Religion and Politics in the United States of America

It strikes me as odd that George W. Bush is supported by the “Religious Right” in the US. It seems to demonstrate that it is not really about a set of spiritual beliefs, but rather a small politicized sub-set of those beliefs (mostly abortion).

For no purpose other than it irks me to see such a blasphemous whoring of Christianity, I am going to examine the scriptural (in)consistency of George W Bush.

George W Bush makes a big deal of his Religion. Lately he has even taken to speaking at churches on Sundays while campaigning. I would like to cite Matthew 6:1 – 6:7 in this context:

Be carefull not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven.
When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.
I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Then there is the issue of the sanctity of life. George W Bush is on the “right” side of the abortion issue, but this is where the hypocracy really begins. As Governor of Texas, George W Bush was the only person with the authority to grant pardons for convicted murderers facing execution in the state of Texas. Not only did he not grant a single pardon during his tenure, he also executed more prisoners than any Governor in the history of the United States. This does not sound like the (in)actions of a man who values Life, let alone knowing anything about forgiveness.

If I had to choose one principal that sums up the teachings of Christianity, it would be “Love your neighbor”. However, George W Bush has had a consistent practice of disregarding our neighbors. When a large portion of the American public voiced disapproval of an invasion of Iraq without exhausting all possibilities, he stated that he “[doesn't] listen to focus groups”. This was no focus group, it was 20-40% of the American public. This is definitely his neighbors. When other global leaders agreed with the American public he stated “they are either with us or they are against us”. That kind of divisive speech is not only lacking of love and compassion, it borders on threatening.

Religion does not equal faith just as politics does not equal government. There are many people of Faith that see the clear contradictions is what George W Bush preaches vs. what George W Bush practices. Maybe this is why Republicans are going to vote for Kerry.

-Jackson

P.S. rumor has it I have a Republican relative who isn’t going to vote for Bush. He is planning to vote for Nader in protest.

update:
There was an interesting article on cnn.com today recapping an interview with Pat Robertson. Apparently Robertson had warned Bush about the Iraq war. He had warned Bush that there would be casualties. But he did not try to talk Bush out of going to war. This seems very inconsistent with Christianity to me. He was a “Christian” leader, condoning war. He knew there would be murder on both sides of the battle field and all he had to say about it was “Prepare the American people for casualties”. At first I read this as some dissention in the ranks of the religious right, but that is not it at all.

Pat Robertson thought this was going to be a “messy” war with casualties on both sides because he sees this as part of the fullfillment of the bible. The religious right needs there to be a big showdown at the end. They need Israel to win since the Jews are “God’s chosen people”. And they need Islam to loose.

I can’t help but wonder if the religious right will one day end the world or come damn close just to fulfill prophecies.

[rant]
Also, I had an interesting thought the other day. If I was Governor and George W Bush was up for execution (war crimes maybe), would I pardon him. When this thought first popped into my head I couldn’t help but chuckle a little. Then I stopped to really think about it. I think George W is evil. I don’t think he _deserves_ to live. However, I don’t see how I could not pardon him. If I am true to my beliefs I don’t see how I could not pardon him. I wish all the people who vote based on the abortion issue and their “Christian” beliefs would think a little more about all the other killing that is going on in the world. George W is responsible for many deaths.

[/rant]