I was troubled by this reflection. Yes it is great that there is an ecumenical prayer breakfast where Democrats and Republican leaders gather to pray. I pray for the president and our national leaders, but I sharply disagree with the policies of our current president and his congressional supporters. So do many Christians and people of conscience. Being Christian does not equate with unquestioningly endorsing a war that many people of faith consider unnecessary and unjust.Respected Christian evangelical and social justice proponent Jim Wallis writes thoughtfully about this and other topics of national concern in his new book "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get it."
The implication that "taking a stand for Christ" and living "authentically for Jesus" somehow equates with tacitly unquestioningly endorsing these unjust policies set forth by our government is both naieve and rediculous.
How can a leader claim to live as a follower of Christ who commanded us to "care for the sick, minister to the poor," and be "peacemakers" when 50 million Americans are without health insurance, social security is being systematically dismantled, and we are embroiled in a unilateral war propagated based on non-existent "Weapons of mass destruction"? All the while wealthy Americans and multi-billion dollar corporations enjoy lavish tax breaks while low income Americans languish in poverty.
Pray for our leaders, yes. Tacitly endorse injustice and call it Christian, never.
Peace be with you.
Submitted by: John
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Date Added: 2005-02-15
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This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.