Evangelicals

How did the evangelical movement develop? Had the United States not had freedom of religious expression, Christians might not have cared that their rights were being taken away. Had prayer in schools never been permitted, they might not have cared when they did not have that freedom. The American constitution did guarantee freedom of worship without government interference. Even though the American Constitution prohibited any establishment of religion, Christians had heavy influence on the government. On the same day that the no establishment clause was passed, a former minister was elected speaker of the house. The American government has been dominated by church goers. Although America did live by some Christian principles, many principles not Christian, that sound Christian, were advocated, such as temperance. In the 50s and 60s religious influence diminished. The courts put religion out of American schools and society. During the sixties, the left wing hippie movement put Christians on alert. They believed Satan was planning a takeover of the country and it had to be opposed. Many believed that God wanted this to be a Christian nation. It was their duty to keep America Christian. This was the beginning of the evangelical movement.

The evangelical movement was committed to restore "Christian values" in the United States. They mobilized under the Moral Majority in the 1980s and put Ronald Reagan in power. In 2000 the evangelicals put George W. Bush in to power. They vowed to put prayer back in school, overturn Roe v. Wade, and pass a traditional marriage amendment. There has been little to show for their efforts. Prayer in school did not pass in the 1980s and there is no chance it is ever coming back. Roe v. Wade is no closer to being overturned. Reagan and George W. Bush stopped oversees funding of abortion, but Clinton and Obama just reversed it. Although partial birth abortion has been banned, it is a hollow victory. The traditional marriage amendment is going no where.

The evangelic movement has compromised its values. They have signed on to support an unfettered free market, trickle down economics, opposition to environmentalism, support of the War on Terror, the War in Iraq and other issues not relating to faith. It has bitten them in the butt. In 2008, the faith voters either did not show up, or voted for Obama. The evangelical vote is in disarray.

I believe the evangelical movement was incorrect. I disagree with them that God wants us to be a Christian nation. Our job is to preach the gospel. I believe if a government allows voting, we should vote. We should not be spending our time trying to change policy. The evangelical movement is a bad idea. I am glad that the evangelical movement is dying. When it is fully dead I will say "Good riddance."