The paragraph below is from an essay by Sara Diamond (I couldn't find a date for it; it seems like it's from the nineties). As stated, it's a little to cut and dried. There is no space for, say, a position like Jim Wallis's. Nevertheless, the point she makes is important, namely, the function of claims to victimization in terms of legitimizing hate. (I would say that the Wallis doesn't fit because, as I understand him, he reads sacrifice more in terms of sacrifice of comfort and privilege in support of those who are victims of injustice and oppression.) Link: PublicEye.org - The Christian Right Seeks Dominion.
It is the coherence of the Christian Right's cultural institutions and ideological message that makes millions of people want to participate. This is a political movement built on the foundation of some very tightly held religious views. We need to understand the religious sentiments of our fellow citizens. For evangelical Christians, one of the most politically relevant tenets is the idea that they are being persecuted by secular society. Sacrifice and martyrdom are essential themes of the Christian faith. Translated into right-wing politics, the theme enables people to claim that queers and other minorities are somehow attacking the dominant culture when they demand equality. We have the most powerful political movement in the country continually claiming to be persecuted by "the left," which the right defines as the Clinton Administration and centrist lobbies like People for the American Way. It is illogical, but the religious persecution theme keeps activists mobilized and enables them to feel comfortable about trying to deprive other people of their civil rights.
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