A Christian's Guide to American Politics

God's Politics: An introduction

2005-01-19T17:16:00.000-05:00

The following is a selection from the interview conducted at yesterday's panel discussion conducted by the Brookings Institution. The speaker here is Jim Wallis, editor in chief for Sojourners, from whose book I will be posting some excerpts tomorrow. The discussion included religious and political leaders from a wide political spectrum. I hope you enjoy what you read. Jim Wallis is one of the most widely respected Progressive Evangelicals in the country.

***And Dad..... this one's for you.

"I often ask how did Jesus become pro-rich, pro-war, and only pro-
American? It sometimes feels to this evangelical that our faith has been stolen and it's
time to take it back. We need sometimes a rescue operation. Because I am an
evangelical Christian, I don't apologize for that. But when I find 3,000 verses in my
Bible about the poor, I want say poverty is a moral value, a biblical value, a religious
matter. The environment, the protection of God's creation, is also a religious issue for a
growing number of young Christian activists and people across the spectrum. Human
rights, the defense of every human being created in the image of God, is a moral
absolute and a religious matter. War and peace--how we go to war and when and
whether we tell the truth about these things is a fundamental theological issue, as Bryan
here has often showed us. As my friend E.J. just two days after the election said, social
justice is a moral value and war and peace are life issues, too.

Given the day, we must ask where would we be if Martin Luther King, Jr.
had kept his faith to himself? No other American religious leader has brought faith into
politics more effectively or faithfully. He said that churches are not meant to be the
master of the state nor the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state. That
means we don't try and ram our agendas down the throats of our fellow citizens or just
clean up the mess of bad social policy as faith-based providers, but rather, tell the truth
about the fundamental issues of justice and injustice, right and wrong, as he did.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was not a member of the religious right. He
focused on issues that are not much a part of their agenda today--racial justice, poverty,
and war. But neither was he a member of the secular left. He spoke unapologetically
about how the words of the prophets and Jesus apply to politics. And this book tries to
do that, too.

As John said, Martin Luther King, Jr. was part of a proud, progressive
religious tradition in this country. It helped to fuel virtually every major social
movement for reform. King always did that in a way, though, that was welcoming, not
just to Baptists like himself, but Catholics and Jews and those of no particular faith but
who cared about spiritual issues and moral values. King knew, as we all must say again
and again, that religion can claim no monopoly on morality, but a vital and socially
conscious religion is crucial to shaping the moral compass of a nation, especially when
so many of us in this nation are religious. King is a model for how to bring faith to bear
in our pluralistic and diverse society."

** Let us pray: Loving Father, we thank You for Your grace and love. We are forever grateful for Your patience with us in our imperfection. Please help us to strive to be better symbols of Your brilliance. Please heal the rifts that divide us. Teach us how to live without judging one another. Show us that we should not hide our faith any more than we should hide behind it. Give us the courage to stand up for our principles, the wisdom to seek truth in Your will, not our own, and give us the strength to proudly do it in Your name, for the glory of Your son, Jesus the Christ. It is in His name that we ask these things Lord. Amen.

January 16 - Romans 12:12 - More on electoral reform

2005-01-16T16:24:00.000-05:00

12: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(New International Version)

**"In today's world, the liberals are the idealists, the people who still believe, in spite of everything that has happened, that they can make the world a better place for everybody. They believe that government is inherently good, that it can make the human condition better. They believe that we have some obligation to our fellow human beings. They believe in personal freedom, in freedom of speech and religion. They believe in the common good, the things people cannot do alone." -- Henrietta Hay, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

I think that these statements from very different sources really say it all. This is why the "morals" discussion should not be dominated by right wing fundementalists. The scriptures tell us to adopt liberal ideals.... plain and simple. We are to be "joyful in hope".... "idealists", as Ms. Hay explains; "patient in affliction".... "still believing in spite of everything that has happened, that they can make the world a better place"; "faithful in prayer".... "They believe in the common good, the things people cannot do alone."

The ministry of Jesus is all about our "obligation to our fellow human beings." It can't be more clear. We are to be compassionate, charitable, forgiving, considerate, and non-judgemental. This is not a hard puzzle to put together. So why did the democrats lose so miserably on the "morals and values" front in the last election?

Simple - for too long, the Democratic party has been unable to define its views. Half of the party holds more centrist views while the other half leans to the left. Meanwhile, there are tons of tiny liberal parties who have thusfar gone unrepresented in the federal government. I argue that perhaps the more liberal members of the Democratic party should form their own party, emphasising a more liberal platform focused more on reform than moderation, and encompassing the under-represented left wing of the nation.

Upholding liberal ideals is fundemental to the security of our civil liberties and our reputation in the world. These Biblical and political ideals are the heart of the America the world should see. For too long, liberal ideals have been dismissed as radical, unethical, immoral, unpatriotic, and dangerous. For too long, liberals have been forced to choose between obscurity and ultimate comprimise of their beliefs. Liberal values aren't radical or dangerous. They are the values on which this nation was founded.... Values of freedom, protection, diplomacy, charity, hope, and social responsibility.

The two party system has, for the last 40 years, failed to uphold liberal ideals. Since President Kennedy's assasination, the democratic party has chosen to abandon its progressive principles and liberal ideals in favor of a more moderate, centrist approach. This effort has been met by limited success, as we have enjoyed only 1 two-term democratic president, and only 3 democratic presidents of ANY distinction, since Camelot. Two of those democratic presidents, Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter, were far more centrist than liberal both economically and socially.

The solution is very simple. The two party system has become obsolete. A three party system would be better, but a multi-party system like those in Switzerland and Germany would be more effective in ensuring that everyone is effectively represented. The republican party could use a split as well, seperating the neo-conservatives from the libertarians and economic conservatives.

Christian ideals encourage us to hope for a better world. They encourage us to pray and to allow God to guide us. That brings with it a certain responsibility. We must follow the path God sets before us and not question Him when He speaks to our hearts. When the Word is available to us, we can't squander it.... This is ancient wisdom, inspired by God. If true Christian and American values are to be represented in the government of this nation (as the election shows to be the general desire of the majority of Americans), today's scripture tells us that liberal ideals must not be cast to the side. Instead, they should be an integral part of the legislative, executive, and even the judicial process.

2 Chronicles 1:8-12 - Why we need electoral reform

2005-01-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

8: Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.
9: Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.
10: Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
11: God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king,
12: therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." (New International Version)

Published on Friday, January 7, 2005 by the Long Island, NY Newsday
It's One Tentative Step Toward Fairer Elections
by Melissa Harris Lacewell

What does it mean to live in a democracy? The citizens of the Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iraq are asking and answering that question at great cost.
Yesterday, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, with the aid of Democratic California Sen. Barbara Boxer, interrupted business as usual on Capitol Hill in order to force Americans to face this same challenge. House Democrats who challenged the electoral votes from Ohio knew they would not alter the results of the presidential election. They simply hoped to pause the grinding machinery of government long enough to examine the operation of American democracy.

Interrupting the electoral vote count has occurred only twice before in our nation's history. It happened in 1969 because of a single rogue elector. Far more critically, the votes of the Electoral College were challenged in 1877 when a razor-thin election between Rutherford Hayes and Samuel Tilden generated a congressional deadlock. Congress eventually retreated behind closed doors, where Southern Democrats conceded to Hayes' presidency in exchange for the end of Union occupation of the defeated Confederacy.

This compromise cleared the path for Southern states to institute Jim Crow. Freed from the oversight of the federal government, the South used the rhetoric of states rights to strip black men of their right to vote, to segregate public accommodations, to provide inferior education to black citizens, and to allow and promote the terrorist rule of lynch-mob violence.

African-Americans learned from the unholy alliance of the Hayes-Tilden compromise that the rights of citizens can never be left to unexamined processes in Washington or in the states. The Democrats who objected yesterday were castigated as lunatics and undignified extremists. Their opponents lamented that their actions were pathetic, and advised these representatives to "get over it" and allow the Congress to get back to work. The reality is that democracy is messy, difficult and often dangerous. When the revolutionaries of the American colonies took up arms against King George, it was not to establish a more efficient government. When the soldiers of the Union marched into battle, it was not to ensure that the federal government would always run on time.

When old men and young girls fell from the force of fire hoses in Birmingham, Ala., it was not a struggle for bureaucratic convenience. These were sacrifices made to create, protect and extend the right of people to govern themselves and to hold accountable the governments instituted among them.

The issue at stake is simple. On Nov. 2, voters cast ballots in 50 separate and unequal elections. Not only do voting procedures, machinery and oversight vary tremendously among the states; they also differ precinct to precinct. The evidence is clear. We live in a nation where it is systematically more difficult for some citizens to exercise their right to vote.

There is no question that these citizens tend to be black, brown, poor and urban. Such glaring disparities in our electoral system demand both a full accounting and a remedy. Yesterday's floor debate was a first, tentative step in that process.
Four years ago African-American representatives challenged the electoral vote in Florida, hoping to provoke this same discussion. In a scene now made famous by Michael Moore's "Farenheit 9/11," not a single senator would join the members of the Congressional Black Caucus in their fight to address these core issues of democracy. This year the story was rewritten.

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) proudly announced "a senator has signed the objection." It was a potentially important moment for the Democratic Party.
As senators such as Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois consider possible presidential bids, they will have to decide if they will be cowed by the Republicans or if they will follow Boxer's courageous example and join in the fight to protect our basic liberties. Clinton and Obama did speak supportively on the Senate floor about the election challenge. But Boxer was the only senator to vote to sustain the objection. Thirty-one House members voted to sustain it.

The coming year will reveal if others will find the moral courage to reframe our nation's political debates. The words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. should silence those critics who dismissed today's debate as a distraction. "Human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God. We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right."

Melissa Harris Lacewell is assistant profesor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of "Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought."

I highlighted Rev. King's quote for two reasons. I believe that Rev. King embodied the true American spirit. The spirit that always strives toward justice, freedom, and discovery. Rev. King was not only a great civil rights leader and a fantastic public speaker, he was a devoted follower of Christ. He got it. He understood not only what it means to be an American, but what it means to be a Christian as well.

I also feel that Rev. King's quote gets right to the heart of where the conciousness of this nation needs to be right now. We all need to be "co-workers with God". We need to stop ignoring the root of Christianity and embrace change.

Freedom is a choice. We think of it as an inalienable, God given right. But it's not. It can be taken from us at any time. The last two elections and the subsequent apathy of the American people are frightening to me. I can't believe that Americans are watching their rights get taken from them on C-SPAN and do nothing about it. It's hard to imagine that we are being told that we must sacrifice liberties for the sake of protecting our nation. So we get to lose all say in our government, but if we do so quietly, we get to retain the privilage of living within American borders? What IS that? Don't people get it? Obviously not.

Today's scripture is clear regarding God's reward to those who rule wisely. I am dismayed that so many openly Christian Senators and Representatives chose to turn their backs on what they knew was right and take the easy road. But God will not make it so easy for those people. They are hungry for power and wealth.... They stand to further their careers by following party lines and forming alliances across the aisle.

There are two problems with this strategy.... One political, one spiritual.

The political ramifications are enormous. There are people in this country who lean FAR to the left of Teddy Kennedy. People like say..... Me. We are not being represented by any political party with even 1 official in office. In fact, I'd bet if I asked you who the green party candidate was, you probably wouldn't know. The democtrats are not a liberal party. I repeat... the democrats are NOT a liberal party. The democrats, by definitions set forward by their party platforms and economic policies, are CENTRIST. Yes.... Centrist. So what does that make republicans? CONSERVATIVE (i.e. Ronald Reagan) and NEOCONSERVATIVE (i.e. Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter). So who is liberal?

Well, we're all scattered out..... Green party, communists, socialists, anarchists; and the thing about being liberal is.... You can disaggree (dissent is ENCOURAGED in the progressive movement), as all of those seperate movements do, but you can respect each other anyway. But because dissent is the tie that binds liberals together, it is also the one that, until now, has kept us apart and prevented any real organization within the ranks. That has to change, and those Senators and Representatives who lacked the courage of their convictions show us why. We are being denied our right to be represented in the government.

The spiritual ramifications are obvious. The people who chose power over principle will not be rewarded as God rewarded Solomon. They will watch as their more courageous counterparts rise in status and they fade into the background. How do I know this will happen? Because God tells Solomon how a ruler gains favor with Him. The 31 Representatives and 1 Senator who stood up for their constituents' rights and chose wisdom over personal gain have set themselves apart from the pack. Thank God for them and for their courage.

Anyone with a concience knows that whether the election results would change or not, every single citizen has the right to participate in their government, and if they are being denied that right, the problem must be addressed.

Even God chose a ruler for His people who asked for wisdom above all else, so that he could be a fair and effective ruler. Is it wise to look the other way while our democracy erodes? Is it fair to allow thousands of voters to become disenfranchised because they might vote the "wrong" way? Is it effective to leave about a quarter of your nation unrepresented and call your government a democratic representative government? Do we really think that God doesn't see this? Or do we think He just won't care?

Support the local, state, regional, and national elected officials who aspire to be "co-workers with God". Tell them you appreciate that they are standing up for your rights against those who would imply that those thousands of votes didn't matter. Make sure they know they have your support, because they are being called lunatics and worse for making a stand. Let them know that you get it.... And that you like it. This is the first step. We have opened a dialogue about election reform. Now let's make some changes.

1) Get rid of the two party system. It is ineffective and leaves too many of our nation's diverse ideas out of the mix. Furthermore, it promotes greed, aristocracy, and dishonesty among its participants (as evidenced in 2000 and throughout the last four years), distancing them from God.

2) Create national voting standards that embrace a multi-party system (many European nations use instant runoff voting.... To check it out, click here), to ensure that ALL citizens are represented and no one's views are considered "a spoiler".

3) Eliminate the electoral college in favor of direct democracy.... Instant Runoff Voting would also be helpful in this field, ensuring that the popular vote was accurately represented. The President should be the person the people choose..... Not the answer to a math equation.

4) Invite international monitors to observe our election process and get feedback from them. There are many countries throughout the world that have very effective voting systems that we could learn from.

Just some suggestions..... I'm sure I'll come up with more. God bless you all.

-Tea

December 30 - Rambling Thoughts

2004-12-30T07:27:00.000-05:00

In light of the tsunami in the Indian ocean, Let us pray:

Awesome Father, please be with the Asian people and their governments as they struggle to cope with this unprecendented tragedy. Lord, we never claim to know Your motives. We trust Your perfect judgement. We only pray, Lord, that You will show us how to help those in need, and that You be with the families of those whom you took home to be with You. We ask that you touch the hearts and minds of humanitarian aid workers and empower them to do Your will. Deal harshly and swiftly with those who ignore Your commandments of charity and love. Help us to get our priorities straight. We ask all of these things in the name of Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

Just want to pass along an e-mail a friend of mine sent me. Oh gee.... I'm so glad we have a "Christian" president. What a joke.

December 29, 2004 Us, Stingy? It's All Relative
By DAVE LINDORFF

Cost of one F-22 Raptor tactical fighter jet -- $225 million

Cost of the ongoing U.S. war in Iraq--$228 million/day

Amount spent by Kerry and Bush campaigns -- $400 million

U.S. aid to Yushenko camp in recent Ukrainian conflict -- $30+ million

Estimated cost of Bush's Second Inauguration and Ball -- $ 40+ million

Amount of U.S. tax cuts under Bush -- $1 trillion

Cost of the U.S. Iraq War in 2004 -- $147 billion

U.S. reconstruction aid budgeted for Iraq (though never spent!) -- $18 billion

Amount the U.S. initially in aid to Indian Ocean tsunami victims -- $ 10 million

Amount U.S. offered in tsunami aid after being chastised by UN official -- $35 million

Dave Lindorff is the author of Killing Time: an Investigation into the Death Row Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. His new book of CounterPunch columns titled "This Can't be Happening!" to be published this fall by Common Courage Press. Information about both books and other work by Lindorff can be found at www.thiscantbehappening.net.

***Having a "Christian" president in a "Christian" country with its priorities straight?...... Priceless.

Seriously.... this is pathetic. Are you thoroughly disgusted yet?

-Tea

December 22 - Psalms 72:9-14

2004-12-21T10:59:00.000-05:00

9: Foes will fall on their knees before God, his enemies lick the dust.
10: Kings remote and legendary will pay homage, kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth.
11: All kings will fall down and worship, and godless nations sign up to serve him,
12: Because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need, the destitute who have run out of luck.
13: He opens a place in his heart for the down--and-out, he restores the wretched of the earth.
14: He frees them from tyranny and torture-- when they bleed, he bleeds; when they die, he dies.
(The Message Bible)

Many people that I talk to believe that this war is somehow necessary. They believe that as the "sole surviving superpower", we have an obligation of some sort to throw our weight around. They believe that the only way to ensure that America remains the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth is to democratize everyone; by force if necessary. They believe that our cause is noble and that the global opposition to this war is resentment of our influence from the rest of the world. They are wrong.

Today's scripture, which is from the Old Testament, prior to the New Covenant in Christ's blood, explains how God wants us to handle foreign policy.

The first three verses sound like typical "Glory and Wrath of God" Old Testament themes. No big surprise. The enemies will fall down and worship God. Yay. God is mighty and feared. Yippee. Haven't we heard this about a thousand times before? We get it.

But the last three verses explain WHY kings will follow the law of God and why rich men will turn over their wealth to honor God and why the whole world will respect Isreal, God's chosen people. It's not because of military might or ruthless battle tactics. It's because of things like charity, love, and social justice. Even in ancient times, peace was preferable to war and diplomacy garnered more favor than battle.

But somehow, our "Christian" president and his "morally sound" administration haven't figured that out yet, and amazingly enough, neither have the majority of the American people.

What this passage tells us is that to truly be respected in the world, it is not necessary to bully other countries by brute force. Respect is earned. It is earned by acts of charity and compassion. There is a fine line between respect and fear, and this nation crossed it a long time ago.

We do have obligations as the "sole surviving superpower". Our obligation is to use our wealth and power to lift up the downtrodden, cure the sick, and promote freedom. But make no mistake.... Freedom is given by God and taken from God..... No government, no matter how well intentioned, can ever force freedom. What our government CAN do is promote freedom through example.

Our personal freedoms are eroding in the face of terror threats and partisan politics. Our economy is failing. Huge portions of our population are persecuted for their sexual orientation. Our electoral system is in desperate need of an overhaul. Our commercial press is no longer free or fair. Our education system leaves too many children behind. The seperation between church and state is slowly closing. With the nation in this state of affairs, it seems to me that maybe our government should be concentrated on the reconstruction of OUR democracy, and they CERTAINLY shouldn't be forcing their failing system on other nations.

If we spent the same amount of money on humanitarian aid that we did on the invasion and occupation of Iraq.... Well, it boggles the mind.

Currently, the Iraqi people are bleeding and dying, as are our soldiers and international contractors and aid workers. This scripture tells us that God bleeds and dies with them. The last verse of the scripture says, "He frees them from tyrrany and torture". Americans have, until this point, believed that we were God's vessel to deliver the Iraqi people from tyrrany and torture, but a quick look at the news on any given day wipes that out. We have become the instruments of tyrrany and torture; symbols for brutality and aggression throughout the world.

It's incredible to think that just 4 years ago, the world rallied to our aid when we were victims of the worst terror attack in history. But were we really victims? In a recent address to the American people, Osama Bin Laden explained that American aggression in the middle east directly caused the Jihad that they currently wage against our country. You see, we started it. It's been going on for decades. But when we, with our soverign status and organized military, attack another nation that never attacked, threatened to attack, or had the capability of attacking our country, well, we never think that THAT action could be construed as terrorism.

I assert that George Bush is a terrorist who should be tried as such before the UN. He certainly shouldn't be our president. He should have been impeached, not re-elected. And I am ashamed to say that Christians played a large part in preventing that justice from occurring. I am shocked and dismayed that the "Christian" vote in this country had nothing to do with Christianity at all. I am angry to know that a primarily Christian nation could not only allow its government to conduct itself in such immoral and unethical ways, but also condone and reward that behavior. I am disgusted that Americans refuse to see the error in their ways, and that Christians are the most stubborn of all.

Today's passage tells us that God rewards those who love and take care of one another with glory, power, and riches. The Iraq war represents the exact opposite of that goal. By fighting this ungodly war and masking tyranny and oppression as freedom and democracy, we not only lose favor with the rest of the world; we also lose favor with God.

-Tea

****Let us pray: God of Grace, please forgive us for the pain and suffering our nation has caused throughout the world. Please do not bring Your wrath down on our soldiers, who follow orders faithfully and serve their country well. Deal harshly with those who call down Your name to justify brutality and cruelty. Fill the hearts of the innocent soldiers and freedom fighters with love and compassion, and watch over them. They need You now, as do we. We ask these things in the name of Christ, Your son. Amen.

12/15/04 - Resources for Peace

2004-12-15T11:00:00.000-05:00

Let us pray:

Father God, we ask that You guide us in our search for truth. Show us how to make this world a better place. Teach us how to spread peace and love throughout the world. Speak to our hearts and show us the way. We ask these things in the name of Your son, Jesus. Amen.

Here is a small list of resources for those of you who would like to take action against the war. I'll be adding more after each post in this series. Happy hunting!

AlterNet: An independent news resource. One of the best for news on Iraq.
Cities for Peace: An activism organization that works from the local level up. Great for people who have alot of passion but not alot of time.
Common Dreams: A fantastic news and commentary resource with extensive activism listings.
Direct Action to Stop the War: The name says it all.
Eyes Wide Open: Not for the faint of heart. If you still aren't sure whether you are for or against the war, check this out. You won't be undecided for long, I'm sure.
A.N.S.W.E.R.: In my opinion, the best anti-war activism group in the country.
Justice not Vengance: Again, the name says it all.
Peace Research: VERY interesting research articles and studies from around the world. A great resource for the more analytical activist.
Sojourners: Christians for Peace and Justice.
Student Activism - Antiwar.com: Feel like you're living through Vietnam again? Here's a great page to REALLY bring back memories.
The Antiwar Movement Is Not Progressive -- And That's a Good Thing: An article by Dave Stratman. Absolutely fantastic. Worth a read.
United for Peace and Justice: An easy to navigate, inclusive site with activism links and news.

So there's today's list. I hope you find some things that you find helpful and/or interesting. God Bless.

-Tea

12/13/04 - Psalms 140:1-7

2004-12-13T09:11:00.000-05:00

1 O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:
2 For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.
3 Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips.
4 O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.
5 The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks.
6 I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.
7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.
(The Bible in Basic English)

**** Let us pray: Awesome Father, we ask for your forgiveness today. We have lost our way. Right now, people are dying, Lord. Oppression and terror run rampant in our world, and we have never learned to love each other as You have commanded. Our leaders show us the wrong paths. We make choices out of fear instead of trusting You. We are so imperfect, God, and undeserving of Your love. But Your love is endless, and for that, we are truly thankful. Please watch over us, and be a beacon of light to us in the darkeness. Help us to find peaceful solutions to our world's problems. Show us how to glorify Your messages of peace and love. We ask these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The war in Iraq is a criminal action that violates the Geneva Convention and the U.N. Charter. The United States is a signator of both documents. Therefore, the actions of the United States Military against the Iraqi people and the deaths of the American Soldiers who are fighting under illegal orders are not only a criminal breach of contract, but could be construed as war crimes.

The "insurgency" is comprised of freedom fighters rebelling against an occupying army and a forced government. Americans are vilified throughout the world as warmongers and bullies.

Protests greet our President when he travels abroad. And not when he visits the countries of our enemies. Not when he goes to Iraq or North Korea or Iran.... Partially because he doesn't GO there. No.... Our friends and allies protest even a visit from our commander in chief. Places like Canada, France, Italy, Germany, even England.

America is more hated today than it was prior to September 11, 2001, and now, we have alienated our friends as well.

The Iraqi people despise us for coming there..... They WERE better off with Saddam in power. That's not a plug for Saddam.... That's a black mark on the integrity of our government.

Apparently, the lights of Freedom and Democracy don't shine so brightly when they're fired from tanks and dropped from bombers. Who knew?

These are my rather blunt assessments of the current military occupation of Iraq. The situation is bleak. Every day, the news gets worse. Americans have become desensitized to the violence. Even I am guilty. I hear "Roadside Bomb explodes in Baghdad", and it barely phases me. I think we forget how horrible war is. Or maybe, in situations like this, when the war is based on a lie to begin with, we remember all too well the horrors of war, and we choose to turn our heads from it out of shame. Either way, we do disservice to our faith when we refuse to admit our mistakes, just as this president has done disservice to our country and our reputation by refusing to admit and correct his mistakes.

The war isn't "over there". It's being waged on every American, every day. Anti-American sentiment throoughout the world is higher than any of us would like to admit. This administration wants us to believe that everyone else is wrong and jealous of us, because we are free and wealthy and have the power to sculpt the world as we see fit. In other words, this administration wants us to believe it is OK to impose our will on other nations by military force, but for them to suggest that we could be wrong through protests and independent news reporting.... well, that's just insolent and anti-American. Do we not see the irony? Are we that blind? Or were we just so "terrorized" by 9/11 that we've been literally "scared stupid"?

Today's scripture is a prayer. It is a prayer that is shockingly relavent for faithful Americans. We are too blinded by Washington's smoke and mirrors. We are distracted by a hundred different reasons (excuses) for the war in Iraq. We are led astray by the artificial importance of divisive social issues. We need protection from our own manipulative leaders. They will try to create justification for their falsehoods, but we must pray to God to lead us in the true path. Before we can begin to address the actions of the soldiers overseas, or the battle strategy, or the exit strategy, we must first address the responsibility of the Executive Branch and the American people for this situation. We must confess our sin and repent.

The Christian community needs to wake up. While many Christians pass petitions in church to help ban gay marriage and protest outside abortion clinics and wring their hands at the possibility that the government might remove the words "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, thousands of American soldiers, Iraqi civilians, and international aid workers are dying in a war about nothing. While evangelicals in this country pray for deliverance from equal civil rights and stem cell research, America's heroes are being thrown into combat.... And for what? Freedom? Justice? Democracy? We can hardly give what we do not have.

Freedom. We talk alot about freedom. And yet, I find that the most vocal advocates of freedom are often the quickest to deny it to someone else. Freedom is not something given or taken. Freedom is a state of mind. It is the opposite of oppression. Therefore, a person can be free even in a country that is not democratic. Likewise, you can't force someone to be free. So we can see that even if we assume that our government actually did go to Iraq to remove Saddam from power and bring freedom to the Iraqi people, the principle of the whole operation is fatally flawed.

Justice. Explain to me how justice is served when villians (the Bush administration) are never prosecuted? Today's scripture tells us that to be unneccessarily violent is a sin. Later in the scripture, Jesus' ministry tells us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek, that this is true justice. Is it right to force another country to adopt our governmental system? Is it fair to wage war on a nation that never had the capability to harm our country? Is it just to categorize an entire region of the world and an entire race of people and even an entire religion as "terrorists"? No. None of those things are fair or just. The war itself is unjust, so we can't realistically hope that in the end it will suddenly bring justice to Iraq.

Democracy. The Ohio Supreme court will be hearing arguments pertaining to massive voter fraud and hi-tech vote stealing just hours before Ohio electors are to officially cast their ballots. The number of contested votes in the United states outnumbers the entire population of some small countries. Our electoral process has been under close scrutiny for decades. Democracy depends on an educated electorate. "The Republican Noise Machine" by David Brock outlines deliberate undermining of the American media by the American government for political gain spanning 4 decades. When we lose our free press, we lose our educated electorate, so we can go ahead and throw THAT out the window. We are hardly a beacon of light for the rest of the world. Until we can figure out an electoral policy that works and is practical, we don't have grounds to stand on when we "oversee" elections in other countries.

It is time to repent. It is time to pray for forgiveness. It is time to get real about the bigger picture. It's time to open our eyes to issues that are actually important, not just the ones that Falwell, Robertson, Dobson, and the religious right tell us are important. It's time to stop the double standards - that abortion should be illegal, but pre-emptive war is OK; that homosexuals should not have the right to get married, but out government should have the right to imprison and kill whoever they want; that scared American soldiers who desert their units rather than obeying unlawful orders should be tried for treason, but our President is above suspicion of wrongdoing.

We are not stupid people. Pray to God that He will give you the strength not to act like stupid people. This war is not God's will. It's our President's will. And he's killing our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers without confessing or repenting. Ask him why. Get involved with the anti-war movement. Tommorrow, I will post an exhaustive list of resources for those interested in supporting our troops by protecting them from evil.

-Tea

12/3/04 - On a personal note....

2004-12-03T09:23:00.000-05:00

Let us pray,
Awesome Father, thank You so much for this day and for the holiday season. Thank you for sending your Son, whose birth we celebrate at this time of year. Please be with those who are alone or hungry this holiday, and look after the millions of young men and women fighting in wars around the world.
God, we know that You want us to love one another. We know You want Your children to be safe and happy. Please guide our leaders and help them to make decisions to protect us here on earth, even as You protect our souls. Help us to understand and embrace our differences, lead us to victory in love rather than battle, show us how to end the pain and suffering we inflict on ourselves. Grant us peace.
Your grace and love are endless. Protect the young men and women fighting in Iraq, both the freedom fighters and our American and Brittish troops. Lead them in the path of rightousness and show them how to end the hatred and violence. Fill our soldiers' hearts with love. Show them the value of humility. Protect the meek, and lead all parties to a just end to this horrible conflict.
It is in the name of Your Son Jesus that we ask these things. Amen.

I am currently doing some reseach for the series that will begin on Monday (God willing - work is a bit hinky lately) concerning the Iraq war. The strong anti-war sentiment in this country is only growing stronger, and with good reason. So far, I have addressed domestic social issues, but America is merely a part of the whole great puzzle that is the world. It's important that we uphold the scripture internationally, because we are all God's children. This does not mean forcing our views on others, but providing peace and charity in the face of adversity in the name and likeness of Christ. It does not mean preaching hellfire and brimstone to those who may not share our beliefs, but rather embracing our differences and not letting them divide us. It does not mean vilifying those who know God by a different name or do not know His name at all, but teaching them about Christ's message through example - loving one another.

God bless you all. I hope that next week's postings will open some eyes. In the meantime, here is a link to a fantastic essay that has provided much inspiration to me in this endeavor.

No Longer a Christian - by Karen Cobb

-Tea

11/30/04 - Mark 7:15-18, 20-23

2004-11-30T08:38:00.000-05:00

***I must start this post with a disclaimer. I said in my introduction that this was to be scripturally based. The following topic is very controversial, and it is particurally difficult for me, because if you have read anything about me, you will understand that I have to struggle against everything my life experience has taught me in order to write some of this.

15:"'There is nothing which enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
16: If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!'
17: When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18: So He said to them, 'Are you thus without understanding also*? Do you not percieve that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him.
20: And He said, 'What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.
21: For from within out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22: thefts, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23: all these things come from within and and defile a man.'" (New King James Version)

*footnote: some translations say "Are you that dull?"

For centuries, Christians have taken this passage at face value. Jesus is telling His disciples that it is not necessary to be concerned about the type of food they eat, thus cancelling the law which required kosher food. Followers of Christ do not eat kosher food or follow strict Jewish law pertaining to clean and unclean foods.

But there is a broader message in this passage, beginning in verse 20. Jesus explains that no matter what we put into our body, we are responsible for what comes out. There is no excuse anymore of "clean" or "unclean". We can't blame our actions on external sources. We must change our hearts, not the things we put into our bodies.

When we look at the time before the new covenant, the original Jewish law, Genesis 1 (Please see suggested reading at bottom of post) tells us that God gave man dominion over all of the living things of the earth to decide their names and practical uses. Genesis also tells us that God created all things and that all of His creation here on earth is good. Combined with today's scripture, this gives us a pretty good idea that most of the directives in the Old Testament regarding cleanliness and uncleanliness are public health directives; God's way of protecting His people in an era lacking modern sanitation and medical science.

Jesus' proclamation that nothing external can make you unclean opens up alot of doors. If you take the statement literally, this includes things like heroin and cocaine. But when we couple this scripture with those from Genesis, we see that only God's creations can be considered holy, so synthetic derivatives of said plants are not favored by God. This means that consuming natural mind altering substances such as the coca plant, cannabis, peyote, the opium poppy, and mushrooms (among others) is not only not sinful, but a God given right.

If the veins in your neck are bulging in anger right now, take heart.... It gets better for you.

Repeatedly throughout the Bible, God warns us against strong drink and the evils it can bring (Lev 10:9, Prov 20:1, Luke 1:15 for a start). But in every case, the scripture mentions specific behaviors related to being intoxicated, not necessarily in consuming the alcohol.

Throughout the world and throughout history, natural psychoactive substances have been used in religious ceremonies and for medical puposes. In fact, we can use certain psychoactive substances in the United States, such as morphine, methadone, amphetamines, marijuana (only a miniscule number of patients in California, for now), and on American Indian reservations, Shammans are allowed to use hallucinogens in religious ceremonies. In the 1980s, MDMA (ecstacy) was widely used by marriage counselors after it had limited success as a weight loss supplement. Coca-Cola, America's favorite soda, once listed cocaine as one of its ingerdients, but it has since been replaced by caffiene, an equally addictive but less potent stimulant.

The most commonly used drug in the world is tobacco, and it is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. Tobacco is currently legal in the United States.

The second leading cause of preventable death in the world is alcohol related fatalities. That is why God repeatedly warns us against getting drunk. This is not a new phenomenon. Alcohol is currently legal in the United States.

Both of these substances are legal based on the general policy that a person can make any decision they want to about their own bodies. In fact, an ammendment to our constitution repealing alcohol prohibition and the supreme court ruling saying essentially the same thing in the case of Roe vs Wade (another issue for another day), a clear precident has been set regarding the rights we have over our own bodies in this country.

The scriptures seem to favor that particular policy. In today's scripture, Jesus directly tells his disciples this fact, and a new law was created in the new covenant. However, there are still several warnings in the New Testament regarding intoxication. The scripture seems to contradict itself, but closer inspection of today's passage clarifies.

Jesus said that what comes OUT of a man is what makes him unclean. I don't think this means the stuff in the toilet. I think this means that the way we behave, regardless what we put into our body, is what matters to God. Remember, Genesis 1 gave man dominion over all living things, so it is up to man to use these God given resources as he sees fit.

We already know the medicinal qualities of many psychoactive substances, and we use them regularly in the treatment of various ailments. The psychoactive properties are secondary to the medicinal value of the drug. Great examples of this are morphine, valium, xanax, ambien, oxy-contin, and even cough syrup, which all have the potential for abuse. So why, when we have an all natural, God given source of medicine for a whole array of ailments, do we not shrug off the psychoactive properties for the sake of the medicinal ones? Especially since that particular drug has caused zero American deaths, is not physically addictive, is nearly impossible to overdose on, and impairs the ability to do everyday tasks less than alcohol or morphine.

I urge even skeptics to take a look at the information in the links following this post. Studies from around the world confirm cannabis is a miracle drug. Only God can create miracles. Just a few of the condtions it could be used to treat are athsma, seizures, eating disorders, muscle spasms, chronic pain, glaucoma, effects of chemotherapy, effects of the AIDS virus, and many more. God provided this plant to us, hailed around the world for its natural medicinal qualities, yet we choose to squander this gift and create laws that prevent research, cultivation, and even posession of it.

And the argument doesn't stop there. The cannabis seed has been said to have the greatest nutritional value of any other natural food source. Hemp, also a cannabis by-product, is the strongest naturally occuring fiber found to date. It could revolutionize the textile industry, among others. Yet, sadly, the cultivation of cannabis for any purpose, including as a food source and for hemp is illegal in the United States.

The scientific and economic impact that marijuana legalization would have is enormous. Aside from ridding our prisons of non-violent users who have never otherwise broken the law, the export potential along with the impact of a new and extremely useful cash crop are enough to economically justify legalization. Studies conducted throughout the world confirming the many known medical uses of this (I repeat) natural substance are enough to justify scientific exploration. Some of the most staunch opponents of this measure are Christians, yet according to the scripture, it is not the substance which is evil, rather it is the abuse of a substance that is evil.

Some substances such as cocaine, nicotene, heroin, P.C.P., ketamine, and methamphetamines have a high risk of abuse due to their extremely addictive nature. There are few, if any, medical uses for these substances. None of them occur in nature, but many are synthetic derivitives of God given substances. Synthetic means man made, and therefore, not specifically provided by God. The laws of our country protect us from sin in this regard, because the laws discourage use of these drugs, and thus, reduce the chances for abuse.

However, there are many mind-altering substances that were put here by God, perhaps for their psychoactive properties. Many historians believe that throughout the ancient world hallucinogens (including marijuana, although it is not exactly classified as a hallucinogen) were used as a tool to aid prophecy. There is no reason to believe that these practices were not used by Jesus' contemporaries, yet Jesus never mentions marijuana or any other drug besides alcohol.

Our government should not contradict Genesis by telling us we don't have dominion over this plant or that plant. That is, in effect, limiting our freedom of religion, and in addition, it contradicts the legal precidents set by lawmakers and the tobacco and alcohol industries in this country. The government should support research into a God given medicine that has been used in every culture around the world for millenia. Again, I urge skeptics to take a look at the following links about the medicinal uses of marijuana. Some of them are pretty clinical, some are a bit easier. I also reccomend reading the suggested scripture passages and praying about this. I know it seems to go against what we were always taught was moral and right, but the scriptures and the science are undeniable.

***Links and resources: A Guide to Medical Cannabis
The Medicinal Uses of Cannabis
House of Lords - Section 6 - Medicinal Uses of Cannabis
More Medicinal Uses
Christians for Cannabis

*** Suggested reading for further study on this topic: Gen 1:11-13, Gen 1:29-31, Gen 9:3, Isaiah 10:1-4, Zech 8:17-18

- My appologies for the tardiness of this post. I had to struggle with this one. I spent alot of time in prayer, and I bounced ideas off of my friends and family. Regardless, I will try to be more prompt in the future.

11/24/04 - Proverbs 29:4-5

2004-11-24T09:31:00.000-05:00

4: "The king establishes the land by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5: A man who flatters his neighbor speads a net for his feet." (New King James Version)

If you're like me, every 4 years you want to have earplugs and blindfolds surgically attached to your head to block out all of the campaigning. It's hard to know what to think when you are constantly being attacked with opposing viewpoints on television, radio, newspapers, magazines..... You just can't escape.

Campaign contributions from special interest groups and even major corporations have been a problem for centuries. This passage in Proverbs is simple and direct regarding this matter. A person who is considering the interests of a small group of people rather than their normal everyday constituents does not do service to the community.

We can tell alot about our nation's leaders by how they run their campaigns. So many times, candidates are unwilling or unable to keep campaign promises, which in today's politics, they really must make. Often, once elected, candidates barely resemble the charismatic personalities we see on the campaign trail. Sometimes it's hard to tell for sure what a candidate stands for. One thing we can always see, though.... Something that can't be masked..... And that is how a candidate organizes and runs their campaign.

No matter what a candidate says they stand for or what promises they make, I look at how they conduct themselves behind the scenes. I look for ethics and morals OFF camera. If a candidate has 4,000 different corporate sponsors, paid canvassers, a different negative TV ad every week, a campaign budget larger than the GNP of some small countries.... You see where this is going. However, if a candidate starts a successful grassroots campaign, uses volunteers, uses advertising to present opinions and spark discussion on issues instead of relentlessly attacking his or her opponent, and has a constantly growing campaign budget comprised largely of small contributions from individuals.... Well, maybe it's just me, but that seems like a more Christian way to run a campaign.

But it's not just me. In recent years this problem has been addressed on several levels and by all three branches of our government. We have evolved into a society where only the very wealthiest and best connected people can run for public office. This is wrong. As the scripture says, bribes and corruption destroy the land. We know this to be the case, and yet, we still seem to choose the candidate who had the "slicker" campaign. This is especially dangerous for Christians, because many of our church leaders have chosen to endorse a candidate and are likely expecting something in return.

That is where the second part of the scripture comes in. Should the president pander to the religious right, he will do so at his own peril. The scripture is clear that we are to serve God, not our neighbors and not ourselves. Likewise, the energy companies, drug companies, defense contractors, and all of the other major corporations who are expecting cooperation from this president will likely get it, but only at the expense of the president's (and the country's) credibility. Is this OK? No. Is there anything we can do about it? Yes.

Get involved with grassroots campaigns and support small businesses. Doing these two things will help limit the amout of clout these huge corporations and special interests have. It won't shrink their bank accounts so much as send a message to our government that we will not tolerate bribes and "soft money" contributions (which do, contrary to popular belief, still go on) because they will destroy our nation. It rewards candidates for campaigning with moral integrity. And it evens the playing field, so that our government can be for the people again.

Speak up to your church leaders and let them know that it's not OK to manipulate faith for personal or political gain. Remind them that their responsibility should transcend all corruption, and that God isn't a republican or a democrat. God expects His messengers and ministers to proclaim His word, not the word of any political party.

***** I'm taking a few days off for the holiday. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'll be back with my posts on Monday, Nov. 29.

11/23/04 - Romans 2:1-3

2004-11-23T08:54:00.000-05:00

1: "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself, for you who jusge practice the same things.
2: But we know that the judgement of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
3: And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgement of God?" (New King James Version)

The context of this passage is especially important. This passage comes just after an extensive list of sins including envy, deceit, backbiting, violence, pride, boasting, disobedience, sexual immorality (adultery, homosexuality, masturbation, inscest, rape), untrustworthiness, being unloving, being unforgiving, and being unmerciful.

Now, what Paul is saying here is that if you are guilty of ANY of these sins you can't judge any other person guilty of any of these sins, because you also are imperfect. This is an extention of "Whoever among you is without sin, let him cast the first stone." It is one of the most important lessons we must learn if we are to be like Christ and ascend to heaven.

The political implications of this lesson are immense. Our constitution is set up to protect this philosophy. That's why, in our justice system, accused criminals have a right to a jury of their peers, so that no one individual can be responsible for judging another. Of course, it is always necessary to punish those who violate the laws of the land, which are in place to protect and govern a large population. However, while we may judge whether or not that individual broke the law, we can't judge that person's soul. We can't say that anyone is damned in God's eyes, or that a person is evil because they break the law.

There is no sin that is unforgivable in God's eyes. We are taught that when Jesus came to earth, he forged a new covenant with mankind, that all sins could be washed away through acceptance of Jesus and confession and repentance of sins. In light of that basic truth of our faith, does it not seem as though we travel in the opposite direction from Christ's teaching when we limit the time a person has to repent of their sins? We are supposed to follow Christ's teaching in our every day lives, and if we were all doing that, we would all be opposed to the death penalty. Christ repeatedly spoke out specifically against death sentances by stoning, and we often don't put it together that Christ made His sacrifice for us at the hands of the executioner. This is a very simple, if indirect, message.

God does not qualify sin. In the list of sins immediately prior to today's passage (Rom 1:28-32), we see that sins are all lumped together, and are all equal in God's eyes. To Him, the person who calls in to work sick so that he can go golfing is exactly as bad as Hitler. But we, as imperfect humans, have determined that some sins are worse than others. This is irrelavent to God. It does not matter to Him what your motives are. What matters is that ANY sin, no matter how inconsequential or justified we believe it is, seperates us from God, and that always makes Him equally sad. God's judgement will always be perfect, and He will judge according to His law, which means the church gossip will be judged on the same scale as the rapist. And likewise, He can wipe any sin clean, whether it's disobeying your parents or molesting a child.

In this country, we determine punishments for crimes based on their disruption of public peace. Thus, the crime of murder carries a far heavier sentance than say, vandalism or loitering. This is an excellent system for keeping the community secure, severely punishing those who cause the most disruption or are the most dangerous, and truly attempting to rehabilitate criminals who commit minor offenses. However, since Christians must apply the law of God to their everyday lives, it is important that we remember that God wants us to let Him do the judging and to allow His lost children to find their way home to Him, if they so choose. We must give them every opportunity to do so, and prematurely ending a person's life is, in essence, limiting their opportunity to find their way into Christ's embrace. It is not possible for us to truly appreciate the gift Christ gave us unless we give mercy to God's prodigal sons and daughters.

The death penalty has been renounced by the U.N., and it is banned in the vast majority of western industrialized countries. Too many times in this age of DNA evidence have we found out too late that an executed prisoner was not, in fact, responsible for the crime he or she was convicted of committing. In those cases, have we not unrightously judged and committed murder? Have we not seperated ourselves from God?

This is a practice that all Christians must fight to stop. It goes directly against everything that Christ stood for. It directly contradicts the root of Christ's message. Let us not forget that Christ ate with tax collectors, defended adulteresses, spent time with criminals, and shunned those who thought they were rightous in favor of those who acknowledged their imperfections.

****Suggested reading for further study on this topic - Matthew 5:28-48

11/22/04 - Colossians 3:12-15

2004-11-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

12: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13: bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14: But above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
15: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (New King James Version)

Colossians was written by the apostle Paul to a church that had been misled by false teachings. The letter is rather brief for Paul, and very to the point. Almost immediately, Paul begins reitterating the most important parts of Christ's teaching. In this passage, Paul is explicitly instructing the church to be compassionate and love one another.

Perhaps if Paul were writing letters today there would be a letter to the Americans that would look very much like Colossians. In Paul's outline of the root of the Christian faith, he clearly lays out the laws that we are to follow and the laws that are no longer applicable, because of the new covenant in Christ.

Sometimes, church leadership gets bogged down in technicalities and as a result, they have trouble staying on message when it comes to Christ's true teaching. This has happened over and over again since the very beginning of the Church, and I am of the opinion that it is happening again (or still) in this country. This kind of misguided teaching does horrible damage not only to the church, but also to the community.

Case in point.... In today's scripture, we see that we are supposed to be meek and accept long suffering. Yesterday, I flipped past an evangelist on television telling his flock that they would be rewarded with material comforts if they did good deeds and lived "moral" lives. He then proceeded to define "morals" in a way that shocked and amazed me - never mentioning charity, public service, or forgiveness, and instead choosing to speak against stem cell research and gay marriage. Now, when I look at America and the urgent and undeniably "moral" issues of terrorism, poverty, religious jihad, genocide, war, prisoner abuse, and government corruption, I just can't believe that we, as a church and as a nation, have chosen to focus on the least important issues not only for us today, but also in Jesus' time and the time shortly thereafter. That is not to say these issues shouldn't be addressed, simply that the church must reassess its motives and methods in addressing them. Time and time again, we Christians have fallen down on the job and failed to spead the word of Christ when and where it is needed the most in favor of squabbling within our ranks.

We need to get back to basics. Jesus simplified things for us. Jesus left no doubt during His ministry about what was important. Even through all of the translations the Bible has gone through and all of the interpretations and bible studies that have since been published, one thing remains steadfast: The foundation of our faith is love, not law.

***** Suggested reading for additional study on this topic: Colossians 2:1-3:11, Matthew 12:9-14, Matthew 7:13-20

11/17/04 - Introductions Part II - My opinion, my values

2004-11-17T08:37:00.000-05:00

I live in a pretty conservative area. It's small town America. There are lots of churches. And there are lots of very conservative Christians. My city is pretty economically depressed. There are alot of working poor. About half of the people I know who are my age are high school drop-outs. The other half are college grads who are now working poor. I'd say that about 60% of the mothers (under age 30) that I know became pregnant before their 18th birthday. This is the reality of Appalachia. With evidence of poverty and social problems all around us, I find it troubling that the conservative Christians in this area seem to have forgotten Jesus' instructions regarding charity and love. It seems religious and social conservatives in my area have been duped by the political noise machine and the foundation of Christianity has now taken a back seat to witch trials and character assasination. A recent letter to the editor in my local paper absolutely infuriated me. A man wrote in attacking Senator John Kerry, claiming that he "did not stand up for Traditional American Values". Now, if you have a preference for George W. Bush's poilicies, that's your own business, but don't attack a man who defended our country both with a rifle and by telling the truth about the war when he returned. He stood up for traditional American Values when he was ORDERED to forget them. His testimony before Congress after his return from Vietnam was confirmed over and over again by countless soldiers, war photographers, reporters, and even commanding officers. He worked as a criminal prosocuter, helping to keep criminals off the street and learning about our nation's unparalleled justice system. He faithfully served his constituents in Massachussets and he garnered respect from both sides of the aisle in Congress. It was not until this immoral and deceitful campaign that anyone would listen to the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth and their vicious lies. Unless I assume the worst about this individual (which I try very hard not to do) I can only assume that the author of this letter meant the abortion/homosexuality/security issues that seem to be so prevelant in today's politics. To that, I responded with my own letter, which was published today. I may not aggree with alot of the laws that govern us in this country, but I know the difference between my own personal values and the values on which this great nation was founded. I clearly outlined the difference between fundementalist Christian values and American values and also pointed out several of President Bush's policies that, whether I aggree with them personally or not, do not uphold traditional American values in the truest sense. I feel that our leaders are responsible for upholding American values in the strictest sense.... Our personal Christian values are our responsibility, and we can't, according to our American values, impose them on anyone else. As I said before.... I believe in strict interpretation of the constitution. I also believe in strict interpretation of the Bible.

The Bible is very clear that we should leave the judging to God. Even Jesus was not given the power to force others to believe in him or accept his teaching. Faith is personal. I would be offended if this country endorsed Muslim docterine or Buddist docterine in its law making. So would you. So our forefathers adopted values common to all religions as our national values. Using these mutual truths, they penned two of the most extraordinary political documents in the world; The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States of America. Where faiths differ, the founding fathers did not discriminate. The most profound truth to which they all aspired was the truth that faith can not be governed. With that said, we, as Christians, have a responsibility to uphold the teachings of Christ in our everyday lives. We are responsible for maintaining our own, personal relationship with God. We are responsible for educating the young about faith in our own homes and through our own example. These are things that the government has no jurisdiction over and thus, no responsibility for. Therefore, we can't look to our government to teach the Glory of God in our schools. That's not a lesson to be learned by the brain. It's a lesson to be absorbed into the heart. We can't look to our government to dictate what marriage is. Marriage is a union in the eyes of God. It's a religious event. Our government has no control over that. Therefore, we can't hold our government responsible for defining marriage. Our government can not determine when life begins. As Christians, we are taught that before we are concieved, God knows our name. For many devout Catholics, this means that even birth control is murder, because it prevents God from creating life wherever He pleases. Most Americans, however, see birth control as a vital healthcare need, so much so that most health insurance policies cover it. When abortion was illegal, the practice did not stop. In fact, since the beginning of time, women have cast out children that they could not care for. This often led to public health concerns due to back alley procedures executed by untrained amateurs. You may think abortion is horrible, but there is no such thing as a mortal sin. God gives all who love Him a chance to repent. Our forefathers did not address abortion specifically in the constitution, because each faith, and even different denominations within faiths, had different beliefs regarding the state of a soul "in vitro". Because of these conflicting views, the subject of abortion could not be broached in a way that protected American values, and was, therefore, left to the individual. It is a personal choice. One that a person has to reconcile with her own belief system. One that a person can make only with the help and guidance of God. Sometimes, when the law of the land and the law of our hearts clash, we have to follow our hearts, and accept that we can only make our own decisions, not anyone else's. That means that no one else can make our decisions for us, either. Which brings us back to the American values of freedom and liberty. See how it all connects? Simple, right? So where have we gone wrong?

Well, that's not so simple. Somewhere along the line, the true message of Christianity has fallen by the wayside. Throughout history we can see examples of what happens when a small minority of religious fundementalists try to impose their will on others. Jesus Christ was killed by religious fundementalists who were so wrapped up in the law and out of touch with the spiritual needs of their people that the prospect of a new covenant was unthinkable to them. During the Crusades, European Christians slaughtered thousands in search of relics, blinded to the truth that the most precious artifact was a world of peace and understanding where all could know God. When the first settlers came to the Americas, so intent were they on converting the natives and protecting their faith that they persecuted their own, burning them at the stake out of fear and lack of reason. Over and over, again and again, a misunderstanding of faith becomes tragedy. So many who could know the love of Christ do not, because they have been turned away by our least favorable but inexplicably most visible spokespeople. These are the "false prophets" I mentioned yesterday. These are people who promise economic prosperity as reward for living a "moral" life. These are people who preach hellfire and brimstone, using fear to control their flock, depriving them of the safety and security of God's love. These are people who use their spiritual influence to corrupt the faith of others. I am not intimidated by these people. They try to monopolize the "morals market". They misinterpret the scriptures so frequently one can only assume it's intentional. Their brand of Christianity so sharply contrasts with the actual teachings of Jesus that it barely resembles the truth at all. I will discuss, in detail, over the course of time, why I feel this is the case. My purpose and mission are to expose these false teachings and prevent them from doing any more damage to my faith and my country. I also want Christians to be proud Americans, not just proud Christians. I want American Christians to understand that our constitution protects the freedom of all Americans. It wasn't so long ago that Christians were persecuted all over the world for their beliefs. Our constitution, if interpreted responsibly, assures that will never happen again; not to Christians, not to Jews, not to Muslims. Just as Osama Bin Laden does not represent all of Islam, so these "false prophets" should not represent all of Christianity, and American Christians have a unique opportunity to uphold American values and preserve Christian values all at the same time. That's where this Blog comes in. I pray that God will help me to find the right words to speak to Christians of all backgrounds and bring our faith back to where it should be.... not built into our government, but inside each of us.

**Keep Coming Back..... Regular postings will begin Monday, 11/22/04**

11/16/04 - Introduction

2004-11-16T13:02:00.000-05:00

Let us pray:

Awesome Father, thank You for the gift of this day. Thank You for loving me, the most imperfect of all Your Divine Creation. Thank You for knowing my name. Thank You for Your grace and sacrifice. Thank You for Your Son. Father, we need You now. Please guide us in the ways of Your heart and show our worldly leaders how to govern justly. Please be with us in this, our time of need, and be with those around the world who cry out to You. We ask these things in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Since this is my first entry, I think it is prudent to introduce myself and my purpose. My name is Tiffany Melton. I am a 24 year old Administrative Assistant. I live in Vinton, Virginia. For those of you familiar with southwestern Virginia, Vinton is right outside of Roanoke. For those of you unfamiliar with southwestern Virginia.... You don't know what you're missing. My parents opened an office supply store here in 1984. I was 4 years old. They both still operate the business, now entering its 20th year, and I am now also on the payroll. My father is also a United Methodist minister, and my mother and I are both Lay Speakers. Throughout my life, my faith has been vital. I, like many young people, was tempted by the ways of the world. Beginning at age 16, I abused drugs and alcohol, engaged in risky sexual behavior, suffered in school, and lost touch with God. After 5 years of serious methamphetamine addiction, selling drugs, homelessness, unemployment, physical illness, abusive relationships, and undiagnosed mental illness, I hit rock bottom. I got arrested for methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute.... A class "A" felony with max jail time of 15 years. My life had become overwhelming. During that dark time I thought often of suicide, but a tiny and persistent voice in my head told me that I was here for a reason and I mattered to Someone. All logic and reason said I was a goner, but my faith carried me through, and I somehow came out of the whole situation without spending a day in jail. God was watching over me. Of course, it took a long time for me to be able to identify that tiny, persistent voice as being the voice of God. I had always expected the whole booming voice from heaven with lightning bolts and earthquakes and such. And I never EVER would have thought God would talk just to me. Well, as I often find to be the case when I try to "figure out" God.... I was wrong. God does talk to each and every one of us. It's learning to listen that can be tricky. And so I started trying to learn everything I could about God. And I don't just mean Sunday School stuff and the Sermon on the Mount.... I mean I REALLY tried to learn everything. I wasn't content to hear just one interpretation.... I wanted to hear ALL interpretations. And so began my search for Truth. Ultimately, I came to know my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and I learned about His revolutionary teaching, His unquestionable devotion to His disciples, His loving sacrifice, and His glorious resurrection. I am fascinated by the Bible and I study scripture daily. Since coming to Christ, I have known freedom from addiction, liberation from the weight of my sins, and love unlike any other. Truly, I can say I'm in love with Jesus, and the great thing is.... He loves me too!

A few years ago my interest in politics seemed something totally seperate from my search for Truth. Over the last few months, and in light of the recent presidential election, I have noticed that religion and politics are actually inseperable. Here's why: People use their religious values to determine the environment they want to live in. In a democratic society, we shape our environment by electing representatives that share our values. Therefore, religion and politics form an unbreakable circle. The time for ignoring this link is over. Our constitution promises freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Our founding fathers (most of whom were deists, akin to Unitarians) understood the link and knew that no government would ever be free from religion. They wisely penned a constitution that did not set us up for failure. I believe in both strict interpretation of the constitution and of the Bible. I do not believe in altering either text to suit political purposes, nor do I advocate the use of the Bible in law making. I do, however, advocate education. I urge Christians to educate themselves about the Bible and about our government. I strongly recommend looking to the Bible for political insight instead of turning on the latest "talking head" show on your favorite partisan news network. And beware of false prophets. These are people who claim to be faithful Christians, but who manipulate and twist the word of God to serve their own purposes. These people can be found at all levels of spiritual and religious heirarchy, in every major religion in the world. In the Gospel, Jesus is said to have lost his temper only once.... And on that occasion he directed his wrath at those who would turn the house of God into a circus. These are the kind of people that Jesus fought against. They are religious and political leaders who invoke the name of God to justify unjust decisions. They are bigots who use obscure passages of Holy Texts to overshadow the overall vision of the faith. These are the most dangerous of all. Beginning with the "creative" translation of the holy texts we affectionately attribute to King James and continuing through the seperation of the Church of England to satisfy Henry VIII's lust for beheading his mistresses and continuing still through the jihad waged by the Taliban and Al Qaeda, we can see the negative effects manipulation of faith can have on a society. That is why it is SO important for each Christian to take time to develop a one on one relationship with God. A strong personal relationship with God can help prevent falling into the traps false prophets set. A strong relationship with God ensures that the source from which you recieve your information is the Highest Authority. A relationship with God can help you find the answers you seek in the scripture. A strong relationship with God is the foundation on which we, as Christians, must build our lives.

In America, our democratic system depends on an educated electorate. In the last presidential election, moral values was cited most often by voters as the issue that influenced their votes most. It is important to point out that Christians don't have a monopoly on morals. It is also important to point out that our country was founded on a principle of freedom of religion, meaning that there can't be any laws that promote one religion or one ideology over another. Even though the majority of our country is Christian, our laws should never reflect that in a way that makes believers of other faiths feel unwelcome. Our constitution is the most perfect in the world. It protects freedoms for people of all colors and faiths. Our country is a melting pot.... A mosaic of different cultures. Our constitution is constructed to protect the integrity of each of those cultures. As a Christian, I accept all people into my Christian family who love God and know Jesus as their Savior. As an American, I accept all people who love America and who know the value of freedom. I hope this blog will speak to both of those categories of people.

Each time I make an entry, I will begin with a Bible Verse. I will relate that verse to current political events and draw conclusions based on scripture. This portion of each post will have scriptural and historical talking points. In addition to my daily scripture lesson, I will also post other items that I feel are relavent to my overall message. Sometimes, I will post a "Daily Concerns" column, which will include headlines, news stories, and photos that I find moving on that particular day. This will act as a sort of "spiritual journal". Sometimes I will post my personal prayers. Sometimes, I will provide political commentary. Sometimes I will rant and rave. Sometimes I will cry. I'm making it available to the public so that perhaps a person might find strength in my struggles.

I hope that this blog provides a good resource for fellow searchers out there. Feel free to comment, question, or argue.... And God Bless You.