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October 22, 2007
...Before the Fall
This is what the quest for the perfect candidate hath wrought - not even an ordained Baptist minister is Christian enough to suit the self-appointed evangelical 'leadership.'
Several conservative leaders yesterday concluded that none of the principal Republican presidential hopefuls deserves their support, not even Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist minister.That last sentence makes me shudder a bit - it reeks of a hunger for power rather than a humility of purpose. The purpose of Christianity - the reason we're here - is not to make candidates kiss our collective rings or gain temporal power. Our faith should have a greater meaning than simply being a litmus test for a political candidates."There was no consensus on candidates, no agreement, period," a participant confided after the meeting, held at the Washington Hilton one day after several of their groups participated in a "Values Voters" summit at that hotel.
Then, referring to Mr. Huckabee, he said, "He's finished, I think. Bad things will be coming out about him," referring to long-standing accusations surrounding Mr. Huckabee's clemency for a rapist who later murdered someone in another state.
After meeting for more than two hours yesterday, members of the Arlington Group of social-conservative leaders agreed only to call on the president, on Congress and even on the liberal group MoveOn.org for a day of prayer on Thanksgiving.
One major figure on the Christian Right who was considered a behind-the-scenes backer of former Tennessee Gov. Fred Thompson, said at yesterday's closed-door session that he simply didn't think any of the major Republican hopefuls could pass "the straight-face test" when it comes to commitment to Christian principles.
I would ask those who presume to speak for my faith to read this post, and some of the comments in this thread. Read them and ask yourselves - is your attitude glorifying Christ? Is your quest for power winning you the converts that matter in eternity? Are your political principles getting in the way of your true purpose?
At this point, I don't care if these voters sit out the next election, or form a third party. I just wish they'd stop portraying my faith as nothing more than a set of political yardsticks that candidates have to reach in order to gain the 'approval' of those who call themselves "values voters."
Posted by slublog at October 22, 2007 10:49 PM
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Comments
For a long time I have been troubled that the evangelical church seems to be distracted by politics, and that as a result God's name is getting dragged through the mud. It seems that the matter is going to be taking care of itself soon.
Posted by: MainiacJoe at October 23, 2007 01:01 AM
I still think this is a reaction to amnesty and other GOP elite sellouts, and that's why all the faactions of the conservative coalition are on edge.
http://doubleplusundead.mee.nu/selling_out_has_consequences
Posted by: sinistar at October 23, 2007 06:28 PM
I don't know. Perhaps for the greater social conservative community, but not for the evangelical leaders. They've kind of squishy on immigration enforcement - it's all about abortion, gay rights and political clout for them.
Posted by: Slublog at October 23, 2007 07:13 PM
Maybe, but I still think they reflect the social cons to an extent, I think these guys really are in it for the agenda, power is secondary for them.
I think what they fear is that the GOP elite are gonna do to them what they are trying to do with Amnesty, lets be honest, the GOP elite's platform IS Amnesty, they're at war with their own popular movement.
That position is anti-conservative by nature, the elite know it, and they don't care, they're corrupt.
Essentially, the GOP elite aren't willing to conform to conservatism, rather than saying they are acting in a non-conservative way, they're trying to fundamentally change conservatism to conform to their own corrupt views. Ditto on spending, gov't size, and fiscal responsibility.
The evangelical leadership sees that, and they're not gonna let the GOP elite try it on them too without a fight. We may not like how they're fighting, but when looked at in the context that I've given above, it makes sense. I admit, I find it foolish, but I don't blame them.
Posted by: sinistar at October 23, 2007 09:49 PM