David Sharlet says anti - tax Tea Party shows signs of evolving into religious movement . He says rising conservative Sen. DeMint is gatekeeper for Tea Party candidates to establishment . Price of admission , he says , is fealty to people 's religious views of Tea Party . DeMint 's solution is to put government -- and the economy -- in the service of Jesus , to cultivate a `` leadership led by God , '' as the religious organization that gives DeMint not only a theology but also a roof puts it . Sharlet : Putting government in charge of religion tends to mix it with interests of wealthy .
David Sharlet says anti - tax Tea Party shows signs of evolving into religious movement . He says rising conservative Sen. DeMint is gatekeeper for Tea Party candidates to establishment . Price of admission , he says , is fealty to people 's religious views of Tea Party . Sharlet : Putting government in charge of religion tends to mix it with interests of wealthy .