Epistemological Frameworks, Homosexuality, And Religion: A Response to Hodge (Points & VIEWPOINTS‪)‬

In his recent article in this journal "Epistemological Frameworks, Homosexuality, and Religion: How People of Faith Understand the Intersection between Homosexuality and Religion," David Hodge argued that Christians are disenfranchised both in the culture and in the social work profession because of the intellectual and social power of progressives, whom he described as including "gay men and lesbians, feminists, atheists, and metaphysical relativists" (2005, p. 208). Following Hunter's (1991) distinctions between orthodox and progressive ideology, Hodge posits that progressives hold hegemonic power in the culture based on their domination of the centers of social power, such as the "entertainment industry, news media, helping professions, and perhaps most notably, education" (p. 209). I wonder whether Hodge has been apprised of the social and political power of what is commonly known as the Christian Coalition, a group of conservative Christians who have unparalleled access to broadcast media, including talk radio and television news stations. These outlets of popular culture are considerably more powerful shapers of the "social narratives that inform the broader society," than the progressives so troubling to Hodge. These popular media outlets tend to reflect the viewpoint of conservative, rather than progressive thought.