In God We Trust?

The Tragic Case of NJ Congressman Scott Garrett

Christian liberty sacrificed at the altar of greed; it’s a tragic tale in which corporate America defines a new arbitrary moral code.

At the center of the most notable example of a political system run amuck, alleged ‘social extremist,’ Scott Garrett, became the latest and most surprising casualty of the new LGBT-driven civil standard. Ironically, Garrett, who chairs the Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee and has perpetually given Wall Street a regulatory easy pass, was thrown under the bus by those he faithfully served. The seven-term Republican incumbent lost his funding, his support, and ultimately his lock on his Fifth Congressional District re-election bid to Democratic challenger, Josh Gottheimer.

Garrett–who happens to be a staunch religious conservative–found himself caught between two masters and was devoured by a monster that he, himself, empowered. His outspoken defense of traditional marriage rendered him necessarily expendable in the eyes of the big business/wall street types that keep the campaign money flowing.  Corporations are now driving public policy and solidifying social mores while the average freedom-loving citizen is being hung out to dry. Since when did big business become the authority on social values and moral principles? Should they be driving and setting such standards? Improper use of money and power has poisoned a political system supposedly authorized by the will of the people to set public policy.

Back in February of this year, American Conservative’s Rod Dreher referenced Garrett’s precarious predicament while noting how…

“Christians had better read the handwriting on the wall here—House and Senate Republicans have no intention of taking up legislation to defend religious liberty–It’s too risky to their campaign donations to be seen by Wall Street and Big Business as–‘social extremists.’ If you think the–Party is going to protect our right to be wrong on this issue, you are lying to yourself—Even if they wanted to get religious liberty legislation passed, they don’t have the Congressional Republicans on board—if you think voting Republican is going to protect us, you’re living in a dream world.—Christians desperately need to understand the deeper dynamics at work in the culture–a culture in which affirming–Christian beliefs about homosexuality is a disqualifying bar for holding national office.”

In many ways, the political Christian has unconsciously sacrificed his moral influence and faithful witness for monetary gain. The god of capitalism is prevailing and leaving a multitude of conscientious Christians in its wake. The civil sphere has been deemed no place for Christian principles as its true adherents are swiftly being cast out.

Big Business is putting a stake in the heart of the right sided culture warrior. In their eyes, we either fall in line or earn our fate – bigoted outcast.

What kind of table turning effect could an alliance with American Muslims (alongside orthodox Jews) have for the cause of religious liberty here in the States?

Why should the truly religious perpetually find itself on the outside, and perceivably wrong side, of this new litmus? Will there be a place for us even on the fringes of society?

This country was founded first and foremost on religious freedom. Political reform will only be realized when religious reforms find their true emphasis and proper place. Silence is never an option. Eventually the stones will cry out.

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A.J. Castellitto is a freelance writer who resides in NJ with his wife and five children. He holds a B.S. in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Scranton and his writings have been published at The Center for Western Journalism, The Christian Post, Intellectual Conservative and Reformed Perspective Magazine.

A.J. Castellitto

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