On the Road to What Victory?

Part of the mission of the Center for Public Justice is to influence other groups. Last September (1998), development director, Michelle Voll, and research fellow, Stephen Lazarus, attended the Christian Coalition’s Road to Victory conference in Washington, D.C. It was the first time the Center had a display booth at a Coalition event. Center staff engaged conference participants on topics such as school choice and welfare reform. In the following conversation they assess the conference.

Stephen Lazarus: You have lived in Washington D.C. for several years, Michelle. What was your impression of this conference?

Michelle Voll: I was impressed by the more than 4000 people who came from across the country. Triumphant music, flashing lights and elaborate dining added to the grandeur of the event. But combined with the sharp partisan rhetoric of some 20 plenary speakers calling for Clinton’s impeachment, it made me feel like I was at a Republican Party Convention. Most of the partisan remarks brought forth rousing applause, cheers, and even some nasty name calling of the president.

Lazarus: I think all the sound bites and provocative rhetoric left no place to discuss how Christian principles can shape a vision for American politics. Speakers did not explain, for example, why tax breaks for American families constitute a Christian policy as opposed to simply a conservative one.

Voll: Yes, speakers passed up the valuable opportunity to call for Christian civic responsibility. Many prefaced their remarks about Clinton with, “I need to say this for the record.” The Republican presidential candidates definitely were speaking to the television cameras. One of these candidates, U.S. Senator John Ashcroft, with whom the Center for Public Justice has worked, never even mentioned welfare reform. He could have helped many of the attending ministry leaders understand how churches and government can partner to serve the poor.

Lazarus: The Christian Coalition has done a remarkable job of encouraging their members to reject the “withdrawal mentality” and become involved politically. They have worked hard to get elected to influential committees within the Republican Party. By insisting that their concerns should be taken seriously, they have earned a seat at the table. But I don’t see them developing a comprehensive Christian political framework with which to engage the issues.

Voll: Can you give an example?

Lazarus: Sure, let’s consider school prayer. Coalition members often describe school prayer as a moral pillar of society. So, if we can just get prayer back in schools, then maybe we can turn America around. I believe in prayer, but this stand presupposes a view of government’s role that is not particularly Christian. Who will lead these prayers in the classroom? It is the duty of Christians, and not the government through public schools, to lead people to Christ and encourage Christian morality.

Voll: The Center would argue for a fundamental change in public funding of schooling. Parents should have a choice to send their children to Christian schools where prayer and a biblical worldview are taught.

Lazarus: What kind of assumptions do you see built into the Christian Coalition’s political approach?

Voll: The leaders of the Christian Coalition take for granted that we can recover core “American” values. Many addressed the audience as one united, moral force that needs to rise up to save America. But the existence of common American values is a myth. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University documents the diversity of values Americans hold. It shows that our two political parties are fractured into nine groups. The Coalition accepts the American two-party system as it is, fueled by interest-group politics. Most disagreements don’t even occur between parties but within the Democratic and Republican parties. Of course, we would approach this dilemma by making the argument for a more representative electoral system.

Lazarus: Even to speak of “values” subjectivizes the discussion and presumes a secularized playing field—you may follow family values, I may choose other values. Instead, we need to start with the divine Creator who has a will for political life revealed to us in creation through norms we can discern. And Christians should not be one more interest group clamoring for attention in the public square. Members of the Christian Coalition should be concerned, as Christians, not about “just us,” but about justice for people of all faiths.

Voll: Christian Coalition members believe they are on the road to victory. But it is a victory call in the interest of a conservative agenda. We want to call for the victory of justice for all. I echo a fellow participant in one of several breakout sessions. She said, “why can’t the Christian Coalition orient its plenary sessions so serious matters can be discussed on its main platform?” More substance, less rhetoric, and a distinct Christian political vision are needed.