In my view, the Religious Right of the last thirty years or so has done more harm to the church than it has done good in the world.  Whether or not the Religious Right is clearly and properly understood, my sense is many, many people have associated it with the church in general, and they are negatively impressed.  The caricature is of hate-spewing money-lusting hypocrites who wish to impose their ultra-conservative opinions on everyone else, in the name of Jesus.  Did I get it right?

If indeed this is somewhat close to accurate, lots of folks consequently are turned off by the church, as they perceive it to be represented by the loud mouths of the Religious Right.  The Religious Right has been an albatross for the rest of us, as we are put in a position of demonstrating we are not numbered among its adherents.  Often, we never get the chance.

The current national election cycle is focusing light on the widening cracks in the armor of the Religious Right.  No one Republican candidate caught the fancy of evangelical voters.  The endorsement of Rudy Giuliani by Pat Robertson resulted in barrel bottom-scraping support.  Younger evangelicals are refusing to have the lid of their elders’ box clamped down on them.

David Kuo suggests that the nominating process for the Republican presidential candidate is more about determining the future direction and leadership of the Religious Right.  According to Kuo, the cemetery and the pasture are the places to look if you want to find the fading leaders of the Religious Right.

He predicts that this segment of the population will, in the not-too-distant future:

1. Probably be more progressive;
2. Likely not be Democratic – yet;
3. Be more spiritually cautious and politically shrewd;

Kuo indicates that younger evangelicals see more to be concerned about than abortion and same-sex marriage.  Poverty, HIV/AIDS, immigration, human rights, and the environment are among the justice issues to which they want to apply their understanding of the faith – without being as heavy-handedly political as their forbears.  Cameron Strang, founder and publisher of evangelically-oriented Relevant magazine suggests, “Young Christians simply don’t seem to feel a connection to the traditional religious right.  Many differ strongly on domestic policy issues – namely issues that affect the poor – and are dissatisfied with America’s foreign policy and the war.”

To me, this is a sign of hope.  If thoughtful, caring people of faith can address pressing issues and concerns with intelligence and discernment, then it reflects positively on the whole church.