On Sunday May 6th, the New York Times, published an Op-Ed piece on the 2012 elections. T.M. Luhrmann, professor of anthropology at Stanford, delivers a written roadmap for Democrats and Secular Liberals to reach out and connect with Evangelicals, especially in light of the upcoming 2012 US presidential election.Luhrmann makes many cogent arguments: Evangelicals are varied and more informed than usually portrayed. Evangelicals hold a wide range of divergent political opinions. Evangelicals care about the environment and are often the first to assist in times of natural disasters.
This article left me with many more questions than answers. Do Evangelicals want to be courted, by either the political left or the political right? What do Evangelicals give up by aligning to a particular political agenda? Do Evangelicals portray themselves as willing participants of the political process?
Read the article here and send in your comments...!
1 comment:
Ms. Luhrmann makes a valid point in that "liberals" do have more in common with Christians than one might suspect. Concern for the poor, victims of disasters and social justice are such issues. Now, there may differences to be sure in terms of motivations and certainly on some moral issues. But there is some common ground.
What's more interesting is her choice of words in the article, particularly when she says: They (liberals)should talk about how we (Christians) can grow in compassion and care. It appears she is identifying with the Christians rather than the liberals. Ms Luhrmann wrote a book titled "When God Talks Back". One reviewer of the book noted that while doing research she wound up spending a great deal of time involved with evangelical churches and according to the reviewer,"What's refreshing throughout this scholarly but deeply personal investigation is the author's determination to understand. In her fascinating case, study led not to skepticism but belief." I'm hooked. I just ordered the book.
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