Diana Butler Bass Profile picture
Sep 26, 2020 8 tweets 2 min read Read on X
Analyzing and critiquing how a person interprets and practices their faith in relation to their world-view and political policies, especially in application of the law in a pluralistic nation, is a significant aspect of vetting.
Critics who don't understand religion may (and sadly often do) verge into intolerance & even bigotry.

And that's not a good thing.

But recognizing when leaders have theological positions that might harm or endanger others' rights or freedoms is necessary.
This is especially true for those who hail from religious traditions that value the life of the mind. Theology isn't a side issue, can't be compartmentalized. It is foundational to how people define basics like rights, human nature, and even to the meaning of the law itself.
I strongly suggest that both the media and Democratic leaders consult and learn from academics and legal theorists who understand the current conflicts in Catholic intellectual circles, esp regarding authority, women's rights, and the theology of law.
Ask Catholic leaders how to analyze and critique without failing into the trap of anti-Catholic bigotry (which is a real thing in America).
As a matter of fact, it is a form of anti-Catholic bigotry to FAIL to recognize that Catholicism itself is diverse and conflicted - there are many Catholics who hold controversial views (both left and right) that aren't necessarily in line w/ church or legal traditions.
To avoid discussing this is a form of ignorance and intolerance.

We regularly analyze Protestants on the bias of their theologies, practices-no one says it is "anti-Protestant bigotry" to talk abt the differences btwn Robert Jeffress (SoBap) and Michael Curry (Episcopal bishop).
We should be able to talk about a nominee's religious views as openly as we talk about that person's views on, say, originalism. Religion is part of any justice's interpretative grid (even if their religion is "no religion"). It is not the only thing, but it is one thing.

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More from @dianabutlerbass

Apr 11
With all due respect & gratitude to the ELCA, y'all gotta take "evangelical" out of your formal name in the US. It is the source of endless confusion. Sorry sorry sorry but you can't redefine it here apart from American evangelicalism. (I know what it means in Greek, German, yes)
I wish I've had $1 for how many times I've explained your name to a group of 1) Lutherans who can't understand American evangelicalism; and 2) Evangelicals who can't figure out why mainline Lutherans would call themselves "evangelical."

And even after explaining, no one gets it.
Two entire questions after my conversation w/Sarah McCammon today on her fine new book, Exvangelicals, were wasted on this ridiculous confusion.
Read 5 tweets
Jan 23
This is an important "man in a diner" article. For me, it underscores an often-overlooked reason why white evangelicals support Trump.

Both their form of "religion" and his "politics" want to destroy things. They are not content w/any sort of difference or diverse choices.
The point is to make everyone miserable. In evangelicalism, the first step to salvation is making you miserable.

You must see that you have led a miserable life, made miserable choices, are a deeply miserable person.

Misery is the door toward you being saved.
Here's the article: politico.com/news/magazine/…
Read 6 tweets
Nov 6, 2023
Re: Mike Johnson porn story:

30 yrs ago, I knew a librarian at a prominent evangelical seminary whose sole job was going thru personal papers of ministers donated after they died. Her responsibility? Removing all the porn from such collections BEFORE they reached the cataloger.
In the 80s, there was a very famous, anonymous article in Leadership magazine (a CT publication) on porn and sexual addiction among evangelical clergy & leaders. It was rampant. That article was secretly passed among male evangelical seminary students & clergy like a banned book.
Read 7 tweets
Jun 1, 2023
I'm hearing anecdotally that a number of progressive mainline churches are seeing a post-pandemic steady influx of ex-evangelicals looking for new spiritual homes.

This doesn't mean that all ex-evangelicals are making this shift, but it suggests that at least some are.
In the 1990s and early aughts, the progressive mainline attracted mostly disaffected Catholics - a trend that strengthened congregations & attendance.

That the next disaffiliation wave might come from disgruntled & deconstructing evangelicals isn't surprising.
Mainline types: Don't expect this is a trend where folks will knock down your doors. You're going to have to prove yourselves trustworthy, open, loving - and you'll need to overcome years of stereotypes these folks learned in evangelicalism - you'll need to earn their respect.
Read 14 tweets
May 31, 2023
A guy got mad at my newsletter today - a post abt roses, summertime & poetry that included a “btw” line abt climate change.

He wrote a nasty note about how there’s no such thing as climate change, etc.

I can't believe that anyone would jump on a writer for reflecting on roses.
Literally, some dude attacking me for . . . flowers.
Are roses "woke"? And I just didn't know....?
Read 4 tweets
May 9, 2023
There’s no way a Catholic college can host Trump and ever hope to attract another student. .@SaintAnselm
Can you imagine? With the Catholic Church’s history of sexual abuse hosting a former president now found liable for sexual abuse?

If I were @Pontifex, I’d be on the phone right now.
If you didn’t know the @CNN town hall is scheduled to be at St Anselm College.
Read 6 tweets

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