Worshippers Looking for a Prophet – the spiritual Progressives

July 23, 2010 09:42


For members of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, confirming Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court is not just a matter of law or politics. It is a spiritual imperative for the disillusioned Obama acolytes suffering from post-election politician syndrome.

By MARTA H. MOSSBURG at WSJ

For members of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, confirming Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court is not just a matter of law or politics. It is a spiritual imperative for the disillusioned Obama acolytes suffering from post-election politician syndrome.

They need a replacement for the “deep cynicism” decimating the hope Barack Obama generated in supporters prior to the 2008 presidential election, according to one of Berkeley-based NSP’s three leaders, Rabbi Michael Lerner.

The pacifists for open borders, with a penchant for emitting ‘sacred hollers’ in a group setting, are culled mainly from liberal Protestant and Jewish congregations. Members are not required to have any particular religious beliefs. What adherents are asked to do is “to take time out each day to look at this incredible universe, say: Wow! Fantastic! Amazing!”—and chart their path to heaven through politics.

One of NSP’s most sacred causes is the Global Marshall Plan. Introduced in Congress this year, the resolution is styled as “a commitment to peace, social justice and the ecological sanity of our planet.”

Spiritual Progressives could be dismissed as yet another consortium of disgruntled ex-hippies, if it weren’t for the fact that their leaders do not inhabit the current fringe. Mr. Lerner was a former health-care adviser to Hillary Clinton and edits a magazine, Tikkun, which President Barack Obama used to read in his community-organizing days.

FULL STORY



Help Make A Difference By Sharing These Articles On Facebook, Twitter And Elsewhere: