How to Hijack a Religious Tradition

by | Jul 25, 2014 | Opinion

Randall Balmer’s recent analytical biography of Jimmy Carter, titled “Redeemer,” offers a thoroughly researched and insightful review of an evolution in the evangelical narrative that coincided with Carter’s presidency. With visible expressions...

Why Religious Left Garners Less Attention Than Right

by | May 27, 2013 | Opinion

Almost always, Sightings takes off from the sighting of a particular recent news event. This time, for fun and games, we’ll make an exception and address a generic theme: the Religious Left. Several weeks ago, we commented on Jim Wallis, the leader of Sojourners...

What Impact Did Election Have on Religious Right?

by | Nov 14, 2012 | Opinion

Through the years this Sightings column has never commented on presidential campaigns, and the contest held this year is no exception. Today, self-liberated from the practice of opting-out, we can survey the comments on “public religion” in the campaign...

Common Ground Hard to Find in Culture War

by | Feb 17, 2012 | Opinion

The latest round of the political WrestleMania gotcha match, otherwise known as the presidential campaign, finds the members of the tag team trying to “out-faith” each other while simultaneously painting their eventual opponent as “anti-faith.”...