Y Not I

I found this paper on Black Liberation Theology done by a friend of mine very interesting and informative. When it comes to politics I think it better to support a candidate because you like their positions rather than dislike the other guy. Our political system is filled with just showing why the other candidate is bad and thus vote for my candidate, rather than vote for my candidate because they best represent your values, or would be the best for the country, or whatever reason. Because of this I tend to shy away from things that are negative to a candidate, especially if it does not deal directly with policy. However, as a believer, I found it informative to learn about the spiritual education of Barack Obama, especially when there was so much of it in the news. While I do not think the right candidate has to have a faith that is exactly like mine or even necessarily close to mine, I do think it can tell you something about the person. While this paper does not necessarily indicate that this is what Obama believes and lives in his faith, it would be foolish to think that sitting in the pew for 20 years would not have some effect on him, and if it did not, then why was he there? His faith is between him and his creator. As for myself though, I have been called to inspect fruit (Luke 6:43-44).

I did a similar evaluation and spoke with the author of this paper about the faith of Mitt Romney back when it seemed like he might be the Republican candidate for President. Even though I might like his policies, it was hard to get past the fact that he accepts the Mormon teaching. Richard John Neuhaus writing in the Catholic journal, First Things stated:

Not to put too fine a point on it, the founding stories and doctrines of Mormonism appear to the outsider as a bizarre phantasmagoria of fevered religious imagination not untouched by perverse genius.

To me it was difficult to get past someone who accepts this “bizarre phantasmagoria” as truth to have the sound thought patterns to be the President of the United States. Of course, non believers would say that the faith I prescribe to is also hard to believe, but the point Neuhaus was making was that Mormon leaders do not allow questions of the faith, where the faith of the Bible is open to discussion and dissension. Also, archaeological findings that have confirmed some of the things spoken of in the Bible, wherein Mormonism has none of that. These same concerns are true for the presumptive Democratic candidate. Looking at this past gives at the very least a cause to pause when deciding whom to trip the lever for this November.

Another aspect of the paper that I found enlightening was that it revealed more than I could ever find via the typical outlets. We all have seen the YouTube videos. Outside of those little sound bites it helped me to learn more about Liberation Theology and Black Liberation Theology. I hope it will help you.

Regardless of your choice this coming election I would hope and pray that the choice is not based upon sound bites, but by prayerfully looking at the candidates, their positions and values and how they might represent you and this country. Choose the best candidate and not vote against the one that you have been lead to hate. That is what the 527 groups want and that is part of this terribly divisive time for our country.

May God continue to shine His blessings upon this country. May this country continue to bless Israel.

B”H