Way off topic
But so what? It's my blog and I can write on any topic that suits my fancy. It happens to be addressed pretty much to my fellow Christians. Readers are certainly free to delete this little essay immediately if they so desire. It is being written after the polls have closed in Indiana because it is a personal statement made without any intent to influence the vote of any other person.
Nor is this intended to be an attack on Senator Obama. It is, rather questions and/or comments about him and his campaign which I have not seen in other places. Particular reference is made to his promises of HOPE and CHANGE.
I found his comment about people "clinging" to religion to be quite disturbing. I am a practicing Christian, and you can rest assured that, for me, it requires an awful lot of practice! Almighty God knows that I stumble and fall much more frequently than I take any kind of leap forward. The Senator has come very close to intimating that I should give up my faith, trust and HOPE in my religion and rely on him to take care of me. I don't think so, Senator. I continue my HOPE in Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can see me safely through the difficulties of this life and into the next.
The second promise is CHANGE. He hasn't been very specific about which changes and how they are to be accomplished. This seems to require some comment.
I believe that real CHANGE will come about when individuals like myself - and the Senator - quit making proposals for the government to enforce CHANGE upon all, and we decide to make a real effort to create the changes in our own lives which the practice of Christianity demands. And which changes will ultimately be far more beneficial to the truly needy.
Loving my neighbor - in all its ramifications - demands that I try to help him with his needs personally. It does not suggest that we band together and vote to force everyone to take part, thereby reducing our own "liability." Particularly when, after all the political considerations are met, any such program is unlikely to give the neighbor the help he truly needs. Politically mandated charity has a poor track record.
Now, if anyone wants to know how I feel about the fall election, consider this. Congress has a poorer public approval record than President Bush. We are now poised to elect one from that body to the presidency. Does that raise any eyebrows?