Hate in America...It's Got To Stop
As a Christian, this is particularly worrisome to me. I can't recall having ever experienced any discrimination because of my religion. Not ever. But I can see how the way McCain-supporting Christians are acting could cause a backlash in this country against Christians. I certainly feel no pride in the way many Christians are behaving.
I personally know many who believe all the crap that is being spread on the internet. As a result of my attempts to "right" the record, I am no longer receiving any, but I still hear about them from others who are. When I hear things like the Pastor praying for God to make sure He makes McCain win, so His reputation will be protected, seeing a man carrying a stuffed monkey w/ an Obama sticker on it into an event, hearing yells of "kill him" and "terrorist" it offends not only my sense of fair play, but it offends me personally that people who claim to be followers of Christ would act like this. It is so against EVERYTHING that Jesus stands for.
Now I know not all Christians are like this. I ran across an excellent article written by Frank Schaeffer, son of the late envagelist Francis Schaeffer, and former McCain supporter. It deals with many of the issues facing us in this election and is a MUST READ!
http://www.alternet.org/rights/102837/former_mccain_supporter%3A_mccain_is_%22unleashing_the_monster_of_american_prejudice%22/?page=entire
Here are a few excerpts:
"John McCain: If your campaign does not stop equating Sen. Barack Obama with terrorism, questioning his patriotism and portraying Mr. Obama as 'not one of us,' I accuse you of deliberately feeding the most unhinged elements of our society the red meat of hate, and therefore of potentially instigating violence.
and,
"John McCain: In 2000, as a lifelong Republican, I worked to get you elected instead of George W. Bush. In return, you wrote an endorsement of one of my books about military service. You seemed to be a man who put principle ahead of mere political gain.
"You have changed. You have a choice: Go down in history as a decent senator and an honorable military man with many successes, or go down in history as the latest abettor of right-wing extremist hate.
"John McCain, you are no fool, and you understand the depths of hatred that [surround] the issue of race in this country. You also know that, post-9/11, to call someone a friend of a terrorist is a very serious matter. You also know we are [a bitterly divided country] on many other issues. You know that, sadly, in America, violence is always just a moment away. You know that there are plenty of crazy people out there.
"Stop! Think! Your rallies are beginning to look, sound, feel and smell like lynch mobs.
"John McCain, you're walking a perilous line. If you do not stand up for all that is good in America and declare that Senator Obama is a patriot, fit for office, and denounce your hate-filled supporters when they scream out 'Terrorist' or 'Kill him,' history will hold you responsible for all that follows.
Hopefully, with the growing number of voices within their own party calling for them to tone it down, they will back off. If John McCain was half the man he claims to be, he would make a speech akin to the one Sen. Obama made about race, apologizing for the language coming from his campaign and denouncing the hate mentality that it has inspired.
I'm not holding my breath.
Still, thanks so much for posting this. Excellent.
Strongly rec'd.
October 14, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
October 14, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, still. Nicely done.
These people are not followers of Christ or of anything resembling peace. They are akin to those who visit their local church once a year - on Easter Sunday.
October 14, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with you totally. I too am a Christian. The last eight years and the behavior of people like these at McCain's rallies have done a great deal of harm to the reputation of our faith, globally.
Hopefully an Obama presidency will set a new and healing example of a faithful leader. One that may repair some of that damage and bring different political views and different faiths closer together, unlike the Bush years which deliberately drove them apart.
Just because I'm hopeful, doesn't mean I totally believe this will happen of course, but its much more likely under Obama, IMHO.
Peace.
October 14, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with most of what you said. But John Lewis' comments were outrageous. To put McCain on equal footing with George Wallace is ridiculous.
It is unfortunate the some people at these rallies have said inexcusable things. But that doesn't make McCain into George Wallace.
October 14, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Then he has to stand up to it. Every time it happens. Call 'em out. Explain what a democracy is and that we don't think its ok to call someone a terrorist or traitor when they are not. It's not ok to want to kill someone becuase they are running for office.
Every time it happens.
Otherwise, he is allowing/making something dark to take hold in his supporters.
October 14, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't make him into George Wallace, but it does point out what hate speech leads to. Deliberately fueling hate is despicable and John/Sarah have done it. George Wallace deliberately fueled hate. I think that is a valid comparison, and the repercussions could be just as tragic.
October 14, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
The problem isn't so much the hateful feelings (although those are not helpful) as the public calling out for violence by McCain/Palin supporters, and worse, having the Republican candidates tacitly condoning such calls by their silence.
October 14, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
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October 14, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent post. Writing as a Christian, I couldn't agree more with the blogger. Few who are alive during today's post Civil Rights era can fathom the spirit - the terror - and the pain & suffering of the times of which Congressman Lewis spoke in his message to John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Those of us who did live through that era will never forget the spirit of those days. There is an unmistakable whiff of toxic air emanating from McCain/Palin rallies.
The air surrounding McCain/Palin rallies consist of fear, anger, racial hatred, classism and xenophobic molecules and each puff gives rise to newer, more toxic particules than the ones predeceeding.
Mr. Lewis described very eloquently the recognizable stench of this toxic admixture. He spoke of the malodor of racism, classism, anti-intellectualism and religious bigotry and xenophobia emanating through teevee screens and newspaper articles and Internet sites whenever McCain/Palin rallies are reported on.
And everyone who lived through the Civil Rights era recognizes the stench of hate speech, no matter how secretly its coded and notwithstanding the passion with which its denied. And we know that it is a inciter of violence, a provocateur of fear and a fomenter of more hatred.
October 14, 2008 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
George Wallace may not have intended for his incendiary remarks to start a conflagration, but it did. I'm sure McCain doesn't intend that either, but it may happen. So the remarks of John Lewis were not inappropriate.
He's a man who knows what inflaming violent feelings may lead to. He bears the scars.
He doesn't owe an apology.
October 15, 2008 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
I so agree. I truly want Obama to call for peaceful demonstrations. Until the hate speech stops completely. And mcShame and the dame repudiate their former behavior and call on their supporters to do so as well.
Otherwise, I have a simple recommendation for how to do these peaceful demonstrations, which I think need to happen nightly. At a specified time each evening, citizens simple stand in their neighborhoods. For 5 or 10 minutes. Or wherever you happen to be at that time, you exit and stand outdoors. Peacefully. Standing for civility. Standing against hate and hate speech. Standing as a demand that the republican ticket cease inciting violence and hatred and bigotry.
This does not have to be a pro-Obama demonstration. But a pro-civil order, pro-civil rights. Anti-bigotry. Anti-violence.
I think we need to do something. Right away. To show the world that the vast majority of Americans are opposed to what's going on at mcShame rallies.
October 15, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thera, I was hoping to see you this morning...Question. Do you know of a site where they are tracking the number of conservative columnists/McCain supporters who have come out and spoken harshly against McCain (Kathleen Parker, George Will, etc.?)
October 15, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, were you just as outraged by the hate directed at GWB for the last 8 years? Did you speak up against those that claimed he was selected, not elected? Did you condemn Bill Maher for suggesting the world would be better off if Cheney were dead? Or is your outrage only directed at people who do not see your messiah as anything other than a dangerously inexperienced, leftwing nutcase who shares the anti-American views of his friends (Farrakhan, Jackson, Wroght, Ayers)?
October 15, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain and Palin both claim to be Christians.
I suggest they read the book of James in the New Testament. It has a lot to say about the words we use !
October 15, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone identified the offenders? They could be PLANTS to smear McCain. And just remember, McCain cannot control what others do.
I believe it is very prudent that questions on background be put forward. Now is the time to do it! We do not know Obama. I like his persona, too, but we have to enter into this marriage with open eyes! After election will be too late!
The rhetoric called “HATE” needs to be displaced with the term “CONCERN” for our future!
Obama has openly lied, changed positions, didn’t know his own convictions early-on having to wait and feel out the public and opponents, and seems to say what he thinks his audience wants to hear. “Words, only words.” We certainly cannot believe he was a member of that congregation for twenty years and did not know went on. Why are so many of his associates questionable? He has given no substantiated evidence of his background and activities. Where are lifelong friends who should be vouching for him? He seemingly is a wolf in sheepskin to those of us who haven’t joined the ban wagon, keeping their eyes open!
He supports abortion and is willing to kill his own grandchildren. He most likely will lead us to assisted deaths/suicides to relieve the country of other burdensome beings: old people, mental patients, disabled, who knows who. Perhaps you or your child who is in a comma from an accident! For the most important job in the world, how can you trust someone who openly defies moral right and would be refused by the Secret Service or the FBI with his questionable background?
Personally, I endorse McCain because he has displayed an upright position on issues, knew his own convictions from the beginning, and has loved beyond self for unnumbered, unknown others with great sacrifice. He adopted a child; not out of his need, but out of love, empathy, and caring for others, despite his own frailty and weaknesses. Obama has shown his love through his rhetoric. Words are easy.
Obama has fought dirty politics, too, but has had to go to the VP position to do it! Why? Because of McCain’s clean record and years of front-and-center profile in the country! Both men have smears of adultery. The only times I have heard McCain and supporters called a liar is in the name of “hate” which really should be termed “concern for our country.”
I dare to say that Chicago politics has taught Obama a lot of dirty; like “plants” in the opposing rallies to build negativism toward McCain. Obama certainly has had the budget to hire others to do his dirty work! Twenty years with Pastor Wright would have taught him to seed the term “hate” for the term “concern!” McCain has not had such exposure and is and always has been an upright candidate for the most important job in the world!
DECENCY IS THE ONLY WAY TO PROMOTE VIGOROUS SELF-ESTEEM, PEOPLE, AND COUNTRY! Keep your eyes open and be concerned!
October 15, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
You and people like you are the reason my husband and I recently changed our affiliation from Republican to Democrat, after having voted exclusively for Republican Presidents since 1972.
Keep up the good work. You are doing more to promote the causes of the Democratic Party as any paid advertising could EVER do.
October 15, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
What causes are those that you support? The cause of higher taxes? Supporting Abortion? Supporting Gun Control? No 'real' Republican would support a socialist like Obama. You are just another stupid Democrat claiming to be a Republican to try to convince fools to 'follow' you.
October 15, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do your homework bulldog (bulldog, yes, clever? Not so much) I've been on here long enough that you ought to know where I'm coming from...
Thinking people realize that not all Republicans believe the same things, anymore than all Democrats believe the same things.
Higher taxes? Yeah, I'm willing. Trickle down was a concept worthy of trying, but it has been a colossal failure. I'm willing to try to bottom up.
Abortion? None of my business. Even as a Christian I feel like this is an issue best left between women and God.
Gun control? I don't want to give up my guns, but we certainly need SOME control...it has gotten out of hand.
But most importantly? I'm sick of the politics of division. I'm sick of the hypocritical, lying, cheating, greedy, self-serving, secretive, hiding behind God, take care of your rich buddies, policies of the Republican Party. I'm sick of feeling sleazy every time I think of myself as a Republican. I'm sick of feeling ashamed every time I see a Christian validating the hate-filled rhetoric of McCain/Palin.
Do I think Obama walks on water? No I don't. But he has given me hope I haven't had in a long time. As long a there is a 2% chance he can deliver a better America, I'm there.
October 15, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The hate you are witnessing is not emanating from just one religion or ethnicity.
IMO, bigotry is a lifestyle, of which religion is a part.
October 15, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good post. Clicking on the above link for the Shaeffer interview doesn't work. Try the shortened http://www.alternet.org/rights/102837.
October 15, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks OyVeyLeague-Mr.Schaeffer is echoing everything I have thought. The McCain/Palin campaign is entirely responsible for everything they do and say. Palin stated "I have nothing to lose." What a telling statement.
I saw a documentary of JFK's presidency the other day. It drew some parallels for me. I heard JFK speak and it was so affirming and positive, I was filled with hope.I saw the racism in the south in that era and I teared up thinking how the seeds of hate are being sown now, to win an election. I also saw Nikita Khrushchev with his red faced temper. When I see McCain angry, that comparison will always stick in my mind. If he goes down in history as a dishonorable man,it will be because of his own choices.
October 15, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink