OR: Sometimes It's So Silly You Have to Take It Seriously
My wife and I were talking with some friends this weekend and the discussion turned to the election. The other couple, who are good people and whom we care greatly about astonished us by saying that they believe that if John Kerry is elected that the Bible will be banned from public places. It took me a moment or two to "process" this as it was so extreme a statement I knew they couldn't have made it up themselves but had to be a "talking point" from some conservative radio or tv program they had seen.
Generally, this wouldn't have concerned me except that the depth of both the ignorance expressed as well as the hatred that shows through this statement was so obvious that it kind of shocked me coming from well-educated friends. It occured to me that such statements should not be discounted, so after doing some searches and talking with some other (more forthcoming) sources it showed me that there is an alliance of politicians and the religious right that goes far beyond choosing the best candidates.
First, as a disclaimer, let me say I am a Christian baptized in 1981 and have served the church in many capacities including Sunday School teacher on both the high school and adult levels, served on Trustee and Stewardship Boards, sing in the Contemporary Service Praise Band in my church and have written over 100 skits to be performed in churches of all demonations. The reason I tell you as a disclaimer is that I come from a faithful and religious background.
Quite often on JU there is talk about how the left is hateful and shrill in tone and how the right is thoughtful and able to listen to all viewpoints. This is an absurd idea because all readers are different and do not act as a conglomerate. There are shrill voices as well as thoughtful on both sides of the political spectrum just as there are in society. For every Ted Kennedy on the left, there's an Orrin Hatch on the right, if you catch my drift. The point is that neither side has a corner on the "hateful and shrill" when it comes to arguments.
But religious belief brings a new dimension to the political spectrum. Religion and belief is so personal, so vital to one's worldview (even for those who are agnostic or atheist) that it colors almost every issue. Add to this the idea that conservatives inside today's society believe that issues that favor the Republicans (abortion, the death penalty, gay rights, gun control) and you see that to many Christians the Democratic Party is becoming something of a pariah.
However, this becomes a risk to society when it takes on dimensions of coercion and threats. Ralph Reed, who is one of President Bush's campaign directors is a man who plays to this hysteria and problem. The picture painted of an alliance between gays, abortionists, civil libertarians and the democratic party, especially in the case of John Kerry is very complete and utterly fictional. My friends said that "even if" both men were equally qualified to serve as President, you have to choose Bush because Kerry "is not a Christian." This is the portrait they see and are hearing fr0om right wingers and from letters from religious organizations.
Well, here should be something refreshing. God is not political. Read that again so you see that it isn't a mirage. God is not political. God is not only not for or against democracy, he doesn't run one in heaven. The Bible in the old testament gives us a clue on God's thoughts when in First Samuel he tells Samuel that the people don't need a king and God sees choosing a king in the same light as worshipping idols.
Now, I know many who will quote scripture saying being gay or having abortion is sinful. It would seem to me that the right wing hatemongers (those who preach that gay people should be treated like lepers were in the Old Testament, for example) would know that democrats aren't going to throw the Bible if Mr. Kerry gets elected or if a democratic majority is elected in Congress. The "so-called" liberal conspiracy of the groups the right finds so offensive is a myth. Gay mariiage will not be institutionalized by the democrats and free abortion clinics will not open. There are Log Cabin Republicans who support many of the principles of the
Republican party but are gay. Dick Cheney's daughter is gay. If Republicans were "truly pure" neither of these would be true.
Religion and faith does have a role to play in elections, but it may not be what you think. Faith tells us that we should pray to God and weigh all the candidates in light of what we think God would have us do to help the most people in the best possible way. This is what God has told us from the beginning. Our faith is not perfect because we are not perfect.
But to say a candidate isn't right wing enough to be Christian? It sounds almost to silly to be taken seriously.
You aren't taking it seriously, are you?