Comments

None of the hotlinked articles mentions the real reason the Alabama chapter of the CC broke off from the parent chapter. The Alabama chapter (now CAA) was angry that the national CC was supportive of a tax overhaul in Alabama that would have brought the state's tax system into the 21st century and out of the 19th. It would have ultimately raised the taxes on the wealthier people in the state while improving the last-in-the-nation schools and social services, and actually decreased taxes on the very poor, who are liable for Alabama income tax even if they earn as little as $5,00 per year. The overhaul, which was voted on as a ballot initiative, was even supported by the very conservative Christian Gov. Riley and many other clergy and faith-based groups, who saw that the lack of state revenue was literally killing the poorest of its citizens.

Oh, but that overhaul was opposed by the Alabama chapter of the CC. THAT is what Giles meant when he said the national CC was "drifting to the left." Of course, it was also opposed by Grover Norquist, who exploits uneducated Christians at every chance he gets. Apparently these folks will carry themselves so far right that they would continue to support a broken system such as Alabama's rather than fix their state. But don't forget about Norquist's ties with Ralph Reed and the gambling interests, which all came to light with the Abramoff scandal. And don't forget conservative Chrsitians being referred to by this crowd as "wackos."

The moral of the story for conservative Christians is that because you frequently vote Republican along with the corporate interests and the anti-tax crowd, folks who don't share your faith or your values are going to exploit you for your votes and your signatures. The way to avoid this is to hold on to your pro-life and family principles but don't give in to the temptation to make tax cuts part of your Christian moral agenda. Jesus never said "blessed are the selfish."

I forgot to add that the ballot initiative failed. Much to the dismay of many Christians in the state, both liberal and conservative, who tried to do what was right and just.