Speaking on the growing influence of the Christian Right in mainstream America, Washington Post reporter Hanna Rosin shared her insights into the role of evangelism in contemporary politics and culture in a lecture Wednesday.
"They have a great sense of urgency that things have gone wrong," Rosin said about right-wing Christians who are voicing their religious beliefs from prominent positions. Even a scriptwriter for "That '70s Show" and top White House interns are staunch Evangelists, she said.
"[They're] not interested in bridging the mainstream, they are interested in changing the mainstream."
Rosin, the second of four speakers in the Center for the Study of Religion's (CSR) "Crossroads of Religion and Politics" series, was chosen as part of an effort "to bring distinguished scholars, journalists, religious leaders [and] policy makers here to the middle of New Jersey to enhance our understanding of the rest of world," said Robert Wuthnow, a sociology professor and director of CSR.
Dr. Martin Kafka, a fan of Rosin's writing, introduced her as the "most important and accessible voice" in journalism whose stories become part of national debates and "display her remarkable empathetic skills."
"It is interesting to have a journalist [because] they have their finger on the pulse in particular areas," said Dale Sattin, the manager of public affairs for the Wilson School.
Rosin recently discussed her research on the emerging influence of Evangelical culture with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show," and a character was based on her in "Shattered Glass," a movie about journalist Stephen Glass' fall from grace. Rosin and Glass both worked at the New Republic.
"Is the Christian right taking over America? I can't really answer that question," Rosin said. "This new radical Christian culture has been growing, taking generations for the youth to become comfortable engaging in the mainstream and only now gaining prominence. Their power in government, however, will only increase if right-wing Christians learn the art of compromise."
"I believe the conservative Christian Right has been a factor in the past elections and I'm here to learn more," Summer Keliipio, a second year graduate student, said.
Lovell Holder '09 said Rosin's point about Christian messages being incorporated in mainstream Hollywood through movies like "The Passion of the Christ" and "Narnia" was influential. "She was an excellent speaker," he said.
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