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Religion on the campaign trail is about power
Former Arkansas governor and 2012 presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee found himself in hot water this week after he called Islam the "antithesis of the gospel of Christ" and said that churches that share worship space with Muslims are caving to a religion "that says that Jesus Christ and all the people that follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated."
In an analysis of how Islam may shape campaign politics, Politico's Bryon Tau wrote: "As Republican candidates define their national security stands in the 2012 elections, conservative discomfort with Islam in America will be a feature of the debate."
Should Islam be debated on the campaign trail? Are religious issues in danger of being exploited?
No religion is fairly depicted on a campaign trail. The raison d'état for campaigns is to lift one person or group to power over others, thus the chances of an objective understanding, let alone respect, of any religious community except one's own is close to zero. To stereotype any faith by one scripture reference or fundamentalist sect is unfair and uninformed. Would Christians want a non-Christian to characterize our faith by excerpting comments Jesus made , "...I did not come to bring peace but a sword" (Matthew 10:34) or assume that all Christians must be like the ones who hold up "God hates fags" signs outside military funerals?
By
Joel Hunter
|
February 23, 2011; 8:17 PM ET
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Posted by: ThomasBaum | February 25, 2011 4:21 PM
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Thomas, you make me laugh. The key problem with your comment is one little pronoun: "I". "I would point out..." is in fact an individual's interpretation. Who's to say your neighbor doesn't believe it means a literal sword? Or the crazy guy down the street? Sure, maybe most of the Christians you know believe as you do, but that tiny little problem is...not everyone will. Think about that in the context of this week's question, and a little more wisdom might come your way.
Posted by: VisionFromAfar | February 25, 2011 3:42 PM
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Joel Hunter
You wrote, "Would Christians want a non-Christian to characterize our faith by excerpting comments Jesus made , "...I did not come to bring peace but a sword" (Matthew 10:34)"
Sure, I would and I would point out that Jesus was speaking about a "sword" of Truth, the "Sword of God", as opposed to a "sword" of man.
I would also point out, that the "peace" in this statement, by Jesus, is that which we, as humans, usually look at, as opposed to the "Peace that passeth all understanding", which Jesus spoke of also.
Take care, be ready.
Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.
Posted by: ThomasBaum | February 24, 2011 4:48 PM
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Short, but to the point, and very logical. Please go to the next step beyond stating your practical wisdom. So how does Huckabee fit into this quagmire? And the other politicians? And the people?
Posted by: Kingofkings1 | February 24, 2011 1:51 AM
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VisionFromAfar
You wrote, "Thomas, you make me laugh. The key problem with your comment is one little pronoun: "I". "I would point out..." is in fact an individual's interpretation."
And it is this individual's interpretation because I have met God and God has chosen me to speak.
You then wrote, "Who's to say your neighbor doesn't believe it means a literal sword?
People are entitled to believe whatever they believe.
You also wrote, "Sure, maybe most of the Christians you know believe as you do, but that tiny little problem is...not everyone will."
I don't know what other people think of this verse and "that tiny little problem" is not my concern.
Just because someone believes something does not make it true and for that matter it doesn't matter if most or all believe something, it still doesn't make something true.
You then wrote, " Think about that in the context of this week's question, and a little more wisdom might come your way."
Have you ever thought that a "little more wisdom" might have already come my way?
God has a Plan and has had a Plan since before creation and God becoming One of us has been part of that Plan since before creation and God did just that when God became Incarnate in the Person of Jesus.
God's Plan is also for all to be, ultimately, with God in God's Kingdom.
See you and the rest of humanity in the Kingdom.
Take care, be ready.
Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.