Posted by Morgan, forwarding a message from another list (with permission) because I feel the message needs to get out.
I had a revelation a few days ago as the boys and I were driving through our traditionally Republican community (a misnomer) in West St. Louis County, watching for Kerry-Edwards yard signs and seeing more than we expected. Then I saw a yard that had only green-and-white yard signs that proclaimed simply "JESUS." And then I thought how the political right has co-opted major cultural symbols like the flag, the Bible, and Jesus? I thought of some Pagan friends in AMER who marched in a demonstration some years ago, wearing 3-piece suits instead of tie-dye and carrying an American flag and a copy of the Constitution, and I remembered the concept of message control and reclaiming one's symbols.
So I found a little Christian cafe, the Solid Rock Coffeehouse on the main street in Eureka MO, that was selling the Jesus signs, bought a bunch of them, and display one right next to each Kerry-Edwards sign. The other day someone not only slowed down to take a look but even backed up to do a double take! You might say it puts across in symbolic imagery the subliminal message of John Kerry literally having Jesus at or on his side, and maybe a few conscientious Christians might give more thought to whether the Republican party best reflects the values of Jesus, and maybe a few might change their vote. Except for those who are highly visibly, out-of-the-closet Pagans in their neighborhoods, I strongly urge others who support a regime change here also to put up "Jesus" signs next to their Democratic yard signs. I think it has been a big mistake in strategy for Democrats to allow the Republicans to lay exclusive claim to symbols like this one.
How to reconcile one's personal beliefs with putting up a "Jesus" sign? Personally, even if I don't consider Jesus my "Lord and Savior" as most Christians do, I still have no problem with his teachings (although I think some right-wing Christians would, if they truly looked into them more deeply) and I could see some Pagans including Jesus in their pantheon. The right-wing Christians don't have to know that a "Jesus" yard sign doesn't mean quite the same thing for you as it might mean to them.
Also, I encourage people to volunteer whatever time they can to the Kerry-Edwards campaign. I plan to drive Democratic voters to the polls on election day.
Henry