The Religious Right vs. Every Day Christians

There was an op-ed in the Sunday edition of The Tennessean, Nashville's daily paper, trying to make the case that white evangelicals hold the key to Barack Obama's white house bid. It made me think of the religious right, which I define as a body of people who say they have the right to do anything they want because they claim to have God's approval. The late Jerry Falwell and the current Pat Robertson come to mind.

I think there are some televangelists who come into so much money and notoriety that it corrupts them just like those same things spoil some athletes and other celebrities. History is filled with corrupted leaders who have used organized religion to cause wars and create havoc in many societies.

Not to be confused with this group are everyday Christians who keep their faith and try to live in a way that demonstrates the healing power of religious love. They do not participate in double speak or character assassination. There are a lot of these folks, in fact, who are members of a small Methodist church in the mountains of northern Tennessee. And there are millions of people like them, in that respect, throughout the country.

There is room in this country for all religions and beliefs and room for non-believers as well. I believe every one chooses their path and then lives with the consequences of their decisions. I'm not going to write about those folks, however, because I really don't know very much about them. I've read up on some of them but not enough to feel well versed. Having established that, I would guess they wouldn't appreciate me speaking for them.

The little church in downtown Westmoreland that is across from the library, on the other hand, I know really well. In the years that have gone by I have never heard the pastor talk politics; not once. We have talked a lot about Bible study topics, Sunday sermon topics, and even about pancake breakfasts and spaghetti suppers, but never about politics. It is the same way among members.

Our pastor will be leaving in a week or so to take over a charge closer to his home town of Carthage, Tennessee, and we will be receiving a new pastor. The lady who is coming into that position is a single mother with a 14-year-old son who will be starting high school here in the fall. I have talked with her and I think she will fit in with our church just fine.

There are members of our church who read The Huffington Post and there are members who don't. Some have internet access, some don't and there's some who don't want it. As individuals we vote according to what we think is correct. Some are Republicans and some are Democrats but political issues do not define us as Christians.

What does define us is an unwavering belief in God, a dedication to community and a realistic but compassionate understanding of our neighbors. When I deliver meals to the home-bound on Fridays I don't ask them who they're going to vote for. I ask them how else I can help them. Sometimes I even invite them to come to church.

When I hear about people like Rev. John Hagee, Evangelist Rod Parsley, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Michael Pflegler I pray that the Lord will guide them. When I disagree with them, I do not ask God to be on my side; I ask Him to guide me to understanding so that I can be on His side.

You see, in our little church we are not power brokers. We are Christians.

Comments

[blaqntelligence]

R.T. Eby "You see, in our little church we are not power brokers. We are Christians."

Thank you. Yet so many "christians" jump into the public arena claiming to speak for God.

In their quest for power they make a laughingstock of God and His followers.