Blog Post

Right or wrong, a candidate’s religion is often at the center of a political campaign. George W. Bush proudly touted that his born again beliefs would be at the center of his decisions as President. A video of a Barack Obama’s fiery, some said radical, minister put his faith into the national spotlight. And whether Mitt Romney or Rick Perry wins the Republican nomination, you can be sure it will be a major issue, although for different reasons for each man.

Since phrases such as “Christian Values” are bandied about in the public arena, it seems like it would make sense to go to the source and see what Jesus Christ might actually have thought about the issues of our day. Surprisingly, some of the hot button issues are rarely, if ever, mentioned in the Bible. There are, on the other hand, several scriptures and parables that give us a pretty clear indication of what a “Christian” candidate should actually stand for, and what he or she would stand against.

So, I'm praying to get into a jail ministry course in 2 weeks. Very personal decision, and while I may reveal that in time, my greater concern is the injustice being wrought on inmates, and if the progressive Christian movement is a remedy.

I'll be posting my take on the subject, and I welcome the opportunity to reason together with you, now, ok?

A while back, the Obama Administration surprised many religious Americans by announcing that he would not only keep the faith-based infrastructure President Bush had constructed throughout the government, but would expand upon it. The Obama Administration put together what is called The President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships sometime in 2009-2010.

I used to post at StreetProphets, I was banned. That ought to be a sign.

What would I be doing here then? Well, I was contacted by someone who picked up on a comment I made somewhere and they suggested I "might be just what (you) need".

I realize that you do not allow profanity; that will not be an obstacle for me, but it will change the flavor of my message. I see language, even foul language, like traffic lights, turn signals, brake lights and emergency flashers. When other verbal and non-verbal cues are absent in a written format like this, there aren't that many ways to tell the audience what the mood and energy is of the writer. I'll try.

My purpose over at Street Prophets was to be a canary in the mine. Their tagline over there was "Because the Right Does Not Own Faith"; I walked in with no apology to lay things bare because if they wanted to avoid the carnage and consequences of the Right's current 'crusade' on any one or anything that they deem to be worthy, the Left ought to avoid using the same traps and tactics.

Rand Paul seems to be an innovator in religion, as well as in economics, sociology, and anthropology. His perceptions transcend the parochial traditionalism of religious icons like Jesus, not to mention the commonplaces of moral philosophers and economic analysts like Adam Smith or the cliches of Marxist analyses of alleged "classes".

All too often it is the conservative right-wing that is the first to dominate the conversation on the nature of Judeo-Christianity and the interpretation of the meaning of the Christ's mission on Earth.

It seems in our small world Christ enters and leaves as we try to grasp Our Lord in a tight fist of a hand, but when we open the mind to the vast, deep and limitless Christ mind, then we relax and rest in a state of peace. We let go and “Let Thy Will be Done”. We are no longer tied or grasping a human predicament.

The great Tao flows everywhere.
All things are born from it,
yet it doesn't create them.

I firmly believe that religion or rigorous practice can't be applied with pressure and intimidation because that only brings force and violence, not wisdom so it must be fulfilled with reason, debate and intuition.