrigued by this topic about religion and the political parties. How could anyone possibly presume to talk about Democrats and religion and fail to mention the Black church? Not just one but TWO different African-American men of the cloth have actually run for President. Your discussion today just showed me once again how ignorant we white people can get if we don't watch ourselves. I get such a charge from visiting some Black or Hispanic Christian churches, because finally someone is taking Christian talk and expressing social values that I believe in. (I am very active in the liberal branch of the Quakers.)

My mother was born in 1919 and is a lifelong dedicated Christian and liberal Democrat. As long ago as 1984, she not only voted for Jesse Jackson in the primaries but TOLD her entire family that she was doing that (in a family newsletter). She said it was so good to have a Presidential candidate who was uniting morality and politics in ways she believed in. Your discussion today was obviously totally about only white Democrats. And we white people on the left have a tremendous amount to learn from religious people of color.

Jeff Keith
Philadelphia, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Congratulations (September 19, 2004)
I appreciated what you had to say but your report was incomplete. There are several things happening that I think should have been explored or at least mentioned. You conveyed the sense that the organizing of progressive Christians is in a nascent stage. In so far as direct congregational outreach goes, this may be true; we're just starting, but progressive Christians are organized. We just don't get the coverage the press is giving to the Christian right.

Progressive Christians are organizing and reaching out, but we look a lot different from the right's Christian Coalition. Our belief in the importance of the separation of Church and State means we won't be endorsing a party, or a candidate.

Sandra Hawk
Indianapolis, IN (WFYI, 90.1 FM)