Politics of Pious Pandering

                        "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ,
                         but they're own belly; and by good words and fair speeches
                         deceive the hearts of the simple." - Roman 16:18 KJV

Herman Cain said that his fellow Republican presidential candidates were pandering to Christian voters when Michelle Bachmann recited a lengthy prayer and Tim Pawlenty quoted a scripture verse in their speeches during the Faith and Freedom Conference last June. Was Mr. Cain correct to say that? Yes. Were Ms. Bachmann and Mr. Pawlenty wrong to do what they did? No. The event was an appropriate mix of politics and religion and both candidates, as with Cain, are Christians. They're free to express their faith just like anybody else. These two are professional politicians and they played well to the crowd peppering their speeches with religious references.

Appealing to the voters' faiths builds an instant personal connection to the audience. People like to hear that their leaders share the same moral values and virtues with them and politicians willingly oblige in their speeches. They unabashly share stories of their altar-boy days or the afternoons spent with their children reading the Scripture, or their involvement in their local churches in helping the poor and feeding the homeless.  All true stories maybe, and they do give that feel-good, righteous- and morally-upright aura to the candidates stumping for votes.

As varied as the religious groups in our country, so are the ways that politicians have displayed their faiths, in both their private and public lives.

Americans were wary of JFK's Catholic faith, as they are today of Republican Mitt Romney being a Mormon as they ran for president of the United States. Although I am not a fan of Mr. Romney, it was admirable that he never backed away from his religion nor sought to diminish his affiliation to the group even if he knew that  it would cost him some votes.

Sarah Palin is an unapologetic Christian woman, whose opposition to abortion was put to a test when, during a prenatal screening, her son was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She chose life, consistent with her faith. She has practiced what her religion teaches yet as a public official remained conscientious to not let her moral beliefs influence how she carried out her public duties.  As governor of Alaska, when a bill that prohibits domestic partnership rights to same-sex couples came to her desk, she vetoed it. Her Republican colleagues lambasted her for it but the State Court had ruled it unconstitutional. Although homosexual marriage is against her Christian faith, she was true and firm in her oath to uphold her State Constitution. For Governor Palin, the Bible is to her personal life as the Constitution is for the State affairs.

Barack Obama was convincing back in 2008 when he insisted that he is a Christian and declared that Jesus is his Savior. He reveled the voters with stories of his attendance for 20 years at the Trinity United Church in Chicago, that his friend Pastor Jeremiah Wright officiated his and his wife's wedding and baptized his children. During the 2008 campaign, Mr. Obama was the pious and devotional Christian yet after becoming President he has been anything but. He has developed the habit of omitting the word "Creator" when  quoting the Declaration of Independence. In a speech in Indonesia, he replaced America's motto, "In God We Trust" with  "E pluribus unum". His 2010 Easter statement reached out to the Jews, Muslims, Hindus and people of no faith yet there was no mention of Jesus at all - striking especially in this all-encompassing Christian day of celebration. One can easily conclude that his omission of references to the Christian faith has been both deliberate and glaring. His spokesman at the White House insists that the President is a devoted Christian yet in his two years and a half at the White House he has golfed 75+ times while you could count in one hand the times he's attended Sunday mass. The days that he went to church, interestingly enough, coincided with the release of  polls that say a good portion of Americans still believe that he is Muslim. I take the President's words that he is a Christian and not a Muslim but he is, without a doubt, one LOUSY Christian.

Religious groups are some of the biggest voting blocks in America so pandering to them is nothing new but rare is a politician who so publicly sheds the holy cloak used during campaign stumps as soon as it was no longer politically expedient.

The Faith of Sarah Palin

                     "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
                      for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
                      I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."   -  Isaiah 41:10 NIV


Unearthed among the 24,000 pages of Sarah Palin's e-mails as governor of Alaska that the media demanded to be released was a poignant letter which she wrote and signed as "Trig's Creator, Heavenly Father." The email dump, the media had hoped, was supposed to show a vile and incompetent government official. Instead, they revealed a completely engaged, very responsible and  conscientious public servant. It also revealed a very humble and deeply religious woman. The letter she wrote as the voice of God was a raw display of an extraordinary faith of a mother accepting the will of God, seeking strength for the challenges of welcoming a baby with special needs and trusting that He only gives us what is best for us.

I leave you now with Sarah Palin's letter (courtesy of  The Daily Mail) to her family written before the birth of her son Trig and let it speak of her faith for itself. May you find in it God's love and wisdom, strength through difficult times, faith in plowing through the unknown and reward in caring and loving the pure-of-heart creations of God:

Sisters, Brother, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends of Trig Paxson Van Palin (or whatever you end up naming him!):

I am blessing you with this surprise baby because I only want the best for you. I've heard your prayers that this baby will be happy and healthy, and I've answered them because Io nly want the best for you!

I heard your heart when you hinted that another boy would fit best in the Palin family, to round it out and complete that starting five line-up. Though another girl would be so nice, you didn't think you could ask for what you REALLY wanted, but I knew, so I gave you a boy because I only want the best for you!

Then, I put the idea in your hearts that his name should be "Trig", because it's so fitting, with two Norse meanings: "True" and "Brave Victory". You also have a Bristol Bay relative with that name, so I knew it would be best for you!

Then, I let Trig's mom have an exceptionally comfortable pregnancy so she could enjoy every minute of it, and I even seemed to rush it along so she could wait until near the end to surprise you with the news - that way Piper wouldn't have so long to wait and count down so many days - just like Christmastime when you have to wait, impatiently, for that special day to finally open your gift? (Or the way the Palins look forward to birthday celebrations that go on for three, four days... you all really like cake .) I know you, I knew you'd be better off with just a short time to wait!

Then, finally, I let Trig's mom and dad find out before he was born that this little boy will truly be a GIFT. They were told in early tests that Trig may provide more challenges, and more joy, than what they ever may have imagined or ever asked for. At first the news seemed unreal and sad and confusing . But I gave Trig' s mom and dad lots of time to think about it because they needed lots of time to understand that everything will be OK, in fact, everything will be great, because I only want the best for you!

I've given Trig's mom and dad peace and joy as they wait to meet their new son. I gave them a happy anticipation because they asked me for that. I'll give all of you the same happy anticipation and strength to deal with Trig's challenges, but I won't impose on you... I just need to know you want to receive my offer to be with all of you and help you everyday to make Trig's life a great one.

This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and bind us together and get everyone focused on what really matters . The baby will expand your world and let you see and feel things you haven't experienced yet. He'll show you what "true, brave victory" really means as those who love him will think less about self and focus less on what the world tells you is "normal" or "perfect". You will grow and be blessed with greater understanding that will be born along with Trig.

Trig will be his dad's little buddy and he'll wear Carhartts while he learns to tinker in the garage. He'll love to be read to, he'll want to play goalie, and he'll steal his mom's heart just like Track, Bristol, Willow and Piper did. And Trig will be the cuddly, innocent, mischievous, dependent little brother that his siblings have been waiting for in fact Trig will - in some diagnostic ways - always be a mischievous, dependent little brother, because I created him a bit different than a lot of babies born into this world today.

Every child is created special, with awesome purpose and amazing potential. Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed up world you live in down there on earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome. Doctors call it "Down's Syndrome", and Downs kids have challenges, but can bring you much delight and more love than you can ever imagine! Just wait and see, let me prove this, because I only want the best for you!

Some of the rest of the world may not want him, but take comfort in that because the world will not compete for him. Take care of him and he will always be yours!

Trig's mom and dad don't want people to focus on the baby's extra chromosome. They're human, so they haven't known how to explain this to people who are so caring and are interested in this new little Alaskan. Sarah and Todd want people to share in the joy of this gift I'm giving to the Palin family, and the greater Alaska family. Many people won't understand... and I understand that. Some will think Trig should not be allowed to be born because they fear a Downs child won't be considered "perfect" in your world. (But tell me, what do you earthlings consider "perfect" or even "normal" anyway? Have you peeked down any grocery store isle, or school hallway, or into your office lunchroom lately? Or considered the odd celebrities you celebrate as "perfect" on t.v.? Have you noticed I make `em all shapes and sizes? Believe me, there is no "perfect"!)

Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this. I know it will take time to grasp this and come to accept that I only want the best for you, and I only give my best. Remember though: "My ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts... for as the heavens are higher than the earth, my ways are higher than yours!"

I wrote that all down for you in the Good Book ! Look it up! You claim that you believe me - now it's time to live out that belief!

Please look to me as this new challenge and chapter of life unfolds in front of you. I promise to equip you. I won't give you anything you can't handle. I am answering your prayers. Trig can't wait to meet you. I'm giving you ONLY THE BEST!

Love,
Trig's Creator , Your Heavenly Father

Welcome to Praying 4 Common Sense

"As thy days, so shall thy strength be" -  Deuteronomy 33:25

Politics and religion do not mix, we often hear, but I believe that they can and must co-exist. Our faiths, no matter who and where we worship, provide us with moral compass that guides us to do unto others what you would have them do unto you, to treat each other with respect and a tolerant heart. In government we expect our leaders to do what is right, fair, prudent and sensible.

I sure am not alone to be disturbed that America's political discourse is becoming too divisive with too heated rhetoric, with opponents too casually compared to Hitler and other murderous characters in history, with blatantly biased media serving as mouthpieces of one political party instead of deliverers of plain, fair and truthful news. It crossed the line when journalists and pundits accused Sarah Palin and the Tea Partiers of murder in their hands, without a hair of evidence,when the mentally unstable Jared Loughner went on a shooting rampage in Tucson. And even after investigations revealed no connection at all, the same accusers never apologized but persisted on their accusations. A low point in our national discourse, indeed. It is at times like these when people in elected offices become oblivious to their own hypocrisy, and when things just don't make sense anymore, that like most God-fearing people, I close my eyes, clasp my hands, get down on my knees and say a prayer.

I pray for tolerance that we may respect others' differences in opinions, affiliations and ways of life.  I pray for civility where everybody can duke it out in the battle of ideas but ends the discussions with handshakes. I pray for decency where words are not used, distorted and twisted to destroy a person. I pray for common sense for our elected officials to protect and defend the laws of the land, to live within our treasury's means, to deliver what they promise and to not promise what they do not intend to deliver.

I don't lose faith and hope because this is America: exceptional, land of the free and home of the brave. This is America that overcame the Civil War. This is America that corrected the cruel sin that is slavery. This is America that rose above 9/11. As her days, so shall America's strength be. As her challenges, so shall America's resilience be. As her tribulations, so shall America prevail.

So long as we keep our prayers and old-fashioned common sense, America shall be fine.