Scientism: Deep Spiritual Divides Between the Right and Left

The evangelical movement has gained a permanent foothold in rightist politics. The left's answer to this wave of enthusiasm has failed to motivate and inspire. Science may be alive and well, but Scientism is terminally ill.

The Religious Right has profoundly captured a missing element in American's lives: the need for a deeper understanding of the unknown. This movement has drawn millions of people by creating an environment to vent frustrations and find peace in a competitive world. The evangelical cause claims to advance the understanding of the unknown. Ministers and Preachers in the megachurches speak to a nation that is deeply troubled by economic, ecological, and moral complexities. These institutions offer relief from the grinding reality of 9-5's and weekly struggles. They speak to millions about peace, prosperity, and social justice. While they align themselves along Rightist politics, it seems as though middle-class Americans should not be attracted. Rightist politics have historically proven to further enrich the wealthy population, cut funding for social programs, and reduce entitlements for citizens. This disconnect does not show American's ignorance; rather it shows that people are desperate for solidarity through faith.

The Left's response to the evangelical movement has been at best ineffective and at worst, counterproductive. Instead of addressing the community's and indeed, the country's need for a spiritual release, the Left has continually attacked the role of religion in politics. Even worse, after the 2004 mandate given to Bush by people who were concerned with 'values' (aka religious tenets), the Left began to construct a platform around the crisis that was founded on the principles of the Rightist beliefs. These typical Religious Right beliefs are often strict dichotomies between people of faith, evil and good, heaven and hell, and achieving success over failure. By borrowing ideas from the Religious Right and framing them within the context of the secular world, the Left doesn't make a strong argument for social justice and equal rights.

The Left's effort to stymie this movement has been crafted now as a strict adherence to Scientism. In Michael Lerner's book, 'The Left Hand of God,' he suggests that Scientism is "the means to absolute truth (even if the absolute truth is that all things are relative or that there is no meaning in life)." While many on the Left have private spiritual lives, they are guided by empirical facts to determine their values. Things like Evolution and Physics determine educational policies and government grants. However, when science is transformed to Scientism, the human and spiritual element of experience is eliminated. Essentially, in the scientist's view, anything that cannot be rationally proved or disproved through empirical analysis is unworthy of study. In effect, the message relayed (and indeed, received by many) is that things like beauty, love, awe, and natural connection are rendered meaningless.

The new message of the Left needs to be dramatically different. First, it is important to understand this deep need for a larger purpose in life. Second, the Left must devise a Spiritual plan to address these needs. The Left purports to be the party of social justice and welfare and yet, they fail to provide any basis for this vision. Instead, the Left must truly embrace the notions of love, benevolence toward others, generosity, and social welfare by framing them within a spiritual context. By rejecting strong militarism and a highly competitive marketplace, the Left can begin to win back those who are attracted to the Religious Right. Instead of purporting weak Rightist ideals, the Left must strongly encourage peace and community involvement through political platforms. It is only through a strong message of faith in humanity that Left politics will be desirable to those struggling with their own spirituality.