I Thought Kerry's Bible Talk Would Annoy Me, But Just The Opposite

[DrFunkenstein]

During his address later at a performing arts center, he spoke of the "foundations of belief and commitment," beginning with his parents and further shaped by President John Kennedy. Kerry often quotes Kennedy, who said, "Here on earth, God's work must truly be our own."

Though he said that his faith serves as a guide, Kerry made a point of letting voters know that his religion would not dictate his decisions.

"I know there are some bishops who have suggested that as a public official I must cast votes or take public positions--on issues like a woman's right to choose or stem cell research--that carry out the tenets of the Catholic Church," he said. "I love my church; I respect the bishops; but I respectfully disagree."

In describing his values, Kerry said it means that he would look out for those who are not so fortunate.

"I will put middle-class families and those struggling to join them ahead of the interests of the well-to-do and the well-connected," he said, criticizing President Bush for ignoring those in need in order to reward the rich with one tax cut after another.

Steve Schmidt, a Bush campaign spokesman, said, "Only John Kerry could use a speech that was supposed to be about faith and values to launch political attacks against his opponent."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2027&e=1&u=/chitribts/20041025/ts_chicagotrib/kerryoffersvotersmorepersonalglimpsewithfocusonfaith

It is very interesting that Steve Schmidt fails to see the connection between policy and faith and "values." I suppose that they have used "compassionate conservative" for so long, they no longer recognize what compassion means.

I suppose "values" is supposed to be a code word for the Christian life, which in this case means the rural Midwestern lifestyle.

But Kerry's sense of religion is deeper than lifestyle, his faith deeper than arrogant certainty (see: humility, lack of). I genuinely feel that Kerry wants to do good in this world, that he sees politics as a way of helping people - not a pulpit for looking pious while backing huge corporate giveaways on the sly.

There are old statements by Kerry that really make me feel he is a deeply religious man, with a healthy searching for truth through great questioning. That, to me, is a more honest form of Christianity.

Like many Northeasterners, I share Kerry's reluctance to wear my faith on my sleeve, I openly question the world of both profound goodness and suffering delivered by God's providence, and I believe our expression of divinity comes through our acts, our relationship to others and to the world itself (as an environmentalist).

Kerry's reluctant references to his faith do not strike me as pandering, but as an acknowledgement that many Americans want to know the moral core from which a politician bases his leadership and policies. Likewise, I would not begrudge Bush his open religiosity if it did not represent the most repugnant of hypocrisies on a scale that is hard to even fully comprehend.

While church and state should most certainly be separate, as Kerry understands, shaping one's moral compass by the teachings of religious writings does not necessitate a rigid doctrine according to narrow precepts, but rather can flow outward from that core.

[Krupskaya]

1. I totally agree.

I've heard his preachifyin' on NPR and have been very impressed. He uses his religion as a base, a foundation to build his beliefs on, not a club to break down other people's beliefs. He has my respect.

[HootieMcBoob]

2. Well said Doctor n/t

:thumbsup:

[crispini]

3. Good post! Thanks! n/t