So, I stayed up all night Tuesday watching the election returns, yep, went to bed at 3:55 AM still unsure of the outcome although Ohio had just gone Obama. Yesterday I had CNN on all day long- we have CNN International so it's not exactly the same as the version in the States. It is, however, very enlightening. Throughout the campaigns, I have watched "the world's reaction" to the US presidential campaigns and heard all kinds of opinions. I must admit that after awhile I found it all very irritating and just wanted to know more of what Americans were saying about the candidates. After reading the party platforms and considering the issues, I found myself debating with the other American that I live with about who to vote for- based on the moral, ethical convictions that we share about life. But, alas, we were a split ticket family and his guy won.
The thing is, opening oneself up to another requires that we listen and adjust our point of view. Of course, we do not exchange all of our convictions but it's always good to look at the "other side" and try to understand the other's perspective. So, I married a Demoocrat, and I will say that after doing so, I realized that I only voted Republican because I come from a long line of Republicans and I have mainly hung out with Republicans, consequently, I had gone along with the whole Republican ideology because it, apparently, went along with my convictions in other areas such as life and marriage. Being married to him and hearing the opinions of others both here in France around the world, I see the value in their viewpoint and the Biblical basis of it as well in areas such as- a commitment to the poor, to finding solutions for using renewable resources for energy, to healthcare for all in our nation. As an aside, I must say that while living in France, I have been very impressed with the accessibility, efficiency, and quality of the universal healthcare system that they have here.
Yes, we should continue to fight for the unborn, for marriage, and for freedom in America! I don't want our country to become like France who has forgotten God. He is neither considered nor respected in any public arena in France. When I listen to the radio, I hear them sarcastically referring to the "croyant" (believing) Presidential candidates. They absolutley cannot understand why it is important to the American people for the president to be "croyant", because it is absolutely a faux pas to discuss such things here in the public arena. Such "personal beliefs" are considered absolutley irrelevant- thus God has become completely irrelevant in their society. But French Christians are not "conservative" either which also has really annoyed me until I realized that aside from the issues of life and marriage, I really do think that the Democrats are more biblical on most issues. We Republicans are fearful of bigger government because we are afraid that our freedom will be jeopardized. This is a real danger and something that we should fight against. I don't want the freedom of religion or speech, or expression to be cut off thus transforming our culture into a "laique" (nonreligious/ secular) society where God doesn't matter anymore. That is what it has become in France- Muslims can't wear their headcoverings to school, Christians can't wear their crosses. What infringment on personal freedom! And why? So that there can be a completely neutral, nonreligious state. Only, it isn't nonreligious, it's anti-religious. Students are ridiculed if they stand up in class and dare to insinuate that there is a God. Churches are investigated because cults are illegal and anything that is not a lukewarm body of believers is suspect of being a cult. This makes me sad. I am deeply saddened by the families that I know whose children have rejected the faith of their parents probably because it just seems so irrelevant in their world here. It is hard to be a Christian in France. They may be rejected because of their faith, so they are hesitant to speak of it.
So, no, I do not wish that for America or Americans. But we need to realize that the influence that Christians hold in America isn't to be taken for granted and that the conservative right appears to be selfish and anti-Christian to others around the world. Refrains of "Drill, baby, drill" come to mind. The caricature of McCain supporters that I have heard most recently on French radio is that of a racist conservative who thinks it is completely normal to fly the confederate flag and voices his concern only on the topics of "God, guns, and gays". How revolting! Yes, those of you who know me know that my dogs were named Rhett and Scarlett, my parents live on Stonewall Jackson Drive, and our doorbell used to play "Dixie". But I've come a long way, baby!
We are called to be salt and light in our society and to stand for what is right and to fight for justice to be done in our nation- for the unborn, for the poor, for those of other religions that we have welcomed to our land. We are Christians, and God has brought the nations to us, let us bless them and love them and take care of them. Why would we not want to be a nation in which all children and families have healthcare? Why would we not want to ensure that this planet that God has entrusted to us is actually around for our children and that we do not destroy it with industry and pollution and deplete it's nonrenewable resources completely? And why don't we want to address poverty at the government level? That doesn't negate the responsibility of the church, but it does make aid that comes from the church to the poor go that much further in ameliorating their situation. If we want our country to do what is right in protecting the unborn, don't we also want them to do what is right in doing justice to the poor? protecting and preserving the planet and it's resources? Those things are actually explicitly mandated in Scripture!
Although I didn't vote for President elect Obama, I am genuinely happy for our country! This is historic! The first African American president! I watched the tears of prominent and powerful African American leaders in our country. They said that they never thought they would see this day in their lifetime. I can only imagine what it is like to always be in the minority, to always be judged by the color of my skin, and to have fought for the right to be free, to vote, to have equal opportunity and access to education, housing, transportation, everything! Yesterday, I was proud to be an American. The French didn't think we would do it- they didn't think that America was ready for a black president. They thought that we were still stuck in the old ways of white superiority and racism, and I know that some of us still are. But on Tuesday, the majority of Americans decided that race doesn't matter, and they chose who they thought would be the best for the job. We have made a giant leap forward! What a celebration of praise and thanksgiving to God I saw in the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King preached his message of nonviolent resistance! What fulfillment of the dream of a people who have been historically oppressed by their rights being withheld, by the attitudes and actions of others, and by the way our capitalistic society typically works for those who are the "have nots". I am genuinely happy- so happy for the African American community who must feel that finally they have been acknowledged as equally important, equally valued, members of our country who are equally able to contribute and now to have had one of their own chosen by the American people to lead our nation who leads the world!
After many conversations and much listening, I have come to this conclusion, the critique and the concern of the world is on America because we really are that influential in the world. Let us be influential for the good, for peace, for hope for all in our society. Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for the protection of President elect Obama and for God to grant him wisdom in the days ahead and let us pray for America! Let us pray also for France, for our brothers and sisters that are here- that they would find their voice and that this nation would turn back to God.
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Daniel 2:20-21
Link to Notes on End Times Series 2023
2 years ago
8 comments:
Excellent post. Thank you!
I, too, am proud to be an American.
Very well spoken.
Living abroad has opened my eyes to the way other countries of the world see America. I think this election has changed the way in which I view American politics. I too believe that we must fight for the unborn. But I see that we must fight for the poor. This may mean providing better, more evenly distributed health care options. I am incredibly impressed with the health care available to me and my family here in Switzerland. America's system could be so much better than it is today and it would benefit so many.
I too am proud to be an American. And I feel so blessed to be able to have gained the global perspective I have gained from living in Europe. America is a special place...
Oh dear. Now I know what our dinner topic will likely be next time we get together! Let me just say that I certainly agree that we need to care for the poor. Absolutely. I do not think it is the government's job though. I think it is the Church's job and it is the job of Christian individuals (which is what I mean by the Church with a capital C, but I am guessing some people think I mean the organized church, and there is some of that implied as well). The problem with gigantic government programs is that your strip people of their rights. Yes, you give help to the people who can't make their own decisions and who can't afford it, but for those who can, you basically seize their right to do so. Anyway, it is a big discussion. I am not one of these who thinks we don't need any government aid of public education, but when you socialize everything, you strip people of the ability to get ahead. Just think about Obama's plan for everyone to get a college education. You've got to be kidding me! You know what happens when everyone has a college education? A college education becomes worthless. Everyone who can has to get even higher education. And you know what else happens? An entire working class is obliterated. One reason we actually NEED so many illegal aliens coming over is because there is work that Americans won't do anymore. Americans won't be field hands. You know? Now imagine if Americans won't work at gas stations or in malls or at call centers (they're already outsourcing when they can). Okay, so blah blah blah, I got on a rabbit trail. I didn't mean too. I just don't think Obama is going to be good at all. I don't think it has anything to do with race. I would absolutely vote for Condi or Colin Powell, or whoever ran a good conservative campaign, regardless of race. But Obama, even if he was as Anglo Saxon as the day is long, has bad ideas. Also, abortion trumps economics. When our country doesn't care for the poor, that's bad, but you, as an individual can still do so, even when the government doesn't. But abortion is legalized murder, and it is up to us to vote pro-life. Also, John McCain is not a racist. No one here, even the liberal media, thinks so. Generally speaking, everyone really likes him, they just like Obama better. We'll see how it works out.... And I am sure George will be interested to talk to Danny!
Rachel, excellent post. We don't agree on a lot of issues, but as you have said here, the dialogue is what is so important. You have no idea how much I will miss you when you're back on the other side of the pond.
Rach,
Thanks for sharing. I would love to hear more. I, too, am thrilled to have our first African-American president. I am so pleased that our country as a whole can judge beyond race.
But I disagree completely on issues of healthcare, education, and helping the poor. These issues are obviously biblical, and should be taken very seriously. But I don't believe they should be mandated in such extreme by the government. Socialism and Marxism are scary concepts, as we have seen through out history, and the end product is disaster. These ideals are the exact opposite of what I feel defines a healthy democracy. If our churches and we as individual Christians would extend a hand, even in a small way, in an on-going basis to the "widow and orphan" (including single, abandoned moms) the impact would be great. Maybe it is a little easier on both sides of the dollar to just pay higher taxes. But there is no room for the seeds of the gospel to be planted through government hand-outs, are there? I know I'm an idealist, I'm just saying! Also, why would we trust our government officials to be any more generous with our money than we are? I like the same standard percent taxed for everyone. Let's say 7%. The rich are still paying more, but there is a standard. A family member of mine makes in the top bracket. He and his wife are very wealthy. He is a small business owner. It makes me sick to think how he will unjustly be robbed. He will probably have to let go of employees- the very poor he is being taxed to help will lose their jobs due to the tax! Meanwhile, he still writes $20,000 checks every year as a faith promise. He has put several of his employees' children through college. He has bought cars for his family members that were in a lower income bracket. It's not a fair, democratic way to treat someone in my opinion. And again, many of the lower-middle income families will lose jobs when the wealthy business owners are hit with big taxes! People look at the wealthy as the enemy, but our economy hinges on their wealth! (as consumers, as job providers, etc.)
I agree with Abby that the abortion issue should be regarded as THE issue. And I could never, in good conscience, vote for someone that has such an extreme, liberal view of abortion practices. I can't even believe that so many people feel the right to life is debatable.
Any way, my two cents. I have big plans to put my time/money where my mouth is. This election obviously did not end the way I would have liked. But it changed me and rekindled the need to act. Not just by being aware, writing my leaders, etc. But by being more pro-active on these issues. By finding the time to help those without a voice right here where we are. The opportunities are endless, really. If we all just tithed 10% (less than 10% of evangelical Christians do) and did nothing else, we wouldn't be in this mess.
Thanks for making think~
Hey Rachel, interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
On the election, I personally don't feel like race really played that important of a role, which is a good thing. But where it did I think it confounded wisdom - either by anti-blacks voting on racist ideas or by anti-racists persuaded by emotional/psychological reasons. I recently found this interesting article by a black woman that I believe is a good analysis of the situation.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig9/wortham1.html
I wish I could be as hopeful of you are. But I have yet to see any reason for it. I hope I am wrong.
Wow, thanks for all the great comments! Maybe I should blog about political issue more often. It sure gets all of us talking more. Thank you!
I was very impressed and moved by your words. I too found myself very proud to be an American, unfortunately I hadn't felt that way for a very long time. While this election brought out the worst and best in people (as politics often do), I really felt as if people were very thoughtful in their decision of who would represent our country. It really is a turning point in our lives, a black president, wow!
I am disappointed to learn how religion is looked upon in France. While I do not belong to a particular faith, I most certainly believe in people being able to express their beliefs if they should choose to do so. It annoys me that in our country (USA) our government is slowly eliminating anything that references God. Hello....GOD BLESS AMERICA!!??
Thank you for your eloquent words and for letting me drop in and share in them!
Post a Comment