Interesting posting at USA Today looking at the future leaders of evangelism is America .  The main gist is that we are likely to see evangelicals taking on less strident positions than the late Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson.  A larger set of issues will begin being brought up, and while not explicitly stated, its clear the message is that the “Religious Right” will not be the dominant force.  Worth looking at since evangelicals do make up a large portion of the Republican base.  That said, I do like the idea of a more intellectually seeking evangelic movement finding its voice.  I think that high rhetoric from the pulpit can be a strong mobilizing force, but it is beginning to drag down the GOP since the Party is now looked at as being overly beholden to those who are perceived as having narrow, intolerant views.

One of my great frustrations is that conservatives are viewed as so “anti-intellectual.”  Part of the reason is the fire and brimstone creed of some highly visible evangelicals.  I know a lot of people who the minute I say I am a Republican think I must be tied in to “those” kind of anti-gay, anti-science zealots.  This is an unfair characterization.

I do believe all evangelicals have the absolute right to speak their mind and do so in the public sphere without fear of reprisal.    On many issues I agree with them.  I can’t believe how the concept of the separation of church and state has become a wedge that attempts to drive most talk of faith from the public square.  This is so disappointing and I firmly believe is part of the reason for the rise of the “Religious Right” so demonized by the political left.  In large measure, I believe it is the excesses of the 1960s counter culture and the radical embracing of secularism that set the stage for the large, public revivalism that has been the hallmark of the modern (or at least post 60s) conservative political movement.  This was and continues to be appropriate and necessary.  Faith has an important role to play.

That said, I also know that to make in roads with varying types of voters, one must also be able to discuss issues rationally and agree to disagree while showing respect.  This is where evangelism must move, otherwise a new counterrevolution is likely that will further polarize and embitter both sides.  Common ground on some, though not all, issues can be found.  Responsible leaders must seek this ground without selling out all reason to the church nor all faith to the secular establishment.  To be clear this is not a call to embrace the muddy middle of the road that makes so many politicians “squishy”, it is an act of sober reflection that recognizes the limits on both views and the need for a true synthesis.  This is what great thinkers like St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas attempted to do and is what we must do once more.