I often tell people that there is a difference between Progressive Christianity, which are the thoughts that have animated my career as a theologian, biblical scholar, and pastor; and Christian progressivism, the work that I seek to do as a social activist, community leader, and American citizen. I live in an Ohio town known for its progressive politics, Yellow Springs, that is surrounded by conservative, Evangelical communities; Cedarville College is only a few miles from my house, but we might as well be worlds apart. I am a devout Christian pastor in a community often skeptical of religion, and within a faith that has become dominated by theological contentions not easily supported through responsible textual exegesis.
My faith absolutely influences my politics, but I was long ago disillusioned with the two-party system; this happened years before I, an ardent agnostic, converted to Christianity; I was once a big supporter of President Obama, and while I do not regard our current president as anathema, I do have deep disappointments, mainly around drone strikes and surveillance programs. But I cheer the president's efforts to bring an increasing number of Americans into the full definition of civil life, a call I see within the religious world offered by Jesus. And, as it just so happens, the president once attended a church in my mother denomination, the United Church of Christ.
But I think there is a difference between what is called Progressive Christianity--a theological system that is born equally of Catholic Liberation Theology and Protestant revolution against a hierarchical Church tied to State power--and political progressiveness, what I prefer to call Christian progressivism. The purpose of this diary on Daily Kos will be to offer critiques of religion within the political arena, and to challenge Christian (and people of good will) to push back against the capitalist co-opting of a faith leader who had more to say about the corrupting power of money than he ever did about human sexuality.
I identify as a Christian Socialist, which simply means I think that we have a societal responsibility to champion the rights of the poor; we should seek to deconstruct the systems that keep people oppressed; and that violence as a means can rarely, if ever, justify an ends. I don't preach politics from my pulpit, so I will do it here for anyone who might want to read and respond. I look forward to the journey together.
The Rev. Aaron Maurice Saari has written for numerous publications, including The Progressive Christian, More Light Presbyterians,and is the author of The Many Deaths of Judas Iscariot: A Meditation on Suicide. He is Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs, Multifaith Campus Minister at Sinclair Community College, and a doctoral student of Intercultural Studies at United Theological Seminary. He is passionate about Jesus, GLBT rights, social justice, and seeing the Detroit Lions win a Superbowl.