Now that liberals have learned god-talk can we start applying biblical principles to the common good?

By Chuck Darrell

At the height of last years gay marriage debate, religious leaders rallied at the capitol to voice their support for and against the marriage amendment. I recall being interviewed by several capitol reporters regarding my thoughts on this so-called contradiction.

From the bottom of my heart I answered that I welcomed the debate. The addition of "progressive" religious voices legitimized the need for a faith-based dynamic in the public square. It also gave hope for the acceptence of religious voices within the Democratic Party. I could think of nothing better than a biblical worldview affecting our leaders across the entire political spectrum.

You could hear a pin drop.

Predictably, my remarks never aired. The reporters wanted controversy, not inclusion. Their bias against faith in the public square caused them to spike the story.

That’s all going to change because the left is getting religion. A recent Time magazine article, "How the Democrats Got Religion," chronicles the revival of god-talk on the left. Although this phenomenon seems a bit disingenuous I welcome the inclusion of biblical principles to the liberal lexicon. Especially when local voices (like MOAPPP) are asking the press to ignore traditional positions on marriage, sex education and abortion.

Ironically, Hillary, Barack and John are making it acceptable to mix faith with politics. Hopefully, this signals the end of mean-spirited secularism that defines separation of church and state as the cleansing of all faith from the public square. Conversely, the more liberals talk about God the more acceptable it is to discuss political issues within our places of worship.

Have we seen the end of the self-righteous secularist frothing about violation of the establishment clause? I doubt it, but it will be fun to watch the gnawing of teeth after quoting "St. Hillary" on abortion or global warming.

It was only a matter of time before the left found religion. Frankly, a biblical worldview can’t be limited to a single party or a single issue. It affects everything. The renewal of a faith-based dialogue creates unity and minimizes divisiveness. A shared set of values fosters consensus and knows no racial boundaries.

Religion is a sticky commodity that cuts both ways. It holds politicians to a higher standard because people don't forget their faith like they do political promises. Faith based voters are less likely to tolerate politicians who don’t walk the talk - and sit out an election. Hopefully the secularists disconnect between the private and public life will loose credibility as well.

The soul of our democracy depends upon the iron sharpens iron relationship between church and state. Now that we all have religion we can begin the real work of applying biblical principles to the common good.

Learning to speak the same language is not a threat - it’s a victory.

It was never about politics anyway.