Category Archives: Politics

We May Not Agree, But We Need Not Hate

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!” (Luke 6:27, NLT)

I truly enjoy blogging and exchanging ideas. There are quite a few things I choose not to engage in on this particular blog, though I might give it a swing on Facebook. One reason I may not engage fully is how we tend to get quite nasty in our disagreements. Sometimes we get into areas that really are difficult and navigating those waters gets downright choppy.

Two huge issues come to mind:

1. Rob Bell and the “new universalism” (which isn’t new, but we can call it that, I suppose).

2. The ordaining of homosexuals that was approved by the Presbyterian Church USA this week. (Or, any other issue dealing with homosexuality.)

There are quite simply matters that will not be resolved in this space we call “time.” Not our lifetimes. Not the next generation. We will just keep struggling along.

Yet, we get so disagreeable in our disagreements!

Quite frankly, we like our own positions and anyone who can’t see it our way is just plain nuts! ;)

In this vein, while I do not wish to wade into debates on particular issues, I offer a couple of thoughts:

1. I may not agree with you on your position. To be honest, I may even think you’re wrong. But know this: That takes nothing away from me respecting you.

For instance, I will disagree politically with President Obama 90 plus percent of the time on policy. That does not lessen my respect for him as president.

2. If I treat those who disagree with me in a way that seems to hold contempt, I am wrong. I may be right in my “position,” but that does not give me freedom to hold the other position with contempt.

For instance, I will disagree politically with Republicans AND Democrats on so many issues. Traditionally, I have voted Republican. I have since re-evaluated that position, but that doesn’t readily mean I would vote for a Democrat. That does not mean I need to say, “Anyone voting Democrat just can’t be a Christian,” or something to that effect. Nor do I accept someone saying, “If you vote Republican, how can you call yourself a Christian?”

In our current climate in American Christianity and American democracy, we have the position of  ”We disagree, and we will be disagreeable doing it.”

I just simply don’t want to be that way. If I choose to act that way, or act in a way that would seem hateful to a position different than mine, how am I different? That is the question posed in Luke 6. Why just be nice to those who agree with you? The rest of the world does that! Big deal! Kingdom living calls for something different. It isn’t easy! But it just may make a difference if we, as believers, decide to give it a shot.

We Just Can’t Be Happy

A couple of observations as I watch the wide range of reactions to the huge events of this week.

1. The phrase “If you’re not angry you’re not paying attention” comes to mind.

2. And over against that, as I study for Sunday, the passage from 1 Peter shouts out to me: “You love him even though you have have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you REJOICE with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” (1 Pet. 1:8, NLT)

There is certainly a hesitation to seem “too happy” over the death of bin Laden. But I am finding there is a hesitancy to be happy over anything these days. We just have the propensity to gripe. (And, it’s fun. No lie.)

But our eyes need to be UP. Our view needs to be on HIM. And as believers, maybe we could say, “If you’re not happy, you’re looking in the wrong direction.” ;)

Breakout

Things are breaking out all over! Now, Iran?

The government doesn’t seem to be as “kind” in Iran to protesters as they were in Egypt. Go figure.

Again, this is a matter of prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iran. While revival has been springing up in Iran, so has intense persecution. Remember the Church.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

Ronald Reagan is the president I best remember growing up. I can vaguely remember Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter. I was in junior high when Reagan was elected and followed his presidency the closest.

I can remember where I was when I heard the news that he had been shot. I remember those incredible words: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

I love great communicators and he was certainly one of the great 20th Century communicators.

He was a hero of a different era. And I certainly hold him as a hero in that vein.

Rest in peace.

Bush, Clinton, World News

I just finished Decision Points by George W. Bush. I am also working my way through The Clinton Tapes by Taylor Branch.

Liberals who despise Bush won’t take the time to read his book, and are grinding their teeth that I even mention his name. Conservatives who despise Clinton are doing the same. That is why I read both, actually.

While I would agree with Bush more than many people would like, I have my disappointments with him. This book is written from a view of looking at several key events in his years as president and analyzing why he reached certain decisions.

What I appreciate about these books is they drive more to motive. Bush gets into why he made some of his decisions. Branch explores Clinton’s desires and motivations as president. I can appreciate both men more even while I agree or disagree with their decisions. Bush was profoundly impacted by 9/11 and does not apologize for it. His driving motivation was to make sure this country did not suffer that kind of attack again on his watch. We can agree or disagree on those decisions. My hope is we don’t start doing that here. But I CAN understand his motivations. And here is the thing: He was president. I was not. Neither were you. He was thrown into the cauldron and did his best.

And in other news…

North Africa is going through some upheaval. Tunisia and Egypt are experiencing government revolts. It’s hard to tell if this leads to democracy or a more free people. While the abject poverty in Egypt is horrifying, what is NOT clear is what type of government will rise up to take Mubarak’s place if they can force him out.

There are a couple of questions in my mind:

1. If the government that replaces Mubarak is as violent against Coptics as witnessed by recent attacks by radical Muslim groups, this is not a good movement. If Christians are further oppressed in this uprising, this isn’t about freedom.

2. The world didn’t want the U.S. meddling in Afghanistan or Iraq… and now it wants us meddling in Egypt. Go figure.

The embarrassment of cultural Christianity

This just gets ridiculous. It’s crazy in the political arena, but now, you have to line up so narrowly along party lines, it’s just plain nuts.

The Texas House Republicans aren’t satisfied with a conservative Republican running their party in the house. No. The leader they have is Jewish and conservative. What is their preference? A Christian conservative Republican leader.

Our cultural Christianity is reaching ridiculous proportions.

We need a return to sanity, please! Lord, save us from ourselves!

Our Delightful Responsive Government

In my continuing saga of “representatives” in our glorious republic, I actually called my senator’s office to ask about the current issue with the TSA and airport security. The reason for the call was to find out her position on the issue of the full body scanners since she is on the sub-committee that overseas airport security.

To my (non)shock, the senator has no position. Well, at least any position she choses to reveal to her staff.

And, again, I was not asked about my name, number, address, email… nothing.

This is our government “working for us.” Thank you, Senator Klobuchar.

God bless America.

Our Delightful Democracy in Action

The day after the election I wrote to all three congressional representatives who “represent” me in Congress: Two senators and a congressman. It was a joke because they never respond with any care any more. I simply did it to see how long it would take to get a canned response from them. To one senator’s credit, they responded back first, while in the past that particular office has taken up to five months to deliver a CANNED response.

I just got the second one today, so I thought I would share it (with the REAL interpretation in parentheses). It’s essentially the same as the first canned response.

Dear Mr. Thompson,

 

Thank you for contacting me to share your concerns about legislation before the House of Representatives. (NOTE: I said nothing about legislation in my email.) I am honored to hear from you and proud to represent you.  Since coming to Congress, I have been working very hard to advance my policy agenda based on four key priorities – peace, prosperity for working families, environmental sustainability, and support for human and civil rights. (I must be honest. I know I was elected for the people’s agenda, but really…what do the PEOPLE know?)

As the 111th session of Congress comes to a close and the New Congress convenes this January, any legislation that has not become law at this point will need to be reintroduced in the next Congress to be considered.  Legislation is often repeatedly reintroduced because in most cases, it does take a significant amount of time for an idea to become law.  Please feel free to contact me with any input you may have on any issues or legislation in the 112th Congress. (Even though you have contacted me this time about God knows what, I need you to submit another web form. I have a quota to fill plus I’m in this office pool with another congressman to see who answers the most emails from constituents.) The 112th Congress is set to convene on January 5, 2011.

Thank you again for contacting me, your input allows me to represent you better in Congress. (Not really, but this is the response I am obligated to give to my minions.) If you would like to follow any legislation more closely throughout the legislative process, visit www.thomas.gov. (Thus avoiding the possibility of BUGGING ME again with your inane questions and ill-informed opinions.)

God Bless America!


 

Experiments in Political Involvement

Two things I have done in the past week to see how the political climate is changing.

1. I sent an email to my two senators and one congressman to see how long it would take to get a canned response from them. They never respond directly anymore. They never answer the question asked anymore. So, I’m just running a contest to see how long it takes to get a canned response at all. One senator sent her canned response within two days. That’s a record. Her canned responses have taken up to five months before. Congratulations!

2. Since we have “healthcare reform,” I thought I’d update my attempts at health insurance. The key phrase to remember is our president promised us “affordable healthcare” even with this sorry piece of “reform” that was passed.

A Health Savings Account policy with at $2400 deductible covering two adults and two children: over $850 per month. Yes, sir, sounds “affordable” to me! So, because I can’t afford that tidy sum of money, in three years I’m going to be paying a hefty fine. Wow. Love this “affordable” healthcare.

End political rant.