Faith & Politics Not Church & State

Welcome to a discussion of the role religion plays in the course of our elections. I draw your attention back to the Saddleback Church led by Rick Warren (author The Purpose Driven Life) when he hosted the two presidential candidates at his church for a time of questions and answers. It was extremely civil and that was one of the objectives Pastor Warren wanted to achieve with his event. Another objectives was to get some straight answers to some direct faith based questions. I believe he accomplish this objective as well.

However, the debate about President Jefferson's famous words regarding the Establishment Clause remains active today. Since the IRS under the instruction of LBJ introduced policy that would hinder the content of sermons made from the pulpits of America's churches, the involvement of the people of faith in the political process dwindled.

Pioneers such as Jerry Falwell and James Dobson began to give evangelical christians a voice into the political process but it seems to me most clergy are reluctant to enter the cultural war that rages on today's political battleground.

Is it fear of their non profit status and the IRS? Watchdog groups like belief.net that monitor the 'spiritual speak' in the political arena? or could it be an acceptance that if something is said long enough and loud enough eventually it becomes true? Re: separation of church and state

Sad, because in few places other than the political process can a pastor or a christian make their impact felt greater than by entering the rough and tumble world of politics.

After all, what's that scripture about SALT and LIGHT?

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Stupak - The Chameleon


The chameleon was one of the most fascinating creatures the kids and I discovered during our time in Africa. It has the ability to blend in, change colors gradually and soak up its surroundings in order to survive. Watching a chameleon transform itself was at times mesmerizing to observe. The chameleon provided many opportunities for life lessons.

This week I could not help but think of the chameleon as I observed the transformation of Bart Stupak. I watched him change his colors as the C-SPAN cameras caught each of his calculating moves. A man who although we would disagree about policy and process, we would agreed on the principle of life. But as his extreme make over began, I thought, just another pretender, a chameleon. It was like the channels had switched and I was watching a documentary on Animal Planet instead of the House Chamber on CSPAN.

Leopards do not change their spots, lions don't suddenly stop roaring but Bart Stupak can change right before your very eyes. A man of principle on Wednesday became a just another politician with no values on Sunday.



BTW, you know why Chameleons change like they do, it is their only defense mechanism. They have no teeth, no claws and no great speed to get away. They just sit their and blend in with their surroundings.

2 comments:

  1. Wonderfully said, Phillip. I agree 100%. I love politics and look forward to the elections this Fall. Just hope the Republicans convince some more conservative people to run than in the past
    few years.

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  2. I was so diappointed in him. He is such a coward. I hope his mother loves him because that is the only person I can think of who will respect or trust the spineless idiot after that performance.

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