From Pulpit to Podium to Policy

Summary

Today, many fundamentalist Christian members of Congress find it simpler and more comforting to disregard complexity and science when creating US law and, instead, wield faith like a righteous sword. In the making of new legislation, these Congressmen go so far as to cite biblical events, claiming, for instance, that the Great Flood was an example of climate change, although, “…that certainly wasn’t because mankind had overdeveloped hydrocarbon energy.” These Christian lawmakers even make frequent allusions to being ‘led by’ or ‘inspired by’ God when deciding legal policies and ignore scientific findings that contradict their faith in favor of legislation that benefits powerful corporations.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." Thus reads the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Yet, as Dr. Richard Tobias argues in From Pulpit to Podium Policy, decisions by the Supreme Court and repeated opposition by strong religious Congressional members against the separation of church and state put the longstanding ideals of democracy in danger.