Religious Right Watch: Following Bachmann, dissing Biden

On the heels of the Republican National Convention, religious right leaders and politicians will be gathering for the “Values Voter Summit,” sponsored by the Family Research Council, in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12. A handful of politicians have committed to speak at the confab, including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota’s own Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

“This event is a call to action for voter participation, education and training and a rallying event for patriotic Americans who want to transform the political landscape on issues such as the sanctity of life and marriage, illegal immigration, religious freedom, health care, radical Islam, judicial activism, Hollywood’s influence, the media and much more,” said FRC Action President Tony Perkins.

Also confirmed to speak: the addict-turned-born-again Baldwin brother, Stephen.

Bachmann will also be testifying on behalf of the lord at the State Fair; you can check her out speaking at the booth of KKMS, a hard right Twin Cities Christian talk radio station. She’ll be there Wednesday afternoon at 3 pm.

Meanwhile, a new survey indicates that the growing conflation of religion and politics has the majority of Americans concerned. A Pew Religion and Public Life Survey shows a steady increase in the percentage of Americans worried about churches endorsing politicians (such as Pastor Mac Hammond endorsing Bachmann). Fifty-two percent say politics and religion should remain separate –a figure that includes 36 percent of self-identifying evangelicals. Four years ago, only 16 percent of evangelicals said the two should remain separate.

But that hasn’t stopped the religious right from attacking Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden. The Family Research Council went after Biden only hours after his nomination and several “Catholics Against Biden” groups have sprung up overnight (Biden himself is a Catholic). The opposition has made it clear: on the religious right are the true Christians.

“Barack Obama’s choice of Joe Biden sends a clear message, true Christians need not apply in the Democratic Party,” said Dr. Gary Cass, Chairman and CEO of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. “Instead of picking a true Christian, Obama, a fake evangelical, has selected Biden, a fake Catholic.”