The Problem with Glenn Beck's America

I feel like I would be remiss if I didn’t write something about Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally that took place this past weekend on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I’m going to put it straight out there, I’m not here to bash the rally. In fact, on a couple fundamental levels I actually like the idea of it.
 
As much as my views might differ from those of Tea Partiers, a part of me really enjoys seeing people moved to action for something they believe in. For the past decade or so, the American public has been marked by political apathy and lethargic frustration. It’s nice to see a group of people actually going out and doing something. I’m also a strong proponent of classical democracy, a system in which all voices and opinions are considered important for fostering an informed and strong public. However, other parts of me get really riled up when I consider what the message of this particular get-together actually was. So in the spirit of classical democracy, I’d like to respond in a calm and logical manner:
 
The rally, which attracted some thousands of people (though that’s another controversy for another time), claimed to be apolitical, focusing instead on bringing America “back” to our religious “roots.” To quote Beck, “There’s nothing we can do that will solve the problems that we have and keep the peace unless we solve it through God.”  I can respect that this is his opinion – we all have opinions on the best way to make a “better” America. But really? How? When has religious revival ever brought peace? During the Crusades? During the conflict in Northern Ireland?  And what about places like Norway and Sweden where the population is negligibly religious and the standard of living is the highest in the world? Good and religious are not necessarily related.
 
Another problem with Beck's so called apolitical, religious approach is that our country’s relationship to religion is hopelessly entangled with our country’s politics. In ways that don’t even make sense! For more on this, let’s hear a bit from the woman from on rally-goer from Orlando, Florida, (interview courtesy of The New York Times) Ms. Becky Benson, the mic is yours: 
 
“ ‘We believe in Jesus Christ, ‘ and Jesus, she said, would not have agreed with the economic stimulus package, bank bailouts and welfare. ‘You cannot sit and expect someone to hand out to you,’ she said. ‘You don’t spend your way out of debt.’ “
 
Excellent. You can see how there is a tie between religiosity and far right political idealism, even if it’s non-linear and rather strange. As a person who grew up Catholic and quite religious, I still don’t understand how one can reconcile the Christian faith, with its strong tenants of service, giving, and helping others, with an opposition to welfare and social programs. But anecdotal religio-policial gibberish aside, Glenn Beck himself clearly also believes religion plays an integral part in America’s identity, well being, and hopes for the future - as he himself stated in the above mentioned interview. How can that not, in the end, be a political standpoint? Especially when you consider his fervent belief that the founding fathers were deeply religious men. This is also very disheartening, because, as much as Glenn Beck would love you to believe that the founding fathers were religious men, we have some very compelling original sources (that is, documents in the founding father's own hands) that seem to suggest otherwise. I’ll refer you to this young gentleman for some (possibly not authoritative) anecdotal evidence.   
 
As much as I might appreciate the fundamental idea behind airing your political opinions and beliefs, in the specific instance of the religious-revival-as-savior arguement, I’m going to have to respectfully disagree.