Wallis: Dems need substance not talk

Jim Wallis writes in a NY Times piece that Democrats need to back up any newfound god-talk with substance.

"Because the Republicans, with the help of the religious right, have captured the language of values and religion (narrowly conceived as only abortion and gay marriage), the Democrats have also been asking how to "take back the faith." But that means far more than throwing a few Bible verses into policy discussions, offering candidates some good lines from famous hymns, or teaching them how to clap at the right times in black churches. Democrats need to focus on the content of religious convictions and the values that underlie them."

I am glad to see Wallis speaking more forcefully about the Democrats and any desire to reach out to people of faith as more than just rhetoric. He has been much stronger in his criticism of the Religious Right while not attacking as publicly comments such as those made by Howard Dean and others.

Wallis has become the media darling of progressive evangelical Christians. What he has been saying isn't all that new, having been expounded on by the likes of Ron Sider and Tony Campolo for years. He just finally happens to be getting listened to. For that I am grateful.

Those who agree with Wallis also must be careful that they don't fall into the same hole as the Religious Right, who have made politics too much of its focus, according to the editor of Sojourners.