As it happens, the Rev. Lusk's convention appearance was just one emanation of the religious-political ferment underway in Philadelphia this week. In some cases, the realms of religion and politics seemed barely to touch. Listening, I couldn't help wondering why this organization, normally so admirably pragmatic, put so much emphasis on this economically dubious, politically doomed wage-control measure. But then, I never thought they'd get those houses torn down. It was convened by the Empowerment Network, a militantly bipartisan group, and the politics were more muted.
Religions are different, and the distinctions, while subtle, can be divisive.
The tone at Sharon Baptist, for example, was marginally more evangelical than at Harold O. Davis. Also, Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, a leader of the Empowerment Network, got a respectful standing ovation at Sharon Baptist, while references to Republicans by PIA speakers tended toward sneers. It seemed doubtful that many votes were up for grabs. But it's not going to be simple. David Boldt's column appears on Tuesdays and Fridays.