The Religious Right

By The Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker, Dean of the Cathedral
Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, California

Written for the Sacramento News and Review

I just finished watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy with my son. One of the things that struck me was the awe and fear that the heroes had for the “one ring.” They had within their grasp a ring that would give them ultimate power. If they would simply wear the ring, they could rule the world. They were tempted to wear the ring. They knew they had good intentions. Think of the good they could do. But each of them knew that the ring would eventually corrupt them. Nobody could handle that coercive power.

In the last couple of decades, conservative Christians have been gaining political power. To do so, they have wedded themselves to the Republican Party. Both the Republicans and the Christian Right entered this marriage in order to get more power. And like those who wore Tolkein’s ring, they have been corrupted in the process. I will let political experts opine about changes in the Republican Party. I’ll focus my comments on the Christians. As a devout Christian, I often have a difficult time seeing how some of the positions of the Christian Right come from teachings of Jesus. When did Jesus become pro-war, pro-torture, pro-rich, pro-capital punishment, and pro-America?

But this contemporary American phenomenon is not the first time Christianity has been changed by gaining power. In the 4th century Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Instead of ushering in a kingdom of love and compassion, Christian Bishops and Popes were often no more than cruel secular rulers in fancy robes.

Fortunately, throughout history Jesus has repeatedly called the church back to his original vision. Jesus was passionate about serving the poor and healing the sick. He calls us to love enemies, to forgive, to welcome outcasts, to forgo judging others and to be agents of reconciliation. Rather than wielding coercive power, Jesus willingly walked toward his death and forgave his executioners in the process. The path of Jesus is one of costly, sacrificial love.

Jesus spoke of the “Kingdom of God” as a present reality. I believe this “Kingdom” is one where people live in peace with all of Creation and respect the dignity of every human and creature. I do not believe this kingdom will become manifest through the work of any political system or party. I believe it comes alive through subversive loving acts of individuals and communities. At Trinity Cathedral, we are trying to make God’s Kingdom manifest by living together in radical love and passionate service.

Brian Baker
November 2006