[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his column is about the intersection of faith and politics.  I first wrote most of these thoughts five years ago, but have been reluctant to publish them, because they are sure to offend everybody. However, they are just as true now as they were then, and we are five years farther down the dangerous road we are traveling. There seems to be no better time than the present, so here goes.

The darkness is descending. It will be a long time before the dawn. The horrors to come wil...