Into the Fire

Many people are lauding the efforts of Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, for conducting the interviews with both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, exalting the forum and appreciating the “civil” environment. How nice.

It’s interesting to note that the tax exempt status for churches forbids them to make pro or con statements for political candidates, but apparently they can assemble opposing candidates and ask them political questions among others without losing that exemption. Forget the fact that in Senator Obama’s former church of 20 years, the pastor emphatically made political statements against this country and against certain people in office throughout those 20 years and never lost the tax exemption.

It’s also interesting that being “civil” about the candidates implies that severe objections to or serious criticisms of the conduct or belief systems of Senator Obama translates to either racism or bigotry. And by “severe” and “serious” I don’t mean slanderous or insulting, I mean acknowledging or publishing direct quotes from the senator which illustrate his extreme liberality.

Please tell me how a true man of God can vote for partial birth abortion, can agree with allowing the surviving baby of a botched abortion to die without lifesaving efforts because to administer those will interfere with the intended objective of the woman. When asked when life begins, he insists such a profound question is “above his pay grade”. Obviously, life does not begin if the woman carrying a child decides it shouldn’t.

This senator has orated his place into history becoming our first black candidate to make the nomination for President. Beyond that accomplishment, there are few examples of what he has done in government besides voting for abortion and against the war in Iraq. If anyone can assume with his lack of experience that he is qualified to lead an entire nation, particularly one of the strongest countries to ever exist, then common sense has been replaced with “civility” and wishful thinking.

I also never cease to find it amazing that the party that crusades for the taking of unborn lives professes to actually care about soldiers who have determined to offer their own for the sake of freedom.

It has been determined by some that this freedom we enjoy wasn’t built on the sacrificial giving of lives by American soldiers. Soldiers who fought to preserve those who insult them and fail to acknowledge the cost of their bravery and courage. There is a kind of soft American out there who thinks we can coexist with our enemies and remain in “civil” conversation with them under the cloak of diplomacy. Apparently, Russia, China, and Iran, to name a few, disagree. They aren’t really interested in what our politicians have to say except those who want to surrender our nuclear capabilities and defense missiles.

A strange and ill-defined “hope” required for an even less defined “change” is enough for some to vote for a candidate who offers little experience and empty platitudes. How this man has mesmerized people is beyond reason.

Father, I pray you would convict the heart of Barack Obama and that he would come to know you in a deeper way. Truly know you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.