Progressive Faith Groups Advertise on Christian Radio

By Jacqueline L. Salmon

Christian radio sure has been hearing a lot from liberal- and progressive-backed groups lately.

It's a further sign that the Left is increasingly comfortable using the language of faith and of conservative America to push initiatives and increasingly confident in invading the communications infrastructure set up long ago by conservative Christians.

The latest: a consortium of progressive faith organizations that is taking out ads on Christian radio to urge listeners to call members of Congress to push for health-care reform.

It is part of a massive effort by Sojourners, Faith in Public Life and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, along with local faith-based community organizing groups, to pinpoint moderate members of Congress who need a little nudge in the direction of supporting health-care reform (whatever it looks like when it is finally proposed) and giving them that nudge.

Local pastors in seven states have recorded radio ads to air over the Memorial Day recess. "God desires abundant life for all people," reads the ad script. "It's time we step up, and ask our politicians to move the debate forward, so we can get the reform we desperately need."

Close to 600 clergy from 42 states and 38 denominations have also agreed to preach on health care reform and encourage worshipers to call Congress. There will be more events in June and July, including meetings with congress and "health care" Sundays in local churches.

This effort comes on top of the new progressive faith organization, American Values Network, that launched an ad blitz on Christian radio earlier this month in areas represented by Congressional Democratic representatives who are undecided on the climate change bill.
"Climate change is one of the greatest moral, economic, and national security challenges of our time," the group says on its Web site. "That is why Members of Congress are joining religious and military leaders to help ensure that the climate bill currently before Congress reflects our values of protecting the most vulnerable and keeping Americans safe."

It's liberalism, folks, in the language of conservative Christianity.

By Jacqueline L. Salmon  |  May 21, 2009; 5:32 PM ET  | Category:  God in Government Save & Share:                 
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