Religious Right, Left Meet in Middle

[cynatnite]

The Rev. Rob Schenck is an evangelical Christian and a leader of the religious right. Rabbi David Saperstein is a Reform Jew and a leader of the religious left. Both head political advocacy groups in Washington, and they have battled for years over abortion, gay rights, stem cell research and school prayer.

This summer, each intends to preach a bit of the other's usual message.

Schenck said he plans to tell young evangelicals at a Christian music festival on July 1 that homosexuality is not a choice but a "predisposition," something "deeply rooted" in many people. "That may not sound shocking to you, but it will be shocking to my audience," he said.

Saperstein said he is circulating a paper urging political moderates and liberals to "demonstrate their commitment to reduce abortions" by starting a campaign to reduce the number by half within two years.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/washpost/20050615/pl_washpost/religious_right__left_meet_in_middle;_ylt=AmTNKz.rlmmI8wpwnPitnyys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2bW85OXIzBHNlYwNwbA--