As we turn toward another contentious election cycle with the far right looking strong yet again, we think it’s time to give some consideration to the development of the American religious right. Where did it all go wrong — if in fact it was ever right to begin with?
Tim Alberta’s got a great new book out on the subject: The Kingdom, The Power and the Glory. As he explains in an interview for PBS, it seems surprising that people adhering to the Christian faith, and therefore presumably adopting its ideas about human equality, compassion, and peace, would be brought out to vote in massive numbers for a President whose political ideology depends upon repression, social inequality, and austerity. But that’s of course what happened when evangelicals turned out for Trump in the last two elections, and it’s likely to happen again soon.
Pointing out the political changes undergone by white America over the past fifty years and the desire for a return to “traditional” culture that so many evangelicals express, Tim leads us through the fascinating relationship between evangelical church and right-wing state that became front and center in our national politics with the election of Trump — but has been taking shape for much longer. We hope you’ll join us for the conversation. This episode will be available as a video for paying subscribers on Friday; everyone else can tune in Saturday for the audio version.
Yes they do need examining. Not just by the left or moderates, but as importantly them selves. The desire to go back in time and tradition is not going to work in today's connected society. To the extant they are willing to change our Constitution so the concept of separation of Church and State turns into a Theocratic country. Where a few control the many. And of course that goes to "interpretation" and the can be a can of worms.
so thankful you guys are doing this interview. I am a Christian leftist and found so much to agree on with Mr. Alberta that was almost never spoken to by public facing Christians. right Evangelicals are really just the loudest, they are by no means representative of people who's entire motto is to live humbly, love well, & die to themselves as Christ told us to.