“When Would Jesus Bolt?”
Amy Sullivan of the Washington Monthly tells an interesting story about watching Alabama Republicans filibuster a bill sponsored by Democrats which would authorize an elective course on the Bible in public schools.
The Republicans were filibustering the Bible bill. On a Tuesday afternoon in early February, Republican legislators in Alabama took to the crimson-carpeted floor of the state house to oppose legislation that would authorize an elective course on the Bible in public high schools. The recommended curriculum for the course had been vouched for by Christian Right all-stars like Chuck Colson and Ted Haggard, but so far as Republicans were concerned, there was only one pertinent piece of information about the bill: It was sponsored by two Democrats. And now Republicans were prepared to do everything in their procedural power to stop it, even if that meant lining up to explain why they could not—could not!—stand for this attempt to bring a class about the Bible into public schools.
She goes on to observe that some evangelical Christians are re-considering the question of which party best serves their interests - and that political stakes are involved.
“This is more than about God,” [Republican Rep. Scott Beason] reminded his colleagues. “This is about politics.”
Actually, it’s about both—a fight over which party gets to claim the religious mantle. Nationally, and in states like Alabama, the GOP cannot afford to allow Democrats a victory on anything that might be perceived as benefiting people of faith.
If you are even a little intrigued at this point, I think you would enjoy the whole story, “When Would Jesus Bolt?”
Thanks and a tip of the hat to Captain Bama.
(R) Jeff Sessions (1-19)
(D) Vivian Figures (33-1)
(D) Artur Davis (1-49)
(R) Mike Hubbard (13-1)
(?) David Bronner (OFF)
Wow! That is a very interesting article. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard about Randy Brinson. It’s good to see that some Republicans are starting to wise up and realize that BushCo has prostituted Christianity for its own political gain.
Comment by Kathy — March 9, 2006 @ 9:40 pm