corrente

Via Faithful Progressive, [see: Conservative Evangelicals Issue New Manifesto], a link through to this news from The American Prospect magazine, March 02, 2005...

National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) convention; March 09, 2005...

A key event during the convention will be the release of a 12-page statement of principles meant to serve as guidelines for unprecedented political engagement by U.S. evangelicals. Called For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility, this manifesto for a Bible-based public policy calls on evangelical Christians to recognize that it is their religious obligation to advocate for government policies that support their religious beliefs."

[...]

The preamble to the document quickly makes clear that the group is not looking to influence policy on the margins but to become a major voice in the political process: "Evangelical Christians in America face a historic opportunity. We make up fully one quarter of all voters in the most powerful nation in history. Never before has God given American evangelicals such an awesome opportunity to shape public policy in ways that could contribute to the well-being of the entire world. Disengagement is not an option. We must seek God’s face for biblical faithfulness and abundant wisdom to rise to this unique challenge." ~ American Prospect

That might help explain Marvin Olasky's recent signal flare reminder to his flock to brush up on their Schaeffer.

Also, I should note, as the TAP article points out, that the NAE is a broad based group representing a broad spectrum of evangelical churches. So this convention in no way represents a pow-wow for Dominionist or far right Christian fundamentalist advocates alone. In any case it will be interesting to see where this one goes, and to what extent, if any, the "Christian Nation" agenda is further ballyhooed.

Meanwhile:

Kansas natives is acting crackers again. But not all of em:

Not all Kansans are embracing the evangelical agenda. Both Democrats and many life-long Republicans say the efforts to curtail abortion and homosexual rights are regressive, divisive and discriminatory.

"We're trying to become the laughingstock of the world," said Bill Franklin, a former mayor of Prairie Village, Kansas, who describes himself as a moderate Republican. ~ reuters

GOPod people cultivate a new talking media-cabbage. Says producer: "This kid would piss himself if he went to Iraq." (via Steve Gilliard)

John "archy" McKay in Belgrade... and on Rush Limbaugh and the Yugoslavization of America

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