http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2007/08/24/media-watch-amanpour-on-gods-warriorsIf you didn't see it this week, set Tivo this weekend and do not miss Christiane Amanpour's God's Warriors on CNN (alert friends who keep hitting snooze on their political wake up call). Each night for the past three, she has traced Jewish, Muslim and Christian Fundamentalists and the impact of religion on politics and culture in the modern era.
Last night's look at the Christian Right in America was like an episode of This is Your "Political" Life for progressives of a certain age who could relax only for the few minutes Jimmy Carter was interviewed. Hands-down, Carter is the definition of a moral being, regardless of what you think of his politics, regardless of your beliefs. Thank God he lived long enough to see the undeserved label "Worst President" conservatives tagged him with, awarded to someone who earns it everyday.
Carter predicted that the Far Right has passed its political zenith. As much as I have faith in and share that view, progressives must work diligently between now and November 2008 for Carter's words to be prophetic. That work must be focused, as Amanpour's reporting makes clear the Far Right still is.
Every other moment of the two-hour program weighed heavy with the pressure of more than 30 years of the Moral Majority, rising in reaction to Roe v. Wade. The show featured Rev. Jerry Falwell's last interview before his death. In it he repeats and affirms his condemnation of abortionists, gays and pagans as the scapegoats for the attacks by Muslim fundamentalists on September 11, 2001. Falwell once repented, apparently insincerely, perhaps under political pressure to save face, but his true convictions come out during Amanpour's interview. He missed completely that fundamentalism was responsible for the attacks on the US.
The anti-woman, anti-abortion, anti-contraception, anti-sex ed, anti-gay civil rights agenda is intricately woven through the piece, as are social conservatives increasingly violent and militant factions, often lost in the media.
That some evangelicals featured fear their faith is being perverted by its proximity to power; that others are being excommunicated for daring to suggest that protecting the environment should be a priority; or that one strategy to reduce abortions starts with reducing poverty, demonstrates schism, but disagreement amongst conservatives does not comfort. It is at the fringe.
Conservatives remain focused on only one goal and they will unite behind someone, anyone, to get it: the United States Supreme Court. Damn climate change, damn the economy, poverty, health care, education, civil liberties or the rule of law -- just give us our justices so we can show you what judicial activism is all about -- is the clear message. Falwell laments it may be "another 50 years" before Roe is overturned, perhaps indicating before he passed he saw the writing on the wall in this election and knows the pendulum won't swing back for another generation. If progressives splinter, and plummeting ratings for Congressional Democrats prove its possible, Roe will fall much sooner.
Amanpour makes clear conservatives combine the latest technology with mass marketing strategies and grassroots evangelism from state capital lobbyists to Battle Cry rallies militarizing teens to go to war against other humans that do not share their beliefs. One battle-ready teen tries to suggest under questioning that conservatives are not targeting "people, but ideas" oblivious how her rage impacts the people who hold different ideas. Ask Emily, Robert, Matthew and others what a generation of fundamentalist violence has wrought on our culture.
The conservatives corporate precision and militaristic regimentation are chilling reminders that they do not blink when they speak of war. And you know they do not blink, because they are staring right at you.
That's right, you. You who believe in educating children with facts about sex so they can use the brain God gave them to protect themselves, prevent disease and when they are adults and ready, plan their families. You who believe that contraception helps reduce unintended pregnancies and condoms the spread of disease. You who believe women should not be subjugated, nor their private health decisions usurped, while conservatives promote Taliban-esque rules. You who believe God created diversity in race, orientation, belief, or simply believe in reason, what is proven through science and experienced by humanity.
You stand in the way of, as Falwell said, "one or perhaps two more justices." The question is just how far conservatives will go to move progressives out of the way and just how many liberty loving Americans who have not been voting, or been voting without a clear understanding of the conservative theocratic agenda, will wake up and take a stand in 2008.
Anyone who watches this program and believes the conservative era is over, needs to think again. Moments in the program reveal how thin pure ideology is in the face of sincere questioning by Amanpour. Regardless, it remains a force. The show is a who's who of right wing luminaries, up-and-comers, and profiteers.
As a Christian who has long believed faith is best practiced through good works, helping others, raising awareness and giving people tools to make the best decisions for their lives, I realize we progressives must be better at explaining why we do what we do.
I understand the deep sense of faith and the comfort it provides as professed by many young people in this program. But they cannot understand Christians, or anyone, who supports a different political agenda.
Though I understand the connection they describe, I cringe when I hear them, or see the commercialization of Christ, the bumper-sticker evangelism or idol worship that alienates and stigmatizes in a perverse anti-evangelism. Hearing the dominant religion in our culture complain about being marginalized because American's value pluralism, enshrined in the First Amendment, never ceases to amaze.
Of the many things mainstream media short-shrifts, this program is worthy of an investment in time, and good enough to suggest to friends. The only complaint is that in its attempt to weave all the elements of Christian Fundamentalism together it doesn't have time to deal with any of them in depth. That speaks more to the breadth and depth of conservative organizing efforts and marketing than to oversight by Amanpour's excellent reporting. God's Warriors repeats throughout the weekend on CNN, check your local listings and set your Tivo, or get a friend to set theirs.
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2007/08/24/media-watch-amanpour-on-gods-warriors
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