watch what you say

From The Progressive's "McCarthyism Watch": Santorum's People Toss Young Women out of Barnes & Noble, Trooper Threatens Them with Prison.

In the same issue, a profile of Tony Campolo, a Baptist minister, evangelist and radical activist.

Campolo's critique of U.S. policies and culture leads him to some stark positions. "To be a Christian in today's world is to be opposed to America," he says. "Why? America believes in capital punishment, and Jesus says, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.' America says, 'Blessed are the rich.' Jesus said, 'Woe unto you who are rich, blessed are the poor.' America says, 'Blessed are the powerful.' Jesus said, 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.'"

Campolo doesn't just talk, he totally walks the walk. Jim Wallis of Sojourners says,

Tony Campolo is my favorite evangelist. He blends revival with social justice. In that way, he's like one of the nineteenth century evangelists who fought for the abolition of slavery and women's suffrage and social reform. His altar calls urge all of us to overcome poverty, end war, and stand up for human rights for everybody.

Campolo opposes abortion rights and gay marriage, so I'm not about to convert. But people like Wallis and Campolo are the reason that, although I am areligious myself, I can never be anti-religious. History books are stuffed with the ill effects of organized religion, but I also see its potential for good. No student of the American civil rights movement can avoid it.

Progressive change is all about organizing and reaching out, and a church community is already doing both, all the time. And they've got one of the greatest radical tracts ever written.

Profile of Tony Campolo here.