If Its About Politics, Prove It

Anyone who casually reads or faitfully follow this blog know that I am, without regret or shame a born-again Christian and a registered Democrat. In many ideological concepts I agree with the democratic agenda, however it must be duley noted that while democrat in affiliation I am anti-abortion and and pro-proposition 8in association. While this stand can be complex to the strict conservative, it actually is a position that many moderates and liberals carry. In some sense, the anti abortion and prop 8 disclaimer has become necessary for liberals like myself because misinformation and ignorance keep the average American from understanding that liberal politics and Christianity can indeed coexist. However, its not my intention to defend my own politics or faith in this blog. I am here to challenge the most powerful factions in American politics that are unapologetically conservative and also Christian.
I honor the premise of their faith and respect their political position, however, with respect to them both, they should be ashamed of the public behavior by many in their faction during the last month of health care debates. Some of the rhetoric and actions have been disturbing, distasteful and yes, shameful. I don't understand because there are many good conservative party members who honor decorum and are dignified; why then is Rush Limbaugh, his followers and the Tea Party the loudest voice of conservatism in America?! I ask this because constituents of both these movements lined the streets leading to Capital Hill and expressed their displeasure with curt disdain. So curt that Black democrats were greeted at Capitol Hill Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning with racial slurs and spit. It was so shameful that Represenative John Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia declared that it was the worst he had seen in "40 or 45 years. Since the march from Selma to Alabama." The behavior was crude, un-American and ultimately unChrist-like.

I expected more from the Christian community on the right in the way of denouciation. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to act on bigoted impulses but in no way could it eliminate bigotry or bigots, so I understand (though don't accept) that bigotry is a part of life- I am concerned beacause these acts of bigotry came groups that associate themselves proudly with Christianity. The sheer silence of the Conservative Christian Right is surprising and disappointing. Where the heck are they while their loudest voices are publically insulting the national leaders they disagree with and hurling racial insults at the rest of them? And for the record this is taking place on the streets AND in the chambers of congress, literally. The evangelical Church is the largest Christian "lobby" groups in America and as of yet we have not seen one major player of those organizations denounce these behaviors with much force- none. In fact, some leaders on the right have condemned the actions so weakly that their condemnation could possibly be confused with an endorsement. Today, GOP leader Michael Steele (who ironically is a black man) when pressed to comment on the behavior was quoted as saying "of course we don't condone this, but they are just angry." WOW Mr. Steele, wow!

The Christian conservative right is strong, and thank God they are. They cried loud enough to be heard when they supported President Reagans trickle down economics because they thought it was necessary; they screamed loud against President Clintons shameful immoral indiscretions for the same reason; we heard them loud and clear when they supported President Bush's war in Iraq (no comment); and just recently, I personally showed up along side many of our brothers to help make a big showing during the Prop 8 votes. Make no mistake about it, the Christian conservative circle is a very powerful voice in our country that can be heard when it wants to be heard! I just don't get why there isn't more noise being made now? Maybe its the politics of the day. But politics aside, the very premise that Christianity stands on and the multi-cultural hertitage that many died to ensure and ultimately makes our country great is threatened when the most powerful members of Body of Christ yeilds its power only when the politics fit. It shouldn't matter where the the injustice comes from, it is the Body of Christ's calling to be the spiritual and social conscience of the nations of the world. The behavior of these organizations and the politicians that egg them on should be denounced publically. Because these groups and leaders often claim Christianity and have gotten Christian support in masses at times, the denoucation should come from powerful Christian leaders without redirecting the issue back to the healthcare bill.

Greedy industries, gays, broken economies; none of these will ultimately cause speedy decay in our country. Our country will hasten to spirial downward with unhearlded speed when powerful Christians tolerate what is supposed to be untolerable; when we are quiet when our friends are wrong; when our most influential leaders pick and chose when to do their "God-job." The Christian Right is wealthy, intelligent, connected, and anointed- a powerful combination- however with all that, they have proven also to be extremely selective. Im eager to hear from a non-democratic, non ethnic Christian leader to stand up and publically and forcibly denounce whats been happening. I further charge them to challenge the leaders of these groups to curb their antagonistic, hateful public rhetoric and keep the heart of their discourse about policy so that this won't be about class and race, unless it indeed is... Thats another blog!!!
Thats what I think and Im sticking to it!