Today at the Cannon House Office Building, U.S. Capitol Police arrested 115 liberal religious activists who were part of a peaceful sit-in protesting a Republican budget bill that would cut $42 billion over five years from a range of federal programs, including health care for the poor and elderly and possibly child care, student loans and food stamps. Reuters today reported on the developments and indicated that also local prayer vigils were being planned for today in 32 states by "Call to Renewal," a network of churches and other religious organizations. UPDATE: An article syndicated by the Chicago Tribune reports on remarks at the rally by Christian activist, Rev. Jim Wallis.
Meanwhile, this morning the Washington Post ran an article asking: "Why in recent years have conservative Christians asserted their influence on efforts to relieve Third World debt, AIDS in Africa, strife in Sudan and international sex trafficking -- but remained on the sidelines while liberal Christians protest domestic spending cuts?" Conservative religious leaders answer that by arguing that it is a matter of priorities, saying their primary attention is focused on issues of abortion, same-sex marriage and seating judges who will back their position against those practices. Others, such as Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, focus on the responsibility of the private sector: "There is a [biblical] mandate to take care of the poor. There is no dispute of that fact," he said. "But it does not say government should do it. That's a shifting of responsibility."
