If the call to military might from the religious right is incongruous with the Christian message then the call to justice around the world from the religious left rings hollow. How easy it is to call for justice from a position of comfort. American churches will not have power to confront the world's justice problems until they call their own people to personal sacrifice. American churches will begin to have true authority around the world when they are willing to have less for themselves. Wealthy people may contribute, but they cannot wield true spiritual authority to those who are starving.

From the right there is the problem of arrogance. From the left there is the problem of smugness. But neither side is willing to confront the problem of plenty because it would cost too much of its constituents and threaten too severely the status quo of the religious establishment. It's too easy to preach justice issues for others while ignoring the greatest justice issue of all: that we are unwilling to help others until our own needs and wants are fully met. The world does not and should not listen to us until we are willing to give up our right to plenty.