God sometimes gives us unexpected gifts. Our gift has been a grandson who enlivens our lives and makes retirement very different than the one we anticipated. He is a special joy. And that's "Casey." In 2006 we fulfilled our dream of living in Italy for a year. It was every bit as wonderful as anticipated. This blog begins in 2005 as we prepared for that experience. Since then we have explored many places together. That's the "Travel." And finally, I am a person of opinions--spiritually, politically, on just about anything and that's the "Other Stuff." Welcome to my blog.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Evangelical Spokespeople and Obama

As many of you who have followed my blog know, I am a born-again evangelical Christian. As a child I accepted Christ as Savior. Subsequently, beginning in college and for many years thereafter, I rejected my early teachings and commitment. Many years later, in the face of adversity, I returned to this faith and maintain it today. It provides me hope, faith and a deep and abiding belief in God's grace and glory. It is the same spiritual foundation underlying much of the religious right.

However, I am appalled by the viciousness, bigotry and hypocrisy of many national figures who have become spokespeople for people of faith. I find much of what they do in the name of faith to be hate-mongering and contrary to the teachings of Jesus and God's commands. Their high-minded insistence that if one is not a republican or if one disagrees with them on issues then that person can not be a Christian is emphatically wrong, most certainly steering people away from faith. I find it abhorrent and beyond hypocritical that Rush Limbaugh is a bedfellow and purveyor of truth for these people.

The impetus behind this blog entry is James Dobson, guru of Focus on the Family, who has produced and is distributing an incredible piece of hate, designed solely to inflame and frighten. It contains no truth. Sadly, many people will read it and accept the premises as gospel--forgetting the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It is inconceivable to me that anyone professing to honor and follow Jesus could do something so antithetical to what He would do or condone.

A Chilling Look at an Obama Presidency

Be sure to use the link to Letter from the 21st Century

My consolation is that such attacks may only appeal to those who already believe and thrive on vitriolic hate and, just maybe, it will be so appalling to others that they will reject the appeal, changing their votes to Obama who has clearly proclaimed his faith.

8 comments:

Sandrac said...

Amen, sister!

Seriously, Jane, this is another great post. I'm also a Christian, and am appalled at the levels of hate and intolerance and ignorance that this letter shows.

I've "seen" the kind of world envisioned by this letter-writer, in a novel by Margaret Atwood called "The Handmaid's Tale." It describes a very dark, brutal place ruled by hate. And really obsessed by sex in an angry, messed-up way.

Kind of like the letter writer!

Jane said...

Sandra, it is good to know that someone else feels the way I do. I do not understand how people support such maliciousness. Thanks for writing! And, didn't you really like Mary at Genius Loci? What a lady!

Amy B said...

Hi Jane,

I couldn't get all the way through because it disgusts me too much. I was raised in an VERY evangelical home, but even young found that I disagreed with many of the teachings. And like you, I have now come to know Christ in my own way.

Anyway, the hate and judgemental egotistical attitude really frightens me. I haven't been able to discuss the election at all with my mother because she is a fan of Dobson... need I say more? I don't understand it at all. It's like they completely block out Jesus' words and actions in the gospels.

Jane said...

Amy, thanks for writing. I think there are many people like us!

sabauda said...

Jane, I'm so proud to know you.

Laurie in To.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't make it all the way through that thing either. Don't these people have better things to do with their time and energy? It just blows my mind that they don't seen the disconnect between their ideas and Jesus' teachings of love and tolerance and forgiveness.

Jane, I'm so glad to know that there are sane and thoughtful Christians like you!

Jane said...

Laurie, what a compliment that is! Thank you!

Annie, there are many more like me--thank goodness.

Sandrac said...

Jane, I really, really enjoyed meeting Mary at Genius Loci -- she is delightful and so kind.

And I believe it was you who suggested I talk to Mary about Umbrian tapestry. I wouldn't have thought of that myself. Mary introduced me to a really interesting Perugian woman who has taken over the family weaving business, and I bought a gorgeous tapestry that will always remind me of Umbria.

Thanks so much for the tip!