Heaven Can't Wait

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To become more tolerant of and fluent in a multifaceted language of faith does not mean that the left needs to concede the right its wish to further erode the separation of church and state. Quite the opposite. By encouraging all people to express political ideals in spiritual terms, progressives would facilitate a rhetorical terrain to which no one person, party, or religious group can lay claim. In short, conservative bullies who have become comfortable claiming to speak for God on issues from abortion to military aid will no longer have dominion over the pulpit.

Of course, that means citizens and politicians who are serious about taking back religious terrain need to prepare themselves for a long, heated battle. There are people who identify with the religious right who will never share the same "values" (no matter how smart the spin), and they will continue to organize and demonize anyone who dares to disagree. The moralizing politicos who currently enjoy a monopoly on Christianity, especially those celebrated in the mass media, will be particularly irritated. In truth, asserting a liberal faith will require risking political capital and even losing some votes, especially in the short term.

Sometimes, though, you can't claim victory unless you know what it means to be beaten. Sometimes you have to bleed a little before the healing can begin. Sometimes that's the point. Just ask Jesus.

David Schimke is a senior editor of Utne.

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