The Roberstson Patwa, and all the other garbage he has spewed over the past 3 decades, has lead to a great political spit over religion. I join in the mockery of Robertson, Dobson, Frist, Bush, and the rest of the religious right when they justify offensive policy in the name of God. I also join in the criticism of those that follow them just because they simple mention God, no matter how out of line the basis for their use of God may be. I join in the misunderstanding of how religion is somehow to be a replacement of science.
But I also want to take time to warn those opposed to these idiots that the rhetoric of the opposition also goes too far at times. I think we all need a friendly reminder of what some choose to believe and the things that have been accomplished.
Personally, I was raised Baptist. Not Falwell Baptist,
Jimmy Carter Baptist. I was taught to respect others, to help others, even to love others. I was taught that none are qualified to bring the wrath of God to others as Robertson, Falwell, and the overall right is so willing to do. We are not to persecute others as they are so willing to do.
Now, I don't care what you believe in when it comes to Jesus as the immaculate conception son of God. I don't care what you believe of the Bible as fact or fiction. I even like the idea of dressing as a pirate and calling yourself pastafarian. I have a mug on the way myself. It is all subjective philosophy. What I think is lost is how powerful the things Jesus taught can be. Or at least what the Bible says he taught, once again, the choice to believe it is up to you. Even if you do not believe in the actual existance, the precepts of the charachter in the story are powerful.
I'd remind you that according to the Bible, the old ways (holy war, oppression of women, stoning, wrath, persecution, polygamy) were to be cast out and replaced with the new. As usual I think many Conservatives get a little to caught up in the past after it has been rendered irrelevant. The new was the teachings of the ultimate Liberal, Jesus. And given that the teachings of Jesus are to replace the old ways, I would argue that the basis of Christianity is mostly built upon what Jesus taught.
When villagers wanted to stone a woman for being unfaithful, Jesus replied, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." When Peter wished to kill the men arresting Jesus, he was commanded to sheath his sword. Jesus even commanded his followers to offer the other cheek, should an enemy strike one.
There is a long list of very wise things that we can take from the teachings of Jesus. And I am not saying this is the only source for such beliefs, I just find it a very good one. For a bit more, please read this. The last paragraph offers insight as to what some people believe.
Finally, let me end by saying that I am not claiming that someone who, say, shoots a home invader is therefore a "bad Christian." Such a judgment on my part would itself be contrary to my interpretation of Christianity. My only purpose in writing the present article was to explain why I personally think Jesus was a pacifist, and why I try to live up to that difficult requirement in my own life.
I would say that interpretation of Christianity is very close to what many Liberal Christians choose to follow. I will note that a culture of pacifism and tolerance is nearly impossible to live up to. But I feel that placing faith in these ideals is an extremely noble effort. And this is where the the great value of faith is. An absolute belief in the importance of peace and understanding of others. Now even those of us that that have faith in these ideals have trouble following, it is our faith in them that allows us to try.
So I will say faith can be a very powerful and good thing. Sadly, few can live up to this interpretation of faith. Surely myslef included. Which is why I beleive so many have fallen in line with the type of faith where anything is justified as long as you envoke the name of God.
In history, some have personified the power of this faith. Figures such as Mahatma Ghandi (non-denominational btw), Rosa Parks, and the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The faith of these figures was enough to change the world. I planned on much more about these examples, but this is running much longer than I would have liked already.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?
Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
- One of the last notes left behind by Gandhi in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought.
Well, I don't know what will happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life - longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight , that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
-Martin Luther King Jr. on the eve of his assassination in Memphis.
Now I offer these examples as examples of what faith can be. I say believe how you want. But I think attacking people on the premise that they have faith in something that cannot be proven is very unhealthy. We all have faith in some way. I would say Liberals especially. We wish to keep the planet healthy and clean. We wish to help the underpriveledged. If we have no faith, I would ask why? The faith might be in the value of humanity itself, but it is faith nonetheless that keeps us from wanting to preserve life on this planet.
So when attacking faith, I think it is important to consider that we all have it in some form. And in particular, Christianity has it's benefits as well. I say Christianity in particular not to promote it above any other belief, but because of the slandering it has recieved lately. The religion has many denominations with widely varied beliefs. Some of which greatly support causes that are vital to libralism and democracy.
Many times criticism of faith becomes sweeping condemnations as a result of what some idiots have done in the name of said faith. Muslims probably experience the brunt of this burden.
So I guess I'm just trying to say we are not all bad. And I know not many make such a claim. But some do. You may in earnest believe that all faith is evil. If so, that's fine. I would ask you to objectively reconsider, but understand your right to that view nonetheless. I also think that some make sweeping generaliztions based on prejudice that they would not extend to include great figures such as MLK.
From a political standpoint, There are points to be made by assailing radical fundamentalists such as Dobson, Falwell, and Robertson. And also those that pander to the fundamentalist crowd. By all means, have at them. But I think some statements by Democratic figures, and certainly among the Liberal blogosphere assail all Christians. I think this is a mistake. It is also a mistake for Liberal Christians to remain so quiet in the manner. But realize that the belief in secularity plays a big part in the silence.
I guess this is just an attempt to stand up for what I believe in. I am a Christian, and I am a liberal. I will not let the right destroy my beliefs. And I think Liberals backing Liberals, no matter what the source of their Liberal values might be, is a way to defeat violent religious extremism. Faith is not the enemy, idiots acting on the behalf of faith are.