Is Tony Perkins's Criticism of the GOP Genuine?
By Dan Gilgoff, God & Country
Critics of the religious right have been voicing skepticism about Family Research Council President Tony Perkins's Republican bashing and Obama praising in my recent interview with him. Mark Silk at Spiritual Politics sums up the reasons for doubt:
I wouldn't rush to take this at face value. It's pretty much SOP for religious right leaders to rattle the Republican cage whenever they're feeling a bit unloved, and with the election of Michael Steele as head of the RNC, that's just how they're feeling. I'll believe there's something going on when I see signs of it on the relevant websites. And if you take a look at the FRC's, all you'll find is anti-Obamaism, not a peep of anti-Republicanism.
Fair point. And with Christian-right leaders like Focus on the Family's James Dobson vowing to oppose John McCain for president and then flip-flopping to support him—and with McCain managing to collect more evangelical votes than George W. Bush—the movement's anti-GOP threats can be easy to dismiss.
On the other hand, isn't this standard operating procedure for groups on the left, too? Should we take MoveOn seriously when it threatens to abandon the Democrats unless the party's congressional representatives cut funding for the Iraq war? In American politics, both parties get beat up by their bases even though those bases have really have no place else to go, short of staying home on Election Day.
The current criticism of Perkins raises an important question: How will the new slate of progressive religious organizations like Faith in Public Life and Catholics United respond when the Democrats let them down or when the Republicans are back in control in Washington?
These groups allege that conservative Christian organizations like Family Research Council are fronts for the Republican Party, and they've vowed to resist being co-opted by either party. So, will they call Obama out when he disappoints them? Will they work with Republicans when they inevitably return to power? It's too early to tell. But it will be a difficult tightrope to walk.
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Tags: Republicans | religion | Tony Perkins
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Reader Comments
Religious Right Give a Black Eye to all Christians
The religious right have damaged the reputation of all Christian.
They think the end justfies the means. Some will lie and attack to advance their cause of no abortions, gays, stem cell reseach.
My Bible does not have any exceptions for lying.
The religious right has also been on an organized mission to destroy the mainline churches that are more moderate an inclusive. Rick Warren said in a December interview with Steve Waldman, Beliefnet, that mainline churches do not care about Jesus, the cross, redemption. "They are really Marxist in Christian clothing"
Mainline churches tend to have a higher focus on social missions, which Warren and other far right seem to forget was a major focus by Jesus. I cannot believe a supposed Christian would say helping others is socialism.
Dobson said Obama's tax breaks for the lowest earners is welfare. It is a shame that he has a large influence on too many people.
I hope people realize the difference between Evangelicals and mainline church members. We call ourselves "Christian." All I ever hear the media say is Evangelicals.
Republican Party
Here we have another round of "religious" organizations that "weigh" in on political matters.I watch as the spiritual "heavyweights" try to influence political parties, their "believers" and the general public.
As a Christian I am deeply dismayed from all of this. Is the "Conservative Evangelical Leader" Tony Perkins "Exclusive Interview" regarding the GOP really of any importance? I watch other Evangelicals hold their breath and with starry eyes wait for the "Revelation" from James Dobson of Focus On The Family on who he will vote for.
When are we to start thinking for ourselves. The last 16 years has been absolute corruption and lack of any kind of responsibility by Congress and both parties. We have to become Americans, with the spirit of independent thinking rather than following the herd instinct of corrupt political parties.
If I was in charge of the demons in hell and sent on a mission to wreck the country in general and Christianity in particular; the rally cry to the legions before me would be: Just say you are against abortion and homosexuality. Don't even bother to disguise your tail and pointed ears. Oh, and make sure to say you are born again! The Christians will follow you where ever you lead.
Mass Media Evangelicals
Like George said, "Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there’s an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever ’til the end of time! But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He’s all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can’t handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. "
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