Confessions of a Preacher!- Political Party Throw-down!

The issue of politics is something that I really try to avoid.  I'm not good at politics, and some may even argue that I'm a flip-flopper.  It's not that I intend to be that way, it's just that I try really hard to listen to all sides, to weigh out the argument that each side has to offer (of any issue, really) and sometimes that may make it seem like I change my mind a lot, but I like to think of it as being open minded- and willing to change.


I'm not good at politics because I don't have strong feelings for one position or another.  I have always been a middle of the road sort of person.  When I registered to vote when I turned 18, a little known secret about me is that I registered as a Republican, and for a long time, I've been an American flag bearing, NRA supporting conservative.  But, even at that, I was't strongly opposed to a lot of the views that the Democratic party had.


This week, I went to the DMV to get my license renewed since it was to expire on my 25th birthday.  While talking to the lady at the DMV and answering all the questions to get my license renewed she asked me if I wanted to keep my voter registration the same, or if I wanted to change it.  I paused for a moment because it hadn't even occurred to me that this was something I could choose to do that day.  I don't know why it didn't occur to me before.  But I looked at her and I said, "You know what?  I don't want to be a Republican anymore."  And it was with those words that I switched my voter registration to .... *insert ominous Jaws music here* Democrat!


Now before you start calling me a socialist or some crazy nonsense, I'll explain the very reasoning that I have for switching:


1. I'm embarrassed to be called a Republican right now.  It's not that I don't agree with a lot of Republican ideals and principles, but the way the Republican party is representing itself right now is just down right embarrassing.  I realize that every Republican is not so extreme in their thinking, but there are a lot of people who just make the party look bad.  If you want an example, I have a great one for you.  Yesterday President Obama met with Rev. Billy Graham to have prayer for about 30 minutes while he was in NC with his family.  On all three of the local (piedmont) news websites, there were comments on the story saying things such as, "It's like Satan visiting God" or "It's like the anti-Christ visiting God's chosen" or "Obama is a terrible Muslim who is trying to win over Christians."  The comments were so ignorant and all from people who after these "gems" then boasted pride in their Republican party affiliation.  I know that every Republican doesn't feel this way, but I can't help but cringe when I see the ignorance in these kind of comments.  Everyone is entitled to their political opinions, and I'm not here to tell anyone that they should love Obama, but I DO think that if you have any respect for God at all, you wouldn't refer to Billy Graham as "God" or "God's chosen one", because that, my friends, is idolatry.  


Of course, there are many more examples of this, but for the sake of time, I'll move on:


2. I kind of like the term "liberal".  Allow me to elaborate:  Every time Fox News and that wretched Glen Beck use the term "liberal" it's usually in reference to something I agree with or like that the Democratic party does.  Maybe it's some sort of Pavlav's dogs effect that the term has on me, but any opportunity to disagree with Glen Beck in the incessant list of ignorant comments he makes, sounds like a good opportunity to me.


3. Open Mindedness: I realize that this one might get me in trouble as a preacher, so I have to be careful with my explanation but here goes:


I like Health Care reform- not because I agree with everything that was in the health care bill- because I don't.  People may think that this is socialist, but then again, isn't socialism a part of Christianity?  I'm not at all for taking people's rights away from them, but what is the deal that people hold on so tightly to their money and to things that "belong" to them?  It says it over and over and over again in the Bible, throughout the Gospels and Acts, that you are to give up your wealth, to help the poor, to leave everything behind and do God's work in the world.  Why is it that we don't mind spending all our money on cars, on frivolous things like going to the movies (I mean, I'm guilty of all of this too), but at the same time we are so afraid of giving our money to other people or missing out on an opportunity to have MORE.- Honestly, what is the deal?  Have you seen how the economy is?  No longer can we make the claim that people who are on unemployment or welfare are just "lazy".  As pastor of a church where people are losing their jobs (and health insurance, and other benefits) left and right, I realize more and more that there are GOOD hard working people out there who need help, yet for some reason there are people out there who have so much and don't want to lose what belongs to them to help others.  I don't believe in a system where some people sit around and do nothing while they take what other people are working hard for, but I do believe in a system that cares for people because they are human beings and realizes that we are responsible for feeding God's sheep.


I think that there is a place for EVERYONE in the church.  I think that as a church we are responsible for accountability, but that does not mean we are responsible for the judgment of others, because that's all up to God. I think there are some issues that we worry WAY too much about, like homosexuality.  Just so we're clear ( and I may be hated for this) I would not marry a homosexual couple in the church, and I support the Methodist church's stance on this.  But as further explanation, I'm really picky about marriage, and homosexuality is not an issue that I pick on.  In my three years as pastor, I have done ONE wedding, but have been asked to do many more than that.  I don't believe any person who has committed adultery should have a second chance at marriage, and I believe that people who have had multiple marriages shouldn't be married again in the church, especially if they refuse to take any responsibility for their past divorces.  Marriage is something that is sacred, something that to me, personally has very deep meaning, and my theology may be over the top and it may be wrong, but it's how I believe.  The institution over marriage has been destroyed over the years (not by homosexuals, mind you, but countless celebrities who have been married again and again and again, and had multiple children by multiple partners, all out of wedlock).


However, that said, I think that there truly is a place for everyone in the church.  I think if a person is tearing apart the church, then by all means do something about it, but to kick someone out of the church simply because they are homosexual, or because they have different beliefs, then that is something that the church will have to answer to God to.  It never made sense to me, the people who would say that they want homosexual people to "change their ways" and to "come to God" (ridiculous nonsense), and then make them feel like they aren't welcome in the church.  If you really felt that way, then wouldn't you make even more room for them?  The truth of the matter is we have a lot of dumb assumptions about homosexuality.  First of all, what person would choose to be gay?  The way they are treated is absolutely terrible, and this even includes rejection by their own families (and churches) sometimes.  Also, homosexuals are not pedophiles... Feel free to reread this sentence about five million times.  So why are we afraid to have someone around our children simply because they are gay?  That's like saying that all women like little boys...it's absurd, and disgusting.


What really upsets me is the fact that the church gets so caught up on the issue of homosexuality when there are ten million other issues we should be worried about in this world, like the people who live in our own communities who are poor and starving, and can't even afford to feed their own children. It's really time for the church (universal) to get its act together and start prioritizing things a little better.


In conclusion:


I realize that a lot of people may disagree with me, but this is the first time I have spoken outwardly and publicly about my political (and some religious) views.  I don't know all that I believe and all that I feel because I feel like this is something that is still very much in the development process.  I don't know anything about homosexuality or what it means to be a part of the homosexual community.  However, after hearing some words from some very wise people at Duke, I have been very much enlightened lately about just how terribly the homosexual community is treated, and I don't think those of us who haven't been through it, really have any idea what it is like at all.  I think that we need to find bigger issues to fight against, and realize that God's grace is exactly that,... it's God's, not ours... 


So yes, that is my rant.. I'm a democrat....and it feels good to confess it.  I'm always open to a good conversation and the chance to see someone else's side...I think being able to do that very thing is what the world needs to do as a key for true reconciliation and understanding.