History

From the 1900's until recent years Progressive Christianity has been the catalyst for the highest ideals of civic discourse and pursuit of humane and compassionate public policy. We find ourselves in a new stage of history as that position of influence has been lost to the voice of Christian fundamentalism in the arenas of media, culture and politics. There is a growing consensus of concern over the perceived subsequent breakdown of the wall of separation between Church and State.

There is no group outside of the Christian community that can adequately respond to this dilemma without being perceived and painted as a persecutor of the faith. Therefore, a movement from within Christianity has been initiated to repair the breach in the wall and to offer a more balanced approach to faith as it relates to social and political concerns.

CrossLeft.org is already serving as a primary linking portal on the web for uniting the many politically minded progressive Christian groups that have been operating unaware of one another. Now CrossLeft is inaugurating a research institute designed to gather the intellectual capital necessary for assisting in the quest to regain a prominent role of influence in public policy and discourse.

The research institute is committed to producing work firmly rooted in scripture and the diverse Christian values represented in Progressive Christianity. Powerful arguments will be developed to recast the Christian image into one of tolerance, diversity and reason. The institute will champion the separation of Church and State and design innovative policy proposals that embody the kind of compassion and integrity that resonates with all people of character.

The inaugural team for this project is amply endowed with visionaries, brilliant scholars, published writers and those with power connections inside the beltway of Washington D.C. This dedicated group of gifted women and men are spearheading the strategic effort to meet the challenge of overcoming undue influence from religious fundamentalism in American politics and to light the path for a new and better direction for the nation.