‘Religious right’ voters are generally nice, well-intentioned people who want what is best for our children and grandchildren.  They proclaim their political opinions reflect faith in their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The problem many have who also want what is best for America and also read the bible are the biblical contradictions and misplaced emphasis in the ‘religious right’ positions. 

For instance, many ‘religious right’ voters suggest God is offended unless we have government-sponsored prayer in public schools.  Do they care that Jesus taught when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who pray in public to be seen of men? Jesus said go into your closet and pray to the Father who sees in secret and will reward you openly. 

The ‘religious right’ reveres the Pledge of Allegiance. Yet Jesus taught that we should make no oaths (or pledges) but let your yea be yea and your nay be nay for whatever is more than these is from the evil one. 

The ‘religious right’ takes offence at the slightest criticism and does not hesitate to attack its political opponents. Did not Jesus teach whoever slaps you on the cheek turn the other cheek and if any want your shirt give him your coat too?  Jesus taught love your enemies for if you only love those who love you what reward will you have? 

The ‘religious right’ expounds the virtues of prosperity and wealth.  Yet Jesus taught do not lay up treasures on earth…for where your treasure is there is your heart is also. 

The ‘religious right’ obsesses over homosexuality and abortion, yet Jesus never once mentioned these as issues of concern.  Recall the story of the woman taken in the act of adultery.  She violated the Law, thus the Pharisees wanted to stone her.  Yet Jesus challenged them “he who is without sin throw the first stone.”  Who are the ‘religious right’ more like, the Pharisees eager to condemn or Jesus who forgives?  If the ‘religious right’ were in tune with Him whom they claim as Lord, wouldn’t they outlaw acts that Jesus actually did condemn such as divorce (annulment), or divorce and re-marriage, or religious hypocrisy? (Mt 19:6 Mk 10:9)

The ‘religious right’ vehemently opposes sexual promiscuity and insists that a woman in whom conception has occurred bear all risk and responsibility for the pregnancy, birth, nurturing, and raising of the infant, yet the male who was equally responsible gets a slap on the wrist, if that.  The ‘religious right’ indifference to male liability is more then suspicious, especially when promoted by male dominated clergy.  Why shouldn’t automatic assignment of appropriate financial assets (parents pay if the male is a minor) and castration for multiple sexual offenses be required of the male?  The indifference toward male liability demonstrates what the Pro-Life movement is really all about: male domination over females. 

The ‘religious right’ proposes inserting the Ten Commandments into American law.  The 2nd Commandment states carved images of anything in heaven or on earth violate God’s law.  Will churches with statues of saints, angels, and Mary be closed?  The 4th Commandment is quite clear that no work shall be done on the Sabbath and that even picking up sticks on the Sabbath deserves death by stoning.  Will all retail outlets close on Sunday?  Which of God’s Laws will we cherry-pick? 

The ‘religious right’ fought for legislation to overrule Terri Schiavo’s right to die.  She had been brain dead and in a persistent vegetative state for fifteen years.  Purely for theologically speculative reasons, the ‘religious right’ insisted on its right to interfere.    If the ‘religious right’ believes in heaven, what is so bad about death?  Is their any limit to a citizen’s personal decisions upon which the ‘religious right’ will not seek to impose their dogma? 

The ‘religious right’ claims theocratic rule in Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan is evil.  How does the ‘religious right’s’ demonstrated intent to legally impose its religious dogma in America differ from the radical Muslim theocratic rule? 

Noted philosopher George Santayana (1863-1952) observed, “Christianity persecuted, tortured, and burned.  Like a hound it tracked the very scent of heresy.  It kindled wars and nursed furious hatreds and ambitions.  It sanctified, quite like Mohammedanism, extermination and tyranny.”  The sad truth is religious fanaticism knows no limits whether Muslim, Christian or Judaism. 

Why should America see the ‘religious right’ as genuine when it contradicts Jesus’ teaching?  To which Jesus is the ‘religious right’ a testimony: the one in the bible, or a fabricated one making a political power grab for Caesar’s loot?

© Copyright 2006 by AxisofLogic.com

Additional essays and biography of Axis Columnist, Lee Salisbury