Election
Wednesday Nov 05, 2008 Posted by:Tim
OK, so I was moved to tears of gladness for the presidential result; so much so, I plan to write a hand-written letter to President-elect Obama-
It’s so overwhelming a release- like 400 years of prayers are suddenly fulfilled.
I feel convicted to let him know that as a politically left-leaning, white Christian elder at my church, I fully support his promise of working with those he disagrees with. While I may be a bit giddy with the idea of him in the oval office along with a strong Democratic majority in both houses (finally, real family values of peace with justice has a chance!), I deeply know that one of the biggest follies of the current administration has been the “my way or no way” approach to governing.
The conservative friends I know and love and with whom I often disagree, will still have ideas/solutions that objectively make a lot of sense as we tackle the massive mess this country and the world is in.
So far, in his selection of advisors, Obama appears to be selecting well-respected, well-educated experts not given to partisan extremism; so, my hopes for constructive debate are high- the challenge will be for Obama to maintain the tone he already set in his campaign as he takes on the toughest job in the world.
I also need to tell him my prayers are with him for safety, for discernment, for humility, for strength and grace.
And all this amazing uplift is tempered by my disbelief at Prop 8 passing (just barely). It’s, of course, quite personal since I have dear friends and fellow church members who stand to lose legal status as spouse and/or parent. It’s one thing to debate views on homosexuality and whether scripture condemns it – that’s a whole other entry – but it’s quite another thing to force the secular state to strip rights from law-abiding citizens who are choosing to live in committed relationships. I really thought more Jesus-loving people would recognize the wisdom of church/state separation and have the grace not to impose one interpretation of scripture, that is not universally held by Christians, on all people, regardless of their beliefs.
The Prop 8 amendment will never stand the test of time since it is so obviously a violation of civil rights. In terms of timeline, I just thought we we’re closer to the March on Washington instead of just getting to the place where we stay seated in the “wrong” section of the bus. God’s promised justice will come rolling like mighty waters, I’m confident- I’m just so saddened by the delay- “How long, dear Savior, O how long?”
It’s so overwhelming a release- like 400 years of prayers are suddenly fulfilled.
I feel convicted to let him know that as a politically left-leaning, white Christian elder at my church, I fully support his promise of working with those he disagrees with. While I may be a bit giddy with the idea of him in the oval office along with a strong Democratic majority in both houses (finally, real family values of peace with justice has a chance!), I deeply know that one of the biggest follies of the current administration has been the “my way or no way” approach to governing.
The conservative friends I know and love and with whom I often disagree, will still have ideas/solutions that objectively make a lot of sense as we tackle the massive mess this country and the world is in.
So far, in his selection of advisors, Obama appears to be selecting well-respected, well-educated experts not given to partisan extremism; so, my hopes for constructive debate are high- the challenge will be for Obama to maintain the tone he already set in his campaign as he takes on the toughest job in the world.
I also need to tell him my prayers are with him for safety, for discernment, for humility, for strength and grace.
And all this amazing uplift is tempered by my disbelief at Prop 8 passing (just barely). It’s, of course, quite personal since I have dear friends and fellow church members who stand to lose legal status as spouse and/or parent. It’s one thing to debate views on homosexuality and whether scripture condemns it – that’s a whole other entry – but it’s quite another thing to force the secular state to strip rights from law-abiding citizens who are choosing to live in committed relationships. I really thought more Jesus-loving people would recognize the wisdom of church/state separation and have the grace not to impose one interpretation of scripture, that is not universally held by Christians, on all people, regardless of their beliefs.
The Prop 8 amendment will never stand the test of time since it is so obviously a violation of civil rights. In terms of timeline, I just thought we we’re closer to the March on Washington instead of just getting to the place where we stay seated in the “wrong” section of the bus. God’s promised justice will come rolling like mighty waters, I’m confident- I’m just so saddened by the delay- “How long, dear Savior, O how long?”