Romney - Double Speak and Mind

During the recent presidential debates, Gov. Mitt Romney reversed many of the positions he espoused during the primary.  Many Evangelical Christians have endorsed Gov. Romney because he shares their Christian values. 

When candidate Romney was running for Senator of Massachusetts, he said he was going to be to the right of Ted Kennedy on Gay Marriage.   He also stated in the past that he supports a women’s right to choose, a few months ago he said that he would get rid of Roe vs Wade, now he says that he would not support abortion legislation. 

I have many problems with the candidate for President Romney.  He has back tracked, side stepped, lied on most of the important issues.  He would not show his taxes when running in Massachusetts and even though he knew 4 years ago and gave McCain 13 years of taxes he refuses to give the same courtesy to American citizens. 

If he had espoused these views during the primary he never would have been nominated.  It would have most likely been Rick Santorum.

Romney has proven he will say anything to get nominated and anything else to get elected.  The Bible says in James Chapter 1 “a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways”.  Gov. Romney has tried to say one thing and later have his campaign walk it back.  He is a man that says one thing and then says another. 

President Obama Support of Women Erodes

President Obama’s support for Abortion Rights and Gay Marriage are offensive to many Christians.  Although I believe as a citizen of the United States of America, we are provided certain freedoms and I don’t believe I have a right to tell you what you should do with your body.   I don’t believe that 2 people who want to legally bind their relationship, whether you call it marriage or not should be rightfully denied. I support Christian Institutions’ right not to be involved in performing those marriages.  I don’t support Christian organizations that act as employers discriminating against the employees’ right to their body or whom they can legally live with. 

Many evangelicals refused to vote for President Obama because he supported a woman’s right to choose or Civil Unions.  I believe in order to get more votes, he chose to go even further than Civil Unions and support marriage equality.   

  Now there is speculation why his standing with women has not improved but has eroded.  I can only speak for myself, but I find it unsettling for anyone to advocate the glorification of their support for abortion, without acknowledgement of the innocent life destroyed in the process.  Many of the women that he is looking to support him are also mothers.  I am not excited by this political pandering.   I am not energized by it either. 

I was a pregnant unwed teenager and after witnessing the anguish I felt supporting my friends in their decision to terminate their pregnancies, I chose to go through with mine.  It was difficult and although my son’s father and I married, I never wanted to have any other children.  I chose a birth control method with over 90% success rate.  Even though I used this method according to my Doctor’s and manufacturer’s specifications 5 years after my son was born I became pregnant again.  My husband wanted me to terminate the pregnancy, I could not do it.  I have a daughter and later we raised a nephew from the time that he was 10 and homeless.  These were not easy decisions, not my first choice, but for me they are decisions that I am proud of.

So when someone like President Obama seems to glorify his support of a woman’s right to choose.  I look at my family and realize that while women are given the right to control their own bodies, some acknowledgement of the innocent victims of this decision is warranted and the glorification of the decision to terminate is not energizing to me.

Christian Compromise Values for Mormons

Last Week on the Billy Graham website, Mormonism was removed as a cult.  Pat Robertson has supported Gov. Mitt Romney as a candidate, because Gov. Romney’s “Christian Values”.  I really applaud the work that Reverends Robertson and Graham have done to let people know the “Good News” of salvation through Jesus Christ.  They have done an outstanding job advancing the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am very hesitant to criticize them because of their tremendous work and I pale in comparison in my commitment and actions for Christ. 

However, in this instance I don’t believe that removing Mormonism as a cult or saying that a Mormon supports our “Christian Values” are the right messages.

Why was Mormonism a cult last week and not this week?  Is it because of the former High Priest of the Mormon faith Gov. Romney is running for President?  Shouldn’t assigning “cult” status be the result of the teachings of the Mormon religion? 

The Book of Mormon says it is “Another Gospel of Jesus Christ”.  In the Bible it specifically states that “if anyone preaches another Gospel let him be accursed.”

How does following Mormonism advance “Christian Values”?  If you make the argument that Gov. Romney believes in “Christian Values” than, if a worshipper of “Satan” says he is against abortion and Gay Marriage it would be OK to vote for him because he shares your “Christian Values”. 

I will not tell any citizen of the USA not to vote for Gov. Romney because of his religion, but when someone implies that Gov. Romney has more “Christian Values” as the reason to vote for him you are compromising those “Christian Values” to vote for someone who believes something the Bible so explicitly states is “Cursed”. 

I think it is a blow to the Gospel of Jesus Christ when we compromise our “Christian Values” to support a candidate that is worshipping “Another Gospel”.   That is a danger and we as Christians should never say that one “sin” is better than another.  

The truth for Christians is that according to the Bible Mormonism is “Sin”, Abortion is “Sin” and Gay Marriage is “Sin” and for followers of Jesus Christ to say anything else; is “Sin” also.

Todd Akins - Legitimate Rape

Todd Akins made an uneducated comment about forcible rape.  Although there is not enough scientific evidence to support that theory, he is trying to justify his views on abortion.  

I have made a vow to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I believe that it is wrong for me to get an abortion.  Although I am not sure what decision I would make if my physician determined my life was threatened, I would hope I can believe in God’s Will and trust him (that is easy to believe when my life is not threatened). 

I believe that if I were raped and I became pregnant that it would be wrong for me to abort the child, because it is never the child’s fault that a parent acts abusively.  Aborting the life does not make me less pregnant or less raped.  (Again that is easy for me to believe when I have not been confronted with this situation). 

I live in the United States of America, we have voted, fought and died for our freedoms.  Because of this I don’t believe that it is right for me to tell someone else what to do with their body; that should be their right to have control over their own body.   My conscience will not allow me to vote in favor of abortion though, I would have to abstain. 

Now that I have explained my views, I don’t support Todd Akins’ view on forcible rape and possibly a person in 2012; making such an ignorant statement is an indicator as to why he should not be a senator. 

He has been demonized by many, but I can appreciate his attempt to save children.  If a person believes the life of the mother is important; than they should also believe that the life of the child is important.  The child did not get to choose.  So those who criticize Todd Akins should also recognize that his error is an attempt to save the life of a child. 

North Carolina Ban on Gay Marriage is Unconstituional

Yesterday North Carolinians amended the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.  I imagine many Christians are making a statement for their religious views, but what will this amendment really do?  Will it stop same-sex couples from sleeping together?

I believe if you are a Christian it is wrong for you to engage in a same-sex relationship or to engage in heterosexual relationship with someone you are not married to.  I also believe that Christians should not tell lies or cheat, etc.  I believe that people that engage in these and acts are committing sin.  I don't believe a person same-sex relationship is any more of a "sinner" than a liar. 

The constitutional amendment in North Carolina, I don't believe will do much to stop same-sex relationships from happening. If a person believes that homosexuality is a sin; then the sins will continue even after this amendment. What the amendment does is stop them from having legal rights and that speaks to their citizenship. 

I don't believe that I can tell consenting adult Americans, what they should do with their own genitals.  If they are adult and a same-sex relationship aids them in their "pursuit of happyness" I don't believe we have the right to deny them legal rights that we give to other Americans.

Many of these same Christians will also say as Americans they "support the constitution" of the USA.  How are you supporting the constitution by denying others their rights?  Christians are responsible their sin and witness and pray for those have not accepted Jesus Christ as Messiah.  We are to be salt and light.   As Americans we support the constitution and every American has the right for individual happyness as long as it does not infringe on the rights of  others.

Biden on Gay Marriage/ Richard Grenell dismissal

Last week Richard Grenell a foreign policy and national security spokesperson for the Mitt Romney campaign, resigned.  The Romney campaign was criticized by some conservatives for hiring Grenell, an openly gay staffer.  On Sunday's Meet the Press program VP Biden said that he was ok with gay marriage.  President Obama says he opposes gay marriage, but supports civil unions.

I believe that President Obama's staff wanted to exploit the resignation of Mr Grenell by allowing VP Biden to enthusiastically support Gay marriage on a personal level, to curry favor with the gay community to gain votes.  I believe they were responding to recent polls that a majority of Americans, are not opposed to same sex marriage. The Biden support for same-sex marriage allows a not so subtle nod to the gay community, that the Obama administration also is open to same-sex marriage without supporting it "officially".

My views on gay marriage it that it is wrong for Christians to be in a gay relationship and that churches should not perform or condone gay marriage for their members, and churches should not be forced to perform marriages for same-sex couples who are not members.  As an American, I don't think I have the right to tell consenting adults how they should live as long as they are not hurting anyone else.  Although I would not vote for same-sex marriage, I support same-sex couples their "pursuit of happiness".

One reason that Pres. Obama's staff believes that they can alienate some Christians who are fervent in their opposition to gay marriage, is that these Christians, have demonstrated that in spite of what the Obama administration does these Christians will not  vote for President Obama.

An example of this is that during the healthcare debate, the Senate and House bills had differences. The House bill included the Stupak amendment that, did not allow abortion funding for healthcare participants and the Senate bill made no such provision.  Pro-life Senators could have inserted a similar Stupak-like amendment to their bill, even if they would not vote for it.  The democrats would have taken any amendment to the bill that Republicans proposed, but no Senator made provision halting public funding of abortion.

In the end to reconcile the bills as required the pro-life portion of the House bill was removed, but Stupak, got President Obama to sign an executive order banning public funding of abortions.  Instead of applauding Congressman Stupak for getting the Pro-life issue into the bill, Stupak is not recognized for this accomplishment by many in the Christian community.

I believe that Christians should leverage their power, by not being beholden to any party, but using this leverage to negotiate issues that are important to us   I believe that Pres. Obama's administration would make additional compromises if they could be assured of some support from these Christians.  We risk allowing other legislation that may be harmful to our society, because we don't utilize our voting leverage.

Can't We all Get Along

On the 20th Anniversary of the LA Riots.  I remember a statement from Rodney King, a victim of a brutal  police beating.  I remember praying for Divine intervention to end the fear, chaos and destruction in a US city as a result of the acquittal of the police officers.

In Washington, there is so much in-fighting and lack of cooperation that we have lawmakers who refuse to "Get Along".  John Boehner and other Republicans accuse President Obama of not cooperating.  When President Obama first entered office he asked for cooperation and in my opinion really tried to seek common ground.  Ms Pelosi and the President, I believe lost the battle of compromise and the Republicans in order to stay in power seem prone to drive a wedge between Americans to evoke anger so they can win.  But in order to do that they have not introduced anything new and they make enemies of our President and our neighbors who voted for him.

I am not naive enough to believe that only Republicans are guilty of not compromising.  The Democrats have also exhibited partisan behaviors.  This week a piece was issued in the Washington Post by Thomas J. Mann of the Brookings Institute and Norman Ornstein from American Enterprise Institute said the that the Republicans are the biggest offenders  

I believe the main reason that the policies of President Obama and Republican congress are failing is spiritual.  We are a house divided.  We are a country in discord.  Instead of coming together we feed on each other and we will fail if we continue.

In the words or Rodney King;  Can't we all get along?  In the words of Abraham Lincoln "A house divided, will not stand".

Keep it up congress and the American people, how is it working for us?

Read the Washington Post article here:     http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/lets-just-say-it-the-republicans-are-the-problem/2012/04/27/gIQAxCVUlT_story_3.html

A tale of Two Shootings

I am horrified by the events of the Trayvon Martin case.  A young man is dead and there is a lot of controversy surrounding the shooting.  Many are questioning the Florida "Stand Your Ground" law and the swiftness it was applied to the shooter.  I don't know all of the facts in this case and no one ever will, because Trayvon did not live to tell his story.  I don't believe Mr. Zimmerman would have approached the teen if he did no feel secure that he had a weapon "just in case".  I am appalled that there seems to be no standards for investigating these "Stand your ground" claims and that it appears the victim was tested for drugs or alcohol etc,  but the shooter was not tested.

I am reminded of another "shooting" of a teen.  Tyler Clemente was "shot" by a camera set up by his roommate  at Rutgers University.  Dharun Ravi did the "shooting" of his roommate as he engaged in intimate activity and invited others to watch.  Tyler Clemente took his own life a few days later.   I am appalled at Dharun Ravi's behavior, but puzzeled about the differences in how the two "shootings" are discussed. 

There is not enough evidence that Tyler Clemente took his own life as a result of the "shooting".  Dharun Ravi has been convicted of spying in a place he had every right to be (in my opinion).  Laws were enacted and there was a national conversation about bullying.  Dharun now faces up to 10 years in prison.  Many people are blaming Trayvon for his own death; as if he went to the store with the intent of getting shot.  We will never know the whole story of Tyler or Trayvon.  There were some questionable decisions that Tyler made but he was not vilified as many are doing to Trayvon.  I hope that when a young person dies regardless of where they are from, we seek truth and consistency in how they are treated in our discussions.

Black History Month

Black History Month?  I never thought that almost 50 years after the signing of the civil rights act that the USA would still need this.   When I was young, in my school books I read some things about Africans that are difficult for me to believe now.  Some examples are "Indians were too civilized to become slaves" and "Africans were better off because the English civilized by providing them Christianity". 

It has been reported that last year members of the Tennessee Tea Party had a press conference and stated "an awful lot of made-up criticism about, for instance, the founders intruding on the Indians or having slaves or being hypocrites in one way or another."  Many people are claiming this was last year but in early January 2012 the Tennessee Tea Party announced they were suspending actions to "redirect focus on faith based initiatives and education."  They also said "the current state of affairs in the country calls for a return back to the foundation of faith and morality in which this country was founded."

We as a nation need to tell the true history.  The Bible tells the "sinful" and "saintly" acts and does not try to cover wrongs.  Sorry Tennessee Tea Party our founding fathers were hypocrites, they intruded on the Native Americans and we cannot try to justify those acts.  They were also great men and did “try” to build this country on Judeo-Christian values; but they were just men with flaws just like us.  We will continue to grow if we acknowledge and report our entire history and then there will not be a need for Black history, Women's history or any other history month.

Komen and Planned Parenthood

It was announced that the Susan Komen foundation will discontinue funding for Planned Parenthood breast cancer screening.  This has become a PR nightmare with many donors threatening to pull their funding from the Komen foundation.  Komen should have anticipated the backlash associated with this decision.  They should have developed other alternatives that will allow Planned Parenthood’s clients access to these services, but do not add to the support of Planned Parenthood facilities.

For many lower income people Planned Parenthood is the most accessible source for these services.  My mother had breast cancer. I loved participating in Komen sponsored events like “Race for a Cure”.   I felt that we were doing something to help combat this disease. 

As Christians we must ensure that our efforts to combat abortion do not give the misperception that we do not care about the “least of these”.  What I hope will not happen is that Komen’s principled stance will hurt funding   Komen needs to quickly get to Planned Parenthood and come up with some plan that they can both support and diffuses this PR nightmare.