The Filibuster and People of Faith
by TChris
Republican pandering to religious extremists may be endangering the filibuster, but it may also endanger Republican support from religious people who understand the need to keep church and state apart.
As the Senate battle over judicial confirmations became increasingly entwined with religious themes, officials of several major Protestant denominations on Thursday accused the Senate Republican leader, Bill Frist, of violating the principles of his own Presbyterian church and urged him to drop out of a Sunday telecast that depicts Democrats as "against people of faith."
[Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, a top official of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.,] said Dr. Frist's participation in the telecast undermined "the historical commitment in our nation and our church to an understanding of the First Amendment that elected officials should not be portraying public policies as being for or against people of faith."
Tony Perkins, organizer of the telecast, claims that “people of faith … see a connection between the filibuster and judicial activism.” But polls show that more Americans support than oppose the filibuster, and Republican senators may be starting to realize that “extremists of faith” aren’t supported by mainstream “people of faith.”
A confrontation had been expected as early as next week, but it now appears that the showdown may be delayed.
Republicans are beginning to notice that the arrogant attempts of religious extremists to impose their will on the country aren't sitting well with religious people who don't share those extreme views.
Religious groups, including the National Council of Churches and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, plan to conduct a conference call with journalists on Friday to criticize Senator Frist's participation in the telecast.
The National Council of Churches is asking members to organize news conferences denouncing Dr. Frist.
In addition, 406 clergy members signed a petition prepared by the Interfaith Alliance urging Frist “to defend the nation from efforts utilizing deception and fear-mongering to manipulate Americans of faith.”
| < Juror Lies, Murder Conviction Tossed | Death Sentence Vacated > |
