Religion and Politics

Until recently, I have been afraid of the increasing mix of religion and politics in America. Religious activism has often not been kind to Jews. And the discussion of the past decades has been dominated by religious conservatives, to the point where "values voters" were defined as being those on the right.

But now, I sense that this is changing. There is much discussion in the media of religion and politics, and I am hopeful that it will be positive and foster progressive goals. For many persons, their ideas and values that they hold, around subjects like compassion, justice and equality of all humankind, are based to a large part, in their religious faith or tradition.

And, now, we are hearing more and more from religious voices who are other than evangelical and right-wing. Obama's speech after the Rev Wright hubbub addressed his religious connections in an intelligent and honest depth, not hiding the complexity, but opening it for consideration, and treating his listeners as an intelligent audience. I am hopeful.