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The American public and Christians in particular are being deluged once again with talk of the thoroughly ambiguous concept of "social justice." It is, after all, election time. Thus the pseudo religious among us must make their pitch for the Christian vote, on whatever spurious terms they can concoct.

In its raw form, "social justice" merely references the prevailing societal attitudes of the day, relegating any defining standards of right or wrong, good or evil, and moral or immoral to a snapshot of the existing consensus. Biblical principles notwithstanding, "social justice" has throughout time been equally applicable to those crowds shouting "crucify him," the burning of "heretics" at the stake during the inquisition, and even the holocaust.

It is therefore no great wonder that the "Reverend" Jeremiah Wright, in his venomous and racist rantings against America, would seek refuge under the umbrella of "social justice" when attempting to defend his positions.

In its modern form, it represents a conglomeration of environmental extremism, coupled with the Marxist concept of a government empowered to confiscate the property of one citizen for the purpose of purchasing the loyalty of another. But since the ultimate reality of such false generosity and sanctimony conflicts with foundational Biblical truth, substitute "truths" must be cited in their stead. No less a mutation of reality is sufficient to legitimize socialism or environmental extremism under the guise of "spirituality."

Possibly the most notable and outlandish example in recent memory is Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's fabricated "scripture" asserting that one must worship the environment in order to worship God. Those who are truly familiar with Scripture know that the first chapter of Romans contains a stern admonition against that very notion. But while few among Pelosi's ranks have ever had any interest in fact as derived from such dry and rigid source material, their current transparent attempts to redefine Christian citizenship merely represent a continuation of similar sordid efforts over the years.

The stunning collapse of Democrat fortunes in the 1994 elections caused party operatives to realize that they had suffered from an enormous disconnect from mainstream America and its traditional values. But, being thoroughly unwilling to actually embrace or even comprehend those values, liberal Democrats concluded that the only alternative, if they were ever to regain that portion of the electorate, was to offer an alternative set of "values" that might resonate with the American heartland while not conflicting with the liberal socialist agenda.

So instead of overhauling their party platform, they determined to reinvent American "Christianity" in a form that would make it compatible with Democrat political objectives. That they have enjoyed any success at all in this brazen endeavor is a sorry testimony to the condition of the Church in America.

Initially, Bill Clinton stumped tirelessly, with the help of the liberal media, to construct a scandal of black church burnings. Though he may have gained some short-term political mileage from it, the issue evaporated into thin air once the '96 elections were over, he had secured his second term as president, and the issue had outlived its usefulness to the Clinton strategists. Ultimately, most of America failed to take the bait.

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