randall balmer

Election 2012, Sexuality/GenderAugust 7, 2012

“Religious Freedom” and the Conservative Quest for Absolute Truth

By Ira Chernus

But the demand for hierarchy has a larger impact on politics. In Bill Clinton’s often-quoted words: “When times are uncertain, the American people would rather have a leader who is wrong but strong than one who is right but weak.” Just as the father must rule to keep the home in order, and the Father in Heaven must be obeyed to keep the universe in order, so the “great white father” in the White House must have firm control to keep order in the political realm.

CultureApril 16, 2012

Cozy Cottage or House on Fire? Thomas Kinkade’s Theo-Aesthetic Legacy

By S. Brent Rodriguez Plate

Kinkade challenged the high-brow haughtiness of the art world, grew rich in the process, and seemed to fumble around, rock-star like, with drinking and bad behavior. Liberals scoffed at the hypocrisy of yet another social-religious conservative who can’t live up to a decent set of moral standards, while his mass-produced images were hugely loved, especially by evangelical Christians who felt that here, finally, was an artist for them. He called himself the “Painter of Light” and then trademarked the phrase. He includes a Christian fish (icthus) above his signature—but he’s also alleged to have urinated on a Winnie the Pooh figure at Disneyland, among other socially unacceptable activities.

Sarah PosnerAugust 1, 2011

Kristof’s Evangelicals

By Sarah Posner

In accusing others of oversimplication, the columnist engages in it himself.

Politics/LawSeptember 10, 2009

By the Way: Obama and Faith-Based Initiatives

By Randall Balmer

Obama’s proposal is too timid: How about asking religious groups to really step up?

Politics/LawJuly 3, 2009

By the Way: “God Tells Me I’m Right”

By Randall Balmer

During the recent “Compassion Forum,” Obama challenged the American religious community…

Culture, Politics/Law, Sexuality/GenderJune 22, 2009

By The Way: Gay Marriage in Iowa, not California?

By Randall Balmer

To all the breathless detractors of “flyover country,” think about the history of Iowa before expressing shock.

(A)theologies, Culture, Politics/Law, Sexuality/GenderJune 22, 2009

By the Way: Religious Right Losing its Grip?

By Randall Balmer

College Democrats at Pat Robertson’s Regent U., Notre Dame’s refusal to rescind an invitation to the pro-choice president—younger evangelicals and Catholics are in rebellion and it doesn’t bode well for the once-commanding presence of the religious right.

Culture, Politics/LawJune 19, 2009

By the Way: James Dobson Departs the Scene

By Randall Balmer

As the old guard retires, a generational challenge emerges for the Christian Right. Who can lead a movement whose constituency no longer agrees with its core tenets?

Politics/LawJune 19, 2009

By the Way: Naming The Religious Right

By Randall Balmer

Leaders of the religious right have recently begun to complain about the various names by which their movement is known. But if the shoe fits…

(A)theologies, Politics/LawJune 18, 2009

By the Way: A Radically Conservative “Faith-Based Initiative”

By Randall Balmer

Obama’s Bush-era strategy of using taxpayer money for faith-based social services not only risks infusing politics into religion, but also denies religious groups their traditional responsibility for caring for those in need—with their own funds.