ungodly reverends, a study in political pandering
by Sandra Neish
Published: May 7, 2008
I never thought I would be in the position to come to the aid of a political candidate and his preacher. I am a staunch independent and have an abhorrence of mixing religion and politics. Having grown up in a strong Southern Baptist household and gone to only private Christian schools my whole life, one would wonder how and why I decided that a theocracy is not in the best interest of anyone or any country. I guess I just believe that the rule of law and the rules of fair play should be the highest ideal of any government.
In the interest of the above listed highest ideal, I must bring to light my own interesting observations of the past few weeks. It began with a slight interest into the rather fringe views of a certain Reverend Jeremiah Wright. The reverend is, in my humble opinion, a crack-pot. The minute I heard the first “scandal” involving his sermon and Barack Obama being a parishioner, I promptly began praying in hopes of avoiding the aneurysm that was creeping ever nearer to my brain.
Then came Barack’s defense of his minister and “mentor.” I could even buy it… a little bit. I was willing to give Obama some kudos for not initially caving to public and media pressure to denounce his minister. After all, if the conservatives were not willing to denounce those such as (the late) Reverend Jerry Falwell and (the unfortunately not late) Rev. Pat Robertson and the (oh, here it comes) Rev. John Hagee, what did it matter if this about-to-retire, African-American minister said a few things that angered a few white people. Hey, I’m white and I didn’t really care. It takes a lot more than someone spouting something a little bit off in left field to ruffle my feathers.
Once the “scandal” seemed to have blown over I simply thought of Rev. Wright as another one of those little preacher people who wanted his fifteen minutes of fame. Then came another opportunity for prayer. Much like a certain flustered beauty queen contestant from South Carolina, Rev. Wright spoke first and asked for clarification of the question later. Uh-oh. The reverend not only had egg on his own face, but splattered Obama in the process.
Barack did the only thing a politician in his position could do. He ducked and ran. Now if he had been a Clinton, he would have cleverly asked the American media to define the words “in” and “church” before he gave a straight answer to an obviously vague question. I suppose Senator Obama needs to be in the White House for a few years before we can expect side-stepping of that caliber from him.
Meanwhile, John McCain, the Republican nominee for president of the United States, is actually courting the crack-pot preachers on the right. Interestingly enough, especially in light of the so-called “liberal media bias” espoused by conservative talk radio hosts, no major media outlet has yet to really touch on this issue.
At one point in his political career, McCain denounced ministers such as Falwell and Robertson. However, when that position failed to win him applause from the extreme religious right, he promptly began to backpedal and court those darlings of the Christian Coalition. Interesting. Let’s have a little history lesson, shall we?
Post-September 11, 2001, both the Reverends Falwell and Robertson opined that homosexuals, feminists, the ACLU and those who are pro-choice were responsible for God allowing terrorists to fell the Twin Towers and ram another plane into part of the Pentagon. Falwell also went toe-to-toe with pornographer Larry Flint over the First Amendment. Even though Falwell benefited from the protection of the First Amendment over his hate mongering, he was opposed to others being blanketed by its protection.
Falwell also landed in trouble with the Federal Election Committee over an illegal $6.7 million transfer from his church to his political action committees. He was also a former segregationist. Talk about hate. The reverend also seemed to have forgotten that lying is a sin. He promoted and distributed a discredited “documentary” about the Clintons.
Robertson is just as big an imbecile as Falwell. Quotes attributed to this particular crack-pot include the following:
I think ‘one man, one vote,’ just unrestricted democracy, would not be wise. There needs to be some kind of protection for the minority which the white people represent now, a minority, and they need and have a right to demand a protection of their rights. (talking about apartheid in South Africa)
And…
Just like what Nazi Germany did to the Jews, so liberal America is now doing to the evangelical Christians. It’s no different. It is the same thing. It is happening all over again. It is the Democratic Congress, the liberal-based media and the homosexuals who want to destroy the Christians. Wholesale abuse and discrimination and the worst bigotry directed toward any group in America today. More terrible than anything suffered by any minority in history.
Wow, I had no idea that Christians were more persecuted than anyone in history. Slavery, genocide, apartheid, the Holocaust - I suppose those examples are nothing compared to what Christians in the United States are currently suffering.
Don’t even get me started on the Rev. John Hagee. I was forced to endure him while I lived at home with my parents. Dealing with that combination of vitriol and insanity spurred me to further separate myself from those who would turn the USA into a theocracy.
In 2000, John McCain originally denounced these ministers as “agents of intolerance,” a statement that I would say is right on the money. That position did not last very long. In 2006, McCain said that he had spoken in “haste” regarding the ministers and he made peace with Jerry Falwell. Following this particular peace accord, McCain flip-flopped his positions on both abortion and gay marriage.
Unfortunately, no one seems to be touching these parallels with a ten-foot pole. Obama is doing what any sane person, especially a presidential candidate, would do – running from the crazy. McCain, on the other hand, seems to not only accept the crazy, but embrace those who perpetuate it.
Kudos, Barack, on recognizing the madness and running away from it. Even if it is political pandering, at least it makes sense.
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(6)
May 8th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
What are those two subjects you’re never supposed to bring up in polite conversation? Oh well … this article dumps that idea pretty quick!
It is my observation that for something like 98 percent of nationally recognized political figures, church is just another component of a persona — something that must be done to maintain at least the appearance of leading a “normal” life like those whose votes they covet.
When put to the test, could any frontrunner seriously, accuracy recall a meaningful sermon from the reverend of their choice? Would any dare to stake their recollections against the realities of a recording?
Political grandstanding has no place in church. Peoples’ relationship with God will manifest itself in their actions or lack of actions, and that personal believe will eventually temper their decisions. Otherwise, there is too much of the politically expedient intermingled with the supposedly sacred.
May 8th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
When put to the test, could any frontrunner seriously, accurately recall a meaningful sermon from the reverend of their choice?
/fixing the typos
May 8th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Surprisingly Obama seems to be the most authentic when it comes to his beliefs. In past interviews he has referenced the sermon that led him to become a Christian and even credits his faith for leading him into public service. It is funny that 10% of the country still thinks he is a Muslim when he may, in fact, be one of the few legitimate Christians in Washington.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
*sigh*
The good reverend (*sarcastic tone*) John Hagee is still going strong in the house. Thanks so much for leaving me alone in the insane asylum. Now I’m forced to toss raw meat and wield a tree branch to beat off the inmates. I still refuse to give in to the impulse to fall in line and to follow the old adage of “when in Rome”. Keep up the good fight and don’t forget to take your turn babysitting the patients on occasion. You know I always enjoy a long peaceful weekend alone. :)
Terrific article! :)
Aw, crap…the ultimate crazy inmate just got back home. *yelling* Get back! Here’s some more raw meat! Go on…get back in your cage!