"National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then
were dismissed behind their backs and described as 'ridiculous', 'out of
control,' and just plain 'goofy' ".
-- from "Tempting Faith: An Inside Story
of Political Seduction" by David
Kuo, former deputy
director of the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives
David Kuo was a man who had somewhat of a problem with the Bush
administration's view of people of faith. In fact, anyone who gives value and
priority to the concept of 'respect' would have had Kuo's problem at the time,
as well. And Kuo elaborated on his problem back in 2006 when he said in an
interview to ABC News that high ranking Bush officials often ridiculed
Christian leaders. He cited as an example an instance in which Karl Rove
referred to evangelical leaders as "the nuts".
Both Bush's campaign and administration oozed hypocrisy in their shameless
pandering to evangelicals only to garner their votes. The Bush administration
couldn't simply return the favor with respect.
So that brings us to Obama's announcement that he will actively seek to utilize
and expand the Bush-created faith based initiatives program. However, unlike
the Bush administration, Obama intends to respectfully do more with the program
than use it as window dressing. But, of course, this Democrat is not going to
extend a show of respect to the Christian community without receiving heavy
criticism.
Faith is bedrock of Obama's commitment to helping others and bettering this
country--anybody who's been paying attention can tell that this man's faith in
a higher power is the main impetus which prompted him to make his historic run
for the presidency. And most people of faith know that it's his faith that has
carried him and will carry him throughout this election process.
Obama is doing a natural and admirable thing by reaching out to the Christian
community in such a way as to say "you do matter" (translation:
you're not "nuts" as Rove so eloquently puts it and you are worthy of
respect from your elected officials and otherwise). As a Democrat, Obama will probably
have more trouble of convincing evangelicals to vote for him than perhaps a
Republican would, but it's courageous for him to try anyway.
For him to do so is a testament to his faith in God as well as to the faith of
his potential voters.
Now all this God talk might lead one to believe that I'm a devoted member of
the Christian flock. I'm not. I struggle with faith often and the church...
well, let's just say that it hasn't seen my face in a while. But that doesn't
mean that I seek to or ought to diminish and disrespect the faith of others.
Furthermore, as a liberal Democrat who isn't overly religious but is more spiritual,
I believe it's my duty to not only respect but to encourage the flourishing and
dialogue between the variety of faiths plus among the diversity within the
Christian community concerning Biblical teachings, as well.
And respect is what this entire issue boils down to. It's actually what most
issues boil down to, whether they have to do with race, religion, gender,
sexual orientation, etc.
I subscribe to a Rogerian philosophy of focusing on similarities between
different beliefs and groups while not overlooking the individual, unique
beauty of each of our differences. And anytime someone or some organization
wants to utilize faith-- no matter which one-- in an effort to tamper conflict
and not to inflame it, I'm in full support of it. So, faith-based initiatives
that do good works within communities are outside the realm of what I would
criticize. However, there are those people who do criticize them.
But I wonder if those same people wouldn't consider or support the positive and
constructive interests of those in the black community, or in the Jewish
community, or in environmental organizations etc. These are just some of the
many groups who possess unique issues, needs and goals. I have a feeling that
the uproar from people wouldn't be as ferocious over groups originating from
within these communities as it is over these faith-based programs. Because
groups from these communities might oftentimes work together among people like
themselves to promote a better culture and society for us all.
However, these groups are in no way exclusive or isolated, the exact same way I
suspect Obama plans the newly dubbed Council
for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to be. Obama is aiming for a
cooperation among us all. Even if it is a faith-centered venture, it's no
matter the source of the outgrowth of change, as long as intentions are good
and all of our humanity is the better for it. And I'm one not-so-religious
liberal Democrat who is all for it.
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