Evangelical Left activist Jim Wallis of Sojourners is rallying liberal wayfarers for the Promised Land of government-controlled health care, announcing his "40 Days for Health Reform" crusade during an August 10 media conference call. The media and political pressure campaign by liberal religionists represents a "massive escalation" for Obamacare, a news release promised. Evidently President Obama himself will join Wallis in his next media conference call on August 19, creating a political Mount of Transfiguration moment, with both the figurative Moses and Messiah (or Elijah?) joining to save their people from the Egypt of private health insurance.

Naturally, Wallis is upset that there is murmuring among skeptics who prefer the safety of bondage back under Pharaoh. "I see lies being told, I see fears being raised, and I see violence even being threatened at these mob sessions," intoned Wallis about angry town halls where the Land of Milk and Honey has been denounced by critics of government health care. "This moral issue cannot be demagogued in the street," he insisted, according to a report by my colleague Jeff Walton. These untrusting murmurers "want to shut down democracy," Wallis complained. This critique from the old SDS campus and street activist, himself having invited arrest in dozens of angry demonstrations across four decades, is humorous.

Wallis's Religious Left coalition is targeting about 100 members of Congress across 18 states in its "non-partisan" campaign for Obamacare, starting with national television ads this week, followed by local "prayer rallies," and "large-scale meetings" in "key states," and call-in campaigns. "Every so often there is an issue so clear and compelling, or so alarming and disturbing that it galvanizes the faith community," Wallis opined about the present moment. "The faith community is going to stand in the way of those that want to stop conversation," he promised, almost summoning up terrible visions of the Lawgiver calling down divine judgment upon the idolaters at the base of Mt. Sinai.

"We will be pushing, pulling, sometimes holding their hands, make sure they [lawmakers] do not succumb to intimidation," Wallis promised, a though speaking of the ancient Hebrews who were reluctant to cross the Red Sea, even with Egyptian chariots on their heels. Particularly determined to rally active religious believers, especially evangelicals, behind Obamacare, Wallis derided as "irresponsible" widespread "fears" that a government plan could compel coverage for abortion and euthanasia. "There are a lot of lies about healthcare reform and euthanasia," he bewailed. "A healthcare reform comprehensive plan will support the sacredness of human life, and there are those of us that will make sure that it does," Wallis said. "The key thing is that we do not want abortion to enter this debate and sabotage healthcare reform," he insisted. The Religious Left crusade for Obamacare "isn't political in a partisan way," Wallis declared. "This is a moral issue."

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