Good morning.
Today's theme is making democracy work. I find that interesting that within the last year I have joined this community of faith as a member, and done my first extended work in a political campaign. Sure, before I donated here and there, I even phone banked a few times. But, this time, more consistently, and with greater diligence.
I think the two are related.
I joined this congregation as it calls me with appeals to love and reason, not just to worship, or study ancient texts, but to live my beliefs through action.
A few weekends ago, I took my 9-year-old Elizabeth, to canvass, to knock on doors in a tree-lined street in Beloit, Wisconsin. Everyone at the campaign office trumpeted it as a great idea. And, I found out several things that day:
1) First, when you take along a young person with you, you're more likely to get cookies. (Note: Big laughs from the congregation - I knocked 'em dead.)
2) Second, I ran into a family in this neighborhood, that my family knows through previous connections. Canvassing is nothing more than neighbors talking with neighbors, whether across town or across states.
3) Third, wouldn't you just know it? We ran into two fellow (my denomination)'s back at the field office, coming off a morning shift, with them going out in an afternoon shift. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing our democratic processes work than by committed people living and acting their values.
I understand that committed people, to one side or the other, have a great unease with impending elections. And I share that stress-inducing feeling. However, a co-worker who is a practicing Muslim shared with me the story of how Abu Bakr succeeded the Prophet as the leader of their then-young faith. He was elected through democratic means, not appointed. My co-worker declared that shows that his faith is compatible with democratic institutions. I have thought about that conversation several times since; he was right, but not wholly correct. You see, Abu Bakr never had to face re-election, to have the other side whoever they were, run millions of dollars in TV ads declaring their candidate a better representative of their faith.
In some fashion, I welcome the election. It is not just about candidates up and down the ballot. Every election is a referendum on the direction of the country, the beliefs and values of its leaders, and real policies that have been implemented. My feeling is this: I do not fear an election or a future as long as I have maintained a commitment to justice, an appeal to reason, and led with love.
(Note...I've tried to diary before on DKos. This is my first real attempt. My church uses lay people to be worship associates and to take some of the load of the minister. This piece was part of the start of worship. Many people in the congregation came up to me afterwards and said job well done.)