There can be no such thing as “the Christian right” in politics. Nothing in the Christian faith supports the intolerant views of religious organizations that have been subverted to support extremism, racism, oppression and war. The use of the word Christian by this abhorrent movement is clearly a violation of the commandment against taking the name of the Lord in vain.
The movement is more accurately described as the religious right. Throughout history many religious organizations have crusaded in the cause of evil. As the Bible warns, mankind must always be on guard against false prophets.
Jesus healed the sick and drove the money changers out of the Temple. Yet some of today’s “Christian” leaders oppose universal health care and enrich themselves by taking the side of oppressors in America and abroad. How ironic is that?
But it was only a matter of time before the authentically Christian clergy would feel obliged to join the battle over health care reform in America. A Reuters report by Ed Stoddard today reveals that several religious groups are teaming up with President Barack Obama in a national campaign to counter “the surprisingly vehement conservative opposition to his plan for overhaul of the U.S. health care industry.” Clergy who are rallying to Obama’s side include evangelicals, mainstream Protestants and Catholics.
Here’s an excerpt from the Reuters article:
Protesters have confronted members of Congress across the country in town hall meetings held to take the public pulse on the various health care overhaul plans being written in Congress.… Some of the opposition is being fueled by leaders of the “religious right,” the conservative Christian movement that remains a key base for the opposition Republican Party.
The unruly protests are based in part on false claims on conservative radio and television that health care reform would lead to taxpayer funded abortion and even euthanasia for the old. This kind of propaganda incites intense opposition from Conservative Catholics and many evangelicals. Yet – rightly or wrongly – U.S. law explicitly forbids the use of federal funds to provide abortions, and there is no suggestion in any of the health care bills being considered that the old and sick would be euthanized. To the contrary, funding is provided in one of the bills for anyone to consult with their doctor about the final care they would like to have.
According to the Reuters article, the Christian leaders now standing by Obama’s side are motivated by the biblical call to help the sick and the poor – as the health care proposals are designed to do.
The President is to participate in a call-in program with religious leaders streamed on the Internet on August 19, and the group will hold prayer meetings and run nationwide television ads. Perhaps this campaign will help the American public decide who is on the side of the angels in the vitally important health care debate.
Photo shows President Barack Obama holding a town hall meeting on health care reform at Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. Recent town hall meetings have been plagued by right-wing demonstrators drowning out the speakers.
For Stoddard’s report, click:
www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1879065
