Cynthia Tucker: The true face of politics comes to light | ajc.com

Cynthia Tucker's column in the AJC: "For a few decades now, a narrow view of Christianity has dominated the public square; it's a pinched theology obsessed with sexuality but also taking a variety of conservative positions —- such as opposition to tax hikes —- that don't seem to have much to do with the Gospel. The prophets of this hard-shell Christianity are men such as Jerry Falwell, James Dobson and Pat Robertson.

The good news of this Christmas season is this: Not only have those theocrats seen their political clout erode with Republican losses in the midterm elections, but their brand of Christianity is also losing its monopoly on the public square. Moderate-to-liberal Christians such as Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) have given voice to a competing theology, as have more conservative Christians such as evangelist Rick Warren. Indeed, some of the most energetic opponents of the Falwell-Dobson axis are other conservative believers who want to reclaim the traditional emphasis on helping the needy."