In the last few months, I’ve read a number of articles in magazines, newspapers and on the Internet by and about American evangelical Christians who are tired of the antics of the Far Right members of their movement. Case in point: the Fall 2006 issue of Tricycle, a quarterly Buddhist review, has a story about a Zen priest and a fundamentalist theologian in Oregon, and the two men’s effort to promote inter-faith dialog, despite the fact that they have radically different beliefs. It’s worth the read if you have a chance. [Text version] [PDF version]

Stories like this give me hope, primarily because I need to hear from evangelicals who understand that Jesus’ mission and ministry on Earth was based on love for all people, not on promoting hate toward people who are different. I sometimes feel like “moderate” evangelicals are standing by while their belief system is hijacked by venom-spewing self-righteous hypocrites.

And just when I thought the Religious Far Right had gone too far comes news that the American Family Association is getting in a twist because a soon-to-be sworn in Muslim Congressman, Keith Ellison, will take the oath of office using the Koran instead of the Bible.

“He should not be allowed to do so,” reads the notice from the AFA, quoting the man who wrote the Far Right’s playbook on the issue, “not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization.”

That’s right. I keep forgetting. Not only was Jesus a Republican, but he was an American, too. Geez.

Enough said about these whacks people.