Friends, we have been talking in circles for years while the theocratic Christian Right and has gained a vastly disproportionate role in public life -- and has even become the dominant faction in the federal government. Part of the reason for thier success is that they have worked hard and done well. Another part of the reason is that the rest of us, the vast majority of the population that does not agree with its theocratic agenda and intolerant attitudes towards others, have not done as good a job as we should have, and could have, in response.
Well, those days are over.
It is time to start turning talk to action. Towards that end, some friends and colleagues and I have launched a project to do just that. We call it Talk to Action.
We started out wondering, what if there was a place where you could have a considered conversation about what to do about the Christian Right? And what if it was a place that sought to model civil discourse on the web instead of flaunting incivility? And what if in that place, arguing about theism vs. atheism was off topic -- way of topic -- because we face an imminent threat to constitutional democracy and we just don't have time for that? What if someone facing a Christian Right school board takeover in their town wanted to find like minded people who had faced the same problem? What if you found that the tactics employed by some of your allies were ineffective at best? ...wouldn't it be great if there was a place you could go to talk about stuff like that?
Well, that place is being built. The ground has been broken, the foundation has been laid, and you are invited over for the grand tour. We are already posting on our temporary blog site, while we develop a site that is organized much like The Daily Kos, (using "Scoop" software) to be able to manage wide ranging conversations in this field. I don't know exactly when our Phase II will be ready. But I think its fair to say that its Coming Soon!
Today is a great day to come over for a first visit. Chip Berlet, a leading expert on the religious right, and Senior Analyst at Political Research Associates, has an thought provoking post on the problem of labeling and demonization -- of conservative Christians. He feels some of the name calling by Democratic aligned interest groups over the past decade has been offensive and counter productive. "I think it's time to stop using phrases such as 'religious political extremist' and 'radical religious right,'" he declares. "A lot of my friends and allies use this language, but what are friends for if they can't tell you when they think you are wrong? I also think that we should be asking folks in the Christian Right to stop pasting labels on those of us who are liberal or progressive. I'm an equal opportunity curmudgeon."
Come on over to Talk to Action and find out why Chip thinks these labels are the wrong way to go.
Meanwhile, I want to stress that we know that web-based conversation is not a panacea. But we also think we are onto something. If you think you might agree, read on.
We have written an initial statement of purpose, which is posted on the Talk to Action site. Here are some excerpts:
"... we are launching a project which will empower the strength that lies in community - an internet website which will provide a national meeting place, a commons where all concerned about the Christian Right's march towards dominion can meet, debate and strategize, learn, and be catalyzed to action. With your help, we will bring the revolutionary ability of internet group discussion websites to allow citizens to find information, strength, and common cause on our website."
"We will reach out to and welcome all who share our concerns. However, we do not seek to merely foster conversation. That is necessary but insufficient. It is not enough to know about the theocratic Christian Right -- if we hold our values to be important; if we value constitutional democracy, we need to turn our conversations into action; we need to talk about what kinds of actions to take, how to make those actions most effective, and how to fuse those individual actions together in campaigns and coordinated strategies.... Fully in that spirit, we do not view this effort as in any way a replacement for the fine work of many organizations already working to educate about, and counter the religious right. Rather, we seek to provide a site that will enhance the work of all of these groups -- a place where all of us may converse and strategize with one another. We can help people in remote locations with their struggles; inform each other of important developments around the country; and break down the barriers of issues, religion, institution, and levels of knowledge or political sophistication that divide us and make it difficult for us to develop common understandings and ways of communicating that strengthen our efforts."
"This project is just beginning, and like any worthwhile activity it will take time, planning, and concerted efforts to fully realize the vision. If you would like to be notified when we reach our next stage of development, or if you have knowledge and skills to contribute to the effort, please send us an email."
Or just come over and cheer us on: Talk to Action.
[Crossposted from FrederickClarkson.com]