Why Sarah Palin Doesn't Speak For Me

There are several reasons why I've never bothered with a fish symbol on my car. Yes, I think they're tacky. They also do a disservice to persecuted Christians of centuries past who used them as a means of covert identification.

But the biggest reason I don't have a fish is that my driving is less than ideal. What if I accidentally cut off another car that's in my blind spot? Worse, what if I'm angry and impatient about an unrelated matter and it shows up in my driving? I'm not setting a real good example out there and don't want to drag down God's good name.

Which brings me to Sarah Palin, and her all-too-self-assured assertions that she is the embodiment of the average, faith-filled American. I don't know what's more reckless -- her statements attempting to link Barack Obama with terrorists or John McCain's hasty, uninformed selection of her in the first place.

The scary thing about Palin is her willingness to say just about anything -- and the outside chance that she might actually believe the verbiage she's spewing. Scarier still is that she does it as a so-called Christian with no sense of shame.

I say these things as a so-called follower of Christ myself, one who's grown increasingly concerned with the notion that Sarah Palin somehow speaks for "Main Street" and speaks for Christians everywhere.

She doesn't speak for me. And she doesn't speak for many people of evangelical faith that I know. What is clear is that she is a politician first, second and third, and a person of faith when it suits her agenda.

A person of faith doesn't spend tens of thousands of tax dollars decorating her office. A person of faith certainly doesn't use the power of an entire state in a personal vendetta against their former brother-in-law. And a person of faith doesn't drag their pregnant teenage daughter into an overwhelming national spotlight by choosing a political race over family at such a vulnerable time. And as the parents of a special-needs child ourselves, my wife and I are skeptical about her ability to devote the necessary time to her baby son's situation regardless of how many nannies she could afford on a vice president's salary.

I don't expect perfection from people of faith. Most of us have enough skeletons in our closets to stage a chorus line of "Dem Bones" at any given moment. But in my years as a journalist, most of the hate mail I've received has come from allegedly evangelical Christians, whose venom and vitriol usually has had a lot more to do with politics than piety.

They wanted to solve the world's problems by controlling its governments, especially the one in Washington. And God help anyone who got in their way.

By the time I waded through their verbal assaults, I wasn't convinced their faith was all that authentic or, ironically, that it could withstand the fire and brimstone of the judgment they were sure was going to rain down on their adversaries.

I am also troubled by Palin's inexperience in governing as much as her quest to wear her faith as a self-righteous badge, just as I am troubled by Obama's relative newbie status and his ties to Tony Rezko and the Chicago Machine. Just as I am bothered by his mouthy former pastor, the one who lives in a mansion his church built for him. (The Son of Man, Jesus noted, had nowhere to lay his head.) And I wonder, too, about McCain's dreadful military record, his ties to special interests and his age.

Beyond Palin, one has to question if most Christians even know what "conservatism" means any more. It certainly has nothing to do with an out-of-control national debt. The idea that government governs best when it governs least has been tossed aside by an executive branch that treats the legislature and the judiciary like a czar treats his peasants, that goes to war over nonexistent weapons of mass destruction, that is arrogantly disdainful of the world community, that in recent weeks expanded the treasury's powers beyond anything we've ever seen.

All these changes were wreaked on us by a man, it should be noted, who made similar claims to faith. But these deeds deserve no praise.

Jesus himself never had much use for politics. He paid his tax with a coin found in a smelly fish's mouth. Some of his closest friends were hoping he was heading into Jerusalem during his final week to lead a political insurrection, not a revolution of the heart. He had the chance to pursue earthly power but wasn't impressed and turned away. Too bad some of his self-proclaimed modern followers have less self-control.

Follow Patrick Kampert on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PatKampert

Comments

[Maui3]

Isn't always the lesser of two evils? Which one of these candidates, President and VP, is genuinely good. Which one holds the most moral value for America. Not one of them can solve the economic pinch the world is in with their own plan, it's impossible. it's a matter of consensus and of learning what works and what doesn't. Keep your moral values intact and you'll prosper.

By the way, Jesus did not cast stones and neither should we.

[jalyn]

Wondering where I fit in as a christian, I could no longer tolerate the conservative internet news sites, and woke up when the church started to embrace some in a political party that feels it's their divine mission to impose a kingdom built on earth.....and, when my christian peers show no remorse for all the verbal attacks, I get pretty discouraged. But, thanks to this article, I know others out there see that Jesus never intended for any of this. Someone asked me why I read this "foaming at the mouth" liberal site, I have to reply, it tells things like they see it.

[readyfornewleadership]

I am a non-right wing Christian (Roman Catholic). I go to mass 3-4 times a week, striving to learn how to love my neighbor as myself. I know I will never meet the standard I should meet. I know some incredible humble Christians. Not a single one is any thing like Sarah Palin. She is incredibly frightening and is representative of the HATE that is espoused by so-called Christians. God help us all.

[rpyon21]

Sarah Palin has made little effort to separate her religion from her politics. Perhaps this article makes a valid point about Palin's opportunistic use of religion in her politics. You can find out more about this issue if you go to http://www.dailysource.org/special/palin/196#palin%26%2339%3Bs_churches%2C_and_her_speech_as_governor_at_the_wasilla_assembly_of_god.

Or if you want video coverage of Palin mixing religion and politics, go to http://www.dailysource.org/special/palinvideos/249#religion. There, you will find videoclips concerning Sarah Palin and religion.

[PatrickKampert]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad this resonated with some people. FYI, I'm a former Chicago Tribune reporter and editor and am in the beginning stages of a blog: http://reportingonfaith.wordpress.com

[maidenofdforest]

Mr. Kampert,

This is a well written and honest peice of mind about Chrisitans & Christianity. And this is not exclusive to Republicans like Sarah Palin, who acts more like Pontius Pilate---than as a touted Evangelical like herself.

Truth to tell, I smirk at these Republican thugs who represents Christiany at its lowest, smears people because they are more self righteous than everyone else.

Look at Bachmann and her views...she is a Republican Christian but wants Obama to be investigated right now because he has ties to Ayers....when actually, what she wants to do is witch hunt. Their ties were on an educational and charitable front. It was decades ago. Had they planned to bomb the US and other terroristic activities, they have been superceded by the 911 account. Preposterous ideas.

These are the footprints of the righteous conservatives whose words seem holier than thou.

Palin, Bachmann, McCain looks all so pathetic together with the Republican gods who wants to manage this country--and now losing it to Dems that to hell with being Christian when it suits them.

Peter said 3 times, "I love you, Lord..." while holding the shekel of gold coins paid to him for giving away his master. He committed suicide....

So, what will the Reps do when they are losing? Look at the robocalls and the tv ads and surrogates all over. I'm a Chistian but my hand is doing another thing while the mouth is saying another.

[k m]

"Peter said 3 times, "I love you, Lord..." while holding the shekel of gold coins paid to him for giving away his master. He committed suicide...."

Not wanting to sound to snarky here, but you've got Judas and Peter mixed up here on several levels.

[Trogenhorse]

This is such a well written article. I think you hit the nail on the head. Christianity has taken a sharpe political right and left many of us on the road!

The conservatives do nothing to make this better. Seperation of church and state doesn't mean faith doesn't enter into the conversation. It doesn't mean faith (one faith) rules everything either.

The war over winning hearts is being fought by Senator Obama. His message is " compromise and learn to get things done"

[TheIndependenceParty]

Amen. In the end a person's faith is an individual consideration. It should be at the heart of what a person does every day, and reflected in their actions in their community. Wearing it like a flag or a broach on one's lapel is in itself an afront to the Object of a person's faith. Doing so with a smirk and a wink comes off as if faith is an "inside joke" among otherwise worldly politica types, kind of a secret handshake that disinherits the Meek of the Earth from their promised rewards. Like every other con game in te world.

[eodell]

Thank you for saying this. One of the things that has long bugged me about the religious right is that, all too often, it seems like the good Christians keep silent while the hypocrites drag the teachings of Christ through the mud. I'm not a Christian myself, but I know there are good Christians out there -- I was raised by them. And while I don't buy into the metaphysical aspects of religion personally, I can find no complaint with the doctrines contained in the Sermon on the Mount, and I often have to wonder if so-called evangelicals have even read it.

So thanks for fighting the good fight. Christ came to teach us to love our fellow man, and I'm glad that there are good Christians like you preaching that worthwhile message in the face of the hate-filled ignoramuses who use the faith to excuse their terrible, terrible sins.

[Krikkit]

I'm less concerned with Palin's claims to Christianity (a personal belief system). However I am entirely alarmed by her claims to speak FOR God when she says "We're in Iraq doin' God's will." She's alluded to the same in her pursuit of government office. I'm also alarmed by the number of people willing to follow her on the basis of those claims.

I had a friend many years ago, a gay man who saw his own share of persecution at the hands of so-called Christians, including threats against his life. His response? He put THIS on his car:

JESUS SAVE ME
from your followers

Religion has been used down through the ages to justify acts of attrocity that most Americans, innured to history, would recoil to learn about. Let us not forget that next time a tv personality says "God showed me" or "God told me" or "I know God's will."

[PitBullWoman]

Years ago, I was waiting at a stoplight on a busy intersection in Denver, CO. Traffic at the light was backed up 3 blocks or so so we each had to wait through a couple of light changes to get through the intersection. The driver of the car in front of me became so angry that he wouldn't make the light that he jumped out across the yellow center line, gunned his engine and sped down the opposite side of the road to beat oncoming traffic and made a fast rough left into a small shopping center parking lot. --- He was driving a volvo with one of those obnoxious fish symbols on his car. -Yup.

Now anyone who has spent any amount of time in Denver knows that as a general rule red lights are for running. Even given this understanding, this driver's behavior was so remarkable and memorable and dangerous. I could help thinking, a Volvo means he has concern for his personal safety. And the fish symbol that meant he was "more equal than others", angry, intolerant, aggressive, with demonstrable lack of concern for "children of lesser gods," with the obnoxious " I gave my life to Jesus so I'm no longer responsible for anything I do" attitude-- "It's OK that I'm a selfish jerk, because I'm not perfect and if God wanted me to be different he'd 'change my heart'."

[vendredi]

I am not a follower of Jesus. But as a 'non-Christian' so to speak, my hat is off to you, Mr Kempert, for making this important distinction in the separation of church and state. I do see the difference between belief and expedience.

The few people I know who perhaps show some of what Jesus might have been, I have the utmost admiration for. I think they are worthy of respect, and may well be better than I am.

But those who use religion to entrance the rabble - such as Cheney and the Palin's handlers - words cannot describe the contempt I feel for them.

They are transparent, using religion as just a tactic. They treat sacred things like mercenary. They are beneath contempt. They are liars with the justification of "blind faith". And I think faith should not be blind.

In some ways I envy your perspective. I'm saving your article to my desktop, on the off-chance that I'll need it to reassure evangelicals (true evangelicals) that Palin doesn't sound to me any more evangelical than she does conservative (in the real sense of conservative). With those people I speak with, Palin is not confused with "Christian" or "evangelical", just so you know. She's just another candidate trying to get ahead - all religion aside. And religion is just the costume she chooses.

I guess this is all just to say that some people do not blame your faith, for what Palin chooses as her flavour of the

[PatrickforO]

I too am Christian, but I haven't called myself that for many years, because the far right wing has hijacked the faith. Most of the outspoken 'evangelicals' these days were called Pharisees in the days of Christ.

[2dark]

The "Christian Right" that you speak of are neither.

[sherrybb]

This is the first time I have seen a real live Christian complain about some of Sarah Palin's antics. I was starting to believe that Christians felt that as long as Palin had the "correct" social views, that her disgusting behavior and lies were irrelevant. I watched the "Christians" villify Kathleen Parker on the conservative site, Townhall. I watched people attack my faith when I pointed out that Jesus did not exactly say that Obama was the antichrist. Countless numbers of people told me that nor "real" or "true" Christian could ever vote for Obama and that there would be a special place in hell for Obama and anyone who voted for him. No wonder I sometimes struggle with my faith, and the Jesus that I know, I can not find in their Bible, their truth. For a moment, my faith in a fellow believer is restored. With much seriousness, thank you,Patrick.

[Over50WhiteWoman]

Well, though both parties have tried to co-opt Christianity for their own purposes, right now the GOP seems to have succeeded. My problem, as a Christian, is that the Bible I read is not reflected in either parties' platforms.

Both parties are pro-war, only differing in reason and degree. One favors the 'thou shalt not' morality of outlawing homosexuality, adultery, and abortion. I prefer the more positive approach of "Loving our neighbors" and helping the poor, the old, and the sick. One is Old Testament, the other is New Testament. One is punishment and control, the other is open and loving. Jesus is NT.

Since I prefer to believe in a God of love, I vote Democratic. Republicans clearly believe in a God of vengeance. I just wish they would remember what the Bible says. "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." They seem to forget this and try to judge everyone themselves.

Jesus said we would know his followers by their love. This is the jarring off-tune note of the R's attempt at being Christians. They don't show the love.