intersections

Is the moral values debate shifting?

I'm not sure how much stock to place in this, but today's New York Times/CBS News poll (conducted May 4-8) reports that 50% of Americans believe the Democrats "come closer to sharing [their] moral values." That is compared to only 37% who believe the Republican's are closer to sharing their values. Maybe the big loser is the "Neither" category which only got 5%. This is an amazing change in American public opinion after the 2004 election just two-and-a-half years ago when all the news outlets were saying that religious values tipped the scales toward George W. Bush.

Is this merely a temporary reaction to all the scandals plauging the Republican party or is that people like Rabbi Michael Lerner, Rev. Jim Wallis, Sojourners, Call to Renewal and the Network of Spiritual Progressives are beginning to make an impact on the conversation. Could it be that the discussion of what "moral values" are is widening to include concern for the poor, immoral wars, foreign policy decisions, global warming and the enviroment, genocides around the world, HIV/AIDS, and other vital issues? I hardly dare hope....

Left Hand of God book review

Just below, on Feb 17, I wrote about a new book I'm reading. It just came out at the beginning of February. Anyway, in this morning's Book Review section of the LA Times was this great review by Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California. This is the same All Saints Church that made the news back in November. I blogged about it here. I write more about my time at the book signing tomorrow night so check back.