This Blog Ordered Closed by Dennis Mansfield

Well, folks, it’s been fun, but, apparently, I have to pack up. You see, I’m identified as part of the religious right. (or as I once was referred to, “The Rite Wing.”) And now orders have come down from on high, the Religious Right is over, for thus declareth Dennis Mansfield:

Nineteen years ago, I helped open the Idaho “franchise” of the Religious Right. I don’t think I was the father of the movement, but I may have been the “godfather…”

Others in Idaho became in charge of the Religious Right and seemed to enjoy that fact. And, as it turned out, it lasted for a short season, as the lights flickered.

Now, with Rev. Bryan Fischer’s recent exit, no one is in charge.

Since I’ve held a unique position from the start, maybe it’s my job to turn out the lights, at the end.

There you go. The Religious Conservative movement was Dennis Mansfield’s property. He’s the godfather, and you don’t go against the family. Religious conservatism was a franchise like a Blimpie’s or a Subway. Now his manager Bryan Fischer’s left to pursue greater opportunites elsewhere, and Dennis Mansfield’s responding by closing down his restaurant, which includes this little corner of the religious right.

Of course, by the time I reached Idaho in 2003, Mansfield was spoken of mainly as a historical figure in the newspapers. It was a year or so before I learned he was even alive.

Before I go on, let me make something clear. I respect the work that Mansfield has done in Idaho with New Hope. I have to appreciate what Mansfield has been through in the past nine years, particularly how the 2000 primary for the  US House went down and the death of his son.

I have no desire for Mansfield to throw aside the good work he’s doing to involve himself in politics. But for the past few years, he’s made statement after statement denigrating Christian activism, with the evident assumption that everyone in the religious conservative movement has his “issues.”

For example, he points out that he “had ignored the Apostle John’s clear admonition to love those with whom I had nothing in common.”  Not my problem. I’m actually friends with a man who works for NORML, a marijuana legalization group. We even met for lunch last time I was in Portland.

Per the Apostle Paul’s clear admonations in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 14, Christians should respect one another in the individual call God has placed upon each of us. I respect Dennis Mansfield’s efforts to help prisoners. I wish he would respect the efforts of those of us who address the breakdown of the family, which sets many people on the road to becoming prisoners.

I’ve done a lot of tongue holding the past three or four years. I know he’s got deep roots in the Valley and is friends with a lot of people I know and respect.  But his most recent column struck me for the disturbing view.

Reading Mansfield, the story of the religious conservative movement hasn’t been about the good people of this state who’ve stood out in sweltering heat and in snow storms, and worked their hearts out for better education, strong families, and the rights of unborn children to live. Rather it’s been the story of Dennis Mansfield’s personal journey. Our hopes, dreams, and hard work are but sub-plots in this adventure.

That’s not a view of leadership I endorse. Julie Fanselow of the Idaho Democratic Party writes in the Statesman’s comments:

I appreciate Dennis’ heartfelt evolution toward progressive conservativism and his efforts to turn out the lights on the extremist religious “right.” But intolerance can’t abide a vacuum, so it’s likely that someone – Brandi Swindell or Adam Graham – will try to fill Bryan Fischer’s theocratic shoes.

I’m flattered that the Communications Director of the Idaho Democratic Party would think of me as a successor to Bryan Fischer, but his shoes are far too big for me. I have neither the interest nor ability to fill his shoes.  I’m first and foremost a writer. I enjoy that very much, and I believe it’s a unique role.

The religious conservative movement in Idaho is not dead. It’s merely quiet. Groups and individuals across the state do take firm stands, such as David Ripley at Idaho Chooses Life and the Cornerstone Institute of Idaho. You’ll see leaders emerge and people become more active when something happens at the state and local level that is so offensive it awakens the Church, and it awakens to whatever crisis is present at the moment.

When I arrived in 2003, there was no designated “leader of the Religious Conservative movement.”  God will lift up the right person at the right time. When we lift ourselves up and try to fill voids ourselves, disaster often results.