I recently got an email from an old friend I had not talked to in many years. She is an evangelical Christian, but we had never discussed politics except for universal health care which she was sympathetic to. I had assumed she was apolitical. If I remember correctly, the last time we talked she had a $7,000 medical bill she had no way of paying. She finally put it on a credit card and was then harassed by creditors.
In the email, she asked if I was on FB, and gave me a link to her page. I went to her page, and "ouch!" I see "Mom's For Mitt" "Women For Mitt" "Freedom Works" & several televangelists. In addition, there were a lot of posts or links about animal cruelty and abuse and one saying Obama was legalizing horse slaughterhouses in the United States. Then something about pro-life centers being shut down. Finally there was a link from a group called The ACLJ saying stop Obama's lawsuit against military voting rights. I went to that website and I'm not going to link to it. The website made me shudder.
I replied to the email. I didn't want to say anything that would hurt her feelings or come across as if I think I'm "better" or "smarter." I didn't want to come out and say "Look, I'm not into all this stuff on your FB page."
I replied, but I didn't mention the election, Mitt Romney, politics, homosexuality, or anything else.
I told her I'm attending a wonderful local church that is full of grace and has shown so much compassion for the poor and the downtrodden just as Jesus taught. I included a link to the church website. That was all I said!
The church website makes it obvious we are a liberal church. The site very specifically says that all are welcome regardless of socioeconomic status, race, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation/identity, etc. There is also a PFLAG group advertised on the church website. There is also a presentation on homosexuality the pastor gave at a conference.
She never replied and that was over a week ago! I'm not upset. I wanted her to know I'm not into all that "stuff" without saying so directly. But I also didn't want to get into a debate. I don't enjoy conflict.
But why are so many poorer Christians Republicans? This never made any sense to me. The Republican Party's policies completely contradict the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 that says "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." It is the anti-thesis of Christianity and all religions.
So how do you have a discussion? If you were desperate and unemployed, would you want our Congress to extend unemployment benefits? Would you want our government to pass an aggressive jobs bill that truly reaches desperate people and allows them to get back on their feet? If you had no health care, would you want Congress to pass a universal health care plan to pay your medical bills? What would you want the federal budget to look like if you couldn't put food on the table or fill your car with gas? Do you think it is moral to give more federal dollars to the super rich who already own gated mansions, expensive cars, and private jets or do you think we should spend it on hurting people instead? Who would Jesus spend it on? I think it would be on "the least of these?" Isn't our country's budget a moral document? How does that document stand up against Christ's teachings or that of any religion?
How are the Republicans able to pass this vulture capitalist off under the guise of a "Christian?" A man who during his entire business career always put himself first & employees livelihoods last. A man who put his car elevator before other people's health care?
I know people will say this is due to abortion and gay rights. That's partly true, but I don't think it is the full story. And Romney has waffled on those two issues over the years depending on "which election."
There are a lot of evangelical christians who have been very hurt in their lives. That's part of their story. The result is they don't trust "the world." The world is full of greed, hate, selfishness. That's why they listen to and trust only Christian media - TV, radio, books, internet. The Koch Brothers or any wealthy right winger could buy a TV station, radio station, or website under the guise "Christian", speak the language, talk a bit on abortion, and sell them a bill of goods such as the Ryan budget plan.
Maybe I'm too harsh but that's the way it looks to me.
How can we get them to understand that Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and their ilk are part of "the world" that is full of greed, hatred, and selfishness? That should be fairly easy with Bain Capital.
I wondered if I should have talked her language using phrases such as "Praise God" and talking about desperate people, the Golden Rule, the Beatitudes. For example, I have read about desperate people in need of health care who are finally able to get it due to the Obama health care bill. This has saved lives, reduced suffering, and kept people from going broke. I could have pointed that out and exclaimed "Praise God!" When it comes to Republican policies, I could give concrete examples of how Republican policies devastate people's lives.
Anyway, that's my rant for the evening!