Middle Ground

As a moderate, I love stories like this one, reported in yesterday's Washington Post. (Registration might be required, but it's free.) It seems two religious leaders from either extreme are pledging to preach a more moderate word -- for a moment.

From the religious right is Rev. Rob Schenck. From the religious left is Rabbi David Saperstein.

Schenck said he plans to tell young evangelicals at a Christian music festival on July 1 that homosexuality is not a choice but a "predisposition," something "deeply rooted" in many people. "That may not sound shocking to you, but it will be shocking to my audience," he said.

Saperstein said he is circulating a paper urging political moderates and liberals to "demonstrate their commitment to reduce abortions" by starting a campaign to reduce the number by half within two years.

Schenck and Saperstein disclosed their plans in separate interviews. They are not working together. The minister remains a die-hard opponent of same-sex marriage; the rabbi staunchly supports a woman's constitutional right to choose an abortion. But both are trying to find common ground between liberals and conservatives on moral issues -- and they are not alone.

There's much more to the story. Definitely worth a read. And, this alone is enough to make me smile.

How about you?