I originally planned on writing about the media and the Presidential candidates, but after church today I have a new direction for this important question.
What does it mean when we say separation between church and state? Keep the religious leaders out of politics or out of the state? We’ve all heard, during this past campaign, the term “religious right” used as the punching bag for the secularists, but does that mean there are no “religious left?” Senator Obama attended church. He worshiped in a building where the senior pastor condemned our nation for racial intolerance. The same country that just elected a Black Man President of the USA.
It seems when losing an argument, pointing to the “Religious Right” becomes is the deflector. Some of my liberal friends point to Religious Republicans and conclude their bad behavior some how justifies anther’s. Condemning anyone or any nation from a religious bully pulpit is wrong–no matter which direction the podium is pointing.
The Left is crying for the Right to stand behind our new President: asking for our nation to heal the great divide. I have no doubt that the Right will do just that; but not because the Left asked, but rather because that is our nature. One must ask, however, why such advice wasn’t warranted for our last President?
Yes, please, lets heal the great divide. Let’s put away our blow horns and protest signs and form a chain of unity for all our political leaders: not just now, but after all future elections! Let’s not hear surprising words of pride (at last) for recent political steps; be proud of our country always. Or should we be concerned with the direction those who are just recently feeling pride for our nation might take? To not believe the past was good is to ignore the blood shed that got us this far.
I hope those with the controls don’t opt for separation of church FROM the state because I fear religion is the last historical reference point of things that are good. With out the measure of good from our past, I fear we are doomed for evil to take root in our future.
I’ll pray for our new President and all of his old friends. God, may you help them get this one Right.
Ed Bejarana
