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A Most Unchristian Republican Convention |
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These days, the Republican party often blurs, or even obliterates, the line between religion and politics. George W. Bush launched an Office of Faith Based Initiatives out of the White House and frequently injects Christian references into his speeches. John McCain has (incorrectly) declared that the Constitution established the United States as a Christian nation (a bizarre assertion that makes you wonder if McCain has read the Constitution recently–it contains a grand total of zero references to Christianity). Christian nationalists, who believe in “a Christian right to rule”, are an important part of the Republican party and prominent Christian nationalists or dominionists, like Sam Brownback, Tom Coburn, and Mike Huckabee, are leaders in the party and key advisors to McCain. Sarah Palin, darling of the religious right, claimed she would govern with “a servant’s heart”, a short-hand reference to Christian humility. James Dobson and other religious right leaders and their rank and file admirers make up the Republican base that is so energized by the Palin pick.
When a political party relies so heavily on faith, it is only fair to consider if they actually live up to their ideals. I am not a religious person, but I respect the Christian ideals of altruism and love–the idea of even loving one’s enemies is powerful and I readily understand how this can change someone’s heart. It is remarkable how little of this we saw in the Republican convention. Where was the message of Christian love?Â
Democrats are not the enemy of course, but even if they are, I saw no expressions of Christian love for them. I saw plenty of sarcasm, put-downs, mocking, and bitterness. Palin mocked Obama’s decision to serve others as a community organizer. Giuliani, a very wealthy and cosmopolitan man himself, made fun of Democratic elites. I heard misleading statements and flat-out lies. Palin falsely suggested that Obama wants to read a captured Bin Laden his rights–of course, this is preposterous and Obama has never said this, but it didn’t stop Palin from spreading misinformation. On a more mundane level, she also suggested she had sold an expensive government plane on eBay–it didn’t actually sell on eBay, but McCain is now falsely claiming that it did sell on eBay–at a profit (also not true). Of course, McCain is no stickler when it comes to the facts–he falsely claimed in his own speech that Obama will raise your taxes, leaving out the important caveat that 95% of Americans get tax cuts under Obama’s plan. Mike Huckabee fired off a zinger about Palin winning more votes in her mayoral election than Biden garnered as a presidential candidate. Sounds great–unfortunately, it’s a lie. I am no theologian, but I vaguely remember there being a commandment inveighing against this kind of thing.
When a political candidate offers up their faith as a reason why they ought to be elected, it is only fair to ask what kind of faith the candidate actually has. McCain claimed as his spiritual adviser a pastor who has expressed extreme and dangerous positions.  Palin has associated with some interesting pastors of her own, and uses crusading language to describe the U.S. military effort in Iraq as “a task from God.”  Â
I wonder why a party so closely associated with Christianity gives such short shrift to the central message of unconditional love, even for one’s enemies, that undergirds their faith? When Republican leaders denigrate and mock the other side, suggesting Obama is a traitor who is willing to lose a war in order to win an election, their venom has an effect. I have noticed that McCain supporters do not speak a language of love or respect. Rather, they denounce Obama and Democrats in the most outrageous and hateful terms. When I recently wrote one posts here, , I got a comment from one McCain supporter who called Obama un- American and a ”terrorist“. It’s not hard to see why McCain supporters feel emboldened to paint their opponent as the literal enemy–it starts at the top, with party leaders who mock and slime the other side. For a party so steeped in Christianity, it is ironic to see mocking, venomous hatred flow from the mouths of leaders and spring from the keyboards of the rank and file.
The reality, of course, if that Republicans do not have a monopoly on faith or altruism. There are plenty of religious people who aren’t Christians, and Christians themselves are not a politicalm monlith. I know plenty of progressive Christians, and they are beginning to speak out and speak up politically. There are surely many Christians, many people of other faiths, and people who are secular but still care deeply about how we treat one another, who watched the Republican convention and were turned off. Perhaps they will ask how a party so closely associated with Christianity spends so little time spreading the Christian message of love.
This video came out years ago, I think for the 2004 election — it shows why if Jesus was running for president the right-wingers would brand him a commie, soft on crime, and a wimp: http://revver.com/video/1996/5284/
sad, but all to believable
Ronald Reagan summarizes the entire Republican Convention as only the Great Communicator can. Check it out at, http://beema.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/beema-news/.
The Republicans are hypocrites!
All this Christian bible pounding and their actions do not follow…easy to talk the talk, tougher to walk the walk.
Psychologically, these wing-nuts suffer from reaction formation and projection. Lots of denial, also.
These fruitcakes need psychotherapy…
Wow. Thank you so much for articulating this. I’m a Christian and have wept and felt so betrayed by the Republican party– and I’ve never been a Republican! Thank you for this post. I hope it is read far and wide.
thanks very much Natty
While I agree with the gist of your post, I hold contention with this:
I fail to see how this is preposterous. Frankly, I more scared by the concept of any government withholding rights than Osama himself. Human rights should be shared by all humans or none, and the government of the US seems to have chosen the latter.
it’s preposterous simply because Obama has never said such a thing.
….”preposterous and Obama has never said this, but it
didn%u2019t stop Palin from spreading misinformation”
Simon,
Deliberate misinformation is an old serpent in the garden of Eden trick: (”…..did God really say?…….”) (See The
Biblical book of Genesis, Chapter 3, in the 66 book, King
James Version, Protestant Bible for reference) adopted by
the Republican Party, Ku klux Klan, Illuminati, New world
Order adherents, Freemasons, and other elitist/exclusive
groups as “Modus Operandi” (Standard operating method,
tactic, startegy, and procedure)
Deliberate misinformation is also adopted and incorporated in the guiding educational principles and philosophy behind most public, global, history textbooks, including those here in the United States of America.
(Some people call it propaganda. A deliberate attempt to
revise, disclose, and disseminate information that supports
a particular worldview, thought, opinion and/or idea) (Some
people say that the English King James only accepted and
authorized for publication in his Bible, those books,
documents, manuscripts, and verses that would support the
“Divine Right of Kings to Rule over the masses” idea)
You can observe other such examples of deliberate
misinformation and deliberate misinformation campaigns for
yourself, all day long on the Fox News Channel and website,
‘Christian” Republican American Patriot Pat Robertson’s
website and Trinity Broadcast Network, as well as at the
websites of other “American Fundamentalist, Evangelical
Christian Republican” “Heroes”, “Icons”, “Patriots”, and “Champions” such as: Newt Gingrich, Oliver North, Pat Buchanan, and Rush Limbaugh, and of course, at the official Republican Party website on the Internet.
As far as Human Rights go, one can easily glean and verify that deliberate misinformation from these aforementioned American Fundamentalist Evangelical Christian Republican Party members and their official Republican Party political policies and agenda’s reflect their belief that Human Rights are for “Christian American Republican citizens only and that non-americans, non-republican, and non-christian American and non-christian global citizens are not human, (that is not created in the image of God), and therfore do not have to be treated humanely, with respect and dignity, nor do they deserve to be, or have to be, treated kindly or fairly. Is it fair to say that you have stated that the US Government seems to “have chosen the latter” based upon the observation of the United States of America within the past 8 years of Senator John McCain, Governor Sarah Palin, and President George W. Bush’s Republican Party administration?
The actions of the Republican party is antithetical to the teachings of Christ. Including the disenfranchised, helping one’s fellow man, being a steward of the gifts from God (which foremost includes the earth), these are the core teachings of Christ and shunned by the actions and policies of the Republican party. In my mind the Evangelicals attempt to co-op the term Christianity when real Christians are walking the walk. It is a disgrace. Please don’t be turned off by people who follow the teachings of Christ- those in the Republican party hiding behind this mask are frauds.
Republican Party’s anti-tax message is also anti-thetical to the New Testament, Biblical teachings of Paul who in Romans chapter 13, verses 6 & 7 exhorts and instructs Christians to pay their taxes.
I remember during the Watergate hearings, when then-Senator Lowell Weicker, a Republican from Connecticut, responded to the idea that the Democrats were “enemies” of the Republican party with the statement that they were “fellow human beings, to be loved and won.” How far the Republicans have fallen from that idealistic standard!
I agree Mary. It appears that the majority of American Evangelical Christians, Republicans, and Conservatives, have justified their hatred and intolerance of Democrats (and others that differ from them whether by opinion, appearance, politics or religious preference), by adopting rascist Ku Klux Klan belief that certain people are “inhuman”, that is, not really human, nor share “Imageo Dei”(made in the image of GOD). In this way, they are able to conduct themselves in the way that they do, zealously pursue their policies, goals, and agenda’s that they do, without insulting their “Superior”, “Christian” morals, ethics, and sensibilities. They have declared that in these “Culture Wars”, other spiritual battles, and the literal conventional wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, that the American Evangelical Christian Church and Republican Political Party must win these “Just Wars” at any cost (Including the “blood of Patriots & Tyrants”) and by the co-opt of Malcolm X’s statement: “by any means necessary”.
Just for the record…..I believe that it was during “Conservative”, “Christian” Republican Party, “Icon”, “Hero” and “Champion” Ronald (6 letters) Wilson (6 letters) Reagan (6 letters) (666, the biblical number of the beast?) Anyway, during President Ronald Wilson Reagan’s Republican administration that most American Fundamentalist Evangelical Christian Republican Party members permanently removed all references to “Love your neighbor as yourself”, “Love your enemies”, “Do good to all”, and “Do unto others that which you would want others to do unto you” from their Bibles, their Gospel message, official church doctrine and time-honored accepted theology. Most California’s might agree as the Republican Party dominated, American Fundamentalist Evangelical Christian churches in California did in the 1960’s during Ronald Wilson Reagan’s stint as Governor there. The reason I say that is that during President Reagan’s term I began to stop hearing such references to these verses coming from American Fundamentalist Evangelical Christian Republican Party members in other states as well as the majority of Republican Party dominated American Fundamental Evangelical churches, denominations, and affiliated organizations across the nation. To some it might be easy to equate this unique recall of events to that of “the falling away from the Truth” or Apostasy, as it is sometimes called by Biblical Scholars, as foretold in the cautionary, and foreboding New Testament verses attributed to the Apostle Paul who is traditionally accepted as being the author of more than 1/2 of the Protestant Canonical New Testament books.
Well, they simply aren’t Christians. Just a label to use in their self-righteousness.
Hmm, very interesting coment Obvious! It brings to mind something I read somewhere recently: …..”for such people are false, deceitful, masquerading as followers, disciples, of Christ and teachers of Christian truths. And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”
Where did you get the idea that Christianity has anything to do with altruism and love? The bible is certainly lacking on those counts. Sure, the Sermon on the Mount is lovely but the rest is little more than intolerance, hatred, and fear-based superstition. I am confident that you yourself could write a better bible in a day. Try to make a list of 5 great things that religion has done to significantly increase the happiness and well-being of humanity. Now make a list of 10 terrible atrocities that have been committed in the name of religion. Which list was easier to make? The Republicans suddenly make a lot more sense if you stop assuming Christianity has anything to do with love. Christianity is nothing more than the sum of the actions of all Christians.
I don’t know collectively about Christianity, but the ideas of Christian love and altruism might stem from Jesus Christ is quoted as saying in the New Testament: “love God, love neighbor as yourself, love your enemies, and live by doing to others that which you want done to you”. I believe Saul of Tarsus later known as Paul, in other New Testament books, taught a lot about love being the distiguishing trait and chief hallmark of one who truly is a follower in Jesus Christ, his life, words, and way of life, which I believe is demonstrated in accounts of is life, as essentially being altruistic. Anybody else want to weigh in here and share your opinion with Anon as to why some people might associate the Christian idea with the ideas of love and altruism?…please!
Sad But true,
where did all the love go?
Howabout the compassion for your self and others?
JESUS did not tear down those who came to him, he did not berate them, he gave them unconditional love.
The core message of the gospels is the radical transformative love JESUS gave to others.
What bible are you reading? I don’t think you really are, only what others think about the Bible. What did Jesus say to the pharisees and the teachers of the law? What did he say to Simon? To Peter? To the man who wanted to use his father’s death as an excuse to ignore Him? Please, Jesus was brutally honest. Any other image of Jesus is an idol.
The core message of the “gospels” is the same God has been giving since Adam and Eve walked away from Him in the Garden - repentance for the forgiveness of sin. It is the message John prepared the people to hear from Jesus, it is the message the Apostles preached in Jerusalem, Judea and the ends of the earth, it is the message Paul preached to the Gentiles.
I implore you - read more, or get the Bible on your iPod. You will be amazed at what the truth really is.
ASDF,
What Bible are you reading that says: “Adam and Eve walked away from Him (God) in the Garden” and teaches that they repented of, acknowledged their need for foregiveness or even asked forgiveness of their sins? I have both the 66 book King James Version Bible which is accepted as being both Authoratative and Canonical for Protestant Christians as well as the more contemporary English transalation: New International Version and I cannot find anything about Adam & Eve walking away, acknowledging their sin, repenting, or even asking foregiveness from anyone. Am I missing it? Is it in the New Testament or Old Testament? Perhaps it’s in the Catholic Bible which has more than the 66 books that were accepted by the English King James or does anyone know which Jewish Bibles contain these verses and where specifically in those Jewish Bibles i.e chapter, verse? Just curious. Thanks!
Just to set the record straight - Adam and Eve did walk away from God in the sense that they disobeyed God’s command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of God and Evil. They did not repent or ask for forgiveness from God when confronted with their transgression, leading to their expulsion from The Garden.
And the King James Version is only authoritative to a relatively small number of Protestant churches - mostly Baptist or Pentecostal. The truly authoritative versions are the ones in the original Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament).
1) Yes, I do consider 24% to be a small number, especially when you’re trying to call something “authoritative.”
2) There really is no such thing as an “authoritative” translation of the Bible. Among contemporary scholars, the New International Version and The New Revised Standard Version are considered the most technically accurate translations. More conservative, evangelical scholars prefer the NIV, more mainline and liberal scholars use the NRSV.
But other versions of the Bible are better if technical accuracy is not your goal. The King James contains some of the most poetic language, and I like to use it for Psalms. The Contemporary English Version uses the simplet language and is better for children.
But if you really want to study the authoritative Bible, you’ll have to learn Hebrew and Greek and go translate it for yourself. Short of that, you’re going to be dealing with somebody else’s theological presuppositions and agendas being reflected in any translation.
Thanks Jim!
And yet I recall reading just a year or two ago how the “Christian Right” felt betrayed by Bush …
… and more recently have been a sore point in McCain’s demographics.
And as far as conventions go , what are we to make of the prayer services at the DNC in light of the commentary expressed in this post?
I think in the light of the commentaries expressed in this post, as far as conventions go, that we should make of the prayer services at the DNC, that those who prayed and/or attended those prayer services might be religious Democrats and/or other religious Patriotic Americans who wanted to make a public display of their American constitutionally protected religious rite? (The right to perform the ritual of prayer) or perhaps curious Democrats or others who wanted to observe religious Democrat rituals?
As a Presbyterian minister I have been concerned for a while - especially the past 4-8 years - at the tone/tactics of the Republican party as they try to bill themselves as a “party of faith.” You are exactly right in recognizing the discrepancies and outright deception at the RNC this past week - not counting the hateful spite that was generated by the speakers. To see the crowd of people reveling in this sort of thing sickened me.
Minister Lindsley,
…..and how does one reconcile, or interpret, the statements, dialogue, conduct and other observations of the Republican National Convention with, and in contrast to, the overall Gospel message, New Testament scriptures and mainstream Christian Theology? (Which I assume that your Presbyterian denomination espouses, correct me if I’m wrong.) Especially the New Testament verses concerning who, what, where, when, why and how to love as in Romans chapters 13-15 and many others, the deliberate, conspiratorial infiltration of the Christian church deliberately, by a false gospel, deceitful workers, and the Christian church’s chief adversary Satan, i.e. 2 Corinthians 11:3-15. What conclusions can one infer about all of these things and the Republican co-opt of the American Evangelical Christian Church and Christian religious message?
The key to understanding Evangelical Christianity is realizing that to them “Being Saved” is the most important aspect of the Christian experience. Their morality is primarily drawn from the Old Testament, where God is a bit grumpier and more likely to smite than smile, and from Paul’s writings in the New Testament, which are much less focused on love and kindness to others.
All that stuff Jesus says about good works and helping the poor is ignored because if you aren’t Saved none of that really matters. And if you are Saved none of that is really required, except as an entree to potential new converts.
Taken a little further the idea of Salvation also explains why the Right is capable of what seems to outsiders like breathtaking hypocrisy, e.g. the Palin megaflops documented so brilliantly last week on the Daily Show. They don’t see this as hypocritical because to them the status of the actor is the basis for judgment, not the action itself.
Think of it as Salvation as Ultimate Justification. There is only one question that matters: “Are you Saved?” A more expansive translation might be: “Have you accepted that there is only one Truth, that we have a monopoly on it, and that you must believe it completely and uncritically?”
If you have then you are Saved and can do no wrong that cannot be forgiven. If you haven’t you are Damned and everything you do or say is tainted and illegitimate. So if a Saved person and a Damned person do exactly the same thing it is not inconsistent to praise the former while vilifying the latter.
Tom,
I am in agreement with much of what you have stated however, I beg to differ about your opinion that Paul’s New Testament writings are “much less focused on love and kindness to others.”
Paul in the Canonical, New Testament wrote the word(s) translated the most often in English, as “love”, more times than any other traditionally accepted author of the Canonical New Testament books. (see the book: 1 Corinthians chapter 13 for example, it is a whole chapter written about love) In liu of this, it also suffices to say, that the word(s) most oftened translated in English as “love”, are used more times in the Canonical New Testament as in the Canonical Old Testament. (I recall someone sharing with me that the ratio was 3:1!)
I believe their is sufficient evidence that can allow one to deduce that the Republican Party has in fact adopted and co-opted, the Roman Catholic concept and oficial church doctrine of there being “No salvation outside the “Mother Church” (Roman Catholic Church that is) It is no surprise considering that many in the Right-wing, “Pro-life” camp are Roman Catholic Church members considering that “Pro-life” is a strong official policy and agenda of the Republican Party. Republican Christian’s believe that if one is truly Christian and an American citizen, than one will also be an active and supportive Republican party member. Essentially, in other words, there is “No personal and/or religious salvation outside the Republican Party.” This has been adequately demonstrated this week by the liberal media’s report that several American, Fundamental, Evangelical churches, ministers, and denominations have (despite potential loss of their tax-exempt status for doing so) encouraged their members to become active Republican Party members and have instructed their members that to vote for Senator McCain and Governor Sarah Palin is the Christian thing to do. Some American, Fundamental, Evangelical churches, ministers, and denominations have even declared that Democrats are unchristian, anti-christian, even Satanists and going to Hell. Some American, Fundamental, Evangelical churches, ministers, and denominations are reported to have called the primary Democratic Party presidential nominee: “The Anti-Christ” and threatened their American, Fundamental, Evangelical church members and parishoners with ex-communication if it is ever discovered that their parishoners and/or church members are registered Democrats or have cast votes in any manner deemed pro-democratic.
Again, Republican Party members believe that if the person or persons in question and/or opposition are vilified and considered not human, then it can’t be considered a criminal offense or religious transgression to commit acts of deprivation, destruction and/or violence, including, but not limited to, warfare leading to death, and/or loss of life and/or liberty of such non-human people or person(s). The same beliefs are “coincidentally” adhered to and espoused by the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi’s, skinheads, and other similar racist and facist groups, etc. Whom verifiably and “coincidentally” are also predominately registered Republican Party members and supporters, as their belief systems, philosophies, policy, procedure, protocols, goals, and agendas are “coincidentally” very similiar if not one and the same! This I believe can be readily and easily deduced by some by comparing the information about them on their public web sites, publications, and other media, especially those of Christian Republican Party “Champions”, “Icons”, and “Heroes”: Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Pat Robertson, Pat Buchanan, and others to name a few.
If you are not “saved” according to what the American Fundamental Evangelical Christian churches and Republican Party say, and therefore “damned”, not only is “everything you do or say tainted and illegitimate,” but also invalid and dangerous!
I felt the same way with the democratic convention. Both sides bash both sides. It’s the political game. Even this blurb is a way of bashing and furthering your hate towards the other side.
you may have felt that way, but what actually happened is a different story. No one at the Dem convention mocked McCain’s life experience–no one, for instance, mocked his military service. Palin directly mocked Obama’s work as a community organizer, and Giuliani also mocked Obama, in very sarcastic, bitter terms. John McCain has essentially called Obama a traitor when he sayd he’s willing to lose a war in order to win an election and falsely talks about Obama wanting to “surrender” in Iraq. Nothing comparable on the Dem side. Palin made up out of whole cloth the bizarre idea that Obama wants to read Bin Laden his rights. Of course, Obama has never said anything like this. During the convention, a Republican congressman called Obama “uppity”. I can go on, and there are more examples above. I think the most personal the Dems got was when Hillary suggested McCain and Bush were the Minnesota Twins. That’s somewhat milder than suggesting someone is a traitor. There is a tendency to assume both parties are the same when in fact the Dems tend to criticize Rs on issues (e.g. McCain is like Bush, votes with Bush, endorses Bush tax cuts, supported misguided war in Iraq) while the Rs use the language of the schoolyard–Obama is an elitist, a traitor, wants to surrender in Iraq. There’s a big difference between the 2 approaches.
In any event, my main point is that for a party (the Rs_ that talks so much about Christianity, there was precious little in the way of Christian love expressed at the convention. That doesn’t depend on a comparison to the Dems, it is simply a matter of what the Rs didn’t do at their convention. Do you think the Rs conveyed a message of unconditional love for their opponent?
and it’s really preposterous to say my post is about hate. That’s a transparent ad hominem attacka aimed at changing the subject. and there is nothing hateful in my post–you won’t find it, bc it’s just not there.
Chris,
I think the Republican Party conveyed a message of exclusivity at their convention. Their “Christian love”, good will, policies, and agenda are directed only for the continued benefit, profiteering, preservation, propigation, and prosperity of Republican Party members only!
If you study their message on their websites, in their publications and other media, it is really quite easy and simple for one to come to this conclusion about the Republican Party and it’s supporters.
Who has benefited in this country, the past 8 years with “Christian” Republican leadership in the Oval Office? Mostly Republican Party members. Mostly the American Fundamental Evangelical church and it’s registered Republican church members. Go to: Christianity Today’s website and read the American Fundamental Evangelical church members comments, blogs, posts, editorials, and articles. They consistently articulate the Republican Party tenets that “Might makes Right”!, “Get Right or get left(behind), “Our Way or the Highway!”
They reflect that they are (American Fundamental Evangelical church, Republican Party members) for the most part, flourishing and prospering in more ways than one, as a result of the current “Christian” Republican administration and are optimistically looking forward to more of the same and even better, by electing Senator McCain, Governor Palin and other Republican “Christians”. They lay claim not only to Heaven, but earth as well, in their public disclosures. Damned be any other American’s or global citizens. To Republicans, the Republican Party and the American, Fundamentalist, Evangelical “Christian” churches that support the Republican Party: “They (other non-republican Americans and global citizens of other religions) ain’t human anyway and don’t deserve to be treated kindly or fairly”
Really? I am pretty sure those who saw Jesus in action reveled when he skewered the hypocrites of His time. Have you forgotten that when they were treated inhospitably, they asked Jesus for permission to wipe out the city? I am pretty sure they laughed pretty hard at the Jew who was so concerned about whether he should pay taxes that it didn’t even occur to him to be worried about having an idol in his pocket.
Words like “brood of vipers,” “blind guides,” “hypocrites,” and “whitewashed tombs” fell readily to his tongue. He insulted all who fell within earshot. If you don’t read Jesus as one of the great satirists and one of the great caustic wits of all time, you aren’t reading the whole Bible.
Oh, please. If Jesus was all about good works and helping the poor, then why did He say that He won’t even know some who claim to do good works in His name? Jesus’ message was simple - repent and be forgiven. Demostrate your repentance by loving God with everything you are, and loving the needy as you love yourself. He knew there would always be poor people. If you think the materially poor were all He was about, you don’t understand the temptation to turn stones into bread.
Jesus knew that even the wealthy could be poor. Jesus charged Peter (and us) with demonstrating his love for Him by feeding His sheep. The sheep do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Evangelicals recognize that evangelical christian is a redundant phrase.
If you profess Christ, you will be His witnesses. Your only choice is what kind of witness.