The United States is facing the same problem many Americans complain about abroad – religious extremism. The most common "religious fundamentalists" thought of are those whom we crusade against in the failing War on Terror. Most do not consider the religious fundamentalists in our own backyard – those who claim to do what God wants them to do and will stifle liberty to achieve it. It did not just end with the moral majority and the moral death of televangelism.
It continues to this very day and is potentially a real danger to the fabric of American freedom in the long run.
It is unfortunate that we elect leaders who believe they have a direct phone line to God or "know" it is their duty to spread the word. President George Bush is a great example of this.
How people could not have known his religious fundamentalism is questionable, since Jesus Day in Texas was created under his governorship. It calls for people to volunteer in their community and help out the needy. The idea is all fine and good, but the reason for why it deserves a specific day is ridiculous, since we should help out the less fortunate more often than one day a year in July. Perhaps even more disquieting is his quote from when he was visiting an Amish community: "I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn’t do my job."†
The use of religious fundamentalism in politics stifles dissent, politicizes houses of worship and polarizes the country. It is a complete shutdown of discourse to claim it is antithetical to what God would want for the country, as if we could read the mind of God and know what He thinks of the U.S. 33 pastors have defied the Internal Revenue Service and told their congregations that Sen. Barack Obama stands in opposition to God’s truth.
One pastor even said same-sex marriage and abortion are issues that "transcend all others." According to a Pew Research poll, 52 percent of respondents want churches to keep out of politics, a trend unseen before. Forty-six percent of people become nervous when a politician talks about their religiosity. The greatest growth in these numbers comes from Republicans.†
The polarization factor creates another spark to "us versus them" and the illusion of a culture war that must be won or else the country will fall into moral disarray. We have had "moral crises" in America for a very long time. Examples include the temperance movement, interracial marriage and the issues that continue to this day. Alcohol and interracial marriage have not brought about the destruction of the United States, and taking prayer out of schools and same-sex marriage will not lead to our destruction.
Those who claim to be righteous usually are not, and waging a moral crusade for the sake of righteousness is anything but. Religious fundamentalists everywhere want to claim a monopoly on morality and genuinely believe they are doing the will of their deity. Jesus taught people to not be like hypocrites who pray in the streets, being seen by others. Religious extremists in America want people to see their deeds as they condemn those that are "morally corrupt." The only people who are morally corrupt in this country are those who overturn the liberty of others in the name of righteousness.
Corgey, a political science senior, can be reached via [email protected]
