WASHINGTON, /Christian Newswire/ — Religious Left activist Jim Wallis is leading a new “40 Days for Health Reform” campaign for President Obama’s proposed government dominated overhaul of U.S. health care. Wallis unveiled the campaign during an August 10 media conference call. Next week, President Obama will join Wallis and others on a national call in and audio webcast on health care reform.

Wallis strongly denounced opponents of Obama’s plan, which creates a government insurance system that critics warn could ultimately overwhelm private insurance. “This moral issue cannot be demagogued in the street,” Wallis said, warning against Obamacare opponents who he claimed “want to shut down democracy.” The Religious Left activist also insisted that the Obama plan would not underwrite abortion or euthanasia.

“I see lies being told, I see fears being raised, and I see violence even being threatened at these mob sessions,” the Sojourners president said, alluding to congressional “town hall” meetings where lawmakers have met with a critical reception from some constituents concerned about potentially dramatic government led changes to the health care system.

Institute on Religion and Democracy President Mark Tooley commented:

“The new Evangelical Left, like the old Social Gospel Religious Left of decades ago, always materialistically equates Big Government and centralized control with the Kingdom of God. They learned no lessons from the 20th century, when Big Government again and again wreaked destruction and was often the antithesis of Christian teachings. For the Religious Left, Obamacare is just one more opportunity for coercion and eradication of private initiative.

“Revealingly, the Religious Left seems uninterested in lowering doctors’ expenses by limiting lawsuit abuse or providing tax credits towards private coverage. Such proposals distract from the larger agenda of expanding state power.

“Why do Religious Left activists always worship at the altar of the Big Government? More traditional religious believers, understanding human nature, look to other altars.”