Many would think that because I am a conservative leaning “Evangelical Christian” that I would write a critique on the Left Wingers involving their support of aborting unborn babies. I have however decided to address the issue of hate as it relates to the politics of the Democrat Party. Now this is not a free pass on the Republicans because I have found hate to be there as well. What I am concerned with and will address is the “in your face” hatred that permeates everything the Left touches which is embraced by the Democratic Party.
You may ask me where do I see this vial hate that comes from the Left wing of the Democrat party, and I would direct you to these websites that are central to its political machine.
http://www.dailykos.com/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://www.moveon.org/
Exploration of these websites at the time of this blog finds no particular instance to take issue with; having said that, there have been many issues in the recent past with presumably more to follow. These websites have openly celebrated the deaths of people like President Reagan, Jerry Falwell, Tony Snow, and many others. I understand getting excited about political victories like when the Democrats took control of the majority of United States Government in 2006 but being ecstatic over the death of individuals is crossing the line. But it is not just these websites that I am concerned with it is groups like “Code Pink” and “Cindy Sheehan and her followers” that make me cringe as a centrist minded individual. What is going on here? These are people who go into Senate hearings and wail “Death to Bush” and “Bush loves the death of our Young Men” and they will pour blood out to show their fanaticism. I know there are crazy abortion clinic bombing “Christians” but I have not seen the Right embrace and openly court these groups or individuals like the Democrats have done with the like of “Code Pink” and others.
I love the writings of Anne Lamont who is among other things an author, activist and a Jesus follower; all I have in common with her is the Jesus part and maybe a love for the unloved then again the two are connected. In reading her book “Grace Eventually: Thoughts on Faith” she tells of her trials and struggles with God and her Christian faith, also included are many references to hatred for President Bush, neocons, and televangelists. My beef is this hatred thing. I don’t understand why someone who happens to be left on the political scale writes a book on faith and feels the need to write about how much they hate the current Administration. I can’t imagine Dr. Dobson of “Focus on the Family” writing a book detailing his faith and personal walk with Jesus and oh by the way his extreme hatred for Al Gore. Now I see the critique coming, “well maybe Dobson isn’t open about his hate for Al Gore and Anne Lamont is up front and open about her hatred of George Bush” I don’t think so, I just don’t see it. I understand that there are many short comings in the “Religious Right” but extreme hatred and ill will for certain political figures I just don’t see. I could be wrong being to close to the “kool aid” for many years some of that might of found its way into my system and has yet to be purged, so pray for me. I am reminded of something St. Augustine said that applies here “she’s a whore but she’s my mother” he said this about the church and I feel the same way about the church and conservatism.
So where am I “left” with in all of this? (no pun intended, can you tell?)
Understand that this is more of a referendum on our political system as a whole where extremists have high jacked our conversation, than a “bash the left and bash the right” campaign on my part. I have come to a point in my spiritual and political maturity where I can see my self voting for an Atheist who is a Democrat and I could sleep soundly at night; if you know me that statement is evidence of a huge amount of growth on my part. I just want to see an open, honest, and respectful debate and discourse in the political community about spirituality and the spiritual community about politics. I’ll leave you with this quote by Shane Claiborne who, being raised a conservative southern Baptist turned moderate Christian activist I find a kindred spirit in, he says this;
“I am stuck between unbelieving activists and inactive believers” .
Well everyone, that’s where I am in all this, I want to be an Activist Follower of Jesus Christ in all I do and all I believe.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up dissension,
but love covers over all wrongs.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
AMEN.
July 31, 2008 at 5:33 pm |
extremely interesting insight. I had never noticed prior to this how the right wing doesn’t show extreme hatred (at least AS extreme) as the left wing does. Very interesting. I enjoyed it. Good read.
August 2, 2008 at 3:12 pm |
Hate has no boundaries. It doesn’t take even an open mind to hear the deep (hateful) feelings of Shaun Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter toward people who are liberal.
August 3, 2008 at 12:00 am |
David, I also think that there is too much hate on the right as well. I am deeply disturbed about the depth of hate in our country. I hope that we will see a change with our new President, Obama or McCain. I believe that both will help heal the deep partisian wounds of America. I am holding out for an Obama/Heagle ticket or a McCain/Liberman ticket. Bipartisianship is the key, Unity.
August 7, 2008 at 6:39 pm |
My grandfather used to tell me that I should never discuss politics and religion with people. Ironically, these are my two favorite subjects. I think that most people are sensitive about religion and politics because they hold the ideologies dear, and in some way feel that if they are opposed by another, it is a personal affront and the effort to conform the opposition through ridicule or violence ensues. Along the same line, unless others have the same world view, there can be no common ground.
I think the manifestation of hate comes from this insecurity. For the believer, Jesus instructs us to “love one another and by this all men will know that you are my disciples,” this would include our more liberal brothers! There is room for debate in the Kingdom about political ideology but there is no room for hate. Also, life is too short and precious to be consumed with hate, unfortunately, hate is a human condition.
Our affiliation with Christ should be our first and foremost source of identity and our political ideology somewhere in the background. Therefore, let our love for Jesus and our desire to honor Him with our life regulate our behavior. Jesus said “you have head it said that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you. In order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” Matt 5:43-45
August 12, 2008 at 2:29 pm |
As an unapologetic Democrat, I have to say I found your blog very one-sided. The left leaning blogs you referenced I wish everyone would read. Sure, in the comment sections, you will have some far out people expressing some pretty disgusting stuff. It is a free forum for people to communicate and and express themselves and no matter what, there is always a few who will demonstrate their personal character failings as opposed to their political and world views that the majority share.
Take some time to read through the comments left on the right leaning blogs. Some posters have called for the assassination of Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, AL Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Nancy Pelosi to site some recent rants. When Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the right leaning blogs had some pretty repugnant commentors who opening celebrated the news, noting all Democrats should have the same fate. Then you have the right wing talking heads that speak to millions of radio listeners and TV viewers, polluting our airwaves with hate, division and faux patriotism. Glenn Beck calling all people of Muslim faith terrorists, Lou Dobbs making a career out of demonizing Mexicans, Hannity, Savage, O’Reilly and their ilk making their lucrative living out of demonizing fellow Americans, who happen to lean to the left politically. You had Ann Coulter calling John Edwards, a Presidential candidate, a Fag to a cheering audience who have come to not only expect that kind of hateful rhetoric from her but come to see her BECAUSE of it. The examples are too numerous to post here, but you get my drift.
I don’t agree with Code Pink’s tactics, but I do understand their passion. They believe launching an illegal, pre-emptive war is immoral and the lives lost were the result of murder by our governments actions. You may see their actions as hate, but I see them as desperate to stop the killing when no one seems to be listening. I personally cringe when I see them at hearings on C-SPAN interrupting the proceedings. I know their heart is in the right place, but their tactics have made a mockery of their position and further alienates them from the people in power they need. Cindy Sheehan is another story. She is a grieving Mom. I can’t pretend to understand what it must be like to lose a child, especially when she believes in her heart and soul her son did not have to die. Now that we know the war was manufactured by this administration and sold to us based on deliberate lies, she is right. Her son, as well as the over 4,100 other American lives lost in Iraq, didn’t have to die. None of us are in a position to judge that woman or women like her. They have my compassion and should have yours also.
August 16, 2008 at 1:47 am |
sara,
responses like yours just further the lock down of debate. for your information i do see the hate that exists on the right wing of the republican party, but i have seen it more prevalent on the left wing, that is my opinion. you have to come away from the kool aid of the left just as i have come away from that of the right. the polar extremes are NEVER right. common ground is found when both sides compromise to meet in the middle. when elections are held, its not because more Republicans voted than Democrats, or vice versa its because they compromised and got the middle to see what they see is the right path for our country, be it Bill Clintons victories in the 90’s or George Bush’s or Ronald Regan’s’. please try to look at things with an open mind that is not bogged down with “rhetoric” and “talking points”, i absolutely hate that with all i am. you will never find “republican talking points” here or for that case democrats either, however much i may agree, it will be from an original thought. no “bush lied kids died” here. you will also not find defense or sympathy with the like of Ann Counter here so just try to see things with clear eyes. I am a Moderate Independent, and those with like minded politics of no partisanship will decide the election not registered democrats or republicans. come to the center and see the idiocy of both sides of our screwed up system, the prospective is eye opening.