Reply #49: I think by addressing it head-on. Like it or not...

[belle]

religion and spirituality are a big deal in America. Legally, yeah, it's important to keep the distinction between Church and State; it's in our country's DNA, and it's an important separation of powers. But I think in terms of the informal debate, we really need to start asking *why* so many people are falling back on a rabid form of reactionary fundamentalist Christianity. "Because they're brainwashed/stupid/ignorant/taking their mass opium" isn't good enough. What is it in modern life that people aren't finding satisfying, that they want to "go back to basics?" Because frankly, it isn't just the fundies that are having that problem.

Personally, I think there *is* something missing. Call it spirituality or faith or even just a sense of deeper connection or purpose. Or a framework. Or all of the above, or something else entirely. But I think that if nothing else, it's important to acknowledge that we've kind of lost the plot--not just the left but the entire culture. I do *not* believe that fundamentalism will do anything but make matters worse. It's falling back on old myths and templates that no longer serve. But the thing is, unless we come up with something better, it's still going to appeal to a lot of people.

On a more pragmatic note, while i don't think there's much point to trying to court hardcore fundamentalists by compromising our beliefs, it's really important to not lump together all "religious" (or Christian or evangelical) people in with them, mentally, and particularly not to simply dismiss them. They're a diverse bunch, and many of their concerns are the same as ours, even if they reach different conclusions about how to address them. More simply put, I think there needs to be more serious bridge-building between the nonreligious left/middle and the religious left/middle.