Another Saturday night, another chapter in the soap opera of Lee Court.
Lee Court is very social. We have block parties, book club, a dinner club, and lots of birthday parties. Before the election of George Bush, we considered each other friends as well as neighbors. When we discussed politics it was always good-natured, everyone generally agreeing on most issues, no hard feelings.
Since Bush's election and especially since his re-election things have changed. Several of my neighbors have become more, shall I say righteous, in their Christianity. And though most are republicans, a few are democrats who voted for Bush because they believe he's a "good Christian". Over the last few years the chemistry of our group has changed. Now when a political discussion starts things get tense. I've left several get-togethers disgusted with my neighbors' hypocrisy. One particularly belligerent bushie, Dennis, teasingly calls me a communist, even though I have repeatedly asked him to stop it. Another neighbor, Diane, firmly believes that the Iraq war is prelude to Armageddon. Another has made derogatory comments about Jews, although one of our neighbors is Jewish. And on and on. Of course if I respond to any of this, I'm the troublemaker.
While these people consider themselves good Christians, their behavior at parties is often not very christian, especially when alcohol is being served. Let's just say that Lee Court parties are never boring!
Recently the block has informally split up into the Christians and the Moderates but we still get together for large gatherings, as we did for my friend Mary's birthday party last Saturday night. The usual cast along with free flowing alcohol and great music. As the evening wore on the dancing began and all was well until Dennis started coaxing me to dance. See, Dennis and I have been giving each other a wide berth lately, content with the obligatory peck on the cheek, then retreating to separate corners of the room whenever we are together. That's when I said, "I don't dance with fascists".
My husband pointed out the next morning that I technically started it, and maybe I was looking for the perfect opportunity. Or maybe it was the wine. Anyway, I did eventually get up to dance, and that's where it got really weird. Dennis, drunk and dancing, starting yelling things like "I'm a republican!", "Let's bomb Iran!", "Whoa, Jimmy Carter!" (in a sarcastic tone), "Dee thinks I'm a fascist!" and "we have a cease-fire!"
I realize how absurd this all sounds. Our once loving and fun neighborhood has turned into a political land mine. A fondness among neighbors has become strained during Bush's presidency. The friendships that used to be have been replaced with tense politeness and avoidance.
I don't think Lee Ct. is an isolated situation, rather, I suspect it's a microcosm of America. As I write this, my husband calls me from Cincinnati, where he has just come from a business dinner. When the subject of Iraq came up he was outnumbered 4 to 1 and although he held his own, it wasn't pretty! What followed was a heated discussion with four "christians" who agreed that yes, we went to Iraq for oil and that's A-OK with them. But another man, Charlie, admitted that he no longer supported the war in Iraq and has finally realized we were lied into it. The last time my husband and I saw Charlie he was still a believer, and in a discussion about the war and Christianity I told him that I simply did not see what was so christian about what we were doing in Iraq. That made him angry and we hadn't talked since then but I'm relieved he has finally seen the light.
Past presidents have tried to bring the nation together but Bush & Co. seem hell bent on driving us apart under the twisted banner of their unique brand of Radical Christianity. Franklin Roosevelt said, "I have seen war... I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war." And Eleanor said, "It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself." But now we have a so-called leader who rallies his followers with insanity like "Bring it on", "Fuck Saddam. We're taking him out" and "Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists". It's no wonder we're divided.
It breaks my heart that my neighbors have gotten so insane...I just pray the insanity is temporary. Historians will have to sort it all out. But if we are to push back this religious extremism here in our own country, we must seize every opportunity. With less than 3 months to election day, and James Dobson coercing his followers to vote, it's time to stand up, say something, challenge their so-called Christianity in a big way. These make-up-your-own-rules "christians" are giving Christianity a very bad name!