From: Dr. Blake Nelson (bnelson301@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Oct 08 2002 - 14:04:20 EDT
This has touched off quite the discussion on
political/religious issues, here's my brief two cents
worth --
We have stumbled into generalities about political
party supporters that are as egregious as stereotypes
about racial groups. In a two-party system like the
US has, there is tremendous diversity within both
parties in both the religious affiliation (and
beliefs) of its members and in the proposed policies
and the rationales used to support those proposed
policies. I imagine someone can put together a rant
about the Democrats being a party reflecting a secular
humanist agenda -- including the muting of public
religious voices -- just as well as one can rant about
Republicans and "religious conservatism," and
"fascism" -- all terms that have been bandied about
loosely.
Such facile views are rarely useful.
As Terry's comment about the issue points out, the
goals of both parties (or Christian supporters of the
parties) are often shared, but they differ on how to
accomplish agreed goals -- e.g., ameliorate the
effects of poverty, etc. A christian who votes
republican voting can point to lots of social science
data that demonstrates "culture of poverty" cycles
created by welfare systems. A christian who votes for
the Democrats can do so under the pretense of the
importance of taking care of the poor, and can decry
the "heartlessness" of the government for cutting back
on welfare programs, the "greed" of Republicans, etc.
Yet, if neither one of those christians is actually
out there doing what they can to serve the poor, the
sick, the imprisoned, etc., at least some of the time,
then perhaps they should both go back and think about
what our Lord commands us to do. I do not think
voting for the government to take care of the poor
eliminates our obligation to do so _personally_.
I think the most telling tale of modern politics is
the level of discourse. Although I don't know if the
level of discourse has ever been very high, but at one
point in time I know I was not potentially bombarded
by (hopefully faux)-angry/indignant political
commentators and politicians and self-proclaimed
policy wonks doing a bad imitation of all-star
wrestling or Jerry Springer. Rather than talking
heads, we have insulting heads, we have clear lies and
misrepresentations spouted, and its all wrapped up as
entertainment. I am sure we can trot out
"unchristian" comments by any commentator. I have
heard Rush Limbaugh say stupid things, I have heard
Chris Matthews say stupid things, fact of the matter,
I don't think there is a single person in the
three-ring circuses of hawking "political discussion"
as entertainment who hasn't said something
mean-spirited and/or stupid at more than one point in
time (some more so than others).
Anyway, I think we need to sharpen our points (rather
than using politics as a bludgeon) if we are to say
anything useful.
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