Don’t delude yourselves. Religion will always be intertwined with politics, and Christians will always be ‘useful idiots’ to any and every political crusade coming down the pike.

‘Evangelical Manifesto’ Ponders Politics

(May 3) - Conservative Christian leaders who believe the word “evangelical” has lost its religious meaning plan to release a starkly self-critical document saying the movement has become too political and has diminished the Gospel through its approach to the culture wars.

The statement, called “An Evangelical Manifesto,” condemns Christians on the right and left for “using faith” to express political views without regard to the truth of the Bible, according to a draft of the document obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

“That way faith loses its independence, Christians become `useful idiots’ for one political party or another, and the Christian faith becomes an ideology,” according to the draft. [...]

“All too often we have attacked the evils and injustices of others,” they wrote, “while we have condoned our own sins.” They argue, “we must reform our own behavior.”

Richard Land, head of the public policy arm for the Southern Baptist Convention, wasn’t asked to sign the document. Focus on the Family founder, James Dobson, did not sign either. Without their endorsement, the document carries no weight. Big surprise.