2. Our Present Crisis and Why Centrism Matters
In this second section of my introduction, I want to inform you about my center-left understanding of our present crisis in faith & politics, and why principled centrisms of both the center-right and center-left are essential to overcoming this crisis. It is also these kind of centrisms that can effectively challenge the growing doubt (especially among younger generations) that there can be any such things as healthy interrelationships between religion and politics. |
Please take a look at the following overview of the pages and in this section.
Just click one of the hyperlinks to explore its content. On that page there’s a hyperlink to the next page in this section or you come back here to chose any of the other pages in any order.
Just click one of the hyperlinks to explore its content. On that page there’s a hyperlink to the next page in this section or you come back here to chose any of the other pages in any order.
Page 2.1 Our Present Crisis
The far-right extremism in both faith and politics that took power from 2000-2008 is still a danger to the health of our
democracy today.
Page 2.1.1 Has a New Center-Left Obama Era Begun? (2008-12)
The possibility of a new center-left period in American faith & politics that began with President Obama's election in
2008 was strengthened by his reelection in 2012.
Page 2.1.1.1 A Few 2012 Election Links
FYI: A few of the links to resources I found helpful for correcting the misperceptions of Obama and his policies in the
lead up to the 2012 election.
Page 2.1.2 We're Not Out of the Woods Yet (2013- ) (There will be updates as we move through Obama's 2nd term.)
The current reactionary challenges to the establishment of a new center-left Obama era and centrist responses to them.
Page 2.1.3 The Historical Context(s) of Our Crisis
Taking a step back from the current crisis to see several layers of its historical context can help us more fully grasp its
meaning and significance.
Page 2.1.3.1 Pre-WWII Cycles of American Political Thought
Tensions between minimal state liberalism (called "conservatives" today) and active state liberalism (called
"liberals" today) have always been present in American history - the current political crisis has a long history
Page 2.1.3.2 Pre-WWII Patterns in American Religion
Current attempts by religious centrists to repair the damage done to American religion by the dominance of
extremist Christians are better understood when seen through the lens of long-term historical patterns
Page 2.1.3.3 Post WWII Religion and Politics Through the Reagan Era
The period since the U.S. became a superpower after WWII is the most helpful context for seeing just how
dangerous the joining of unhealthy forms of politics and religion was at the end of the Reagan era, not only for
America but for the world.
Page 2.2 My understanding of “principled centrisms”--a key to this website
These pages explains my understanding of how healthy centrisms are related to their unhealthy polarized extremes. I use
geometric analogies to help clarify the basic structure of principles in healthy centrism.
Page 2.2.1 Two Examples of Principled Centrism
Concrete examples from two fields, political commentary and the history of philosophy.
Page 2.3 Religion & Politics - Healthy Interrelationships?
These pages tackle the doubt of increasing numbers of Americans (especially among younger generations) that there can
be any such things as a healthy interrelationships between faith and politics. Discover how I'm responding to this trend and
how you can too.
Page 2.3.1 Why So Much Doubt Now?
Primarily it's because more and more people (especially the younger generations) have equated the unhealthy
Religious Right with all religion.
Page 2.3.2 Addressing Moderate Skeptics
This page is about correcting the misperceptions of the two different kinds of moderate skeptics.
Page 2.3.3 Addressing Extremist Skeptics
This page is about identifying the two kinds of extremist skeptics and why they need to be free to speak their mind but
denied power.
The far-right extremism in both faith and politics that took power from 2000-2008 is still a danger to the health of our
democracy today.
Page 2.1.1 Has a New Center-Left Obama Era Begun? (2008-12)
The possibility of a new center-left period in American faith & politics that began with President Obama's election in
2008 was strengthened by his reelection in 2012.
Page 2.1.1.1 A Few 2012 Election Links
FYI: A few of the links to resources I found helpful for correcting the misperceptions of Obama and his policies in the
lead up to the 2012 election.
Page 2.1.2 We're Not Out of the Woods Yet (2013- ) (There will be updates as we move through Obama's 2nd term.)
The current reactionary challenges to the establishment of a new center-left Obama era and centrist responses to them.
Page 2.1.3 The Historical Context(s) of Our Crisis
Taking a step back from the current crisis to see several layers of its historical context can help us more fully grasp its
meaning and significance.
Page 2.1.3.1 Pre-WWII Cycles of American Political Thought
Tensions between minimal state liberalism (called "conservatives" today) and active state liberalism (called
"liberals" today) have always been present in American history - the current political crisis has a long history
Page 2.1.3.2 Pre-WWII Patterns in American Religion
Current attempts by religious centrists to repair the damage done to American religion by the dominance of
extremist Christians are better understood when seen through the lens of long-term historical patterns
Page 2.1.3.3 Post WWII Religion and Politics Through the Reagan Era
The period since the U.S. became a superpower after WWII is the most helpful context for seeing just how
dangerous the joining of unhealthy forms of politics and religion was at the end of the Reagan era, not only for
America but for the world.
Page 2.2 My understanding of “principled centrisms”--a key to this website
These pages explains my understanding of how healthy centrisms are related to their unhealthy polarized extremes. I use
geometric analogies to help clarify the basic structure of principles in healthy centrism.
Page 2.2.1 Two Examples of Principled Centrism
Concrete examples from two fields, political commentary and the history of philosophy.
Page 2.3 Religion & Politics - Healthy Interrelationships?
These pages tackle the doubt of increasing numbers of Americans (especially among younger generations) that there can
be any such things as a healthy interrelationships between faith and politics. Discover how I'm responding to this trend and
how you can too.
Page 2.3.1 Why So Much Doubt Now?
Primarily it's because more and more people (especially the younger generations) have equated the unhealthy
Religious Right with all religion.
Page 2.3.2 Addressing Moderate Skeptics
This page is about correcting the misperceptions of the two different kinds of moderate skeptics.
Page 2.3.3 Addressing Extremist Skeptics
This page is about identifying the two kinds of extremist skeptics and why they need to be free to speak their mind but
denied power.
(Click any of the page titles above to go to that page.)