Politics,  Theology/Bible

Marvin Olasky vs. Ralph Reed

The Washington Post has picked up Marvin Olasky’s reporting on Ralph Reed’s ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Here’s the heart of it.

Olasky, a journalism professor at the University of Texas, is editor in chief of World magazine, the mission of which “is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Since Nov. 19, World has run 10 articles and essays describing the $4 million in gambling money Abramoff paid to Reed to lobby against casinos competing with Abramoff’s clients. The articles have highlighted incriminating e-mails and other disclosures that have raised doubts about Reed’s explanations of his activities.

If you are interested in reading the full article, you can find it at the following link: “From a Conservative, a Lack Of Compassion for Ralph Reed.”

Olasky has provided a list of his reasons for covering this story in a short essay titled: “Why dig into a sad situation?” Olasky saves the sting for the end when he writes:

[Ralph Reed] has damaged Christian political work by confirming for some the stereotype that evangelicals are easily manipulated and that evangelical leaders use moral issues to line their own pockets.

One Comment

  • Adam and Holly Groza

    Long before Bono, Bishop George Berkeley (the original Irish rock star) warned against Christian political sectarianism. This same warning bears repeating today. The whole emphasis on Moral Issues seperates ethics from metaphyics, as if Religious Issues and Moral Issues are two different catagories. I think the Incarnation shatters this distinction, and makes Christ the Lord of government and an (most often) a threat to their power. I think Yoder has some good things to say here. Faith, hope, and Love: The Original Christian PAC (I think this would make a great bumper sticker)

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