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Faith

Jim Wallis Lambastes the Right’s ‘War on Religion,’ Abortion & Gay Marriage Stances as ‘Failed’

Nov. 9, 2012 9:23pm Billy Hallowell

Jim Wallis: Rights War on Religion, Abortion & Gay Marriage Stances Are Failed

Photo Credit: FILE

In the wake of the 2012 presidential election, progressive evangelical Jim Wallis had plenty to say about President Barack Obama’s victory and the overarching political direction the nation seems to be moving in. After describing the divisiveness embedded in the current political climate, Wallis derided Republicans’ “war on religion” and spoke out against conservatives’ “non-negotiable” stance on issues like abortion and gay marriage.

“The results of the presidential election showed how dramatically a very diverse America is changing; people are longing for a vision of the common good that includes everyone,” the liberal faith leader wrote. “As one commentator put it ‘the demographic time bomb’ has now been set off in American politics — and getting mostly white, male, and older voters is no longer enough to win elections, as the Romney campaign learned on Tuesday.”

TheBlaze has explored some of the issues surrounding the election and, undoubtedly, demographics are a problem for the GOP; unless Republicans adjust strategy, some critics claim the party could be in trouble in future electoral seasons. However, Wallis’ other contentions about social issues — particularly in an election dominated by unprecedented economic themes — may be off base.

Photo Credit: FILE

While it is true that the “war on religion” did little to prevent the majority of self-described Catholics from embracing Obama, social issues appeared to be somewhat less pronounced in the 2012 race.

Wallis, though, characterized the Republican Party’s method as focusing upon social issues, while invoking Obama’s supposed threats to religious liberty — a tactic he dismissed as “failed.” But for the majority of the campaign season, Republican Mitt Romney generally avoided issues like abortion and gay marriage, as the majority of conversations and dialogue focused upon the economy, health care and similar issues.

“As for religious voters, it appears a strategy of citing a ‘war on religion’ — and doubling down on the long-failed strategy of citing abortion and traditional marriage as the two ‘non-negotiable’ religious issues — once again failed,” he continued.

From there, Wallis went on to praise the notion that “evangelical,” as a term, is changing in America — and that it now includes minority groups who came out en force for President Barack Obama. While the progressive faith leader praised this development, he also noted that many religious people feel stuck between two extremes and Wallis urged believers to get engaged on the issues and to get “above personalities and partisanship.”

Photo Credit: FILE

The Sojourners leader also touted the need for immigration reform and for fiscal policies that protect America’s poor. Traditionally, he has called for redistribution as a means to ensuring that those in need are properly cared for. He did note in this piece, however, that fiscal responsibility, too, is a “moral issue.”

“Trust has been lost in the fairness and opportunity of our economic system, and must be restored by asking what a ‘moral economy’ would look like,” he wrote. “More people think everyone deserves a ‘fair shot’ and believe both our economic and political systems have been rigged on behalf of the wealthy and powerful. New senate voices like Elizabeth Warren are promising to be ‘champions’ on those issues.”

Read Wallis’ entire article here.

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Comments (198)

conservativewoman
Posted on November 11, 2012 at 12:47am
Yes, Mathew 7 says many will go to hell.

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- L.B.Stephens
  Posted on November 11, 2012 at 2:12pm
  Is that what you understand Matthew chapter 7 is all about?
  
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Git-R-Done
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:27pm
Jesus said that marriage is between a man and a woman in Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6-8. Jesus also said that the gate into heaven is narrow in Matthew 7:13-14. That doesn’t sound like tolerance and inclusion.

So it looks like Wallis is a complete fraud.

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wvernon1981
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 8:23pm
So, if these issues are so important to God, why doesn’t he have a press conference, a beer summit, or something like that to straighten everyone out? He seems to leave it to you guys, with your myriad positions on scripture, to tell us what He thinks.

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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:11pm
  Since when did God say he was going to give us everything we wanted and that we wouldn’t face any suffering in life?
  
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- colt1860
  Posted on November 11, 2012 at 12:21am
  Ha. If only you knew of what you speak of. Me thinks you’re on to something.
  
  Important to God? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
  
  Conference? “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.”
  
  Beer summit? “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb . . . And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
  
  Leave it to us folks? “Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.”
  
  Hey buddy, we’re two steps ahead of you. Be patient.
  
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Argosy
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 7:39pm
This fat idiot is in the picture with Obama and Clinton, what else would he think.

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jessieH
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 7:11pm
I guess we won’t see this fool in heaven. You reap what you sow, “Reverend”.

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Lighthorse51
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 6:38pm
If you look into the face of Jim Wallis you see a man whose life and body are worn by his excesses. When he faces judgement he will likely hear “I never knew you”.

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Spidereye
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 6:33pm
Wallis is a liberal activist. We don’t listen to his drivel.

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sbenard
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 6:01pm
Wallis, like Obama, is channeling Marx, not Jesus.

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snooop1e
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 5:24pm
Hmmmmm, can’t seem to post comments on this story, is the Blaze blocking me from posting comments in the Faith section?

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Balpit
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 4:13pm
The RIGHT’s war on religion?

Project much, Wallis?

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Teritd
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 3:52pm
Abortion and gay marriage ARE non-negotiable with the Catholic Church and should be with every christian religion. What is there to understand. It goes against the whole purpose of the religion.

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Kshirley245
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 3:10pm
Jim: Suggestive reading: Revelations. We Win!

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- wvernon1981
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 8:24pm
  That’s a sick definition of winning if you consider most of humanity is supposedly going to burn for eternity. Christian snuff porn Revelation is.
  
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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:12pm
  WV – What a big whiny crybaby you are. If you don’t want to get into heaven, then that’s your choice.
  
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- colt1860
  Posted on November 11, 2012 at 12:26am
  Sick it would be if God allowed this present wicked and evil world to live on forever, with all her misery, sorrow, hunger, and injustice!
  
  I’m with this guy that wrote this:
  
  “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea… And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful… And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
  
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- L.B.Stephens
  Posted on November 11, 2012 at 2:07pm
  colt1860,
  
  Those scriptures are taken from Revelation 21:1-4 and 22:17
  
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Michele58
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 1:27pm
The fairness doctrine is destroying this country. What we need is righteousness, justice and equity. Society may change/ deteriorate in its moral stance, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. One day each of us will give an account.

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china clipper
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 1:24pm
This creep is no more a Christian than Hitler was a Jew.

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Oldtimer2
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 12:10pm
Jim Wallis and the liberal church teach apostasy. Apostasy means rebellion. They teach rebellion against God and the Word of God. They ignore what God says in the Bible on homosexuality, life, murder, work ethic,etc and replace it with their own twisted version of the Truth. God does not condone abortion, homosexuality, murder, stealing, laziness…..any of that. Just because civil gov’t passes legislation saying these things are “okay” doesn’t make them right. They think that God’s Word should conform to culture. Not so. We are in this mess because God has been pushed out of culture and He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We change and in our pride we think we know better than God. You’ve got guys like Jim Wallis and other liberal clergy, leading their entire flocks astray. You’ve got entire denominations like the Episcopalians and the “social justice” segment of the Catholic church, the Methodists etc. that in their pride of self and their scramble to be “inclusive and tolerant” have put themselves above the Word of God. . God’s law and his Word are always above the laws of man. Always! I will NOT comply.

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- wvernon1981
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 8:27pm
  Neither because God condemns them does it make them wrong.
  
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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:13pm
  WV – Your secular humanism doesn’t have any right or wrong.
  
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- colt1860
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 11:34pm
  @wvernon1981 Yeah it does. Our founders accepted that:
  
  “…We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…” – Declaration of Independence
  
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- wvernon1981
  Posted on November 11, 2012 at 1:36pm
  No. Because your god says it’s wrong doesn’t make it wrong. God can project the force necessary to enforce any kind of punishment he desires but that does no more to make something right or wrong than the moral edicts of any cheap dictator.
  
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- colt1860
  Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:10pm
  @wvernon1981 Oh, my apologies. I forgot, the State decides what’s right and wrong. Our founders were fools.
  
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RayOne
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 11:58am
The GOP has been voting present for a long time. They have lost the WH, the Supreme Court, next the Congress, then the country.
RiNO’s should be sent to the DNC camp with ‘flowers’.
The enemy has declared itself, this is how the m.Brotherhood operates for global intimidation.

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jrc99
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 10:50am
I sure would not wanna be Mr. Wallis explaining why he violated preached avocation toward breaking God’s Law under His name, to God Himself. :-O

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- jrc99
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 10:54am
  Sorry, forgot to erase “violated” when rewording my point. You know how it is when you’re angry. ;-)
  
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Buddynoel
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 10:32am
Let’s make it very clear. The GOP did not lose this election based on policy. They simply showed themselves to be totally inept at the old technology of knocking on doors and getting out the vote. Democrats bussed people to polls, helped them fill out their early ballots and held thousands of election meets at social centers, schools and community centers. Republicans were lazy and hoped that they could out-source the actual voting. instead of paying for political ads, it’s time the GOP used their corporate sponsors to turn their employees active and offer incentives to help people vote. If you were to pay Wal Mart employees $11 to work off the clock on an election, I bet you’d get a lot of help.

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RayOne
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 10:29am
Just call it contamination by proximity, Romney got the evil eye without going to NJ, Gov. Christie delivered the WH music for its victory dance.

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beckNcall
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 10:04am
My fear is our country will not endure the Obama administration for 4 more years. He isn’t proposing solutions for our economic situation, he’s doing quiet the contrary. Reid is wanting to filibuster proof the Senate. Boehner is a whipped mongrel dog, no guts. We have no one in defense of our constitution or the American people. GOP seems to be in partnership with the progressives. They have themselves and their own taken care of, while the American people are on their own.

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- RayOne
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 10:38am
  Boehner will ‘lead’ the House into the appeasement position of Washington, DC ‘R’ political elite. They, ‘we’ are the problem. The winning team is getting ready for its victory ‘in zone dance’. The old school ‘R’ will pretend to feel the music. It will not be Motown, more like slam dancing. Come strong or stay home.
  
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anothercomment
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:28am
Jim Wallis is a fraud.
He can call himself anything he wants, free speech.
But when you start labeling others who refuse to believe what you do, you become another rabid liberal nut case, who makes a great living off of hate speech, and those who suffer from ‘white guilt’. Sounds like quite a number of White House ‘A’ list-ers.
My faith is my own, and I will become far more conservative in the next four years. Liberation theology is something Bob Marley promoted (probably sitting in a choom cloud), and Scientology is a cult.
The only ‘war on religion’ that is taking place is against those who read and study the Bible and work faithfully to follow the Commandments.
When the ‘knock on the door comes’ will you take my Bible as well?

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:25am
And call it what it is. Your Gov is taking from honest folks. Forcing smart to shut down. Crippling us All for cheap crapcare codoms and plastic phone. Business don’t play chaos. They dont play in big boy world. Suffering will be your teacher.

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Blitz
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:19am
Two things jim, stop drinking!! and you wouldnt know the word of God if it hit you in the head doing a 100 mph.

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:18am
You can’t change my heart or the rules. You’re Sore Winners!!! Not my Father. You can’t even win fair. Sore loser don’t Tread On Me. Independent voters see what you’re doing.

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Uechi
Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:16am
Mr. Wallis is an elegant spokesman for Satan. I wish him lots of luck in the next life. Hopefully he will find out real soon.

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