Former Family Research Council head Ken Connor writes this about the past election:

…it is clear that Christian conservative leaders contributed to the Republican defeat, and in the process they’ve lost credibility. When Tom DeLay’s excesses were exposed, Christian political groups closed ranks to support him. When congressional Republicans put on their phony legislative parade, Christian political leaders were willing accomplices. When the Mark Foley scandal hit, Christian groups faulted everyone but Republican leaders.

Why have prominent Christian organizations and leaders behaved in this way? The sad reality is that many have been seduced by the Washington, D.C. political culture. They have identified themselves so closely with persons and parties that they have lost sight of principle. By excusing the behavior of the Republican Party, Christian conservatives set the party up for the 2006 defeat.

If social conservative leaders had loudly, forcefully, and prophetically criticized the party at the first sign of corruption, if they had stood on principle, then chances are that Republican politicians, fearful of losing their jobs, would have cleaned up the mess. That’s not what happened. Instead, Christian conservatives became enablers of corrupt Republicans. They stood by some Republicans in spite of their corruption. They made excuses for the GOP in the midst of scandal. They supported the GOP in their legislative charade. Now that the GOP has collapsed, the “Christian right” should recognize that it bears part of the blame.

Even worse than political failure, however, is moral failure. The week after an election is always a time for reflection and soul searching. As Christians engaged in the public square, let us use this time to examine our own consciences. Why are we involved in politics? Is it to fight for justice, stand on principle, and give voice to the voiceless, or is it to deliver votes for the GOP every other year? Are we called to be faithful, or politically expedient? Have we defended and excused wrong doing and wrong doers for the sake of our honorable goals? Are we more concerned with the opinion of “our guys” in Washington, D.C., or with our God in Heaven?

Ken Connor is a good man who may or may not agree with what I have written and said. Regardless, his words are important and part of this rising tide of Evangelicals who are using this past election not as a moment of political reorganization but of spiritual reprioritization. You can – and should – read the rest of his article here.