Lutheran Colportage

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The way to understand the Tea Party movement, according to author Freedman, is to understand the role of religion in the thinking of its adherents. The Constitution, for example, is not seen as a "political phenomenon" but is understood "through the prism of religion."

" 'There's a strong stand of divine-guidance thinking, thinking about American exceptionalism,' says Mary Beth Norton, a professor of early American history at Cornell University. 'People have certainly seen the texts of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence as the equivalent of a secular religion, with the idea that you can't challenge these texts.' "

Bachmann appeals to a group of voters who feel that the modern world has forsaken the principles of American constitutionalism. She finds support among people who fear the modern world and see religious faith undermined by secularism. She finds support among the anti-abortion people who would have Roe v. Wade overturned because it is a violation of Natural Law.

Bachmann's political views are her own and people may accept or reject them. What is remarkable for this Lutheran is how people of her persuasion would make her political views binding upon the consciences of those Lutherans (like myself) who don't agree with her.

Tea Party and Religious Fervor - Michelle Bachmann

Samuel G. Freedman had a perceptive piece in Saturday's New York Times about the ideological underpinnings of the Tea Party movement.

The piece caught my eye because it was well-written and it also described how Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann might see politics.

Bachmann is a Lutheran and a Lutheran member of Congress is nothing new here in Minnesota. I would guess that almost all of the previous Lutheran members of Congress came from the ELCA which some consider to be the state church of Minnesota. Bachmann is unusual in that she is a WELS Lutheran. Her campaign manager is, I believe, a member of the ELS. Truth in blogging requires me to state that I am a member of a congregation affiliated with the ELS.

I reside in the 3rd Minnesota Congressional District and so I was not able to vote against Ms. Bachmann in the recently concluded election.

Bachmann's gerrymandered 6th district has re-elected her again. I think that Ms. Bachmann wouldn't stand a chance if she ran for office in the metropolitan Twin Cities.