David Kuo Talks To Donklephant About Falwell’s Passing
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in General Politics, ReligionI recently had the opportunity to have an email conversation with David Kuo, former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Deputy Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. He’s also author of the book ‘Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction’.
Essentially, I asked him two questions. Kuo’s response is blockquoted.
1) Does Falwell’s passing mark a significant milestone for the evangelical movement?
It has potential political and theological significance – I say potential because it depends on what evangelicals do now. If evangelicals learn the bitter lesson that political engagement cannot replace the humble work of following Jesus in deed and action then it will be an historic milestone. We won’t know the answer to that question, however, for years. Is there great potential? Absolutely.
2) Do you envision the movement becoming less focused on wedge issues and more on helping lift up the most people possible?
There is this very popular notion right now that the religious right is really, truly cracking up. I say “really and truly� because it is not a new notion. However, rumors of its demise have been magnificently overstated. For every public advance that the “religious left� is making, the religious right is preparing for the hard work of 2008 under the radar screen – putting together conferences and phone trees, activating members, driving home the importance of a Republican win. Their issues are largely set and remain unchanged and their political acumen only grows.
You can read more about David at Beliefnet.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 18th, 2007 and is filed under General Politics, Religion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
May 18th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
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