Some of the email our readers send us is just too good, too relevant, and/or too poignant to simply put up on our mail box page. We created this reader’s blog page to share those writings with you.
People of Faith who Oppose Bush
from TG in North Carolina,
11/29/04
I firmly believe the voice being ignorned the most in this country is that of people of faith who oppose Bush.
The war in Iraq is morally and ethically wrong, but instead of trying to put an end to the madness this administration is unwilling to admit its own errors. Now we are facing similar scenerios in Iran and North Korea.
Now after the election, I have no faith or respect for our country’s leadership. The eyes of the world are upon us and Bush is NOT the symbol for which I stand.
It is possible to be a Christian and dislike my president, believe in equal rights of every person or couple no matter their nationality, skin tone, or orientation. My God is one of love and acceptance. Bush obviously has a different kind of god than mine.
The Bible I’ve
Read
from CC in Ohio,
11/24/04
I have struggled with faith issues for most of my adult life, but rarely with issues of compassion. I believe that we are responsible to and for one another, and I try to give of my time and resources as I am able. In a world with so much, why should some have nothing? Especially when a few have so much more than they could ever need? It’s obscene.
In the Bible, as I’ve read it, Jesus appears to admonish against the pursuit of wealth. He seems to suggest that the bravest of believers would eschew it entirely—give it all away? Do I read correctly?
I’ve been taught that central to Christ’s message is the Sermon on the Mount. These are the actual words of Jesus. I’ve struggled throughout Bush’s presidency to see any of the Beatitudes made manifest. I've asked Evangelicals to read Matthew 5 with me, and show me how Bush or his policies can be pressed into its mold.
I am also unfamiliar with any place in the New Testament where believers are sent forth to prevent or interfere with the sinning of non-believers. Does such a tasking exist?
As I read and understand the NT, it is the “job” of the believer to spread the word of God’s Grace through Christ’s sacrifice, and to represent that love and sacrifice through one’s own actions. I fail to see how shouting. “Sinner!” or other more horrible, judgmental words at gays or women about to have abortions accomplishes demonstrating God’s love.
Each of us will have our own reckoning, between ourself and God. What I said about you wont matter to God when he judges you, but it will matter to God when he judges ME.
How much more human history must unfold before it becomes clear that human law is insufficient to eliminate sin? Oddly, it seems that the more involved one is with “human” or “worldly” law, the more likely one seems to be involved with sin. Perhaps it’s a proximity issue?
It’s not unlike the inverse relationship that seems to occur between the volume with one shouts “I’m the best, most Godly Christian ever!” and the likelihood that he is. I suspect that’s why when Bush speaks, my ears ring for days. If only I could correlate the actions with the words, I would turn off this ugly urge to judge.
Christian in the Film
Industry
from GB in California
(11/8/04)
As if it wasn’t hard enough to be a born-again Christian working in the film industry, the election of George Bush in 2004 has made my position exponentially more vulnerable. I defend my beliefs with civility and express my Christianity through action not judgement. However with this past election, I’ve noticed most Hollywoodites I’ve spoken to believe the blame for W staying in the White House is the fault of our nation’s Christians. When I tell them that I am a born-again Christian who finds no Godly foundation to W’s actions and decisions and am sickened that he constantly disguises his political beliefs under the guise of his faith, most are alarmed to hear my point of view. Not so much because they’ve discovered a Christian in their midst but more because they’re shocked that there are Christians who don't blindly condone such actions just because they're executed by a man claiming he’s operating under God’s guidance.
Non-believers finding out that there is real compassion amongst Christians when it comes to politics just may be the silver lining to this whole Bush fiasco.
From Kerry Ashville,
North Carolina, 11/7/04
Last night I was lucky to attend an impromptu, informal gathering... to discuss the election. This event lifted my post-defeat depression entirely...
A lot of the discussion last night was around the so-called “moral values” issue that the major media have been touting. Many of us felt that this has been overblown on a national level, considering that Bush did not pick up any new states because of gay marriage or abortion, and considering that the exit poll question and methodology that planted the “moral values” phrase in the first place was deeply flawed.
Local candidates, however, spoke from bitter experience about how the wedge issues of gay marriage and abortion were used by the Republicans with considerable success in Western North Carolina to defeat us on the local level...
...We cannot allow Republicans to continue to successfully pretend like they have a monopoly on morality, especially when their policies are so often immoral at their core.
Below is a partial list of ideas, in no particular order of importance, that we could continue to think about...
...Form new organizations to retake the mantle of religion and morality, to reach people who might be persuaded our way, or at least to make people more comfortable with us. For example, form a counterpoint to the Christian Coalition, such as “Christians for Change” (to cite one example for a name), and get out in front on every “Christian” issue. Last time I checked, the Pope bitterly denounced Bush on Iraq. There obviously is no shortage of issues on which a true Christian group could get on board. Hey, what would Jesus do? Another example of a similar idea would be to form a group, perhaps called “ProLife Majority,” which works to prevent abortion through better contraception, sex education, and adoption, and which supports not only the unborn but the born! Unlike the pro-criminalizers, it could be the only “pro-life” organization that would actually prevent abortions!
Abortion and Social Reform,
SW in Illinois (11/04/04)
I was comforted to see that there are Christians out there who think outlawing abortion is not the answer. The abortion rate in this country is indeed a sign of a bigger problem.
A woman facing such a wretched and heartbreaking option as abortion needs love and support, maybe financially, certainly emotionally and spiritually. How can a good Christian simply call her a criminal and walk away?
I think there is a better approach to ending abortion. I’m trying to help Pro-Lifers understand that through education and social reform, we can have a stronger and safer impact on the abortion rate in this country. That’s why I voted for John Kerry, and that's why I’ll continue to let my representatives know how I feel.
To simply outlaw abortion is to ignore the underlying cause and to turn our backs on women in need. Don’t let President Bush fool you, the issue is not as simple as right vs. wrong.
The “Moral Vote”
Craig in Canada: (11/3/04)
I don’t live in the US (Im up in Canada)... but I was extremely disgusted with how the so-called ”moral” vote turned straight to Bush, considering his record:
- What morals are involved in an illegal war that kills thousands?
- What morals are involved when you continue to rob the poor to help the rich?
- What morals are involved when people continue to suffer due to job losses?
- What morals are involved when business takes over from ordinary folks?
True, I don’t support abortion (generally), and I am indifferent on same-sex marriage (although I strongly oppose a constitutional amendment), but how are they bigger issues?
We should congratulate those evangelicals (there are still many) who really thought deeply and rejected Bush, either voting Kerry or (more likely) staying home (although I hate to see people not exercise their right to vote).
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