Using Christianity to Garner Votes
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The killing of Osama bin Laden was not an attack on Islam. As columnist Roger Simon said, “It was an attack on a man who corrupted Islam and used it shamefully as an excuse for mass murder.”
It is distressing that some people claim we are at war with Islam. Many Muslims are sad that the act of one who claimed to be acting in the name of their religion has backfired such that people fear and hate Muslims.
Seeing the repercussions of the misuse of Islam makes me think that some of our politicians should think twice about how they are using Christianity to get votes.
There is a trend to cover up or justify one’s stance by throwing in statements about how Christian a candidate is, or has become. Many of us are too naive or too busy to investigate, so we may cast our vote on faith.
There is no doubt that it brings in votes. Some clergy members have endorsed a candidate based upon his claims of Christianity. Even candidates with sordid pasts bring out the Christian card with claims of conversion, e.g., Newt Gingrich. A congressman resided in a “Christian house” with other congressmen, giving the idea that he was more righteous than we learned he was. It has proven not only to bring votes but also to cover up bad behavior.
In the media world, we who believe in strict separation of church and state are the silent majority. Just as we were bombarded from afar by bin Laden’s interpretation of Islam, we are being bombarded here at home with misuse of Christianity by political candidates.
If we neglect to identify such self-serving misuse of religion as a shameful way to get votes, we should not be surprised at the backlash against Christianity.
Hilda Mitchell
Pinebluff
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Comments
lindac 2 years ago
Great post Hilda!
Courseaire 2 years ago
Well said Hilda - Mega Dittos to you. Being a Christian is very black & white, either you are a Christian or you are not - any difference is defined by how you practice & present your beliefs.
teufelhunden 2 years ago
Just like Obama decided to be a Christian when it was politically expedient to do so...
carlj1161 2 years ago
George W. did the same thing...As most polititians when they are trying to get the vote.
None 2 years ago
teufelhunden May 16, 2011 at 12:37 p.m. Uncalled for and a cheap shot. His father was Muslum and his mother a Christian. Would it been any different had his father been Jewish and his mother Catholic? In all your threads, you have stooped to the lowest on that one.
Hildamarie 2 years ago
teufelhunden, Perhaps I am mistaken, I think Obama had been a member of that church for years, so he didn't decide to be a Christian when it was politically expedient to do so. Actually, he is not the one who brought up his faith. And, actually, his pastor's misuse of Obama's membership to get attention for himself ended up costing votes for Obama.
I think you intentionally missed the point, that a politician like Newt, who recently joined the Catholic church started claiming his conversion at the time he started running for president.It is part of his platform. If you believe that he is sincere, you prove the point that many are too busy or too naive to decipher this as misuse of Christianity.
OldPilot 2 years ago
James,it's a shame all you can do is repeat straight propaganda plagarized from the Glenn Beck website, but nice try. Of course "teufelhunden", which translates as "devil dog", but who comes across as a whining puppy, is right there with his usual "everything associated with Obama is bad" rant. Kind of a shame that neither has had an original thought in years, but that would require thought.
Ross 2 years ago
now now - jimmie can do much more.........errr......i will think of something soon.......i think :)
coffecreme 2 years ago
Bingo!
moonchild7 2 years ago
The List of Electronic Right Wing Political Preachers is VERY long: Oral Roberts, Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Jim Bakker, james Robison, Garner Ted Armstrong, on and on. I also think that ONE of those guys TRIED to run for PRESIDENT? BUT thankfully FAILED?!
teufelhunden 2 years ago
I don't really care for Newt either...
teufelhunden 2 years ago
OldPilot-I gave Obama credit for OBL because it happened on his watch. I am pleased with how that was handled. Sorry to spoil your theory...
teufelhunden 2 years ago
Toda-thought his mom was an atheist. (?)
BLT is not Christianity.
moonchild7 2 years ago
Oh, these GUYS(they are mostly MEN)pray to one GOD the MOST, as in the $$$$$$$$ GOD. In fact NEWT owes TIFFANY'S about $250,000; nothing like being able to have a charge account with TIFFANY'S!
teufelhunden 2 years ago
MC7-I agree that the love of money is the root of all evil. Most horrible things are done in the name of the almighty dollar. Disgusting.