Over at Faith in Public Life there has been much discussion over the way religious affiliation played in the recent election. One part of this same general analysis is also discussed here at My Direct Democracy, with an interesting coda at the end I had not heard before, to whit, church attendance played a part in the 2004 Presidential election to the extent that George Bush increased his vote total among those who attended church less than once a week. In any event, unlike the knee-jerk, self-congratulatory talk after 2004 when sself-appointed "leaders" of the conservative Christian movement touted their role in George Bush's victory, the statistical data from the mid-term elections show that, in terms of religious self-identification and affiliation, the results are mixed.
More to the point, all summer FPL has been documenting, since this summer through the early fall, the changing face of American evangelicalism, especially as regards issues of environmental concern and economic justice. While there are many, perhaps even millions, who are moved to vote on single, hot-button, issues such as abortion and gay marriage, the days when that was enough to motivate the Republican "base" are long gone. Rampant corruption, an illegal, unjustifiable war, economic injustice, and environmental degradation are also of concern, even to self-described evangelicals (a word the media, and many bloggers, simply refuse to understand in its proper context, somehow lumping Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, and Pat Robertson all together under that rubric). The self-immolation of Ted Haggard certainly did not help evangelical voters; it may be years before the NAE recovers fully, and when it does, it is sure to be a far different institution.
American Christianity is diverse, variegated, and undergoing rapid transformation as old labels and identities are challenged and new understandings of the necessities of faith emerge. Pro-lifers pelting plastic feti at women going to Planned Parenthood are an anachronism. The highly charismatic, Bible-based Metropolitan Community Church is much more in line with the changing dynamics of American christianity. All this is to say, quite simply, there may no longer be a "base" for the Republicans to relie upon.
For this reason, I cannot countenance the advice given over at mydd (linked above) that Democrats should ignore people of faith. They represent a potential wealth of voters, if only the party can create lively and relevant appeals that eschew either the pandering the Republicans have displayed for a generation along with a commitment to achieving certain goals - environmental integrity, economic justice, racial justice, and commonsense, realistic foreign policy that does not see war as a viable means to achieving justice are some of the goals the recently elected Democratic majority have already pledged themselves to. If they succeed, there is no doubt religious voters will turn more and more to the Democratic Party in the future.
Virtual Tin Cup
