Dennis Mansfield: Turning out the lights on the Religious Right

Nineteen years ago, I helped open the Idaho "franchise" of the Religious Right. I don't think I was the father of the movement, but I may have been the "godfather."

I didn't like the name - the Religious Right. It felt too synonymous with one personality: Jerry Falwell and politics of a personal "following."

"Faith-based conservative" was the term I chose.

We established four target groups: pastors, legislators, businesspeople and community activists. From these groups, most of the conservative Idaho political names of the 1990s appeared.

Working in association with Colorado's Focus on the Family gave us a firm foundation of research. My wife and I continue to have a great deal of respect for its founder, Dr. James Dobson.

The 1990s were a heady time to be in charge of a conservative political movement. Gay rights were on the political horizon. Attempting to "stop special rights" became the clarion call of many states' faith-based groups, including those in Idaho. Next came abortion bills and choice in education bills, and tax credit bills for the non-use of government education facilities.

And in that mix, during those turbulent times, my face became the face of Idaho religious politics. How had I allowed this to become an issue of a personal "following?"

Though the Bible is clearly written, public policy can often be very murky. In effect, for years, I had ignored the Apostle John's clear admonition to love those with whom I had nothing in common, and I saw debatable public policy as a matter of "right vs. wrong." Usually, my right, their wrong.

How uncaring.

And you know who helped me see these heretofore blind spots? Friends and family. My sons and daughter helped me listen and learn. My late son, Nate, was very clear-headed with me about kindness: "Dad, people don't really care how much you know until they know how much you care. And simply saying things doesn't really do anything." Nate was spot-on. My daughter, Meg, introduced me to the Vineyard Boise. And that changed my whole family through loving and serving people in pain. More recently, my personal tragedy and loss of my son changed me forever.

Andy Hedden-Nicely, the founder of the Boise Weekly, showed me how to love someone with whom you may have little in common. Our weekly debates on KBCI-TV were very helpful to me. As well, Lee Gaupp coined the expression I now choose to use to identify my perspective: "progressive conservative." I could list many other individuals who, if I did, might find themselves slightly embarrassed by the public impact of their very private comments to me. The key was: I had changed. And I felt free.

Others in Idaho became in charge of the Religious Right and seemed to enjoy that fact. And, as it turned out, it lasted for a short season, as the lights flickered.

Now, with Rev. Bryan Fischer's recent exit, no one is in charge.

Two decades is a long time to have been associated with such a movement. It's also long enough to make an accurate analysis: the house that the Religious Right built is empty.

Since I've held a unique position from the start, maybe it's my job to turn out the lights, at the end.

In its place must be a clear-headed, well-articulated outreach by interested parties who refuse to demonize their opponents - on both sides. We need to re-establish a loving culture of civility, realizing that the public opinion of this more-caring-culture will mold a fairer public policy for Idaho and the nation.

Dennis Mansfield founded New Hope Community Health transitional homes for ex-addicts.