Kerry must stress American ideals over Bush's vision of a cruel God

[checks-n-balances]

Why let the right wing hijack and create God in their own image?? To set the context, a related statement by Rev. Jim Wallis, who edits the liberal Christian magazine Sojourners:

"Democrats often make the mistake of restricting faith to the private sphere,'' he said. Wallis went on to parody the standard approach to religion by Democratic candidates: ''I have faith, but don't worry, it won't affect me.''

from:
http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040611/6279562s.htm

Now, excerpts from the article,
Kerry must stress American ideals over Bush's vision of a cruel God

By David Rozelle
June 14, 2004

First, as Bush's opponent, Kerry would do well to study ex-President Jimmy Carter's broad pragmatic distinction between Christians. In a recent interview, Carter, a Baptist, said that "the two principal things in a practical sense that starkly separate the ultra-right-wing Christian community from the rest of the Christian world" are the support of peace and the "alleviation of suffering among the poor and the outcast."

Second, while Kerry cannot run as a religiously inspired candidate (he has read the Constitution), the question becomes can he win over Christian voters - including legions of evangelicals - without citing Christianity? He can.

What John Kerry must do is cast his every position on every vital issue in a bright moral light that reflects the longstanding ideals of this nation. Embedded in our ideals is a humane concept of Jesus Christ that stands in sharp contrast to Bush's harsh, vainglorious vision. For most of us, believers or not, Christ is a peacemaker, champion of the poor, a healer, steward of the earth, a lover of each of us as a child of God without exception.

<snip>

"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man," (Thomas} Paine reminds us. It also makes for a cruel nation. To defeat George W. Bush, we must defeat his god as well.

More at:
http://www.madison.com/captimes/opinion/column/guest/76335.php

[skjpm]

1. I admire Jim Wallis

I wish they'd pick him as the token Christian on the political roundtables instead of James Dobson or Jerry Falwell (eek!).

[checks-n-balances]

2. AGREED, and a FANTASTIC IDEA!

Hmm...I'm puttin on my "To do" list to email all the decent media channels still out there and urge them to start featuring Wallis. Falwell, et.al. spew their distorted views and give Christianity a bad name in the process. Thanks for reminding me of that!

[DinahMoeHum]

3. IOW, appeal to hope, not to fear.

:kick: