The Religious Right Reacts to Election 2012

The creator of this sign probably
wasn't too happy about the
election results.

As progressives celebrate President Obama's re-election, a Democrat-dominated Senate, and the success several LGBTQ equality initiatives in four states, the Religious Right is morose. In the wake of Election Day, Religious Right voices express dismay at the political landscape, alternately comforting their supporters or warning them of impending struggles. For your reading pleasure, I offer a sample of what the Religious Right is saying about the 2012 election.

First, the front page of the Concerned Women for America website sought to comfort readers. CWA reassured supporters that despite the election results, God had not forgotten them. (See www[dot]cwfa[dot]org/SheVotes2012ElectionCentral.asp)

"I know many of you may be feeling a bit discouraged with last night's results, but I want to remind you that God did not forget about us yesterday. He did not forget about our struggle. He has not forgotten about you. He has "inscribed you on the palms of [His] hands" (Isaiah 49:16) and He has a plan for you personally and for our country ... We stand today more resolute than ever to stand for God's principles wherever we are. All our efforts have not been in vain. We accomplished some miraculous things this election season. Your hard work through CWA's efforts have put us in the best position we have ever been to tackle the tough issues our country is facing."

Shortly after election results came in, Joseph Farah posted a stunned column at World Net Daily entitled "America Pronounces Judgment on Itself." Horrified that "the unthinkable has happened," Farah grieved that right-wingers "have allowed our fellow Americans to pronounce judgment on the  nation." (See www[dot]wnd[dot]com/2012/11/america-pronounces-judgment-on-itself/)

"That's what Obama represents to me -- God's judgment on a people who have turned away from Him and His ways and from everything for which our founders sacrificed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor ... Maybe we deserve this punishment for taking our lifestyles for granted. Maybe we deserve this judgment for our own individual and collective sins. Maybe there's still time to turn things around because we serve a Creator of second and third chances."

The right-wing Independent Women's Forum took notice of voting patterns among the sexes. In a November 7th commentary, Carrie L. Lukas observed that "women are responsible for putting president Obama back in the White House," adding that men would have secured a Romney victory. Lukas argued that conservatives must increase outreach to women. (See iwf[dot]org/blog/2789824/Women-Give-Obama-Four-More-Years)

"This means that it is absolutely essential that those in the freedom movement focus on expanding all efforts to educate women about the benefits of limited government and individual liberty."

In a November 7th column at the Eagle Forum website, Phyllis Schlafly ranted against "globalists" who allegedly want to use the upcoming "lame duck session" to undermine American sovereignty. She warned readers about the ominous antics of gun control advocates, feminists, and supporters of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the U.N. Treaty on the Rights of the Child. (See www[dot]eagleforum[dot]org/publications/column/beware-of-the-lame-duck-session.html)

Glenn Beck was his usual hyperbolic self. Right Wing Watch reports that Beck was stunned at how much America has changed, lamenting that he doesn't know his fellow Americans anymore.

"This is showing me that the body of America is every sicker than I thought it was ... I'm fascinated by our country because we have changed so rapidly. Twelve years ago, I could say with real assurance  I knew who Americans were, and I can't say that anymore."

Right Wing Watch also reports that Jim Garlow spoke during the Family Research Council's webcast, "Election 2012: Aftermath & Aftershocks," warning the audience about anti-Christian persecution that was supposedly coming after the election.

"The heat is about to be turned up tighter. It's about to be turned up higher on American Christians. Those who are truly followers of God are about to experience a higher cost for serving Christ. It's called persecution. It will come in varied forms,  but the fact is there's going to be increasing numbers of ... silent followers of Jesus who are now going to recognize how wrong they have been they have been in their silence, and they'll be emboldened by the spirit of God, by the spirit of truth, and our ranks are going to increase, and they're going to increase dramatically."

Need a laugh amidst all this right-wing pouting? Wander over to Ted Nugent's Twitter page and read his enraged, grief-stricken tweets about the election "tragedy". (See twitter[dot]com/TedNugent)

"I cry tears of blood for The Last Best Place & the warriors who died for this tragedy"

"Goodluk America u just voted for economic & spiritual suicide. Soulless fools"

"What subhuman varmint believes others must pay for their obesity booze cellphones birthcontrol abortions & lives"

"Pimps whores & welfare brats & their soulless supporters hav a president to destroy America"

The 2012 election has given us much to think about. On one hand, Romney's defeat and the ascendancy of pro-LGBTQ state legislation are reassuring signs of America's political and social attitudes. On the other hand, the Religious Right is still very much alive, and it will struggle mightily to undermine the social progress reflected in this election.


For additional commentary, visit the following links.

Right Wing Watch: Five Religious Right Myths Exposed in Election Defeat

Politicus USA: Binders of Women Bring Down the GOP’s Pro Rape Senate Candidates

Salon: Still want to fight a war on women?

Mother Jones: The Beginning of the End for the Anti-Marriage Equality Movement