The first thought I had after learning Kerry planned to concede was that now, more than ever, I feel compelled to enter the ministry. With the theocratic tendencies described by
galiel, there is certainly a culture war going on, and the Christian Left (and the greater left in general) are losing. We need to reclaim fundamentalist Christian values and start talking about them.
At least, that's how I framed it, as a progressive Christian looking forward, trying to find meaning in the next four years and beyond. But this is not simply a matter for left-leaning Christians.
For all progressives, moral values have been hijacked, people silenced, oppression furthered, whatever notions we have of God have been abused. Now is the time that we must reclaim fundamental morality on the left--don't let the terminalogy fool you, our views are truly fundamental--and there's nothing wrong with that:
-It is a fundamental value
never to destroy innocent life, whether in war, retribution, "collateral damage," or denying access to proper health care. To kill people for the above reasons, or even as a means of securing the peace at home or abroad, is immoral.
-It is a fundamental value that any two adults may fall in love and live together as they choose. To deny them the pursuit of their happiness is immoral.
-It is a fundamental value that being "pro-life" means supporting the life of the mother, before, during, and after giving birth. To deny people access to education about birth prevention methods, childcare, proper health care, etc., is immoral.
-It is a fundamental value to fight the natural result of capitalism, which leaves corporate and individual greed unchecked while people suffer at the bottom with needs unmet. To blindly support this system of institutional oppression is immoral.
-It is a fundamental value that my beliefs will not do you harm, and that yours won't harm me.
-It is a fundamental value that God is not a Republican. Or a Democrat. And that we ourselves are neither prophets nor saviors--merely people, sometimes humbled before God, but never enforcing the will of God against others. To do so in a free, non-theocratic, civil society is immoral.
-And the list continues (add your own!).
We need to remember that we don't always simply believe what we do because it makes the most sense, or has convinced us logically, although this may be the case. Rather, most of what we believe at heart is just as fundamentally rooted as anything Falwell, Robertson, or Bush thinks he believes.
And dammit, it's time to stand up and claim it! We're not arguing about policy here, we are arguing about societal values. And our vision is just as relevant to the debate.