Reading notes

Rev. John provides yet another example that wise ones show up in the most unexpected places, and hence bears hope to a wisdom-hungry world:

The Republican National Committee admitted recently that it sent mailings to two states implying that “liberals” want to ban the Bible. Demonizing the other side is a popular tactic with political commander-in-chief Karl Rove, who hopes millions of evangelical Christians will form a mighty band of the righteous and show their loyalty to God by re-electing President George W. Bush.

Speaking as a Republican as well as a Christian, I hope my fellow citizens will reject such outrageous falsehoods. I’ve been an ordained Southern Baptist minister for more than fifty years, serving churches in Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and the District of Columbia. I also served Alabama in the U.S. Congress for sixteen years, but lost my seat in a Republican primary to a member of the “Moral Majority.” My voting record was mostly conservative, but my opponent claimed I wasn’t sufficiently Christian because I favored equal rights for women and minorities, and other such “liberal” causes. …

I do feel profound disrespect for politicians or religious leaders who would take advantage of people of sincere faith for selfish purposes. My leader, Jesus of Nazareth, was exceedingly kind to sinners, but took a whip and drove from the Temple the moneychangers who were making themselves rich by their manipulation and exploitation of the faithful. Those who do the same for political purposes are certainly in the same category. …

As a friend of mine who is an African-American preacher often says, it’s not enough to talk the talk. You have to walk the walk. Jesus said, “By their fruits shall ye know them.”

So how should a person of faith judge the fruits of this president’s time in office? I feel sure Mr. Rove has his own ideas, but here are a few of mine. …

And then he proceeds to provide some discerning ones.

Thanks, Bro. John.

(Rev. John Buchanan’s op-ed is distributed by MinutemanMedia.org.)

[via LiberalLizard]