As Democrats, we must not fear in speaking of God

As Democrats, we must not fear in speaking of God
By Mary MacElveen
November 3, 2006

If we are to believe that we live in a country based upon Christian values in which Bush and those like him wear God on their sleeve, as evident with the war in Iraq, in which Bush and the Republicans have broken some of the Ten Commandments. We must face up to the fact; we have not been living up to our Christian values. The reason why I only mention Christianity is because most that have led this nation during these past six years are for the most part Christians or so they will have you believe.

As a person of faith, I was pleased to read this article Democrats find religion, churchgoing voters. I am of the belief that no one should fear speaking out of ones faith in God. In times like this when people are feeling depressed, angry and anxious we all need faith in God, a higher power, Allah or whatever one of a different faith calls their God. I suppose as many have seen the casualty rate of our soldiers rise, many have prayed to God to end this war. I suppose as we hear of how many innocent Iraqis have been killed we privately pray for forgiveness.

I am also of the belief that no one political party has the right to co-opt God and His teachings. But, clearly throughout these past six years, the Republican Party has done a fine job at co-opting God. While they have talked the talk, they have not walked the walk. As they have catered to the evangelicals, they are now beginning to wise up that they have been used. One only has to have seen an interview between Keith Olbermann and David Kuo who wrote the book ‘Tempting Faith’ in which he chronicles how the Bush administration used this movement.

When the Democratic senatorial candidate in Pennsylvania, Bob Casey stated “When we work together for the common good, we can overcome the great moral dilemmas of our time," In my opinion that is an optimistic message that enjoins all of us to work on the side of morality instead of dividing us. We have been divided for six years now. We are facing some tough dilemmas and God has always taught us to use His teachings to benefit mankind and not destroy it.

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois has said that Democrats must end their reluctance to speak of their faith and so boldly stated “If we don’t reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons will continue to hold sway," We need not only as a party but a faithful people be able to say to Falwell and Robertson they know nothing of God’s teachings if they can support Bush’s immoral war in Iraq. Also Robertson called for the assassination of President Chavez of Venezuela. A true man of God would not have said that.

Even Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee who is in a heated campaign against Corker recently said, “I can’t help it. I love Jesus." None of us should fear saying that we also love Jesus.

I have been an avid fan of this web site LiberalsLikeChrist.org for many years. On the front page of their web site, they boldly state “If Jesus of Nazareth was anything, he was an extraordinary friend of the down- trodden, definitely a Liberal, whose advocacy on their behalf so infuriated the ultra-Conservative religious and political leaders of his day that they had him killed to prevent the public from hearing the very liberal teaching that you will see quoted abundantly in Jesus’ own words on this web site!”

For those of you who have never poured over this site, I highly suggest that you do. In the last few days before Election Day it can only help you frame your debate should you meet with any church going voters. Also, it will give you a better understanding that Christ was a peaceful man and not a man of war.

Prior to 9/11 if Bush was truly a man of faith and in God, you would have thought he would have warned the people he swore upon a Bible to serve. He had all the knowledge right in front of him, yet did nothing with it. He chose to ignore it.

Through lies, Bush targeted the wrong people in Iraq and since then we have seen the deadly consequences. We are presently using depleted uranium which kills people and deforms babies, yet Bush can state he is pro-life? I think that come his personal judgment day, God will be displeased if down right angry with this lone action. Even the late Pope John Paul II stated before he launched the ‘Shock and Awe’ campaign, “You go without God”

Through the funding of this un-Godly war, we have cut many social programs that only go to help the poor and most fragile of this country. By denying people food and health care, while in the same minute killing innocent people that goes against Christ.

It is blasphemous to use God’s name in vain and Bush often does as he invokes God’s name for his selfish and greedy desires to hold onto power.

What I truly find immoral and which goes against God’s teachings is this video called Jesus Camp. Please take note of the brainwashing techniques used in this video and the use of army fatigues to teach these vulnerable children. This is where we as a faithful and loving people must say “Enough!” In watching this, I was terrified that parents could send their children to such a camp. I think that parents would better serve their children if they were to send them to any number of camps in which nature if the focus. God did give us this beautiful planet to live on in a peaceful manner.

As evident with the way we are destroying this Earth through global warming and pollution and yes, our use of depleted uranium, I would think God must be crying a multitude of tears.

Lastly, one only has to open their eyes to see how we as a people have lost our way. We have to open our eyes to the fact that those that have led this country for the past six years have done nothing to honor God but turn away from Him through their words and deeds.

I will leave you with one quote cited by Saint, Joan of Arc in which she said "The poor folk gladly came to me, for I did them no unkindness, but helped them as much as I could."

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