Response to "Is It Time For a Revival"

Contributor: Dustin

I must first ask a question.  What is this "common-good agenda, rooted in the moral center" that Mr. Wallis describes? For many, the ability to feed their kids good food at reasonable prices is a good agenda, even a moral issue.  And while the economy itself might not be a moral issue it can become one when people can no longer eat!  I agree that many individuals are tired of our polarized parties but these parties are so sharply divided because of "moral issues".  So, let's start talking about specifics.  Are we talking about healthcare but if so, why only American healthcare?  Is the common-good agenda directed at poverty and global warming?  Again if so, can the American government really make a global impact on these issues?  I guess if you view America as the world's lone super power.

I'm not sure that "faith" - at least how fundamentalists define it - was ever intended or should even be a part of a democratic government.  If democratic ideals and values (ex. freedom & liberty) are at odds with a faith's belief system, it is possible for these ideals and values to be infringed upon via dogmatic believers.  Can you imagine a U.S. government led by Jerry Falwell?  The gay community would be imprisoned and non-believers would burn!  That might be a stretch but you get my point.

It is my perspective that governments are intended to govern all peoples as equally as possible. Since belief systems rooted in faith differ from person to person, people group to people group, even location to location; it is important to scrutinize, even separate how faith is used in conjunction with government.  Keep in mind that it is easy to say, "Christian values are right and true and should be used to guide government," when Christianity is in the majority.  What if Islam was the majority perspective; adultery rates would go down, or there would be less hands on Americans.  I totally agree that American politics needs a revival but not an infusion of more Christian totalitarianism. 

Now that my rant is over, what do we do to address our current system?  Not sure.  Who is?  Don't get me wrong, I know what Mr. Wallis is getting at when he - using a very broad brush - suggests we need to focus on the "big issues" using a moral center.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure people are willing to make the kind of sacrifices needed to solve big issues like: world hunger or global warming.  That is unless, the solution is simple and cheap.  America could single handedly end world hunger, if Americans were willing to pay more money for their food.  We could end global warming, if we were willing to give up our big ass cars and trucks; anyone willing to part with their Yukon Denali?  No?

To be frank, from my perspective, one of the reasons we are discussing "big issues" is because of globalization.  In the 21st century technology allows us real-time access to the pain and atrocities of this world.  We are seeing death from war and poverty on a scale like never before.  Scientists, politicians, and media producers have made global warming a central issue which sits on the front of our minds.  But this does not mean that we can solve them, particularly overnight.  Take global warming for example.  Many scientists argue that solar flares and other cosmic happenings impact the warming and cooling of our planet.  Is that to say humanity does nothing?  No!  We should do all we can but stopping all fossil fuel use and ending industrial pollution does not hold the promise of success.  

Ultimately, persuasion (hearts and minds) not politics (government) will bring real change.  America cannot act unilaterally in a global landscape.  America is no longer the lone super power in the world; when we speak many do not listen.  Look at our war on terror (Iraq).  We have in one swift act alienated many counties of the world, some of them being very powerful

and influential.  Hope for change, persuade for change but do not rely on government systems and political officials to deliver it.  It's going to take a long time using grass root methodology on a global scale.