TDB | Democrats and Evangelical Christians

According to E.J. Dionne:

The notion that Christianity in general and evangelicalism in particular are by nature right-wing creeds has always been wrong. How can a faith built around a commitment to the poor and the vulnerable be seen as leading ineluctably to conservative political conclusions?

But history shows us ample evidence that Christianity - indeed any faith - can orient itself behind conservative political conclusions.  Religions - though, not 'faith', in my opinion - are about power relations as much as they are about ideals.  Often times they are about power in support of ideals.  And that power can become reactionary - often mistaken for conservative - when those ideals lose a once widespread acceptance.  

This is what has happened with evangelical Christianity.  Though the numbers of such Christians grows, it becomes increasingly obvious that we no longer live in a 'Christian' society.  In its refusal to accept this trend - or constructively accommodate it - evangelical Christianity has allied itself with anti-progressive aspects of American society.  Its chief impact on American politics has been anti-progressive.  And it is this type of evangelicalism that I oppose - though I certainly have never been anti-Christian.  

If indeed the defining characteristics of the McCain/Obama event at Saddleback mark a revolution in evangelical Christianity, in which Christians realize they have more in common with progressive ideals of commitment to the poor and vulnerable than they do with either anti-modern bigots or corporate powers, then a continuing Christian influence is to be welcomed.  But I can't help worrying that evangelical Christians will continue to support the same politicians - with their deplorable antics and failed policies.  It will be hard to give up such support when the leader of the progressives can't give them his straight and honest answer - no matter how unpopular it would have been in such company.  

Barack Obama is never going to have the agreement of evangelicals when it comes to abortion.  Likewise, he'll fall short of winning due consideration - and perhaps their votes - if he continues with a strategy of ducking the abortion issue by claiming - however cleverly - that the issue was above his pay grade. 

I can't  help but think the Democrats have a long way to go before they win over evangelical Christians en masse.