I have a faith, too.
Posted by
Kevin
When I was sixteen, I was run over by a car and spent a week on the couch in the living room, pleasantly numbed by muscle relaxants. I watched a lot of bad television, but I still remember on British miniseries I saw on PBS. It was about a Marxist who was voted into the Prime Ministership of Great Britain. The series climaxed when the media tycoons who had been using their televisions and newspapers to fabricates stories in order to bring the PM down force him to give a speech announcing his retirement. When the PM asks the head mogul why he was tampering with Great Britain’s democracy, the mogul declares that he was not about to see a Marxist take away everything his family had created. “I have ancestors.” he told the PM.
But when the time came for the live speech, the PM did not resign. Instead, he used the speech to lay out the machinations of his enemies. When the mogul attempted to end the broadcast, he was prevented by the head technician. “I have ancestors, too,” he said as he kept the cameras rolling. John Kerry did something today that very much reminded me of that scene.
Speaking of the Bush Administration Kerry asked:
The scriptures say, what does it profit, my brother, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” Kerry told the congregation at New North Side Baptist Church. “When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?”
Bush’s response was predictably shrill and ridiculous:
Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt said Kerry’s comment “was beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse and a sad exploitation of Scripture for a political attack.”
As usual, when faced with a criticism, the Bush Administration runs from the substance and attempts to smear the critic. Anyone who says their favorite political philosopher is Jesus Christ had best be prepared to defend his actions in the light of Jesus’ teachings.
And that, of course, is the real rub. For far too long, the right wing has gulled the media and the country into thinking that its religion was the only acceptable face of Christianity. It has used the respect for all religions on the left as evidence of the left’s irreligiosity. That has never been the case. The teachings of Jesus Christ are at the core of how millions define their support for liberal causes, myself included. John Kerry, with one small statement, has reminded the nation of that fact. Millions of us are liberal because of our religion. Millions of us are not represented by Opus Dei, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, or any of the other right wing talking heads the media turns to when it wants to “discuss” religion in this country. Antonin Scalia does not speak for all Catholics.
And Kerry’s statement is also a very Catholic statement. Catholics grow up immersed in the doctrine of works — that faith alone will not save you, your own efforts are required. Catholic doctrine also highlights the biblical injunctions to aid your neighbors, and the defense of life and dignity throughout a person’s entire time on this earth. Kerry, like so many of us, has merged those strands of theology into a world view that compels us to be liberals, in action and thought if not always in name. Kerry’s statement shows a depth of understanding about Catholicism that a million of Karl Rove’s carefully crafted photo-ops could never hope to discredit. Every Catholic who hears that speech will hear a little bit of their upbringing.
The language of religion has always been spoken comfortably on the left, even if the principle of tolerance has caused it to occasionally be spoken too quietly. John Kerry is not speaking quietly now. Whatever George W. Bush may desire, whatever the editors of the Washington Post and New York Times may decree, Christianity and faith are not the property of the right wing. I have a faith, too, as does John Kerry and millions of others. It is strong, and sincere, and, as Kerry has reminded us, powerful. And in the face of provocation and distortion, it has no reason to be silent.
Claps and stands up to applaud. Thank you for saying this. I have been saying the same thing about Christians for months in my own personal spot on the web.
I hope you don’t mind if I link this. I have a few readers who will appreciate it greatly.
Ladye
Comment 3/29/2004
Lean Left
Kevin of Lean Left, hit the nail on the head concerning the Bush administration’s response to Kerry’s use of biblical scripture to obliquely criticize the Bush administration’s policies and actions. Anyone who says their favorite political philosopher …
Trackback 3/29/2004
qotd, religion dept.
From Kevin at Lean Left:The language of religion has always been spoken comfortably on the left, even if the principle of tolerance has caused it to occasionally be spoken too quietly. John Kerry is not speaking quietly now. Whatever George
Trackback 3/29/2004
A Liberal Credo
Kevin Raybould of Lean Left has a particularly eloquent rejoinder to the back and forth between John Kerry and George Bush on the topic of faith. Remember, this is the president who told you that his favorite philosopher is Jesus…
Trackback 3/29/2004
Yes! It’s about time the message is made loud and clear that one can be a liberal AND a Christian. Bravo to Kevin and to John Kerry.
Comment 3/29/2004
Thank you, Kevin. That is really beautiful.
Comment 3/29/2004
Excellent.
Comment 3/29/2004
Rock on, brother!
Comment 3/29/2004
The Nerve
Come on, Senator, you know that sanctimony and religious exploitation is the copyrighted property of the Republican party. Any use or rebroadcast of their material without express written permission is prohibited.
Trackback 3/29/2004
Excellent post. I will link this post and add you to the Bark Bark Woof Woof blogroll.
Kerry’s statement and scriptural citation reminds me of one of the reasons I left the Episcopal Church and joined the Quakers; if you’re going to worship God, the most effective way of doing that is by helping his creations to a better life. The smallest good deed is far better than the greatest intention.
Comment 3/29/2004
As a non-christian, I offer a hearty “amen.”
Comment 3/29/2004
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Comment 3/29/2004
I wish I had said it– I need the votes!
Comment 3/29/2004
Bush Claims Kerry Exploits the Scriptures
Bush’s criticism of John Kerry for quoting the scriptures was "predictably shrill and ridiculous." So says Kevin at Lean Left…
Trackback 3/29/2004
Thank you for writing this excellent opinion and defense of “liberal” Christianity. As a member of the United Church of Christ I have become so distressed at the seeming lock of fundamentalist Christians have on “Christianity” that I have called and written to my church leadership to protest their seeming inaction.
I have been assured that they are trying, but I have yet to see much change in the media focus. Perhaps this will change with Mr. Kerry’s use of scripture.
The UCC General Synod had “God Is Still Speaking” as its theme this year. I do believe this, and I see no reason that God cannot speak through a political candidate and process, or even through the internet.
Thank you again.
Comment 3/29/2004
Superbly written, right on the issue and downright moving, Kevin. Thank you.
I’ve expected Bush or one of his henchmen to say something like this for some time, and I’m glad Kerry precipitated the event. Bush’s reply, especially delivered second-hand, is readily translated: “Only the high priest may speak with God.” I am still trying to fathom how any American, of any faith, or even of no faith, can fail to be offended by the statement. It is breathtakingly arrogant. Bush may preach to us endlessly about his personal faith, and may do so in a political context. But Kerry may not phrase even the most obvious observation in scriptural terms. Only the high priest…
Kerry’s message transcends any particular religion. I have a postcard on my office wall, within sight of this computer. It reproduces an artwork containing a single short quote: “It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.” That’s from the 14th Dalai Lama, but one would be hard put to find a religious tradition that didn’t express the same notion in some way.
For a man who claims Jesus as his favorite philosopher, Bush has a lot to learn, in my opinion. I’m not holding my breath. But what do I matter anyway: I’m just a religious non-Christian. As Bush might say to me, and indeed once did say to someone, “who cares what you think!”
Thanks again, Kevin.
Comment 3/29/2004
Thank you for saying what needed to be said. Although baptized Anglican, I went to Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school and the Church’s teachings have affected me deeply. I do not recognize Jerry Falwell and the like as sharing my religion. What they preach is so unlike the Christianity I know.
The movie you remember is “A Very British Coup” from 1988. It was out of print for many years. But recently came out on video and DVD.
See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094576/
The Prime Minister, Harry Perkins is a steelworker and trade unionist from Sheffield (my mother’s hometown), and Labour Party leader. The Labour Party used to be social democrats before Tony Blair found “the third way”. Perkins faces opposition from Sir Percy Browne, a high-ranking career civil servant, along with the military and mysterious people who work for the US embassy.
Class, as always plays a large role in the story. While Sir Percy inherited his title from his father, Harry’s only inheritance was a shaving mug “from me grandfather. The bastards [management at the steelworks] killed him.”
In the final showdown between Harry and Sir Percy, it is noted that Sir Percy’s father was a civil servant, and his father before him, “yea, even unto the middle ages”. Harry says: “Do I scare you that much, you and your ancestors?” At the end of that confrontation, Harry says: “Don’t forget, Sir Percy, I have ancestors, too.” The movie fades out as we hear the TV news anchor presenting the news that the Prime Minister has called a general election and a full public inquiry into the (bogus) allegations of his corruption. Harry may have lost that battle, but he didn’t lose the war.
There’s also some fascinating characterization of a media baron, ŕ la Rupert Murdoch or Robert Maxwell, trying to manipulate public opinion by meddling directly in the articles his paper publishes. Also, the head of the BBC, a posh Tory, reveals a certain subtle partisanship as he shapes the news coverage. Think of the American media today. Hmmm.
I love that movie. It was like a ray of hope in the Reagan, Thatcher, Mulroney years. A real liberal/left fairy tale, one that still warms my heart.
BTW, check out Amazon for “The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists”, the book that Helen (the PM’s former flame) kept reading through the movie. It’s an old polemic from a centruy ago about what the Marxists call “false consciousness” among the working class.
Comment 3/30/2004
Very nicely written. Good job.
Comment 3/30/2004
Yes, very nicely written. Always nice to see leftists compare John Kerry to a Marxist.
Comment 3/30/2004
Give Ear To My Words, O Lord
Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
Trackback 3/31/2004
Doing good works
There’s been some good discussion of the theological implications of John Kerry’s use of Scripture and Team Bush’s fierce response…
Trackback 3/31/2004
I understand your anger towards the right for their irresponsible use of “religion” or “God” to their defense. But on the same token, I think all people (regardless of their position) need to be careful about positioning God or religion to either side of the argument.
I’ve been on numerous sides of the “religious” spectrum from agnostic, to zealot, to somewhere in between and over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that Christianity—most specifically those who not only say they follow Jesus, but do it—has little to do with this world’s political concern or preference. Even Jesus said that “this world is not my home, my place is with my Father” in the Kingdom of God. His political interest is exclusively that of God the Father, not of whether or not Kerry or Bush win the ticket.
In the context of scripture [that is, if you believe it was God’s idea and not that of humans] God says that “my ways are not your ways” and “my thoughts are not your thoughts”, meaning to say that God is on a much different plane than the rest of us messed up folk. So for EITHER Bush or Kerri to use God as something to help win a vote or two is not appropriate, in my opinion of course. Understand I’m not talking about seperation between Church and State [and that whole argument has been quite distorted from its original intention]—I’m simply saying that you don’t just “use God” for your own gain. That’s about the equivalent of using someone else (regardless of what they think) for your own advantage.
I think both sides are on shaky ground.
Comment 4/16/2004
Kevin, very eloquent! Thank you.
I think that the ones who have politicized Christianity are the right wing Christians themselves, and, like you, Jake, I do not agree with it. Religion is a deeply personal experience and should be respected as such. But since Jerry Falwell created the Christian Coalition back in the 80’s, religion has been used to get ultra-right-wing issues on the national ballet, to elect (or appoint in Bush’s case) officials, and make the case for intolerance and discrimination of anyone who believes in anything other than their own narrow-minded doctrine. Did you know that of all of the votes Bush received in the last election, 40% were from these evangelical Christians?
To me, Kevin is dead on when he says that Christianity is about giving and doing for others. It is about positive change, not condemning non-believers to hell. Christianity is about tolerance, acceptance, and love, not about judgement, discrimination, and feeling superior to everyone else.
Bush personifies this new type of Christian (and he’s proud of it), and look what he’s done in the last three years — take lots of vacations, lead our country to war so that he and his buddies can make a lot of money, deplete the environment even more by selling mining rights to more of his friends, alienate us from the rest of the world, lose American jobs to outsourcing and replace them with low-level service jobs, refuse to allow stem-cell research that might eradicate many of the big killers in our society (even Nancy Reagan, the matriarch of the Republican party is smart enough to support this), reduce the budgets of countless social programs that affect medical and social benefits for children, lie to our nation about Iraq, 9/11, and just about everything else under the sun, etc.
I could literally go on for an hour with more and more examples of how this man’s “Christianity” has affected our country. It works great if you’re rich, white, and male, but if you aren’t watch out.
Finally, I’d like to say that when Bush was appointed, I felt that it was my duty as an American (and a moderate Christian) to give the guy a chance. I didn’t vote for him, but, as president, I felt I had to respect him and have faith that he would be a “compassionate conservative” as he claimed. I truly and desperately wanted to believe in him, but as time has gone on, I’ve been continually disappointed and even devastated by his every action. If this is what his brand of Christianity is all about, I want nothing of it.
Sorry for the tirade, but it’s so frustrating to see a country I love so much and a Jesus I love so much be so completely used and abused by this administration.
Comment 4/19/2004
Left Wing Religion
Kevin has a nice post about religion and how liberal America is actually just as religious as the Right. He also has a zinger Kerry through at Bush, which would make the post worth reading in and of itself….
Trackback 6/19/2004
[…] So progressives are “hermetically sealed” from the religious in this country? Really? Tell that, Mr. Senator, to these people, or these people, or, heck, even to me and the millions and millions like me: For far too long, the right wing has gulled the media and the country into thinking that its religion was the only acceptable face of Christianity. It has used the respect for all religions on the left as evidence of the left’s irreligiosity. That has never been the case. The teachings of Jesus Christ are at the core of how millions define their support for liberal causes, myself included. John Kerry, with one small statement, has reminded the nation of that fact. Millions of us are liberal because of our religion. Millions of us are not represented by Opus Dei, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, or any of the other right wing talking heads the media turns to when it wants to “discuss” religion in this country. Antonin Scalia does not speak for all Catholics. […]
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